Great Smoky Mountains Blog
Unicoi Gap to Dick’s Creek Gap on the Appalachian Trail
Debra and I were recently invited by her brother, John to join him on a two-day hike on the Appalachian (Appa-latch-uhn) Trail. This is a 15.8-mile hike from Unicoi Gap to Dick’s Creek Gap between Helen and Hiawassee in Georgia. Read about the trip here: "Coyotes and...
17 Things You Must See (And Do) If This is Your First Visit to the Great Smoky Mountains
Oh, the Places You'll Go! Beautiful views, delectable foods, incredible moods… we welcome you to the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. “Great things are done when men and mountain meet” ~ William Blake You need peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of your...
Coyotes and Monsoons on the App Trail in North Georgia
Tell me again…why were we walking 7 plus miles in a monsoon? I can guarantee you that I wouldn’t be this wet sitting at home watching TV. Oh, but the stories you will have. “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you.” — Marcus Purvis Debra and I were recently...
13 Things To Do On a Rainy Day in the 828 Great Smoky Mountains
They say, “If you don’t like the weather in WNC, wait 5 minutes.” You like warm sunny days hanging out by a waterfall? We’ve got plenty of that.You prefer a slight chill in the air as you hike a mountain trail? Yep, we’ve got that too.You love a light rain that cools...
Where the Wild Ponies Roam
>>> Cold! The kind of cold you read about in books…Why were we up so high freezing again? Oh yea, the wild ponies... Grayson Highlands State Park, known for the wild ponies that roam the vast grassy balds high up in the Virginia mountains. You may be asking,...
Bangers and Mash in an Irish Pub in Andrews, NC
Andrews, NC’s newest location (Dec 2020) to grab something to drink and eat is The Parting Glass Irish Pub. The owners of this family-run establishment are husband and wife, Eric and Shannon West. They opened in November of 2020 and are located at 945 Main St in...
Rough Ridge Trail – Hiking near Boone, NC
Rough Ridge Trail Located just outside of Boone, NC, Rough Ridge Trail is a magnificent hiking trail with beautiful views is a short but moderate climb of close to 2.5 miles. The trail is well used and maintained and with some of the best photo opportunities. Because...
Freedom isn’t cancelled in the 828
Covid19 has changed a lot of what we are used to, but one thing it can’t stop is how we celebrate the Fourth of July across the 828. It may look a little different this year, but the Stars and Stripes will still be celebrated in all its glory. Starting in our hometown...
Glenn Falls – Hike – Highlands, NC
Looking for a great family nature trip while on your trip to Highlands, NC, Then you should plan a trip to one of the region’s many waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Just a short 1.6-mile drive outside of Highlands in the Nantahala National Forest, Glenn Falls is one...