I’ve always been an explorer, drawn to new places and new experiences. That’s why our annual Escape issue is one of my favorites.
I come by it honestly—my dad was the same way. Growing up, on any given Saturday morning, he’d wake my mom, my sister, and me with a simple announcement: “The bus leaves in 10 minutes.” That was our cue—we were going somewhere. Groggy protests (especially in our teenage years) would follow, but we’d rally, pile into the car, and set off. Sometimes it was to a nearby lake, other times to the mountains or a small town we’d never visited. Once, we even drove from Mesa, Arizona (where I grew up) to San Diego—five hours each way—just to have lunch and put our toes in the sand.
That spirit of adventure has stayed with me. About once a month, I try to explore something new. Sometimes it’s close, like a mountain town in South Carolina, North Carolina, or Georgia. Other times it’s more far-flung, like a bucket-list journey to Iceland (which we finally checked off last year!). There’s always more to discover and each place has something unique and interesting that sets it apart.
In this issue, we introduce you to a new kind of travel agent so you can book your own next great adventure. Our writers explored nearby destinations like The George in Georgetown and The Dunlin near Charleston. Tiare Solis takes us on a fun-filled day trip to Columbia, while John Jeter proves that an escape doesn’t always require a destination, offering a fascinating look at flying lessons. And our popular Eat & Drink section brings us to Doolittle’s in Anderson for a taste of something special.
I’ve been in Greenville for nearly 20 years now, and while I’ve seen much of the Southeast, I know there’s still so much left to explore.
Sherry Jackson
VP, Content and Digital
