[Updated June 13, 2023] As a small town with a total population of around 700 people, Blairsville isn’t as big or as bustling as popular North Georgia mountain towns such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Ellijay. But for many people, therein lies a big part of its charm. Measuring just 1.1 square miles, Blairsville may seem … Read more
If you’re a food and wine lover and you’ve never explored the Yadkin Valley in NC, you’re really missing out! The Yadkin Valley region is full of wineries and vineyards to visit, with 44 Yadkin Valley wineries to choose from. Encompassing 1,400,000 acres, the Yadkin Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) includes 7 counties in … Read more
People head to the Smokies of North Carolina and Tennessee for many reasons. Some want to go on epic Great Smoky Mountains hikes, while others want to witness the mysterious Great Smoky Mountains fireflies (a.k.a. Blue Ghost fireflies). Many Smoky Mountains visitors come on a pilgrimage to see lots of waterfalls, but some just want … Read more
Plaza Midwood, a neighborhood just southeast of Uptown Charlotte NC, is one of the fastest growing (and fastest changing) areas of the Queen City. As a longtime local resident, it is also one of my personal favorites! I love to explore Charlotte’s eclectic and culturally diverse neighborhoods, with their always intriguing mix of new and … Read more
[Updated June 7, 2023] When my wife and I explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s typically with two main goals in mind. The first objective is to create in-depth guides on the best things to see and do there. The second is to use that information to decide whether or not we want to move … Read more
When I was growing up in North Georgia, you couldn’t swing a stick without hitting a sign (or barn) promoting Rock City and Ruby Falls. If you were taking a family road trip to “See Rock City,” Ruby Falls was simply a must-see, because these two Lookout Mountain attractions are less than four miles apart. … Read more
If you’re interested in exploring caverns and underground caves in Tennessee, a visit to the Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater TN is an absolute must. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains an hour north of Chattanooga TN and Lookout Mountain, the Lost Sea refers to the tourist attraction and underground lake, while … Read more
River rafting in Tennessee is one of the great outdoor adventures to be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In our experience, the best white water rafting in Tennessee is in the eastern part of the state, in the Appalachian region. Opportunities for Upper Pigeon River rafting and Ocoee River white water rafting are so good, the … Read more
On November 15, 1966, two terrified young couples came screaming from the forest in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Little did they know that their frightening encounter that night would spark an international fascination with an unnerving, supernatural creature akin to Bigfoot and the Bell Witch haunting in Tennessee. The Mothman of West Virginia was described as … Read more
[Updated May 29, 2023] In the three years since we launched this site, we’ve visited more than 50 Blue Ridge Mountain towns in the search for our future mountain home. From Blue Ridge and Blairsville GA to Bryson City and Waynesville NC, there have been several different places that made their way onto our shortlist. … Read more