Western North Carolina is perhaps best known as home to Asheville, one of the most deservedly popular up-and-coming small cities in the United States. But the Blue Ridge region is also blessed with more than its fair share of small mountain towns, which ooze Appalachian culture and history. Dozens of the small towns near Asheville, … Read more
My earliest memories of the Blue Ridge Mountains are of backpacking trips with our church youth group, which my parents led. I was no more than 6 years old the first time we made our way north to Blue Ridge, Georgia. We’d stock up on supplies in town before heading to Springer Mountain and spending … Read more
In the years leading up to my daughter leaving home for college, I became increasingly conscious of time. The 18 summers we have with our kids seemed to pass all too quickly, leaving us precious few moments to establish strong bonds we hope will last a lifetime. So the timing of our trip to the … Read more
Pisgah National Forest encompasses over half a million acres of the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina. The forest is separated into three ranger districts: Appalachia and Grandfather are located north of Asheville, while Pisgah is south of it. Within the national forest’s boundaries, visitors can explore sections of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the … Read more
As a boy growing up near the North Georgia mountains, I tended to take the Appalachian food of my family’s roots for granted. Fortunately, traditional Southern food has come a long way over the last few decades, as has the culinary scene in little mountain towns like Blue Ridge, GA. When Mary and I first … Read more
Spend any time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and you’ll quickly realize that waterfalls are a big thing here. Waterfalls in NC can be as literally big– as in over 800 feet high– as they are numerous. You’ll find approximately 250 waterfalls just in the 381-square-mile Transylvania County, located just south … Read more
Growing up in Atlanta, the mountain town of Helen, Georgia seemed like another world, with its bizarre Alpine architecture, biergartens, bratwurst, and annual Oktoberfest celebrations. But even as a kid I was much more attracted to the natural beauty of Unicoi State Park, which is located just a few miles away from the kitschy town. From … Read more
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, soak in stunning views, and tackle unforgettable outdoor adventures, look no further than the majestic mountains of north Georgia. Hiking through lush national forests along wildflower-strewn paths, crossing sparkling streams and around mossy boulders has always been one of our favorite things to do in North Georgia. The … Read more
Stone Mountain State Park (not to be confused with the famous North Georgia park) stands prominently just beyond the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. It’s located just a few miles away from Doughton Park, the largest recreation area on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. Straddling the border between Wilkes and … Read more
If ever there was a perfect time to take a road trip with little outside social interaction, plenty of open spaces to roam, and lots of beautiful landscapes to cover, the summer of 2020 is it. Cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway makes social distancing easy. And in our opinion, a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip … Read more