George Masa, Horace Kephart and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park There was drama in the mountains of Western North Carolina back in the 1920s and 1930s, and it had nothing to do with prohibition and moonshine. One need only read Serena , Ron Rash’s riveting novel set in the region’s rich timber country (or see the movie starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence) to
Hawks Soar Over Asheville in Annual Migration Fall is a favorite time here in Western North Carolina, when the cooling weather provides ideal conditions for exploring all that this area has to offer. The changing leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway present a feast for the eyes, and the migration sightings can provide memories to last a lifetime, particularly for hawk enthusiasts. Each year in the
Waterfalls for All Occasions With hundreds of beautiful cascades near Asheville, where do you begin? Here’s a quick sampler to get you started. These 10 locations represent a diverse range of options, so there’s something for everyone. Tallest: Upper Whitewater Falls Walk a quarter-mile paved trail (accessible for wheelchairs or scooters) to see the mighty Upper Whitewater
A Walk in the Woods Asheville is very fortunate to have the Appalachian Trail -- a 2,200-mile route that runs from Maine to Georgia -- go right through our backyard. Some people summit Kilimanjaro for a cathartic one-with-nature (or man vs. nature) experience; some hike the culturally rich Appalachian Trail. Travel writer Bill Bryson wrote a smart, funny account of his own efforts to hike the AT
Outings to Satisfy Your Inner Bird Nerd Flashes of red plumage in the forest canopy and a familiar song - “what-cheer, what-cheer, what-cheer” - signify the presence of a nearby Northern Cardinal. This is an easy bird to recognize, even for a novice bird watcher, but it is only one of nearly 300 bird species to call Asheville, and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, home. To sharpen
See Asheville From Behind (Handle) Bars In Asheville, outdoor enthusiasts are like kids in a locally sourced candy store. With hundreds of miles for road biking and as a mountain biking destination , what better way to see our fair city than on two wheels? And you don’t have to know how to do a nose wheelie to enjoy one of these six cycling experiences. 1. Velo Girl Rides These luxe,
A Three-Day Itinerary for a Fun-Filled Trip to Asheville Mastering the perfect girlfriends getaway is a bit of an art. A mix of personalities means that the ideal destination needs to have a range of activities and dining options for everyone. Lucky for you, Asheville has it all! From world-class dining and shopping to outdoor adventures and spas that make you say “ahhhh”,
Pair Your Picnic With Delicious Vistas Feed your eyes with spectacular views and your ears with serene sounds of nature with an al fresco meal that you will never forget. Before you head out for a picnic, pick up some seasonal goodies at a tailgate market or the WNC Farmer’s Market (open every day). Also, many local B&Bs and hotels will help you with a picnic to go. Check out my favorite
Beyond Gorgeous Views Are Mountains Full of Life The Cherokee called the mountain Tanawha, meaning Great Hawk or Eagle. While that name may be forgotten, no other ridge top near Asheville is so familiar as the lofty silhouette of Grandfather Mountain , the name adopted by early settlers. At its high point, the craggy features of one of the area’s most famous peaks climb to nearly 6,000 feet
Expand Your Comfort Zone With Asheville’s Professional Adventurers Adventure can be intimidating. Asheville guides understand. They're here to help you scale cliffs, navigate rapids, seek out the hard-to-find, scenic waterfalls that attracted you to the region in the first place. These are just a few of the companies working to provide the lessons and advice you need to explore with
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