Fall in the NC mountains is a place I always chose to be. As much as I love to travel – I make it a point to be here in mid-October.
I love it when you make a turn-off on a shaded mountain road and it’s like you’ve flipped a light switch. The sun spotlights the changing leaves revealing a burst of fall colors. And when the leaves are brown and near their end watching the wind whip them into high swirls always makes me smile.
During this very unusual summer, I did not have time for many long drives down unknown roads. Family issues kept me a bit more occupied. But on our last weekend, we headed out, away from the leaf-peepers crowding the Blue Ridge Parkway. Heading into the Pisgah National Forest, we went into the Wilson Creek Wilderness area, stopped in the small town of Edgemont, and visited the folks at Coffey’s General Store.
Dating from 1895, the store is a veritable museum of old-timey mountain goods and memorabilia. Of course, you can still snag a Cheerwine and a Moon Pie.
Proprietor Teresa and her friend and helper, Linda, welcomed us and filled us in on area history.
If you get a chance, stop by and say hello. You won’t be sorry.
The train was an important part of Edgemont’s economy, but catastrophic floods changed the course of the future. The General Store served as an important gathering point for neighbors, also serving as a post office. Sadly, only a few families still live year-round in the area. The charming church is still in use and, this time of year added fall decor along the approaching bridge and road signs.
