Bret and Mary 
Hayesville NC is a tiny mountain town (0.64 sq miles, population under 500) located near the northern shores of Lake Chatuge, which straddles the NC/GA border. Established in the 1860s, the town was named after 19th-century politician George Hayes, who helped the Cherokee people resist deportation and enabled some Cherokee communities to remain after the … Read more
Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes the seasonal mixed blessing of beautiful wildflowers and bountiful pollen (ah-choo!). One of our favorite things to do as the weather turns warmer is to go for walks where we can see nature’s blossoming beauty in full bloom. And whether it’s the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Asheville’s NC … Read more
With all apologies to TLC, chasing waterfalls in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains is one of our favorite pastimes. And while my native state of Georgia may not have as many waterfalls as Western NC, the ones we do have are truly a sight to see, and often surprisingly easy to access! To that end, … Read more
Blue Ridge GA was the first mountain town I ever remember visiting as a boy in the 1970s. It was also the first town we visited after launching Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide 5 years ago. When we got an invite to visit the Bear to Dream cabin in Blue Ridge last week, we were … Read more
Over the 5 years since we launched Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide, our team has visited 70-80 different towns in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (not including those we’ve driven through, but not actually stayed in). So narrowing it all down to a list of 30 mountain towns was no easy feat! What makes … Read more
Growing up in the heart of Atlanta GA in the 1970s, nature was something we really only explored during our school field trips. Whether it was the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Atlanta Zoo, or Stone Mountain Park, these magical places offered a taste of peace and serenity we rarely experienced in the city. The first … Read more
From the Biltmore House Christmas and Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum to the Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread House Competition, Asheville has more than its fair share of nationally-known holiday attractions. But those seeking a simpler, less crowded, and more budget-friendly small town Christmas celebration may want to head 25 miles south to Hendersonville, … Read more
Next to Christmas, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, as it was one of the few times of year my extended family (25+ aunts, uncles, and cousins) got together in the spirit of fellowship. The family has shrunk some over the years: My beloved grandparents, my father, my uncle Steve, and my cousin Jon … Read more
Now in its 11th year, Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum ranks right alongside Biltmore Christmas among our favorite things to do during Winter in Asheville. With all proceeds supporting the Arboretum’s annual programming, this is their largest fundraising effort of the year. And this year, like most of Asheville, they need those funds more … Read more
If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Asheville NC, experiencing the Biltmore Estate Christmas is a bucket list item that proves well worth the pricy investment (2024 tickets range from $125 to $400+). The 8,000-acre estate is the largest privately owned home in the USA. With 250 rooms encompassing 135,000+ sq feet (+75 acres of … Read more
