Speaking of Travel® With Marilyn Ball

Speaking of Travel is on location in the heart of North Carolina’s Surry County and the Yadkin Valley wine country. Discover all there is to see and do in and around an area rich in history, recreation and wineries. The Surry County Wine Trail is showcased in a full-color map brochure highlighting 16 wineries in and around the Yadkin Valley, along with five breweries and distilleries. The map simp...

Burt is to off Tampa. The trip has become routine, as he flies down most weekends to continue the process of becoming permanently settled in Florida. As a frequent flyer, Burt knows how to make the most of his time in the airport. “If you can get TSA Pre-[check] or Global Entry, you can get through security lines much, much quicker,” Burt said. “There’s usually no line, so that saves 15 or 20 minu...

McCall is ready for vacation. She is from Franklin, North Carolina, and is traveling to Florida for a sunny escape with friends. McCall lives an hour away from the airport, so she is a practiced hand when it comes to planning ahead. “Wherever I’m flying to, I have the app downloaded on my phone,” McCall said. “I check in before I leave and try to get here about an hour and 30 minutes early, just s...

Alice and Chuck meet up with friends in different locations every year, and this year’s vacation brought them to WNC. They are originally from Ohio and decided to explore Asheville after hearing that it was a great place to be. When it comes to taking vacations, Alice likes to be prepared. “I’m a great organizer,” Alice said. “I have things planned out. I start laying stuff out. By the time I’m re...

Trevor is on his way to a coaching convention in Tampa with a unique accessory. As a director of basketball operations, his hat was prominently adorned with a piece of a basketball net — telling a story of its own. The piece was cut from a net the night before, symbolizing Appalachian State University’s Women’s Basketball Team’s victory in the Invitational National Tournament. As a professional ta...

Joseph is heading home. Some might call it St. Petersburg, but Joseph calls it paradise. While he may not be a native, Joseph is a regular visitor to Asheville; and he has a few tips when it comes to smooth travel. “Depending on the airline… make sure you download the app,” Joseph said. “You can check in.” Joseph loves the ease of traveling through AVL. “The one thing about Asheville Regional is t...

Since 2006, the Blue Ridge Honor Flight, a non-profit organization, has been transporting veterans from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to Washington, DC on an all-expense paid visit to the memorials dedicated to their honor. Honor Flight Board VP Marybeth Burns and Fundraising Chair Lisa Parham share how the efforts of a community help to honor our veterans for the sacrifices they have m...

The Speaking of Travel + Climate Listening Project Series continues with Dayna Reggero and celebrates Earth Day with guests Jill Kubit of DearTomorrow and Frida Berry from Parents Roar in Sweden. Dayna heads to New York to participate in the United Nations Women's International Forum (WIF) Leave It Better Than We Found event and Earth Day 2019 with women from around the world.  Jill Kubit tel...

Bruce T. Martin is an American Fine Art photographer who uses photography to document the world, explore perceptions and question our viewpoints. Using his knowledge and imagination, Bruce blends a unique mosaic of visual details in his photographs to create a fresh perspective on the Maya's endangered worldview and disappearing legacy. His book, Look Close See Far, A Cultural Portrait Of The...

The Speaking of Travel + Climate Listening Project Series continues with Dayna Reggero and guests. Artist/biologist Shannon Bodeau has a new Climate Listening Project – From The Same Soil, a collaboration with the UNC Asheville McCullough Fellowship. Shannon interviewed people from around the world and created hand-drawn graphite portraits, weaving science and storytelling through art. Also, two 9...

Daniel Young is a talented and highly successful badass of fun and travel and has created a lifestyle that’s truly coming from a soulful place. Daniel is known for his gift of spreading positive energy and charisma, and know-how, in whatever scene he chooses to show up. From 2012 to 2014 he worked as a guide to whitewater kayaking in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Also being a talented musician, he looke...

The Honor Flight Network flies WWII, Korean and Vietnam vets to DC to experience their memorials. Guests include Jeff Miller, president and co-founder of the Honor Flight Network, board member Marybeth Burns and Viet Nam War vet Warren Dupree. The Blue Ridge Honor Flight is dedicated to honoring our veterans for the sacrifices they have made to keep our nation safe by providing them with an all-ex...

Hunter is headed back home to Maine after a busy semester at Brevard College. After locating his gate, he also found he had some company to help him pass the time. Samson, one of the airport’s Paws for Passengers therapy pets, was there to offer Hunter an enthusiastic greeting. “We have 23 registered therapy dogs who volunteer here at the Asheville Regional Airport,” said Karen, Samson’s handler....

EJ is gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime. EJ works with a Christian outreach ministry in Brevard, and he is excited for his 15-day excursion exploring the history behind biblical texts in Israel. With an extensive packing list and a family at home, EJ understands the importance of preparation. “I needed to look over the packing list a million times,” EJ said. “This is a trip I have been pr...

Straw hat in tow, Wesley and Madison are ready for a sunny escape. The couple is flying to Fort Lauderdale for a tropical cruise around the Mexican Riviera. This adventure marks Wesley’s first-ever flying experience, so he is depending on Madison’s expertise to navigate the airport smoothly. “Always plan early. Traffic, TSA – you never know if they are going to get something in your bookbag or not...

Taylor and Natalie are coworkers who enjoy traveling together for business. When they realized they were both scheduled to fly through the same airport for connecting flights to their differing final destinations, they decided to seize the opportunity to chat and catch up in the terminal.  The Denver-based friends are experienced travelers and know how to make the most of their trips. “Always be n...

Doreyl Ammons Cain, co-founder of the Appalachian Mural Trail, explains how honoring the rich mountain heritage through the arts is the core essence of the Appalachian Mural Trail’s vision and how storytelling is a vivid part of Appalachian culture, folk tales, Cherokee legends, mountain music & the beauty of nature. There are over 75 murals online at muraltrail.com and you can find directions...

Travel South USA is the official regional destination marketing organization for the southern United States. This non-profit organization promotes travel to and within its member states  of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Speaking of Travel is on location at the Travel South USA Domestic Showcase in Myrtle Beac...

Speaking of Travel is in Myrtle Beach, SC, for the Travel South Domestic Showcase, the premier marketplace event in the South where over 700 tourism professionals gather for three days of collaborative meetings with a goal of delivering more visitors to spend more time and money in the South. Travel South USA serves as an information source for journalists, tour operators, retail travel agents and...

LaBet Prichard knows travel changes us. She entered an eight-year solo vision quest to find her authentic voice with a soul-searching travel process that has carried her through many high and low roads. Her openness and willingness required courage, trust, and faith as this serendipitous and synchronistic pilgrimage took her from the mundane through the threshold into the miraculous. Her faith in...

Dayna Reggero of the Climate Listening Project and Suzan Satterfield, director of the PBS series Ecosense for Living, share solutions geared for treading lighter on the planet and improving the quality of life. Ecosense for Living aims to empower viewers with practical solutions to help save money, leave no trace and improve our quality of life. All important things we need to know inside/out. A m...

Town Mountain is an independent-minded steward of classic bluegrass, but their take on Appalachian music is infused with a modern-day feel that allows the group freedom of expression. With Town Mountain's newest album,  New Freedom Blues,  the band discovered a way to build off their past to craft something new and exciting, and so authentic in terms of who they are as musicians and as people...

Tim Lewis is president of TALA Professional Services, an international technology and innovation firm. By bringing innovative ideas to life, he impacts entire communities and helps create a focused vision. Tim explains how his work helps communities embrace and leverage technology for economic development, education and workforce training such as The Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center in Tusc...

Sunil Patel is the founder/farmer of Patchwork Urban Farms and Sunil’s Indian Suppers in Asheville, NC. He is an accomplished chef and visionary and is laying the groundwork for a citywide food system by creating networks of sharing relationships that can support a village scale food production platform. Sunil explains why having farming out in the open, where people can experience it on a daily a...

Graham Sharp, banjoist for the Steep Canyon Rangers since they first came together 20 year’s ago, talks about their life on the road, how the band has evolved over the years, their relationship with Steve Martin, and what’s ahead moving forward. Graham talks about how the band continues to evolve with a fresh sound and identity all its own and how the creative process unfolds. With such a passiona...