Columbia, TN and Beyond — What's All This Buzz About....

In my last blog I promised to give you more information about Columbia, TN. My daughter moved here from Nashville about 3 years ago because Nashville was getting super busy and real estate prices were climbing. She bought a cool historic home in Columbia, within walking distance of the downtown square, at much less money per square foot than what was available in Nashville. (That house is now a “Porch House Retreat” available for rent @porchhouseretreat on instagram for pictures!)

Columbia is a small town about 45 miles south of Nashville. It is a nationally accredited Main Street community. The downtown square has lots of fun restaurants and shops. It is also a ‘Top 10 Best Small Town’ by Southern Living. The population is approximately 37,000. I like to look up demographics of different areas and find those numbers interesting around the country. In 2020, the median age of the population is 38.9. Average home value is $222,526. (data from https://www.columbiatn.com) Average household income $57,942. Some of my favorite shops are Muletown Coffee, Tin Cottage, Columbia Health Foods, Southern Exposure… and too many others to name. I have had amazing meals at Vahn Dy’s Asian Cuisine, Buck and Board and Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant. When I read the Columbia, TN brochure for the first time on this last visit, I realized that there are so many things to do and see that I was not even aware of. Now I have a bigger to do list for my next visit!

Thanks to Andrew for all the expert fire building and to Kristin and Hudson for all the fun times and places to eat and sleep.

I have left TN for more travels. Next stop was seeing my cousin in Ohio. Thank you to Alice and Mike for your hospitality! On the way there I discovered something I didn’t know. Where do you think Center of The World is? It is in Ohio! I have a photo to prove it! And have you ever eaten at Quaker Steak and Lube? Yes, it really is a restaurant and no they don’t put motor oil on your steak. (www.thelube.com) There are lots of them in the mid west- never tried one though. And while I was in Ohio it snowed! First snow of the season for me. It was beautiful, but time to head further south!

You can tell you are in Ohio because of the shape of the state route sign! Hadn’t noticed that before. If you don’t know where you are when driving ask Siri “hey siri, what state am I in?’ She knows!

Yes, a restaurant in Ohio and other states!

Now I am in Virginia to visit my son for his birthday and other friends and family. I lived here for 20 years, so there are still a few people who remember me! It’s fun to be back in a familiar neighborhood and see how some things have changed. My in person visits here are unfortunately limited because of Covid. I apologize to anyone reading this who I did not get to see personally. I have not been aware of any exposure myself, but I want to be cautious and respect other people’s needs to be distanced. It has been beautiful here with sunshine every day and milder temperatures. The love the sunshine for body, mind and soul! Thanks to Kelly, Brenna and Eddie Ann for a place to rest my head.

Next on my travel plans is heading to Hilton Head, SC. I have friends who recently bought a home in Latitude Margaritaville and I am curious to see them and how they like their new place. It looks like it will be sunny there too. And it has such a fun vibe! They have street names like Flip Flop Lane and Landshark Blvd. How fun is that? I am planning to stay in my first RV park on my way down there, so wish me luck! Hopefully the nighttime temps will be milder in South Carolina.

Audio Books I have been listening to on the road:

No Time Like the Future-by Michael J Fox and narrated by him
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson- “the author examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions” Listening to this opened my eyes and hurt my heart.
David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

Thanks for traveling with me! I will add more as I wander south. I continue to wear my mask in public places and eat outside when at a restaurant or with distance when inside. Stay well my friends!