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I knew I had to visit here after I found it online. The free Coke was an added bonus. I loved the style of the building. We passed by it again last week when we were in Georgia filming more state parks, but they weren’t open since it was a Monday.

We did have a good visit. I am happy that he talked on the video as well. He told us so much more about the place than I had read up on it. I haven’t worn the shirt yet, but it’ll eventually appear in a video somewhere.

The whole video of everything won’t be released until late July. I’m already filmed up for about a month, but I did want to share a little. We also heard Mariah Faith, she was on American Idol and is from Conway. Ricochet also came in all the way from Oklahoma to put on a concert. I was most excited about Thompson Square. They have been in my top favorites for years. I follow them on Facebook and they are down to Earth. Happy 4th of July to you as well.

It’s one of my favorite songs. I loved that she shared that it was about her father. I do see it more as a love song. I always thought that it would be a great wedding song.

​@@TravelingtheSoutheastI also see it as a love song . At the end the way they were singing it to each other was beautiful.

It was beautiful. They said that they’re celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. You can see the love they have for each other.

I like all kinds of songs. We listen to the 60’s channel when we’re traveling. I prefer the 90’s, but mom isn’t fond of that era. I was raised on country, then went to pop. My first concert ever was Cher. That’s still one of the highlights of my life.

Happy early 4th to you as well. I have to work that day, but I was able to enjoy this event this evening. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

They had it going on. It was an awesome concert. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

The lake was beautiful. The cottages in the Georgia parks are a little pricey to rent each night, but they are very beautiful. I believe that most people prefer to stay in the campground. There’s only a $5 parking fee in the parks, so that’s affordable as well.

I wanted to show more, but there was so many people there. I try hard to not show people if I can unless it’s something educational. Lunch was really good.

We truly enjoyed our Georgia park pass. We used it on Tuesday at our last park we were able to visit before it expires on Sunday. We will get another one sometime in the future. We visited 6 parks on Monday and Tuesday so those videos will come out later in July. I’m hoping the videos will be interesting because it was so hot out there.

I like to hear that you had a memory attached to one of the places I visited. This was our first time ever visiting this park. I really enjoyed visiting here and hopefully will go again sometime in the future.

I hope that you enjoyed your visit to Darnell Farms. We have had good visits each time we went. My dad is ready to go again so he can get another dream whip.

I do reshow a lot of places I visit more than once. They change with the seasons, so I would like to think that the new people to my channel would enjoy seeing my favorite spots, and the ones that have been watching me for awhile would enjoy seeing how things have changed over time.

We try to visit every year. It’s one of our most favorite events each year. I love that they change the designs on some of the topiaries from year to year.

They keep all of the topiaries in a greenhouse in Greenwood when they aren’t on display. I believe they kept them out until September or October last year because the city was hosting an event. It is currently 96° today. I’ve been in Georgia yesterday and today filming videos. It’s almost unbearably hot, but I’m headed home now since I have to be at work early in the morning. A trip to Michigan sounds nice. I’m guessing it might be somewhat cooler there.

The first time we went the pandas were all together. I was disappointed when they separated them, and they’ve never brought them together again. I like the mermaid the best because they change her look every year. They do put a lot of work into them.

Sea turtles are a very big deal here. The SC Aquarium in Charleston has an amazing program that rehabilitates injured or sick sea turtles so they can return home. It’s very touching to watch a release in person. I get a little misty eyed watching the turtles go back in the ocean. Edisto Beach does a nighttime turtle walk, and also has programs where you can watch them count the hatched eggs. Last year we went and saw them find some that were still alive in the hole and they let them crawl to the ocean. The painted turtles are way out of my price range. I’ll admire them and make videos, but I can’t afford to buy one. They make a lot of money for charity, so it’s a good thing they do.

The first one looked like a real turtle. I was shocked that it didn’t have any kind of scene painted on it, it was just a beautiful turtle. I was very fond of turtle number two myself. Fern is a beautiful name. I always think of Fernandina when I hear Fern.

Those were the first Buc-ee’s cups we ever bought. We got them in St. Augustine on our first visit to Buc-ee’s. We both have that design. I’ve also got the Halloween, Christmas, and 4th of July cups that came out since last year.

@@TravelingtheSoutheast LOL....they're gonna have so much of my money

I usually don’t leave out with less than a $100 receipt. I only go once a month or so. I actually need to go back soon. 😂

@@TravelingtheSoutheast 😆😆😆

Nigel represented South Carolina the most to me. I liked all of them as well though.

I have my videos scheduled to be released every other day. I film a lot of my days off from work so something will be coming out. I did like turtle 10 as well. She was quite colorful. We get out early in the morning most of the time so we can beat the heat. I do have a night video I’m planning to film on the 29th, so I’m excited about that one.

​@@TravelingtheSoutheast Awesome , can't wait to watch it .

Most of my family worked at Delta Mills. My mom worked there until they shut their doors for the final time. We still visit Pamplico occasionally. I think the last time I was over there was for the Christmas parade last year.

I can’t even enjoy the extra time tonight since I’m at work. 😂 I love the late sunsets.

It’s ran by the Department of Natural Resources. A lot of them don’t have public restrooms. Even a modern day outhouse would be better than nothing. I’m sure that the beach is used as a restroom frequently by the people that spend the day there. It seems as if that is worse than putting a public restroom in. We don’t stay long when we visit.

I’ll have to do a sunrise video later in the year once the sun rises later. 😁 I have seen pictures of the sunrises there and they are beautiful. It had been a few years since we last visited here, so I couldn’t remember where everything is. I missed showing the ice house, so maybe I can get it next time.

​@@TravelingtheSoutheastthat sounds like a good plan . 😊

I try to read most of the signs as long as nobody else is around. This was a beautiful place to visit. I hope that we go again someday.

Thanks for watching. We love to visit the train museum.

This was one of my favorite parks we have visited. I thought the lake was beautiful. I was hoping to see some alligators at the state park, but at least I saw some on the drive to the dam. I’m not sure what happened to the ranger, but they have honored her in a big way at the park. I had thought about getting in the water too, but there was too many people around for me to do that.

​@@TravelingtheSoutheasti understand about the water , i don't really like doing things around other people myself. I see my comment stayed this time 😊 . I tried something before I commented .... I unsubscribed , then subscribed again and the comment stayed . I'm thinking I need a new phone . Until I can get a new one I will continue to do that so my comments stay . 😊

@@CryMeARiver63 I even talked about it in the end of the video I did yesterday. I said that I hoped you knew that I enjoyed your comments and I hoped that you hadn’t unsubscribed, and that I was sorry if you thought that I had did it. I’d never remove one of your comments because they are always so positive. I look forward to seeing what you are going to say on each video. Thanks for being here.

​@@TravelingtheSoutheastyou removing my comments NEVER crossed my mind . I know you would never do something like that kiddo . A while back I was reported as a scammer and youtube believed it and I was punished for something I wasn't doing . I was banned from commenting for awhile and every now and then my comments disappear and I'm not sure if it is youtube or my phone doing it . I know you would never do that anyone . Stay Blessed Donna . Looking forward to you next adventure. 😊

@@CryMeARiver63 I’m glad to hear you knew it wasn’t me.

I always enjoy hearing about the memories people have of the small towns I visit. I spent most of my childhood on Old River Road at my grandma’s house. It still feels weird to drive past where she lived and not stop in. I’m happy that you were able to find the video and have a connection to a place that I showed.

I haven’t seen a comment from you on this video. I was wondering if you had seen the video because you usually comment on all of them.

​@@TravelingtheSoutheastI did watch it and commented and for some reason my comment disappeared again . I loved that y'all were able to watched the fireworks from an air conditioned room and the sunsets were absolutely beautiful. I didn't rely back because I was so upset that my comment disappeared again . I don't know if its my phone or utube doing it . 😊

It might have been on CZcams. I had a notification earlier that day that they had a known issue, but I didn’t pay attention to what it was. I never had a notification that you had commented until I saw this post. I was worried that you had unsubscribed, and I always enjoy reading your comments.

Apparently most people don’t like my thumbnails. CZcams says that only 2 people out of every 100 choose to watch my videos because of my thumbnails. I try to make them show what the video is about. I show us in the thumbnail a lot so people will know it’s my video if they want to watch it and know that it’s my video before they click on it.

@@TravelingtheSoutheast I dont know how YT would know that...they have never asked or surveyed me about your videos...I think they are just making up stuff ...in my opinion I think they are wrong. You are gaining subs so it might be because people see your thumbnails.

@@janusaflorida7909 They send out weekly and monthly updates about how your channel is doing. I have never done a survey on any channel I watch either. I have been told by people that comment that my channel was hard to find. Somehow I haven’t cracked the code yet on how to get in the algorithm.

@@TravelingtheSoutheast From what I have read other YT vlog. a thousand subs is a big milestone and then posting a video often and responding to comments helps ..so I think you are hitting all those marks

@janusaflorida7909 I certainly try to. I definitely try to engage in all my comments, even the ones that I have to get translated. I answer the comments anytime I see them. I answer them when I wake up, if I’m on lunch or break at work, while I’m on the road making videos, when I’m sitting at home on the porch watching traffic go by, and before I go to bed. I try to make everyone that comments feel appreciated. I saw somewhere that most people give up on their CZcams channel within a year if it doesn’t reach immediate success. It took me over 4 years to get to 1,000 subscribers, but I never gave up. I have made some wonderful friends on here through the comments. I look forward to seeing the comments on each video I release. I absolutely love read the stories that some people tell me about the places I have visited. I really enjoy the ones where someone tells me that the towns I visit is where their parents or grandparents grew up. It means a lot to know that I have shared something that was special to their memories. I’m going to keep right on going with my videos. They make me happy, and hopefully they make others happy as well.

I think it’s only a matter of time before most of the mountains there won’t exist. You can see in some places where they are taking the mountains down with bulldozers. Buc-ee’s was built on the top of a mountain there. They are now building that area up with a hotel and other buildings that will become the 407 experience. I’m usually the one that has the wild ideas to get up early and go places. You’d think that I’d want to sleep in on my days off, but I want to get to the places I visit early so I don’t have to deal with crowds. I have got up at 2 or 3 several times just to be able to get a sunrise at a beach that is 3 hours from me. I had a great birthday trip. The other videos that I took that week are still waiting to come out. I was able to visit a lot of new places that week.

Sumter is a nice place. My grandma’s favorite color was purple as well. Thanks for watching and commenting.

We had a great time. The bears at Cades Cove will surprise you at times. We’ve had several come out as we are passing by in the car. We always stay in the car when they are around because they are fast when they want to be.

You found one of my old videos here. This was a fun one to make. Thanks for watching and commenting about the name of the horse.

It’s one of my favorite drives to take. It’s so beautiful there.

The horses belong to a riding stable .

The horses aren’t always there. I believe they take them back home in the winter. The do horseback rides there and carriage rides. A lot of people get out when the bears are out. The most ridiculous thing we have ever seen was a man coming out of the woods holding what appeared to be a newborn on one arm and a 90 year old woman on the other. The ranger was there getting people out of the woods. We usually get to Cades Cove early to avoid the traffic.

You are correct. I found that out after I went a few times. They do appear to be well taken care of while they’re in the park.

I thought the same thing when I saw the tags in the bears ears. Some people were actually closer to the bears than what you saw in the video. They need to remember that they are wild animals. Unfortunately if the bear reacts, it has to pay the price. There was a whole field of people last year around the bears. I stay in my car.

I hope that your doctor appointment went well. This video was taken on a Sunday morning that started out beautiful and then the rain came in. It started pouring down while we were on the train. The train is my favorite part of Dollywood. This train was Klondike Katie, but I prefer Cinderella. We were on Cinderella when we went in April, and I thought for a moment that we weren’t going to make it up the mountain. We did, but I believe that she messed up a week later, so they finally got Klondike Katie back out to take her place.

Thanks for subscribing again. It often comes one or two at a time when it happens. When I was at Dollywood on the second day, I lost two within an hour. Sometimes it’s only a minute or so before they drop. I did have a good birthday, and I enjoyed the train ride as well. It’s my favorite thing to do there.

The section we were in is Jukebox Junction. I don’t ride the rides because of weight restrictions, plus I’m not a thrill seeker. 😂😂😂 There is a steep incline if you turn to the left when you enter the park. It takes you up to where most of the rides and rollercoasters are located. We always turn to the right when we go in because it’s much flatter and easier to manage. We’re not used to any types of hills where I’m from. Mom does really good when she has her two walking canes.

@@TravelingtheSoutheast Thanks! Totally understand the ride thing now, I'm in a similar boat.

It’s a beautiful place to visit.

It’s crowded all year long. We have found that the crowds are somewhat less if it’s raining. I can stand some rain, but I don’t like to get wet. I think they offer promotions occasionally where everyone pays a child’s price, so I think that saves $10. The cinnamon bread was still the same size. It’s just much more pricey now than it was when we first started getting it. I read on one of the Facebook groups that I’m in that there is one place in the park that now sells smaller loaves, but we didn’t go there. I was surprised that mom sang Happy Birthday while I was recording.

@@TravelingtheSoutheast I'm learning yeast dough baking .. I'll look for a copycat recipe for the bread I think. If it's always crowded I think I'd prefer a winter visit. Can't do crowds AND heat.

If you’ve never been, I highly recommend going at Christmas time. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. We typically do our visit for that in early November because the Christmas spirit doesn’t hit most people until Thanksgiving. One of the best shows there is Christmas in the Smokies. I watch it every single time I visit, so I know it by heart. If you can learn how to make the cinnamon bread, you should like it. It’s the number one treat purchased at Dollywood as far as I know.

It was very beautiful in person.

I did. It was a great day.

I always love to see the rose garden each year. I’m happy that Orangeburg has such a beautiful place that is free of charge for people to visit. A lot of places would charge at least $10 to walk around.

Thank you! I’m in the upstate several times a year. I really enjoy the state parks on Hwy 11. They are really beautiful and different from the ones we have where I’m located at. Thanks for subscribing as well. I always love reading the comments that people leave on the videos. I watch most videos on my tv also.

@@TravelingtheSoutheast 🤩 I would love to go & see these places but my kids are grown, I'm divorced & wouldn't feel safe going alone so love watching the places you & your Mom (& Dad) go! Maybe soon I'll get the nerve lol. Beautiful up hwy 11

I totally understand where you’re coming from on that. It’s very dangerous to go places by yourself anymore. I’m enjoying the time I have now while my parents are still able to travel with me. I have to have someone in the car with me when I’m traveling long distances because I get bored while driving. I have to talk the whole time or have the radio loud.

I was able to cover a pretty good bit in this video. The next video was a total washout. I had planned to go see all the shows I didn’t see in this one, but it didn’t happen. We hope to make it back sometime soon for the Summer Celebration. That starts this weekend and goes through sometime in August.

In my mind I’m still 18. 😂😂😂 My body tells me that I’m about 100. I joke that I started falling apart at 38. 😂😂 I did have a wonderful birthday this year.

Thank you! I had a great day.