Books, Bites, and Sights

"I sha'n't be gone long. – You come too." – Robert Frost

Hi, there! My name is Natalie Ray, and I am the creator of Books, Bites, and Sights.

This blog is space for me to focus more on the things that bring me joy: reading, yoga, spirituality, early mornings, travel, peanut butter, hot coffee, recovery, love, long phone calls, and more. I won’t be gone long— you come too.

Explore my authentic and unsolicited take on different books, bites, and sights from a variety of destinations by clicking on the drop downs. And don’t forget to leave a comment on your take, suggestions, or experiences.

Recent Posts

About Me

I am 28 years old, and I recently left my career in Elementary Education to travel and blog full-time around America with my boyfriend in our 2023 Toyota Four-Runner. Sound fun? You come too.

  • Hot Springs, Arkansas

    Haters gunna hate or whatever Plato said.

    November 24th – 26th, 2025

    Low expectations. That is what I had when driving down I-40 on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Hours of Reddit scrolling (yes, I know – don’t trust nor entertain strangers on Reddit, but I am only human and give easily into temptation) had led me to the idea that Hot Springs would be lackluster and, for a lack of better words, meh. Look: If you’re a world traveler and expect breathtaking views like you’ve never seen before, Hot Springs National Park won’t be able to deliver; But if you’re into history, lore, gentle or family-friendly hiking, and just general affordability, then Hot Springs National Park has you covered. Additionally, Hot Springs is one of the only national parks in its area, making it convenient for many. With an array of relaxing, diverse bites and sights, I say let those Reddit haters hate and go enjoy yourself.

    Books

    Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reed

    2/5 stars

    PSA Don’t let my rating or review ever steer you away from reading a book you’ve heard about or have wanted to read. I am just a 28 year old know-nothing, but I am an avid reader. And at the end of the day, I may just be a hater.

    Such a Fun Age was well written and unique, but, for me personally, it didn’t live up to the hype or the notoriety. And maybe it was just a wrong place, wrong time ordeal. Or maybe I am not the target audience.

    I did enjoy the novel, and the storyline was engaging. Multiple times during the book I found myself gasping, wide-eyed, and OMG-ing out loud, but the novel, for me, wasn’t a page turner nor did I find myself late in the night saying, “One more chapter.” I do think the novel lends itself to sparking much needed discussions regarding race, and I may have enjoyed the novel more had I had a book club or another fellow reader to engage more deeply into the plot-line with.

    Bites

    Kollective Coffee and Tea in Hot Springs, AK ($50)

    As you know (or if you don’t, now you will), my boyfriend and I have many dietary restrictions. First, I am lactose intolerant which isn’t so hard to work around nowadays, but I also prefer low sugar due to my insulin sensitivities. My boyfriend, Amory, is allergic to eggs and is sensitive to gluten. We joke about being the trifecta: vegan, gluten-free, and keto. Don’t get me wrong. I will gladly take part in eating a Krispy Cream Donut or big bowl of Lucky Charms cereal with almond milk, but I also try to be cautious of how over indulging in these foods leads to brain-fog and an upset stomach for me personally.

    I say all this to add – when we find a cafe or restaurant that meets our trifecta needs, we take notes. Kollective Coffee and Tea was and is one of these places. I ordered a drip coffee and yogurt bowl which had the option of being both vegan and gluten-free (captured below in my photo dump). Amory order a peppermint tea and their hummus bowl. Everything was so delicious and well-crafted. The fruit, yogurt, coffee, and hummus was fresh and beautifully plated. We were highly satisfied and so, so grateful that they had the vegan, gluten-free options available for us.

    We stayed at the cafe for two hours enjoying our breakfast and utilizing Kollective’s free Wifi. Amory filmed a magic trick inside, and the staff was both attentive and kind.

    Pancakes at the Hot Springs Mountain Lookout Point

    As you could’ve predicted, we made our signature gluten-free, eggless pancakes (check out my Gatlinburg post to learn more) at the picnic area beside the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. The picnic area is located atop the Ouachita Mountains and offers ample grills, picnic tables, restrooms, and great views. All for free. You can hike up to this point via Peak trail or drive your car up the scenic one-way road. When we visited, it was not terribly busy, and parking was ample. We drove our 4Runner up and used our gas stove. We whipped up our pancakes, adding extra cinnamon this time, and then made our way to the quaintly elegant Hot Springs Mountain Pagoda to eat and watch the sunset over the surrounding countryside.

    Sights

    Whirlpool Mineral Bath Package at Buckstaff on Bathhouse Row ($100)

    Throughout its history the main attraction to Hot Springs has been the rejuvenating and medicinal powers of the mineral water itself. So, Amory and I agreed we had to see what all the hype was about. We decided to book (walk-ups welcome, no reservation needed) the most basic spa package offered at Buckstaff on Bathhouse Row for $45 per person which included a 20 minute private bath at 102 degrees, a hot pack (basically hot towels wrapped around your body while you lay on a gurney), 5 minutes in a steam cabinet, and 5 minutes in a sits tub.

    This spa package feels like you’re stepping back in time. The big claw-foot tub, the vintage jacuzzi machine used during my private bath, and even the penny tile flooring all give you a 1950’s retro feel as you take pause to reflect or space out. I enjoyed the experience a lot. Amory has sensitive skin, but he also enjoyed the experience and had no issues.

    Things you should note about this experience include: the spas are separated by genders with men on the first floor, and women on the second. So, if you go in with your boyfriend like I did, you will not see him again until the end of your treatment. Also, you are nude for the entire experience. The attendant will cater to all your needs and will wrap you in a cloth as you transition from each station, but the attendant will see you naked. Don’t worry though. Both my own attendant and Amory’s were very professional and communicative. Last, no phones allowed outside of the changing room – and rightfully so because you and others are completely nude (although I think I read that you are welcome to wear a swimsuit if you choose).

    Hot Springs Mountain Observation Tower ($25)

    Let’s be honest: Hot Springs National Park has a lot going for it, but the views by foot or car are very mid-tier in comparison to those westward or so I was led to believe by those Reddit haters. Want those breathtaking views mentioned in the introduction of this post? The Hot Springs Mountain Observation Tower is a must.

    If you have a National Park pass, it will cost you $11 to ride to the top of the tower, and if not, $14. After waiting about 10 minutes, it was our turn to go up. Once at the top, we explored the two story museum while learning about the history of the park, and then we stepped out on the observation deck for a panoramic view of the park and the surrounding area. My (stupidly) low expectations were exponentially exceeded with the beauty and vastness captured at the top of the tower. Many different mountains encompass the view, and the sun shining over the foliage made the fall colors pop. I had been indifferent about allotting time for the tower, but now I would say don’t visit Hot Springs without it.

    Hiking

    Hot Springs National Park has many interconnected hiking trails. Amory and I used the paved Grand Promenade trail (0.5 miles) near the visitor center to get to the predominately unpaved Peak trail (0.6 miles) up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Once at the Mountain Tower, we used the Mountain tail (1.7 mile loop) to get to the Gulpha Gorge trail (0.6 miles) to get to the Goat Rock trail (1.1 miles). Shew. Did you catch all that? Like I said, the hiking trails in Hot Springs are very interconnected; however, they are very well maintained and very easily navigated. Additionally, we had service the entire trek.

    Once at Goat Rock, we sat down on the rock ledge for a break and quickly realized that we were being swarmed by… ladybugs? Wrong. After a quick Google search, we found out that the little ‘ladybug’ like critters crawling on us and the rocks around us were actually Asian Lady beetles. And they were everywhere. Landing on our faces and even crawling in our mouths. Yuck, but also neat! After a little research, I learned that these beetles were migrating in preparation for Winter, but I also learned that they are very invasive and not really welcomed by people in the area nor are they helpful to the native wildlife there. How to tell them apart from a true ladybug? Ladybugs are red. Asian Lady beetles are orange.

    Hot Springs National Park Museum and Visitor Center

    Rain, rain go away. Or maybe don’t because the rain led Amory and I to our first adventure in Hot Springs.

    It was raining quite hard when we first arrived in Hot Springs, so after quickly feeling and seeing the Promenade cascades (one of the more popular springs – and yes, its actually hot) in the rain (which gave such a unique, mystic vibe – peep the background of my first photo dump image) we immediately took refuge in the park’s visitor center and museum. Without feeling rushed to begin hiking because of the rain, we took our time exploring the three-story visitor center and museum. And I am glad we did because Hot Springs is rich with history, and I take after my museum loving, random trivial-history knowing momma. Hot Springs is one of the oldest national parks and the lore behind the springs is so rich and inviting.

    The visitor center’s staff was also so kind and answered all of our inquires. They were the ones who made the suggestions that we check out the mineral baths.

    Lastly, whatever you do, do not leave the park without sampling some of the mineral water for yourself. Yes, you can and are even encouraged to drink some of the water – but only from the designated springs. You can fill up your canteen or just take a handful of water from a hot spring located right behind the visitor center. Drinking hot water doesn’t sound appealing to you? You can also access a public cold water spring at Happy Hollow located less than 5 minutes from the visitor center.

    Mountain Valley Spring Water Museum ($50)

    Nothing is better than stumbling on a hidden gem. And while it may not be as hidden to others as it was to us, we were both shocked and pleased to learn that Mountain Valley Spring Water is sourced directly in Hot Springs. We love this water brand, especially their eco-friendly glass bottles. We reach for it from time to time at our local grocery store in Nashville, so to stumble on the museum, which was less than a five minute walk from Bathhouse Row, was super exciting. And of course we had to walk the quaint museum and gift shop. We snagged a few stickers, two bottles of water (one white peach pictured below in my photo dump), and a new hat for Amory.

    As always, if you also enjoy watching Amory and I’s adventures and want to stay up to date on our 63 in 365 (63 National Parks in 365 days or less) endeavor, check out his Youtube @AmoryWild by clicking below.

  • St. Louis, Missouri

    24 Hours in St.Louis

    November 7 – 8, 2025

    Here is the gist: 63 in 365. 63 national parks in 365 days or less. 

    After nearly a year of planning, saving, and preparing, my boyfriend and I will be leaving our cozy Nashville west-side apartment in January to live and travel full time in our 2023 Toyota 4-Runner. 

    Stay tuned for more detailed posts regarding logistics of this endeavor, but I felt it critical to outline that goal before sharing how we spent 24 hours in St. Louis exploring Gateway Arch National Park, park number 8 of 63. 

    Books

    The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett

    4/5 stars

    Thrift-neck. That’s what I call the kink in my neck that I get after a long day of tilting it to the side as I stroll the aisles and shelves of my local Goodwill. As I try to minimize my material possessions and also my environmental impact, I have stopped buying physical books; however, I still traverse the aisles at used book stores or thrift shops in search of gems.

    Unlike the old adage, I do judge books by their covers – honestly, who doesn’t? And typically I don’t read the back blurbs of books. I have become very trustworthy of beautifully crafted covers, recognitions, or awards. Additionally, I gravitate towards stamped books of notable celebrity clubs such as Oprah’s or Reese Witherspoon’s, which is how I ended up with The Vanishing Half.

    I have a book bestie, that one friend who also manically reads and who you can always talk about your current and past reads with. When I told her I was reading The Vanishing Half, she scrunched her face and gave the dreaded, “Oh, I didn’t really like that one.” Ugh! Not what you want to hear when beginning a new novel, but I decided to give it at least 100 pages, and I am glad I did.

    I have always gravitated toward historical fiction, and The Vanishing Half offers a unique storyline about family dynamic within the historical context of race and gender-identity in Louisiana in the mid 1900’s. Two sisters who are so different yet alike. Two sisters on different life paths yet the same journey.

    Bites

    Pappy’s Smokehouse in Midtown ($50)

    Y’all. Shut up. Pappy’s Smokehouse is worth the wait and holds its weight in customer service, quality, flavor, and affordability. Do not be intimidated by the line – instead embrace it and know that you will thank yourself later.

    Friday night around 6 pm my boyfriend and I got into St. Louis. Pappy’s closes at 7, so we immediately drove to the Midtown location. The line was out the door, and after standing in line for 10 minutes my boyfriend and I saw that they were out of both the ribs and the brisket, so we decided to cut our losses and try again tomorrow.

    On Saturday we got to Pappy’s at 11. Plenty of brisket and ribs left, but to our surprise, the line was still out the door! We waited a little less than an hour, got to the counter, ordered the ribs, burnt ends, corn, green beans, and coleslaw, waited less than 5 minutes, and ate.

    Award winning and highly recommended on reddit (which is how I stumbled on it lol). Pappy’s is a no-duh when visiting St. Louis, and did I mention it was all less than $50.

    Sights

    Sunrise at Gateway Arch National Park

    Early morning at the Arch means ample street parking, cozy sweaters, and pink skies over the Mississippi River. Worth the early morning – and always free.

    St. Louis Zoo ($10)

    The St. Louis Zoo is free, and parking is only $10 dollars. And let me just say, nothing beats a walk around the local zoo on a sunny day. My boyfriend and I have started intentionally visiting zoos when traveling, and I have come to really cherish our zoo escapades. Some highlights for us personally were the Reptile House and the lively spider monkeys.

    Gateway Arch National Park Museum and Tram tickets ($35)

    Considering that I am unlikely to visit the St. Louis Arch again, I had to ride the tram up to the top – like they say, when in Rome. Tickets were $17.50 a piece, and the entire experience was a little less than an hour long. The background to my photo dump is the bird’s eye view I captured from the top of the Arch. On a budget? I would skip this, but if you have the time and money, it is a neat experience. Additionally, there is a very informative and free museum at the visitor center.

    My boyfriend, Amory, captures this trip, as well as all of his national park visits on his Youtube channel, @AmoryWild. Check it out below to know more about the 63 in 365 trip or to see a different perspective on what we did during this short but sweet St. Louis trip.

  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    October 16 – 18, 2025

    Bites: The Camping Pancake

    For this post, I want to focus on a keystone food in my diet: the pancake.

    Over my fall break from school, I took two days to solo explore Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Fontana Dam. Fall leaves, winding roads, crisp air, and stillness. Thursday morning, I drove down the Tail of the Dragon along US 129, famous for its 318 curves in just 11 miles, to the Shuckstack Tower trail near the Fontana Dam. Thursday night, I stayed at the Fontana Village Resort & Marina campground by the trout-filled river in my hammock. Friday morning, I drove up the Foothills Parkway towards the Ramsey Cascades trail. After my hike, I went to the local Foodland and then headed off to the Elkmont campsite in Great Smokey Mountains National Park. At the campsite, I hastily but easily set up my Camp Chef Everest 2-burner stove and made myself a stack of pancakes.

    Why the pancake?

    Because of all the reasons: cheap, quick, delicious, versatile, nostalgic, packable.

    Making it happen, ideas, suggestions:

    • Step one: buy the mix. While this can be where you spend next to nothing on a $4 box of Bisquick pancake and baking mix, with my dietary needs I opt for the $8 bag of Arrowhead Mills organic gluten-free oat flour and waffle mix. One bag makes about 20 medium-sized pancakes, so in terms of bang for my buck, this is still a budget-friendly (and belly-friendly) option, especially in today’s economy.
    • Step two: build mix with water- and oil if you have some. Skip the egg. Your pancake may be less fluffy, but when camping, less is more. No cooler, no problem. Dealing with ice, bleh. Originally I never dreamed of an eggless pancake, but my boyfriend is allergic to them, so out of necessity, I learned to bake and cook without them, and while there was a learning curve, I’ve come to find that eggs aren’t always necessary, and honestly they can be more of a hassle than they are worth.
    • Step three: add it on, dress it up. Classic style? regular ole maple syrup. Going hiking later? smother in peanut butter. Feeling fancy? do like I did in my photo dump below. Buy a $4 bag of frozen fruit, add a bit of water to the skillet after making the cakes, boil, and mash. Boom a simple, made from scratch fruit syrup in minutes.
    • Step four: enjoy the process and product. As simple as pancakes may seem, what can go wrong, sometimes will. Uneven, burnt, falling apart, or sticking to the pan. Just take a deep breath and know that they will still taste yummy, even if they look a mess. Pancakes were one of the first foods someone showed me how to make myself on the stovetop. I still treasure the fond memories of my granny’s guidance and patience as I learned to mix, pour, and flip the cakes with her before Saturday morning cartoons – unknowing that she was tossing my burnt, crummy pancakes to the dogs.

  • Gulf Shores, Alabama

    October 9th – 14th, 2025

    Hello – and welcome to my blog (and my first post).

    My intention for this blog is capture more of what brings me joy: books, bites, and sights. By doing so, I hope to bring more joy into my life. So, if you also find joy in turning pages or tasting and seeing all the things – then as Robert Frost said, “You come too.”

    My first post captures my family’s yearly vacation to Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Cliche – I know, but in terms of a vacation being what a vacation ought to be (relaxing, slow paced, a time to connect with those you love most), this one always is. This is my second time attending the festival with my sister and her family (their fourth), and I hope to continue this tradition with them in the years to come.

    Books

    By Any Other Name, Jodi Picoult

    4/5 stars

    All the books I have read of Picoult’s, I have loved, so I am unsure as to why when I started By Any Other Name I had reservations, but I did. I went to an author event in 2024 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee to listen to Jodi Picoult speak about the book and received a signed copy; however, I kept the novel in my TBR pile for nearly a year before picking it up to read. Why? I told myself, “Oh, I am not that big into theatre… I probably won’t like this book much.” Boy, I was wrong.

    After the first chapter, I found myself seamlessly turning the pages and reading late into the night. Back-door romances, women’s rights, 1600’s lore, conspiracy, and more. Picoult is such a talented story teller.

    Bites

    Buccee’s Dark Roast Coffee in Huntsville, AL ($2)

    What is a secret obsession of mine? Gas station coffee. I always say that everything that could be/is wrong with our food culture and habits are captured in a cup of gas station coffee: hot liquid in a plastic cup, an old coffee machine that hasn’t been cleaned since the day it came out of the box, low-quality, stale coffee beans, and seed-oil creamers. But that first sip of gas station coffee hits different. And what better place to hard brake for it than the infamous Buccee’s. So, fittingly, my first bite of this road trip was at the Huntsville, Alabama Buccee’s for their extensive coffee bar, their clean, private restrooms, and their unbeatably cheap gas.

    Rouses Grocery Haul in Gulf Shores, AL ($100)

    Like many of us, my relationship with food is complicated. I am currently on a journey to heal my gut and work through an active eating disorder. My progress is not linear, but I know that being mindful and open is the first step. Additionally I, like most, have many dietary restrictions and finding food that meets my needs when traveling can be cumbersome.

    Here is where I find the silver lining: niche, hometown grocery stores. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is find the local grocery store and stroll through the aisles, stocking up on my safe foods and snagging those unique, locally made gems.

    Pancake mix, eggs, oatmeal, fruits, veggies, oat milk creamer, and Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicory were a few of the items I left Rouses with. More expensive than Walmart? Sure. Better customer service and higher quality products? Definitely.

    Saleh Iced Coffees in Fort Morgan, AL ($17)

    How do I typically like my coffee? Hot with cream. But at 3:00 in the afternoon on the beach? Um… no thanks. Solution? Iced coffees from Saleh. Saleh is in Fort Morgan, 15 minutes west of Gulf Shores, if you’re in the area and want a local place to sit and sip.

    Coffee and Breakfast Platter at Buzzcatz in Orange Beach, AL ($20)

    After the Annual Shrimp Festival 5K, I went to Buzzcatz in Orange Beach. The line out the door speaks for itself. They have a variety of coffees, teas, pastries, and platters. I ordered the breakfast platter which came with eggs, grits, toast, and sausage. Buzzcatz also has lovely and ample patio seating located in both the front and back of the cafe. Who doesn’t love sitting afuera and enjoying a post-run coffee?

    Sights

    Sunrises and Sunsets

    Nothing beats the always free, always consistent, sunrises and sunsets. One aspect of vacationing I am learning to break-free of is the need for a slammed itinerary. I want to always do all the things, but honestly, I lose a lot of peace when on vacation because of FOMO and overbooking my itinerary. To actively combat this, I plan out moments of stillness.

    Gulf Shores Annual Shrimp Festival

    The main attraction of this vacation is the festival itself; however, you can easily traverse the entire festival in one evening which is what I have done for the last two years. Walking around the festival grounds is free and there is lots to see, taste, and hear: local artists and vendors, an abundance of yummy food trucks with all the smells, and live music from a variety of genres. Parking is complicated, but if you’re willing to pay, you can park easily and close by for $20.

    Annual Shrimp Festival 5K at Orange Beach Sportsplex ($40)

    One thing I like doing on vacation is staying active and exploring the town in unique ways. The average 5K is $30 to $40 to register for and typically the proceeds go to a good cause. A quick google search will pull up 5Ks in your area, and if you’ve never ran a 5K outside where you live, I highly recommend it. The energy is always up, you usually get a soft t-shirt at the end, and you get to see your vacation destination less like a tourist and more like a local. This was my second time running the Shrimp Festival 5K and was such a great kickstart to my Saturday morning.

    Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

    Breakaway from the sandy, sunny beach and onto a shaded, dirt path by exploring some of the trails at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Located less than 20 minutes west of downtown Gulf Shores, the refuge has been my go to for an early morning lonesome stroll away from the family these last two years. Last year, parts of some of the trails were closed; however, this year, they had recently been reopened. Flat, well maintained, easily accessible, and not too busy, the Gator Lake Trail (1.5 miles), the Centennial Trail (4.5 miles), and the Pine Beach Trail (3.4 miles) are all worth the drive.

    Dolphin Cruise with Surf’s Up in Orange Beach, AL ($20)

    I know, I know. I was hesitant too. I typically do not lean into doing “tacky” tourist things, but my sister has two little girls under three, and she figured it would be a neat experience for them to go on a dolphin cruise. So, being the cool auntie that I am, I had to tag along. Let me start by saying wow. I would 100% do this “tacky” dolphin cruise again. Hands-down. Swipe my card. First off, my ticket was $20. Yes, you read that correct. $20. There is NOTHING in this economy that you can do for $20, let alone have as much fun as I did that day. Next, it was so fun and relaxing to breathe in the salty ocean air and watch the sunset from the middle of the gulf on a boat. Last, dolphins. We rode around on the boat for an hour and started heading back to the marina without seeing any dolphins, and I had come to terms that we weren’t going to see any (but was okay with it since it was such a lovely boat ride in and of itself); however, just as the sun was setting, the dolphins came out to play. And when I say play, I mean it. They were putting on a show for us. Doing tricks, riding the waves, and even squeaking little messages to one another. I had never experienced anything like it. It was truly breath-taking, and let me remind you, all for $20. The Surf’s Up Dolphin Cruise company we toured with was very personal and professional, and I couldn’t recommend them enough. If you’ve never done a dolphin cruise, I would highly suggest checking out their sunset cruise. Honestly, it was the best two hours of my trip.

    Charter Fishing with Off the Hook Charters (+$775)

    Novelty is my kryptonite. I love doing and seeing new things. So, when my sister’s step-daughter and her boyfriend jokingly mentioned going fishing on charter, I said my go-to catchphrase – why not? We split the total by three (with an additional 20% tip), so I personally spent $250 for the experience. Which is steep, but all in all, worth it. Hesitant to go because you don’t know squat about fishing? Don’t be because neither did I. We had a knowledgeable and charismatic captain who took care of all our fishing things for us, which, let me add, thank goodness, because my line snapped again and again. We spent 4 hours out at sea, talking, laughing, and listening to yacht rock. I had a blast and kept thinking how fun it would be to do another charter with more family and friends. I am from Nashville which is currently the bachelorette party capital, and while on this excursion, all I could think about was how fun it would be to do a bachelorette party on a charter – maybe call it a ‘catch’elorette party (lol). During our trip, we caught both red snapper and Spanish mackerel. Reeling in the fish was such a dopamine and adrenaline rush. We saw angel fish and dolphins too. But the best part was that once on shore our captain filleted and packaged all of our fish for us. We were sent home with two coolers’ worth of fish which made the expenses of the charter worth it. I am still, months later, pulling fish out of my deep freezer and making dinners with it.