Enjoying the Journey
Roadside Attractions Worth Visiting
The United States can be a weird place, and some landmarks definitely reflect that sentiment. Along almost every highway, bizarre landmarks draw road trippers of all ages. Sometimes tourist traps aren’t worth the price of admission, but when you’re taking your summer road trip this year and your family needs a place to stop and stretch, these are three roadside attractions worth checking out.
THE LOST SEA; SWEETWATER, TENNESSEE The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the U.S. Lying 140 feet beneath the surface, it’s a fun escape from the summer heat, since it’s 58 degrees year-round. Kids and adults alike can learn about the history and geology of the area on a guided tour through forest above and lake below. And afterward, you can stop by the general store, ice cream parlor, or cafe. THE MYSTERY SPOT; SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA Advertising itself as a “gravitational anomaly,” this wacky spot in the middle of the redwood forest showcases a series of optical illusions
such as balls rolling uphill and a cabin where visitors can lean toward the ground and appear to defy gravity. It might not be aliens, like some believe, but visitors of all ages will get a kick out of the illusions messing with their perception. Plus, the nearby hiking trails through the redwoods offer a free added experience. DINOSAUR LAND; WHITE POST, VIRGINIA It might not be Jurassic Park, but it’s still worth a look. Nestled in the greenery of Northern Virginia, this park has over 50 life-size statues of dinosaurs of all kinds. Tours are self-guided, parking is free, and children (or adults) with dinosaur obsessions are sure to smile and point out their favorites. It’s certainly something to “rawr” home about. Whether these spots are your destinations or you’re just passing through on your summer road trip, visiting these roadside attractions and others like them will add some fun to your travels.
We believe that we should always be improving as a firm to better serve our clients.This attitude of perpetual education comes largely from Jim Snell, who believes no attorney can ever attain a level of mastery that allows them to rest on their laurels.As such, Jim never tires of seeking ways to get a little better at his work. Recently, he traveled to Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government for a weeklong program called “Mastering Negotiation.” Jim shared the classroom with 68 students from all over the globe, many of whom, as he likes to put it,“have their own Wikipedia page.” Being among such august company inspired Jim to throw all his attention into his studies. The teachers were no slouch, either. Among the instructors was former Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad. He gave a firsthand account of negotiating a historic peace agreement with Peru in 1998, which resolved centuries of strife between the two countries.
every type of case, whether we’re talking personal injury or criminal defense,” he says,“a negotiated solution is preferable. Of course, you have to be willing to litigate if necessary. And even then, being a skilled negotiator helps your clients in a major way. Appealing to a judge or jury, after all, is a type of negotiation.” Being a great attorney begins with a rock- solid understanding of the law, but it’s far from the only talent required to provide the best possible outcome for clients. Jim is willing and excited about improving secondary skills, which speaks to his determination for self-improvement.There is no requirement for attorneys to travel to the world’s most prestigious university to learn how to broker agreements in their favor. Jim views this as a privilege, one that can only help his firm and his clients going forward. Jim’s attitude of continuous education is contagious. It inspires everyone at the firm to constantly search out avenues to do their job with a little more skill and compassion. The reason for this approach is simple: Our clients deserve it.
Jim Snell Goes to Harvard To Learn the Brass Tacks of Negotiation
Sharpening his negotiation tactics will benefit all aspects of Jim’s practice.“In
2 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog