Welcome to Sampling the South!
We’re glad you’re here.
Sampling the South was born from a simple idea: some of life’s greatest memories are made around a table, on a quiet country road, in a small-town café, or while discovering a place you’ve never been before. For years, we have enjoyed exploring the South one destination at a time, sharing those experiences with family, friends, and readers who love this region as much as we do.
Now, Sampling the South is entering a new chapter.
My name is Cavin Cawthon, and along with my wife, Charlotte, I have the privilege of continuing this journey. After more than three decades serving as a Southern Baptist pastor, missionary, church planter, and ministry leader, I have entered a season of life that allows me to slow down, travel more, and enjoy the people, places, and traditions that make the American South so special.
To me, the South is much more than a place on a map.
It is the aroma of fresh biscuits in a family-owned restaurant. It is the conversation on a courthouse square. It is generations worshiping together in a country church. It is the stories passed from grandparents to grandchildren. It is hospitality, history, faith, hard work, and neighbors who still wave from the front porch.
That is the South we hope to share with you.
Here you’ll find honest reviews of locally owned restaurants, hidden gems, scenic destinations, historic sites, small towns, festivals, and unique attractions throughout the South. We want to help you discover places worth visiting, meals worth enjoying, and experiences worth remembering.
But Sampling the South is about more than travel.
It’s about people.
Along the way, we’ll share the stories behind the places we visit, introduce you to remarkable individuals, reflect on Southern traditions, and occasionally pause to consider the lessons God teaches us through everyday life. While our Christian faith shapes the way we see the world, our desire is simply to encourage, inspire, and remind others that there is still goodness, beauty, and genuine hospitality to be found.
Whether you’re planning your next weekend getaway, searching for the best local restaurant, looking for an overlooked destination, or simply enjoying a good story with a cup of coffee, we hope you’ll feel right at home.
Thank you for joining us as we continue discovering the South—one meal, one town, one story, and one adventure at a time.
Pull up a chair, stay awhile, and let’s explore together.
Welcome to Sampling the South.
— Cavin & Charlotte CawthonÂ