Summer is here and so is travel season—and surprisingly enough, I’ve already been in the air more than once. I don’t usually fly, but lately I’ve been in full-on jet-setter mode. Scotty and I had never flown together before, so our first-ever flight as a couple happened at the end of May. We headed to Chicago to see our nephew, Judge, graduate from Navy Boot Camp. It was a proud and emotional moment—and made even better by reconnecting with family and spending time with a great friend who recently moved from NSB to the city.

Then, just a week later, we were airborne again—this time with the kids. It was our first flight as a family and everything went off without a hitch! We met up with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law in Chattanooga for our first summer getaway together. We explored Rock City, wandered through the northern downtown district, caught a movie at the IMAX and soaked up all the family time. We even made a pact to choose a new destination each summer.

JET-SET AND JULY-READY

And just when I finally got my suitcases fully unpacked—I’ve got another ticket in hand! This time I’m off to Key West for my friend, Randie’s birthday. I booked the coolest vacation rental: upstairs from a Cuban coffee shop and just two blocks off Duval Street. You know it’s going to be a good time.

July also happens to be birthday central in my world. My son Porter turns 10, my business partner Kelsey is celebrating, and I already mentioned Randie. My good friend Brandon is in the mix, too—it’s a full calendar of cake and candles.

TRAVEL BY LAND, TOO

Of course, I’m still a sucker for a great road trip. Scotty’s feature this month is all about our recent adventure to Winter Garden—full of small-town charm, delicious food and drinks and a vibe worth the drive. Kelsey hit the road as well, visiting Tree Hill Nature Center and the Jacksonville Arboretum for a refreshing nature-filled day trip. Check out both articles in this issue.

ONE ON ONE WITH TUPAT

This month’s cover story is one I’m especially excited about. I sat down with Patrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt, our longtime fishing report writer, for a one-on-one conversation. We talked about family, entrepreneurship, and the rise of his now-national brand, Tupat’s Authentic Sauces. Our photo shoot with him and his two kids perfectly captures the heart of this issue—loving where you live, sharing what you build, and always making space for family.

XO,