Bret and Mary 
Located on US-19, just 1.5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Soco Gap (Milepost 455.7), Soco Falls is an extremely popular place to visit in Summer and Autumn. In addition to being very close to the BRP, people love Soco Falls because it’s a rare (and gorgeous) twin waterfall, meaning that two streams come … Read more
Now that Spring has officially sprung, temperatures are rising, wildflowers are blooming, and the peak season for exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains is just around the corner. If you’re anything like us, this time of year is perfect for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors, hiking trails, chasing waterfalls, and spending long, lingering days … Read more
Whether you’re taking your very first Blue Ridge Parkway road trip or– like us– you’ve explored the scenic route multiple times, a visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a must! Located near Downtown Asheville, just 2.4 miles south of the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center, the Visitor Center is essentially … Read more
The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is widely regarded as “America’s favorite drive,” with over 16 million annual visitors making it the most popular unit of the U.S. National Park Service. But in order to fully appreciate why the world-renowned scenic route remains so beloved today, more than 90 years after the concept was created, it’s … Read more
Founded in 1782 (when it was originally known as Liberty), Bedford VA is one of our favorite small towns in the Shenandoah Valley. Located about 28 miles east of Roanoke VA, Bedford is a popular place to stop during Blue Ridge Parkway road trips. The 469-mile scenic route passes right by two of the most … Read more
(This post was brought to you in partnership with Creative Fabrica. But all opinions remain our own, and we will never compromise the integrity of our relationship with our readers.) I’ve been working as a full-time writer/editor/photographer since 1995, and Mary and I have been full-time independent publishers since we launched our first website, Green … Read more
After 7 years working in the restaurant industry and nearly 30 years of reviewing restaurants professionally, I’ve learned a few things about what makes certain eateries more successful than others. Good food, fresh ingredients, and a unique menu are obvious must-haves. But there’s also something to be said for innovative interior design, personable staff, and … Read more
Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort was the highlight of our visit to Robbinsville NC. With history dating back to the 1930s, the 120+ acre mountain resort is located on the Cheoah River, with 3 Lodge Suites, 6 Lodge Rooms, and 18 Cabin Rooms to … Read more
Ever since spending my boyhood summers on Lake Hartwell in North Georgia, I’ve become a lifelong lover of the myriad beautiful lakes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Named after early 19th century Cherokee leader Chief Junaluska, Lake Junaluska NC is one of the oldest man-made lakes in North Carolina. The Lake Junaluska Dam on Richland … Read more
The fourth-largest city in Tennessee, Chattanooga (population nearly 185,000) has been a major town in the TAG (Tennessee-Alabama-Georgia) area since before the Civil War. Originally known as a major hub for Southeastern railroads, the city of Chattanooga emerged as one of the region’s largest heavy industrial hubs in the early 20th century. Convenient … Read more