In my 7 years of living in Western North Carolina, I’ve survived two 100-year storms (see: 10 inches of rain in less than a day), a 5.1-magnitude earthquake, and a 20-inch snow blizzard. With each new dramatic weather phenomenon, I’m brought back to what a local excavator operator said as he stared at our new, … Read more
Since Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina in late September, we’ve received hundreds of requests on our Facebook page to create a guide to Western NC stores that offer online shopping. We always try to shop small businesses when we travel, because for every $1 you spend at a small business, around 67¢ stays in the … Read more
Shenandoah National Park attracts nearly 2 million visitors a year, encompasses nearly 200,000 acres of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and is home to the impressively scenic, 105-mile Skyline Drive. It’s a marvelous place with amazing overlooks of the surrounding wilderness. Some of the exposed rocks in Shenandoah National Park date back a billion years. Looming … Read more
Boone NC is one of our favorite mountain towns. And since my wife Emma and I live about an hour north (right off the Blue Ridge Parkway), we usually visit Boone every month or so. Downtown Boone has a great vibe, with good restaurants, cool shops, and fantastic walking routes. We also love the fact … Read more
Those of you who follow our BRMTG Facebook page know we’ve been keeping active tabs on the recovery efforts of the myriad Blue Ridge Mountain towns that were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene. It has only been a few weeks since the devastating storm wreaked havoc in the region, with historic flooding and landslides impacting dozens of … Read more
The Shenandoah Valley is a breathtaking region of Virginia, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Potomac and James Rivers. In addition to natural beauty, this fertile valley is also rich in Virginia mountain towns, traditional Appalachian culture, and endless outdoor adventures. As a base for your exploration of the area, what … Read more
Located near the northern shores of Lake Chatuge, just 10 miles north of Hiawassee GA, Hayesville NC is a tiny North Carolina mountain town with a population of less than 500 people. With the Hiwassee River cutting through the town’s eastern edge, this area has long been settled by indigenous people. The South Appalachian Mississippian culture … Read more
Autumn in North Georgia is always such a special time, and not just because it offers a cooling down after the dog days of Summer! As if the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia aren’t spectacular enough all year round, Fall brings an array of dazzling, gem-like colors to the jaw-dropping scenic vistas. There are an endless … Read more
Autumn in Asheville NC is a magical time, with Fall colors glowing like gems in the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround the burgeoning metropolis. Naturally, there are endless things to do in (and near) Asheville to help get you into the spirit of the season. Whether it’s driving the Blue Ridge Parkway for top-notch leaf … Read more
Much like pumpkin patches and apple picking, visiting corn mazes in NC makes us feel like the glorious days of Autumn have officially arrived. The state of North Carolina has more than its fair share of vast corn fields. So it’s an ideal place to seek out kid-friendly corn mazes, as well as massive adult-sized challenges … Read more
