There is no shortage of stunning state parks in the North Carolina mountains. We’ve been fortunate to visit a good number of them, staring up at wondrous waterfalls and conquering skyscraping climbs to mountain summits with panoramic views. Nevertheless, our trip to the oft-overlooked 4,400-acre Elk Knob State Park last week proved to be another unique … Read more
The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Boone NC is best-known for its Christmas tree farms and outdoor recreation opportunities, offering everything from mountain biking and rock climbing to whitewater rafting and snow skiing. The county seat of Watauga County has a population of around 20,000, which is pretty big for the Western North Carolina High Country. … Read more
The Southern Appalachian Historical Association was formed to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Watauga County and the surrounding areas in the North Carolina mountains. It does this in a variety of ways– through theatrical performances, educational programs, and an excellent lliving history museum. Located in Boone, the seat of Watauga County, the Hickory … Read more
North Carolina is home to the five highest mountains east of the Mississippi: Mt. Mitchell, Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Guyot, Richland Balsam, and Potato Knob. In fact, over half of the tallest 20 mountains in the eastern US are in Western North Carolina! And we aren’t talking run-of-the-mill mountains here. These are the Appalachians, replete with … Read more
Located just a couple of hours north of downtown Asheville, the town of Boone NC is the county seat for Watauga County. This hub of North Carolina’s High Country is a slice of the Blue Ridge Mountains that’s choc-a-block with outdoor activities and other attractions. Boone was named for American pioneer/explorer Daniel Boone, who is … Read more
The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains may not have the jaw-dropping 13,000- to 14,000-foot peaks you’ll find in the Rockies of Colorado or Utah. But for those looking to see the snowy summits of Appalachia, there are actually numerous great places to go snow skiing in North Carolina. There are impressive options for skiing near Asheville, … Read more
Whether you’re continuing a lifelong Christmas tradition or getting your first ever live tree, picking out a tree from a Christmas Tree Farm is truly a magical holiday moment. Especially when you’re doing it among the majestic Blue Ridge mountain landscapes of North Carolina! Exploring rows of bright evergreens and finding the perfect one to … Read more