Some Like It Hot Video & Blog

Sure, the Southwest gets most of the "cowboy" and "Wild West" credit. But, did you know that the biggest rodeo east of the Mississippi — and one of the biggest in the entire country — makes its home in Kissimmee, Florida?

It's called the Silver Spurs Rodeo, and the folks here in Osceola County have been ridin', ropin', and racin' for over a half-century. What started as a "humble gathering of Osceola Country ranchers" in the 40's has grown into a top 50 event sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Held twice a year, the Silver Spurs Rodeo features all of the classic cowboy events including bareback bronc and bull riding, barrel racing, team and tie-down roping, steer wrestling and even a little mutton bustin' for the kids.

You'll see bull riders and fighters, barrelmen, rodeo clowns, pickupmen (those guys on horses who swing in to pick up riders after they get bucked off) and even rodeo queens.

The Silver Spurs Quadrille is also an event favorite. Described as "square dancing on horseback," the Quadrille consists of eight colorfully-dressed horseback riders weaving, zigzagging and crisscrossing between each other creating . . . well . . . square dancing on horseback.

Those accustomed to staying outside of the ring will find some of the nicest arena facilities in the country. The recently built Silver Spurs Arena greets visitors with 8,300 seats and 12 luxury skyboxes — all in an indoor, climate-controlled environment that plays host to everything from rodeos to concerts.

Don't miss the 122^nd Silver Spur Rodeo Feb. 20-22. Tickets are only $15 (children 10 and under are free) and it's the perfect authentic Southern family getaway.

Snow in Atlanta? Really? Sure, it seems odd, especially in a city that only averages 1.8 inches of snow per year.

But thanks to a "cool" new winter twist to Stone Mountain Park, igloos, snowmen and snowballs are about to become ordinary everyday sights.

The new Snow Mountain Park at Stone Mountain defies the normally mild Georgia weather patterns with foot upon foot of the white stuff. It features three football fields of at least 2 ft. deep snow, a 400 ft. tubing hill and a 30,000 sq. ft. snow play area and even a place to melt away the cold with bonfires and s’mores, SnoFire Point.

Some of the best snow action takes place on the park's giant tubing hill, which features nine lanes of pure snow-packed speed, and two other lanes, known as Snowflake Hill, are reserved for the 3 and under tubing adventurers.

When you reach the bottom, the Mountain SnoLift offers a ride right back to the top for your next run!

The park's Snow Zone provides all your classic snow day fun. Building your best Frosty impression is easy at Snowman Valley, which offers all the snowman-making essentials right down to the corncob pipe. And Igloo City is the place to safely construct that perfect snow castle, fort or tower.

You can even test your snowball aim at the Snowball Shootin' Gallery, which offers moving targets that spin, flip and turn.

Not only is Stone Mountain ready for its grand opening, but it's ready with a state of the art "green" infrastructure. The attraction will not use municipal water, but will borrow water from Stone Mountain Lake. The water is treated, made into snow, and then when melted, returns back to the lake via storm line drainage. Snow Mountain Park even purchases green credits for its electric/production footprint.

Opening day is New Year's Eve 2008 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Snow Mountain will also be open New Year's Day from 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Afterwards, Snow Mountain is open Friday thru Sunday, January 2 to March 1.

It looks like chillin' in Atlanta just got a whole lot easier.

Nashville Country. Kentucky Bluegrass. Memphis and Delta Mississippi Blues. New Orleans Jazz.

There's no doubt about it: the South is recognized world-wide for its wide array of music. It's not uncommon for visitors to take a road trip through the South simply for the abundance of musical sanctuaries along the way.

In fact, I'm one of them.

I keep a constant eye out for music festivals, events, concerts and newly opened music halls and venues. When I begin planning my next trip South, whether venturing to Kentucky, Louisiana or any other southern state, I make sure to add the musical hot spots I've discovered to my "must-visit" list.

I'll admit, I've been keeping a sharp eye on New Orleans lately. I'm regularly checking for new and fun things to do there. After the wrath of hurricane Katrina a few years ago, New Orleans is even more compelling as it undergoes efforts to physical rebuild and progress on citywide cultural rejuvenation.

One particular grand opening caught my interest recently down in Cajun country.

Michaul's Live Cajun Music Venue and Les Bon Temps Party Hall offers the "total Cajun experience." Located in the French Quarter on St. Charles Avenue, Michaul's offers a taste and feel of authentic New Orleans with genuine Cajun cuisine, live music and even dance lessons in the Les Bon Temps Party Hall.

Reviews on Michaul's have done nothing to discourage my positive first impression either:

"We've eaten and danced at many great places in many great cities, but this is the first time I've been compelled to write. That's how good I feel about our visit to MICHAUL's."
Andy Curran, Cincinnati Board of Realtors

"We took a vote at Cathers and voted our visit to MICHAUL's the most enjoyable night we've ever spent in New Orleans! MICHAUL'S lived up to and exceeded our wildest dreams for the evening."
Cathy McGill, Cathers Publishing House, NY

Anybody ready for a southern music road trip?

One of the activities I love most when I travel is visiting toy stores, especially this time of year.  No, I’m not talking about the big box stores, although they certainly serve a good purpose.  I’m talking about those great hole-in-the-wall, mom and pop stores where customer service is everything and where one-of-a-kind gifts for kids of all ages can be found.  Places like Once Upon a Time in Biltmore Village.  I love this place!  They have toys, they have books, they have gift items and, if you go upstairs to William and Grace you can find “timeless fashions for girls and boys ages newborn to 12.”    In fact, I recommend you have someone take the kids over to Claying Around while you are shopping for all those Christmas goodies.  At Claying Around the kids and adults can try their hand at the potter's wheel, paint their own pottery and even paint their own glassware.  Good, dirty fun – everyone will love it!  After all that shopping and creating, everyone will enjoy some food.  Pick one of the handful of restaurants in the Village and you are sure to find something good.  Restaurants include, The Corner Kitchen, Hot Shot Café, Kismet Café, La Paz, Chelsea’s and The Village Tea Room. 

But don’t take my word for it, I’m hoping you will send me your thoughts on some of the best Toy Stores in the South. 

Until next time…

Welcome! I can’t think of a better time to launch a blog about what’s hot in Southern travel and tourism than the late fall. To me, the South really comes alive when the evenings get cooler, the days are still warm and the trees have turned a potpourri of reds, orange and gold. While I know it signals the hibernation of the leaves and summer, everything seems so alive and brilliant. I enjoy watching the children jumping in huge mounds of autumn leaves and, being a self-proclaimed photography fiend, I absolutely can’t wait to jump in the car and head down some of my favorite southern highways and byways in search of the perfect shot. First route? Arkansas’s Pigtrail Scenic Byway through the Boston Mountain region of the Ozarks. It is always GORGEOUS. On the way up, I think I’ll detour through the Arkansas wine country by visiting Post Familie Vineyards & Winery and Wiederkehr Wine Cellars and Vineyard at in Altus. Really interesting stuff and who would have thought you’d find the “wine country” in Arkansas?

November is also my absolute favorite holiday of all time - U.S.A. Thanksgiving. Who doesn’t love Fried Turkey, Bourbon Pecan Pie and Baked Cheese Grits? I am blessed to have a terrific family and extended friends to visit with over the long holiday weekend. Our getaway with kids and my handsome husband included a trek through Georgia and North Carolina to Tennessee. The foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains are picturesque this time of year. Taking in all the sites of the area, we didn’t resist hopping on the Arts and Crafts Trolley in Gatlinburg. The trolley makes an eight mile loop to easily visit shops, studios and galleries of over 80 working artists and craftsman.

I recently met Chef Phil Evans of Heron’s Restaurant at The Umstead Resort and Spa, when we travelled to Canada with a delegation of southern travel industry folks. What a tremendous chef and outstanding resort. My next visit to Raleigh will definitely include indulging in modern Southern cuisine like lobster, foie gras, and sirloin. Chef Phil’s menu includes ingredients grown in North Carolina and from the Umstead’s own herb garden. Heron's also offers selections from their 2500-bottle wine cellar including the local favorite, Childress Wines. Let me know if you know of any other holiday spots I should visit and, more importantly, send me some of the fall color photos you’ve taken along your favorite Southern Highways and Byways. I can't take all the pictures I want, but absolutely love the fiery colors. Then check back. I’ll post 'em here.

Other interesting tidbits:
Did you know that the North Carolina Fraser fir has been judged the "Nation's Best" by the National Christmas Tree Association and chosen for the White House ten times, more than any other species?

OK travelers from near and far…Now that I’ve given you the scoop on where I think it is hot to shop in Atlanta, it is play time. 

First stop, the Georgia Aquarium.  The new Georgia Aquarium is one of the world's largest with over 55,000 animals from 500 different species! It is located across from the CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.  The Georgia Aquarium has timed ticketing (meaning they assign you a time to enter), so I recommend buying tickets in advance. This can be done on their Web site or by phone (404-581-4444).

Next, have a “coke and a smile” at the World of Coke.  Can you imagine?  A 7 foot polar bear, 62,000 square feet and 1,200 artifacts all about the world’s best-known soft drink!   Not to mention all the free coke you can drink.  Very cool.

Now it’s time for my other favorite cool beverage at the Atlanta Brewing Company.  Founded in 1993, the Atlanta Brewing Company (ABC) is the oldest operational brewery in the state of Georgia. Atlanta Brewing Company hosts a tour and tasting every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 5pm to 7pm with live, local music on Wednesday and Friday. Usually, four to six beers, including seasonals, are offered on tap at the tasting. The brewery tour is highly informative and educational.

Finally, how about some food?  Atlanta is full of fabulous eateries.  You name it, they’ve got it.   My personal favorites?  Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Alexander’s and The Varsity Downtown.  But this is just the tip of the iceberg.  As hot as shopping is in Atlanta, the cuisine is even hotter.  Start by checking out Travel South’s list.  Than get out there, try everything and then tell me about it.

Until next time…