Stopping off in the North Carolina mountain town of Blowing Rock proved a perfect end to our weekend getaway at Julian Price Memorial Park. Before checking out some of the local breweries and restaurants, we wanted to earn our treat by hiking to Glen Burney Falls. We were pleasantly surprised to realize the trailhead was located … Read more
With nearly 100,000 residents, Asheville is easily the biggest jewel of a mountain town in Western NC. But there are numerous small towns near Asheville NC that warrant a visit as well, especially for those who seek a break from the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan cities. Having lived in WNC for 5+ years now, … Read more
There are countless hiking trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and each offers a little something special. But the relatively short Rough Ridge hike ranks high among our personal favorites. Starting at the Rough Ridge Overlook (Milepost 302.8), this 1.5-mile Blue Ridge Parkway hike will have you crossing a bridge over a creek, standing atop … Read more
Visiting the Fontana Dam and Visitors Center was high on our list of things to do during our latest car camping trip around the Great Smoky Mountains. Having already spent several days camping in the Nantahala National Forest, the dam was an unmissable, stop-off on our way to campgrounds in Bryson City NC and Cherokee … Read more
The reputation of Asheville NC as a magical getaway has been well-known for over a century. So much so that one of the world’s wealthiest families, the Vanderbilts, built their Biltmore Estate there in the late 1800s. Over the last 20 years, Asheville has emerged as a major hub in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, … Read more
Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort was the highlight of our visit to Robbinsville NC. With history dating back to the 1930s, the 120+ acre mountain resort is located on the Cheoah River, with 3 Lodge Suites, 6 Lodge Rooms, and 18 Cabin Rooms to … Read more
On our latest Great Smoky Mountains camping trip, the Cherokee NC attraction I most looked forward to visiting was the Museum of the Cherokee People (formerly known as the Museum of the Cherokee Indian). I hoped the museum would give me some good background on the Cherokee people. It did not disappoint, and proved to … Read more
If you find yourself looking for fun things to do in Winston Salem NC, look no further than Reynolda Village. Of all the Winston-Salem attractions we’ve visited, Reynolda Village is definitely among our favorites. We could easily spend an entire weekend there shopping, dining at local restaurants, walking the historic grounds, taking in … Read more
The Smoky Mountains are renowned for their spectacular natural beauty. And in our experience, there’s no better way to see them than by taking a Great Smoky Mountains train ride. Train rides have a rich history in the Southeastern US, and carry a rich sense of nostalgia that bridges generations. Sadly, many old passenger trains have … Read more
Ever since spending my boyhood summers on Lake Hartwell in North Georgia, I’ve become a lifelong lover of the myriad beautiful lakes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Named after early 19th century Cherokee leader Chief Junaluska, Lake Junaluska NC is one of the oldest man-made lakes in North Carolina. The Lake Junaluska Dam on Richland … Read more
