Archives
Fall is a lot more than beautiful colors and cooler temps when you are in the mountains of western NC. It’s time for some unique and interesting festivals. There is something for everybody. There is the Woolly Worm Festival for racing fans – that is if you like to race fuzzy caterpillars. The black and brown “worms” are really the larvae of the Isabella Tiger Moth. The Banner Elk, 2-day event draws… Read More
A short, but rigorous hike will reward you with views of the lovely Crab Orchard Falls. Even in this very dry summer, the sound of the water rushing over the rocks is powerful. The falls are extensive and have many levels, but from what I have read, have never been officially measured. Visitors park at the Valle Crucis Episcopal Church, in the upper parking lot. It is well-marked where you should and… Read More
It was a beautiful day for a drive along the Watauga River. Following along Old Watauga River Road from Valle Crucis we drove on a paved and unpaved narrow road through tranquil, pastoral farmland and ended up on Hwy 301 between Tennessee and Boone. Sometimes the road took us right along the river, other times climbing high above; along the way we saw the occasional fisherman trying his luck, a father and… Read More
Going Off-Road to the Wilson Creek National Wild & Scenic River Well, maybe not really “off” road – but at least the less traveled gravel roads so common in the NC mountains. We recently found ourselves off in the Jeep for a photo-expedition to the beautiful Wilson Creek area. A popular hiking, swimming and picnicking destination, the Creek is actually quite lengthy and often wider with much more dramatic scenery… Read More
