About Us
We love exploring, and we love exploring Western North Carolina, home to some of the most intriguing cities and towns in the United States and to some of the world’s most beautiful natural attractions. We live in a land of mountain peaks, misty valleys, waterfalls and cascading streams, all contained within a region of our state that shares a common area code: 828. Our goal with my828life is to share all that we experience during our outings, most of them being in Western North Carolina, though we may occasionally stray outside the area code – and outside of the state, in fact. Our main home, digitally speaking, is on Instagram, where we post as often as possible on @my828life. We prefer Instagram because it allows us to take part in a like-minded community, those of you who love 828 as much as we do. – Ralph & Tamera
Always a favorite: Edisto Beach State Park. No high-rises on this South Carolina barrier island, miles of uncrowded beach and three miles from the sprawling and beautiful Botany Bay Heritage Preserve. Beach walks, biking and as always, Boldting! #winnebagoboldt #edistobeach #edistobeachstatepark #southcarolina
Davidson River camping 🏕️. Love the campsite, even at 22F overnight. Good hikes, good mountain bike rides, great beer! Cradle of Forestry, waterfalls, local products like Pisgah Coffee Roasters and a greenway to Noblebrau where the Spruce Tip IPA was recommended by the always dependable folks at Sycamore Cycles. #pisgahnationalforest #cradleoforestry #craftbeer #brevard
Euonymus americanus, also known as Hearts A`busting and Strawberry Bush. Beautiful to admire, but poisonous if consumed by us two-legged creatures. Safe, however, for wildlife. Its European cousin, Euonymus europaeus, is known as spindletree, characterized by hard wood that was used to make the sharp, pointed spindles on spinning wheels. In the folktale Sleeping Beauty, a princess pricks her finger on a spindle made from Euonymus europaeus. She falls into a long, deep sleep only to be awakened by the kiss of a prince.
Ralph began his journalistic career at the age of 32, following the conclusion of his “sabbatical decade.” From 1980 through 1990, he bicycled across America, pedaled through Europe and island-hopped the South Pacific. After backpacking through Bali, bussing through Java, hopping a boat to Singapore and crossing Malaysia to Thailand, he flew into Burma, tramped to Dhaka and endured a 32-hour train ride from calamitous Calcutta to bustling Bombay. From there, he hopped a plane for Greece and traveled to Switzerland before returning home, where he settled, quite naturally, into a career of travel writing. Ralph’s work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Hemispheres and numerous consumer magazines. Ralph is author of Remembering Charles Kuralt and other books.
Tamera has been a nomad/global traveller and nature lover for her entire life. After holding a professional career for 25 years and living in England for six years, she embarked on the epic journey of through-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2007. Tamera knew she needed the mountains and moved to Asheville in 2010. Of all the places she has lived, Asheville was the perfect place for someone who had dedicated her life to long-distance hiking and backpacking. Her hikes include not only the AT but also Western North Carolina; the West Highland Way in Scotland, Yosemite, Glacier, the Long Trail, PCT sections, Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park. And she has so many more to do.
Tamera also has nine years as an outfitter in specialty outdoor retail, and as a Leave No Trace Awareness Instructor. She loves 828 for its culture, character and characters, for its beauty and wildness. 828 is not “everywhere” America. Let’s keep it that way.
My828life
Rent one of our adventure vans to explore the beautiful 828.
6 Key Reasons Why the Winnebago Travato is a Great RV
There’s more to a Winnebago Travato than just premium interior materials. Keep reading for 6 key reasons why the Winnebago Travato is a great RV.
In Search Of Adventures: On, And Off, The Road
Learn more about our adventure mobile, a 2018 Winnebago Travato.
Van Rentals
Rent Our Adventure Vans To Explore Western North Carolina We love exploring Western North Carolina in our adventure vans, and we’re sure that you will