Unplugged, Unexpected, and Unforgettable: Our Off-the-Grid Adventures

Last week didn’t seem like it would be anything special. We had travel planned for the weekend, and I figured it’d be a fairly routine few days leading up to it. But funny how a “regular” week can end up being one you’ll remember for all kinds of unexpected reasons.

Knowing we’d be out of town Friday, I still wanted to carve out a little time for Holly. It’s easy to let the week slip by and realize you haven’t really connected — especially when you’re juggling work, planning, and, well… life.

So we decided on a quick but meaningful date night. First stop? El Ranchero, our go-to Mexican spot. If you’re from our area, you know this place. It’s one of those familiar, no-frills restaurants where the staff knows your order and the queso practically deserves its own fan club. Margaritas were flowing (responsibly), and it just felt good to sit across from Holly, phones down, and catch up.

Later that week we made another little outing to Due South in Peachtree City. Solid food, cool atmosphere — it’s one of those places where conversation feels easy.

On Wednesday, I tried something completely outside my usual rhythm: a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. I’d been itching for a new kind of physical challenge — something that works the body, sharpens the mind, and gets you out of your comfort zone a little.

I found a local spot called Combat Sports in Peachtree City, and decided to check it out. The class was a mix of intensity and patience — learning to move your body in ways that are strategic and controlled. The instructor was great, super knowledgeable, and made it feel like something anyone could pick up if they just committed. I left energized, and I’m planning to keep going for a while to see where it leads.

Thursday afternoon, I caught up with an old friend from my days in EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization). We didn’t do anything fancy — just met for coffee and talked about life, business, family, and all the stuff that fills the space in between.

There’s something grounding about reconnecting with someone who’s known you through different seasons. No pressure, no agenda — just two people talking about where they’ve been and where they’re headed. 

And then came the weekend.

Friday morning, Holly and I hit the road for PreCon 2025, held in Saluda, North Carolina. I’ll be honest — I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. I knew it had something to do with homesteading, self-reliance, and outdoor living, but beyond that? It was a bit of a mystery.

Let’s just say... it did not disappoint.

We stayed in a small mountain cottage — gorgeous views, crisp air, and total silence. And by “total silence,” I mean no cell service, no TV, and barely a signal to send a text, much less scroll the news. At first it felt a little disorienting. I caught myself checking my phone out of habit only to remember... yeah, that’s not happening.

But as weird as that was, it turned out to be exactly what I needed.

Each morning, they kicked off the event by playing The Star-Spangled Banner at 9:00 AM sharp. Everyone stood still, quiet. It was a moment — a pause in the noise we’re all so used to. It reminded me of how things used to be. How rare it is now to be somewhere everyone actually stops to listen.

The event itself was packed with vendors, classes, and hands-on demos. We learned about:

• How to attract bees and other pollinators to your garden

• How to grow your own food even if you don’t have much space

• What kinds of animals people are raising for sustainability

• Beekeeping 101

• The AppleSeed Project, a group teaching basic marksmanship and rifle safety

• Even classes on self-defense law and how to legally protect your family and property

There was a guy building custom drones for land monitoring, a few tables selling handmade tools, and even a selection of homesteading books and survival guides I’d never heard of. It was an overload of ideas — in the best way possible.

Funny side note — there was a pond near the rifle range, and I swear it looked just like the one in this horror movie I saw years ago called Zombie Beavers. Yes, you read that right. Beavers become zombies and attack campers. Total B-movie nonsense, but standing by that pond, I couldn’t help but laugh and whisper to Holly, “Watch out for the zombie beavers.”

Noah drove in from High Point to meet us, which made the weekend even better. We don’t get to see him as often as we’d like, so the chance to spend real, uninterrupted time together — without screens — was rare and special. We went to classes, walked the vendor floor, and just hung out. No agenda. No rush. Just being together.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for? Sticking to my diet.
Saluda is beautiful — but let’s just say clean eating options were… limited. I did my best, but sometimes you have to roll with it and eat what’s available. I made peace with a couple of cheat meals and reminded myself that consistency over time matters more than one off day.

We packed up Sunday morning and made our way back. Noah took off toward High Point, and Holly and I made a pit stop at the Tanger Outlets in North Georgia. It was nice to stretch our legs, wander a bit, and just shake off the road trip drowsiness before the final leg home.

We pulled into our driveway late Sunday afternoon — tired but recharged in a way that doesn’t come from sleep. It comes from slowing down, being with people you love, and learning something new.

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