Brandy and a goat on a boat

Hi, I'm Brandy!

That’s me…with a goat…on a boat.  And yes-there is a really great story behind it!  I believe in making time to travel and experience all the world has to show me-especially the unusual and quirky things, and anything that involves being outside. I truly believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors-not just those that are “outdoorsy.” Through my storytelling, I hope to share inspiration and ideas to help everyone find those one of a kind and unique experiences.  

Adventures of Brandy Jo

Tips, Trips, and Stories From My Adventures

How To Get Discounted Annual Passes For Florida State Parks

Last fall, discounted annual passes for Florida State Parks were introduced as a part of Florida's Great Outdoors Initiative. While I love that this is being offered to Florida residents and allows us to get Florida State Parks annual passes for half off, I think this...

Birding, Betting, and So Much More in Central Delaware

The term “bigger is better” doesn’t always apply when it comes to traveling. As an outdoors enthusiast, I’ve learned that some of the biggest fun I’ve had has often been in the smallest destinations. While Delaware doesn’t take the prize for the smallest state in the...

The Magical Thing That Happens in Florida When it Gets Cold

There's a magical thing that happens in Florida when it gets cold. It's something you may have never heard about because marketing has trained you to not even think of Florida as a frigid place. But as a Floridian, let me tell you, it does happen. Sure, our version of...

Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Girls

Outdoorsy girls are awesome because they tend to be pretty self-reliant and low maintenance in many ways.  However, they can definitely present challenges for you when it comes time to buy gifts.  They just aren’t like other girls.  The glistening of...

The One Piece of Clothing You Need For Your Winter Travels

Winter is coming... and that means more fun winter themed destinations on our agenda!  As a Florida girl, I do love the feel of the warm sunshine on my skin, but you of course also always want what you don’t have-and around here, that includes winter.  The calendar...

5 Must Do’s When Day Hiking Solo

Peacefulness.  Clarity.  Creativeness.   Appreciation for the world around me.  Those are just a few of the things I feel when I experience nature in solitude.  Don’t get me wrong-I love enjoying the great outdoors with my friends and...

The CRATA Trails Around Lake Martin Offer Some of the Best Hiking in Alabama

Sure, Lake Martin is very well known for its fun on the water. So much so that Martha Stewart even named it as one the 15 Most Beautiful Lakes to Visit in the United States. However, off the water, another playground awaits. One that will take you through well...

Spotting Bald Eagles At Lake Martin

Photos by:  John Denney  Everyone loves Lake Martin for their own reasons.  Most will tell you how awesome it is to be out on the water, whether on a boat, Sea Doo, or kayak.  We have almost 900 miles of shoreline, and there is plenty to see and do on the...

How To Get Started Birding

Photo credit:  C & G Goss So you like to be out in nature, taking in the fresh air, smelling the flowers, and feeling the sun on your skin? You enjoy the peaceful serenity of it, and maybe it is your exercise outlet also. You may be a hiker, runner, boater,...

Fishing For The Unique Tallapoosa Redeye Bass

Photo Credit: East Alabama Fly Fishing While Lake Martin is well known for its fishing, and is a hotspot for spotted, largemouth, and striped bass, a very special fishing experience awaits in the water that feeds Lake Martin, the Tallapoosa River.  Here you can find...

Where I’m Going Next…

 

St. Croix is located in the Caribbean, but is a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands.  This is one of the best places that U.S. residents can travel without a passport, while feeling like you are far away in another country. There is so much to do there – fishing, horseback riding, hiking, snorkeling, and drinking with pigs in a beautiful rainforest.

I’ll be headed north to Johnson City, Tennessee on a mission to catch some rapids on the Nolichucky River, and do some hiking and biking. I’m also looking forward to hugging on alpacas at a local farm and exploring some of the cute areas around NE Tennessee.

 

I’m seeking out the northern lights again-this time in Norway! I’m also really excited to visit the fjords around Bergen. This trip will also include stops in Oslo and Tromso.  Some of the other highlights will include feeding reindeer, learning about the Sami culture, and visiting some local islands. (Photo credit: Harald Hansen)

About Me

Besides being mother to a fabulous (yet very spoiled) feline named Smokey and girlfriend to my partner in crime JP, I’m a self-professed adventure seeker that loves traveling, animals, and nature. My happy place is anywhere outside, but I have a special love for the woods and the water.  If it involves hiking boots, a kayak, paddleboard, fishing pole, or metal detector, you can usually count me in!  I also appreciate just hanging in the backyard and enjoying all of my resident wildlife (all of which have names, of course!) 

I fully believe that you don’t have to be extreme to have an extremely great time appreciating nature, and that being outdoors is not just for the “outdoorsy.” I want to stop that misconception and motivate others to just step outside and experience some of the fun that awaits.

On the professional side, I have spent many years in the broadcasting and destination marketing industries.  I also really enjoy writing projects that allow me a chance to inspire others through my storytelling.  

 

 

Earth Day Every Day Pledge

Sustainability is an important part of what I believe in as a person, outdoor enthusiast, and as an outdoor travel writer. I’ve created this pledge to demonstrate my own personal mission toward protecting our natural resources. 

1

I pledge to honor and respect our natural resources-including our lands, waterways, foliage, and wildlife.

2

When I visit a destination, I will respect their rules and leave the destination the way that I found it, if not finding a way to improve it.

3

I promise to leave only footprints on my journey, and to dispose of all waste in appropriate ways.

4

I will show concern for others, and make good decisions to keep myself and others safe.

5

I will be kind to those I encounter in my explorations, and help others as I can.

6

I will view every day as Earth Day, and do my part to make sure our outdoor assets last for years to come.

1

bid

bid

I pledge to honor and respect our natural resources-including our lands, waterways, foliage, and wildlife.

bid

2

I promise to leave only footprints on my journey, and to dispose of all waste in appropriate ways. 

3

When I visit a destination, I will respect their rules and leave the destination the way that I found it, if not finding a way to improve it. 

4

I will show concern for others, and make good decisions to keep myself and others safe.

5

I will be kind to those I encounter in my explorations, and help others as I can. 

6

I will view every day as Earth Day, and do my part to make sure our outdoor assets last for years to come. 

Work with Me

While I have a passion for using storytelling as a way of getting others interested in exploring outdoors and appreciating nature, I also enjoy helping outdoor brands find ways to shine and stand apart from the rest.  I love seeing the impact that can be made from compelling content creation that is appropriately shared!

 *  If you are a print or digital publication that is looking for a journalist that creates awesome outdoor or travel related content, let’s chat!

 *  If you are an outdoor brand that is trying to put together the pieces and figure out how to tell your story- and who to tell it to- we should talk too!  

*  I am also always looking for new content ideas for stories that I am working on, so feel free to reach out to me and share ideas that you would like for me to consider.   

 

 

What Others are Saying

Brandy is an active reporter in the WDBO Orlando newsroom.  She’s been keeping her fingers in local/breaking news for me for 14 years as she pursues and grows her career.  I can always count on her to come in on short notice with a great attitude and a great sense for what IS news…and what she should be writing at that moment.  Brandy is there for the big stories from the Pulse terror attack to every hurricane.

Marsha Taylor, Assistant News Director and morning anchor-WDBO

Hiring Brandy was the best move we made when starting Lake Martin Tourism Association.  With her deep knowledge of destination marketing, and her outstanding storytelling abilities, she was able to help us substantially grow lodging tax collections in our area, even during a pandemic. She started the Lake Martin Tourism blog, which became a huge website driver for us.  She also was able to find many other media outlets to share the stories of our area.  Within our first two years as a destination marketing organization, we won Southeast Tourism Society’s Tourism Organization of the Year and Alabama Department of Tourism’s Tourism Organization of the Year.  Brandy is responsible for the achievements we received.

Ed Collari, Former President- Lake Martin Tourism Association Board of Directors and Former President/CEO- Alexander City Chamber of Commerce

Brandy has been an absolute breeze to work with.  She is right there with you the whole way, helping you through any snags and making sure the job gets done at a high level.  As far as her ability to promote a business?? That accolade sails high over the first.  This woman will get people talking, and get people booking! Pure facts!  I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone that wants to increase their numbers.

Ryan Higby, Owner-Lioness Sportfishing