Visit like a Local -the new Trend in Vacationing

When one visits a specific destination intent on truly experiencing what that place is really all about, they can take home so much more than photos for the album with this latest (most interesting) trend in vacationing that is now catching on. The idea is to get right on in there with the local scene -BE a local if you will, and take it all in as if you lived there... You wonder, but it's a fact and folks are really getting into it. Of course it can really only apply to certain types of destination choices, as you’ve got to know that folks who live in Gatlinburg, do not REALLY shop that main drag for their toilet paper. It's spots like Asheville, or Hot Springs or Waynesville. Places where you can expect a thoughtful, relaxed change of pace. And care takers there that are willing to play along. I personally have tried it and it’s really fun!
Take Hot Springs for instance, with it’s super small down town, no cell service, eclectic group of locals consisting of outdoor enthusiast, lost hikers and ones who have lived there all their whole life. Somehow it works for them, and it’s is entirely welcoming of new faces… They have plenty of accommodations, great outdoor activities to try, and one really special thing that I took advantage of was their local gift basket and flower bouquet delivery –to my cabin! First off, they were beautiful! The basket was full of all these fresh baked goodies from their local coffee shop, it had hand painted cups, fresh ground coffee and even a local news paper! And the flowers were incredible with at least seven different kinds of flowers, two of which I did not know the name of until I looked it up at home. But, the great part was that I could totally picture a really nice person, going out into their yard, or up in the woods for the ferns, and clipping them just for me! Putting them carefully into a vase, tying a ribbon on it and driving (or hiking) on over to the cabin ahead of time and putting them on the table so that I could see them first thing when I opened the door. That was really cool, and I felt immediately ‘at home’ for my experiment in BEING A LOCAL.
So I read up a bit in the news paper and headed out with my travel companion for the local diner to see what I could find out… what trouble I could stir… Well no trouble, really. But there does seem to be a big interest in busting Meth Labs. And we did get into a great conversation with a family who lived there, three boys, just like us –who were not interested in cooking that night. We found we had quite a bit in common, aside from our obvious scenery differences. Like, they wake up every morning to that smoky mountain mist in and through the mountains of the small valley, go hiking or white water rafting on Saturdays instead of the movies or the mall, and they know pretty much everyone in the town, and all their stories. Later, we noticed all the flyers for the various dinner benefits for this one and that one. Come one, come all! they said. It was wonderful.

I guess I walked away knowing that I was not actually a local, but had definitely been touched by the effort in a big way. It broadened my horizons and filled me up. I plan to try it again sometime soon and compare my growth… And I may never go back to regular vacationing again.

By the way if you’re interested in giving Hot Springs a shot, I highly recommend this service: Appalachian Vacations & Adventures, they will truly set you up right.
~Free Lance Writer, Charlotte, NC

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