Bret and Mary 
As a longtime member of a few Blairsville-related Facebook groups, I’d read numerous complaints about the lack of diversity of non-chain restaurants in the tiny North Georgia mountain town. With a population of just over 600 and an economy that isn’t nearly as tourism-based as nearby hotspots such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen, we … Read more
In terms of outdoor recreation, my native state of Georgia is home to 50+ state parks and historic sites and more than a dozen national parks and forests. Our plethora of options to explore includes majestic mountains, ancient geological formations, canyons carved out over the course of time, wild and scenic rivers, and a seemingly endless array of … Read more
Everyone has their favorite North Georgia State Parks, whether it’s the massive gorge and waterfalls of Cloudland Canyon or the far-ranging Blue Ridge Mountain vistas of Black Rock Mountain. But if you’re interested in state parks primarily for camping, hiking, or history, Fort Mountain State Park deserves to be right up there at the top … Read more
Located at an elevation of 2,825 feet, with a total area of 1.598 square miles, Burnsville is a relatively small North Carolina mountain town surrounded by some of the largest peaks in the eastern United States. Standing in the shadow of the 6,684-foot-tall Mount Mitchell and located 20 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Burnsville … Read more
The Rock Garden in Calhoun, Georgia was intended to be a quick stop on our way home after spending several days in Cloudland Canyon State Park and James H Floyd State Park. We didn’t know much about the place, other than the fact that it was a quirky attraction, and it was located about 7 … Read more
After driving the Blue Ridge Parkway stretch between Downtown Asheville and Boone NC 4 to 5 times in the last two years, it’s become clear that the North Carolina High Country is one of the our favorite places in the world. From Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell to Linville Falls, Linville Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain, this … Read more
Located 16 miles west of Boone and 18 miles from Blowing Rock, Banner Elk ranks high among the most beloved small towns in North Carolina‘s High Country. It offers close proximity to major tourist attractions ranging from Grandfather Mountain State Park and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area to Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, and some of … Read more
Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, about halfway between Roanoke and Waynesboro, Lexington VA is a small college town with a rich history dating back to the American Revolution. Lexington is part of Rockbridge County, which is home to the Natural Bridge (once owned by Thomas Jefferson), Washington & Lee University (one of the oldest colleges … Read more
Located just 10 miles south of Boone, the tiny mountain town of Blowing Rock (population 1,163) is one of the most tourist-friendly towns in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina. The town is home to major attractions such as the Blowing Rock, Mystery Hill, and Tweetsie Railroad. And its proximity to the Blue Ridge … Read more
[Updated October 23, 2024] The first time we visited the city back in 2012, we were absolutely blown away by the Asheville food scene. For a 45-square-mile mountain town with a population of around 84,000, the sheer number of critically acclaimed downtown Asheville restaurants was staggering even then. As it turns out, the city is … Read more
