Appalachian Wanderers 99
Batteries Not Included
The Great Escape
It’s been a good stretch of years since I last saw director John Sturges’s wonderful 1963 film “The Great Escape.” When the wonderful new blu-ray edition by The Criterion Collection showed up at my doorstep, I was quite surprised looking over the back of the case to see the film was almost exactly three hours […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Appalachian Trail: Indian Gap to Mount Collins
It is perhaps the most famous footpath in the world, a single-track running along the spine of the Appalachians. From the alpine tundra of New Hampshire’s White Mountains to the verdant fir forests that crown the highest peaks of Tennessee, the Appalachian Trail passes through some of the country’s most astonishing landscapes. Throughout the summer […]
Appalachian Wanderers
The Cherohala Skyway
Rising northeast of Mount Rogers and marching along the Tennessee and North Carolina border into northern Georgia, the Unaka mountain range forms one of the most rugged stretches of wilderness east of the Mississippi. In some areas, the sedimentary rock of these ancient mountains has been eroded into smooth hills and forested domes, while other […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Hungry Mother State Park
Legend tells the story of an attack on several settlements throughout southwest Virginia in the early days of our nation. While many of the inhabitants were killed, others were taken prisoner. A mother known only as Molly was able to escape and carry her child with her to safety; with no food or other supplies, […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Wreck in the Smokies
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Along with Kings Canyon/Sequoia, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, it has one of the most extensive trail systems in the national park system, totaling upwards of eight hundred miles. They traverse roadsides, venture into the deepest wilderness, climb fir clad peaks, and meander through flat coves. Some lead […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Trillium Gap Trail
Rain. It is essential to the very existence of almost every ecosystem on earth and appreciated by all living organisms. The exception being humans of course. True, there are those who find delight in the pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof, or in the crisp, clean air that many showers bring with them. To the […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Forney Ridge Trail
Across the entirety of Appalachia, the eastern deciduous forest forms an almost unbroken blanket, stretching from the deepest gorges to more than a mile in elevation. This relic is all that is left of what was one of the greatest woodlands in the world. Thanks to conservation efforts throughout the last century, much of the […]
Appalachian Wanderers
The Channels
Sitting just a few miles north of Meadowview, Virginia, The Channels are located high atop one of Clinch Mountain’s highest peaks and are one of the greatest hiking destinations in our region. This geological marvel was once a huge capstone that covered the summit. During the last ice age, the constant wear and tear of […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Exploring Wildwood Grove
Since Dolly shoveled that first pile of dirt in 1985 to signify the birth of her Smoky Mountain theme park, three things have remained a constant at Dollywood: the music icon’s guiding presence, welcoming hospitality, and a whole lot of change. Change is what transformed a small railroad tour into the national destination the Dollywood […]
Appalachian Wanderers
The Opening of Wildwood Grove
Dolly Parton has been one busy… well… Butterfly! Just last Friday we were on site at Dollywood in the park’s newest expansion with Dolly herself to officially open Wildwood Grove. Inspired by the beauty of the Smokies, Wildwood Grove is Dollywood’s brand new $37 million dollar land addition that is the theme park’s largest capital […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Appalachian Wanderers – Dollywood Opening 2019
Recently we arrived at Dollywood under gloomy skies and dark clouds, and it seemed as if the curse of Dollywood Opening was once again going to come true. As the media representatives from newspapers, magazines and TV stations alike continue to roll in, it was almost like Dolly sent out her magical butterflies, flit and […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Part II
Welcome back to our exploration of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, one of the most visited attractions in Virginia and consistently voted the most beautiful park in the world! If you missed our exploration of the park’s first three lands, be sure to check out last week’s article at www.theloaferonline.com. We left off last week in Scotland, […]
