The Hive Drive

The Hive Drive Scott + Ash
🚌 Traveling the country full-time sharing the best places to stay, eat, and things to do!
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05/29/2026

SHOUTING from the rooftop that Lake Lure is sooo back + officially reopened 🎉🙌

This is the feeling we get arriving at one of our all-time favorite stays . We brought Mum + Dad from England with, just in time for the lake being be fully reopened. 🛶

Coming back here is truly magic. ✨ this rental means so much to us, we’ve been coming back here for years and this is our 7th visit to Blue Moon Cottage 🌙 in many ways, it feels like coming home.

Getting to bring Scott’s Mum + Dad with us makes it that much more special. They’ve been wanting to visit here for as long as we’ve been FaceTiming them from here.

Our last visit here was when we were volunteering in the Lake Lure + Chimney Rock area post-Helene and to see how far things have come since then makes our hearts soar. The only reasonable response is to happy dance 🪩 💃 🕺

This is your sign to book a trip to Lake Lure this summer!

Dance inspo: .mua.hairstyle

05/27/2026

How to spend the perfect day in the area | A D

The High Country of NC has SO much to explore, but if you only have one day, here’s how to spend it in Boone and Blowing Rock 🙌

• Start off in downtown , shop on King St., walk around Durham Park, + grab coffee from ☕️
• Visit the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum 🖼️ it’s a completely FREE experience, you can see visiting exhibits, incredible art. Paintings, structures, tapestries, + more. Here you can also learn some of the areas history + see artifacts from the past.
• is THE place to cozy in for a few hours. Grab a wine and/or cider flight to taste some of the most delicious craft drinks around! The views here are magnificent + you’ll find that you could stay here all afternoon. ⛰️
• Hike and walk the Price Lake Loop Trail 🥾 you’ll have stunning views of Grandfather Mountain while on this trail. It’s free to hike, around a 2.7 mile loop taking you all the way around the lake. It’s dog-friendly (just make sure your dog is on a leash). They also have canoe, kayak, and paddle board rentals for the lake too! 🛶
• Grab a bite from their sandwiches are SO good! Great to enjoy at their shop or perfect@for grab-and-go too. They have a market where you can also buy beverages, produce, snacks, + more. Their pimento cheese is top tier! 🥪
• Stroll around downtown ! This charming town has so much to offer, we love visiting the shops here, grabbing coffee from , taking a walk in the park, + seeing all of the beautiful flowers everywhere.

🔖 Save this for your next NC adventure. ⛰️

05/23/2026

🔖 Save this for your next trip to North Carolina | a d

Here’s where to stay, eat, and things to do while in

STAY:
• is a true gem in the heart of downtown Boone. It’s packed with luxury charm, boutique touches, a soaking tub, + walkable to all of the downtown stops. 🛌

EAT: * ALL had great gluten-free + vegetarian options ✨
• should be on everyone’s list. So nice we had to go twice (in just 4 days on this visit). Their sandwiches are what they have bragging rights for 🥪
• new location on Howard St. is so charming, their stuffed french toast and eggs benedict are unforgettable 🤤
• .boone is a must for us anytime we’re in the area. Dedicated gf fryers, super fun menu, + it’s always a hit. 🙌
• .on.king was a new spot for us to try + we loved it! Their vegetarian options were extensive + you have to try their chai ☕️
• is the perfect date night spot. Artisanal chocolates + drinks! Their passion fruit + orange habanero chocolates blew us away. 🍫
• for nightcaps is definitely the move! It’s at the lower level of + such a vibe! Try their espresso martini!
• is definitely going to be THE hangout spot this summer. Gorgeous venue, property, + amazing ciders and wines to try! 🥂

DO:
• is incredible visit any time of the year, but especially for summer. See the amazing rehabilitation + conservation work they’re doing + make your way across the mile high swinging bridge if you dare 🌉
• Hike Crab Orchard Falls for an afternoon out on the trails + to take in beautiful waterfall views! 🤩
• Art & History Museum is a completely FREE + awe-inspiring visit. See works of art in various forms + learn a bit about the area too. 🖼️
• is known staple in High Country, NC. You can shop here for hours + find unique gifts! Plus is right next door + a delicious lunch spot with sustainable measures throughout!

💌 Send this to someone who would LOVE to go to with

05/06/2026

🍓 Strawberry Fest is happening THIS weekend at + we’ve got all the details for you! A D

💌 Send this to someone who would love going to Strawberry Fest in Cary, NC this weekend.

🗓️ 5/9-10: Strawberry Fest by
is one of largest festivals + this year it’s on Mother’s Day Weekend.

This year, their market area will be filled with buckets of fresh, local NC strawberries and they’ll be serving up the following at concessions within the park:
•Mini donuts with fresh strawberries
• Mama Sue’s famous pound cake with berries and cream
Chocolate covered strawberries 🍰
• Dubai chocolate covered strawberries
• Strawberry lemonade
• Strawberry ice cream
• Strawberry milkshakes
• Their friends within the park, , , and will also have strawberry themed treats, drinks, and mocktails.

Modern Woodmen will hand out free strawberry cups to the first 50 children who visit their booth each day. 🍓

🏆 Strawberry eating contest for kids and adults. More info on how to sign up for this will be on page this week.

The farmer’s market is free to enter and will have tons of fresh flowers for Mom, freshly picked strawberries, strawberry preserves, jam, and our vendors will all have strawberry-themed goods as well from crocheted plushies and baked goods to strawberry shortcake candy apples.

Fun Park and Market Hours of Operation:
Saturday: 10am-3pm
Sunday: 11am-4pm

🔖 Save this for your weekend plans!

05/04/2026

Would you do a 10 day sail from San Juan, PR - NYC?! 🌺🗽

We sailed for 9 nights/10 days with on one of their repositioning cruises
🇵🇷 we began our journey in San Juan, Puerto Rico
🇻🇬 next stop was Tortola, BVI
🇩🇴 Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
🚢 then a couple days at sea 🌊 and this was our first time ever sailing into the US which was a such a cool experience 🙌 🏖️ then onto Charleston, SC a couple more days at sea
🏙️ before ending our sail in New York City, NY 🗽

Each destination was amazing for totally different reasons! We loved the range of tropical paradises to full-on city living.

Days at sea were always so fun, we soaked it all up with trivia, magic shows, entertainment and live productions, making new friends, daily happy hour, we even got tattoos on board 🖋️, had full spa days, booked massages, lived it up in the karaoke room, played games; and OMG the food was incredible on VV! We loved how differently they do it than other cruise lines. It felt very boutique-y, specialized cuisines, and every restaurant had incredibly inclusive menus for dietary restrictions too. Ash constantly found gluten free and vegetarian options everywhere on board. 👏

VV is also an adults-only cruise, which as DINK’s (dual income, no kids) was such a fun experience! Honestly, if you wanted to have a raging and wildly social and hype cruise….you absolutely can here….OR if you want a cruise to just completely chill and relax, unplug, and rest…you absolutely can here! Their style is really catered to everyone enjoying themselves without any worries. We LOVED sailing with them and would happily book another VV cruise in a heartbeat. 🥳

Let us know if you have any questions about cruising, sailing with , or this type of itinerary. ⬇️

Thank you so much to VV for having us on this sail 🚢

05/01/2026

🧳 Perfect Day/Weekend Trip 30 Minutes From Raleigh, NC 📍

a d | If you’re looking for the ideal getaway just outside of Raleigh, we’ve got you covered, is THE place! 🙌

STAY:
• is an elegant + immersive retreat stay in the heart of downtown Clayton! It’s historic, charming, with 7 uniquely styled guest rooms 🛌 its women + veteran-owned 🙌

Day 1:
• is Clayton’s newest addition! A restored + reimagined new business in a historic building. It’s got it all 🤩 an elevated co-op/farmers market-feel on the main level , featuring lots of local vendors + goods. We had lunch at the grooviest eatery ! We can’t sing their praises enough. Try the corn ribs + their mocktails!

• Head over to to tour the museum all dedicated to one of the greatest movie stars of all time, who happened to be from JoCo!! You’ll learn so much about her life, see costumes, scripts, + rotating exhibits. 🎞️

• Grab a drink at , known for being a true locals spot with the coldest drinks in town! 🍻 It’s right off the river, with a full deck to hangout, darts inside, + really reasonable prices too!!

• Dinner at is a must! Located at Johnston County Regional Airport, you can dine on the top floor or + watch planes come + go all while eating incredible BBQ and southern fare 🥪

DAY 2:
• Start off shopping at for some fun antiquing + unique finds + then stop for lunch next door at ! A true Boston-themed + owned cafe with the most delicious flatbreads (even gluten-free ones), paninis, bagels, + even waffles on a stick.

• Shop at for iconic 80’s, 90’s, + Y2K finds! We left with so many new goodies, sweaters, hai clips, + accessories too! 🛍️

• Coffee at the amazing ☕️ + for all other comic collectors + fans out there! 💥

• Vist , award-winning, nationally-recognized gardener center + massive retail shopping experience! Boutiques, year-round Christmas Land! You’ll find something for everyone! 💐

🔖 Save this for your next trip in NC!

Help me wish Ash the happiest of birthdays! 🎉 🎊 She is a tangible ray of sunshine! ☀️ To know her is to love her 💛She is...
04/28/2026

Help me wish Ash the happiest of birthdays! 🎉 🎊

She is a tangible ray of sunshine! ☀️ To know her is to love her 💛

She is kind, smart, creative, strong, caring, fun and the most positive person you will ever meet.

I’m so grateful that I get to call her my wife, friend and business partner.

She is the world’s greatest dog mom!

Ash you are so loved! 🫶

04/24/2026

THE most unique library we’ve ever seen 📚 ⬇️

Last month we visited .lmco in Laurel, Mississippi + it blew us away! This library isn’t your typical one. You’ll find categories like The Archives, Travel, Biography, and more filed away on library shelves and scrolling ladders, but the difference is they’re filled with scents and not books. 📚 Instead of novels, you’ll find candles, room sprays, fragrances, and scented book marks….all designed for an experience and tied to a specific memory or place. 💛

The intentionality of this shop is one of the many reasons it’s become one of our new favorite travel finds. 🕯️

We left with a few scented bookmarks, their Summer School (based of Erin and Mallorie’s college dorm), Faulkner’s Desk (for the novelist William Faulkner, so notes of to***co and typewriter ink), Mama’s House, + Lemon Icebox Pie candles. They are all truly original fragrances + we just loveeee them!
Thankfully, we can restock online since we’re not just down the road from the shop anymore. 🙃

+ are founders and owners of this beautiful shop, and you might recognize them from the HGTV Show, Home Town. We were lucky to get a tour of the space and learn more of its history + significance directly from Mallorie. There’s even an episode in Season 7 of Home Town called “Second Chances”, where you can see the restoration of this space + hear more of the story.

💌 Send this to someone who LOVES a great fragrance!

🔖 Save this for your next road trip and visit to MS.

📍 314 W Oak St, Laurel, MS 39440

Address

Banner Elk, NC
28604

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