Appalachian Wanderers 86
Appalachian Wanderers
Appalachian Wanderers: Unaka Mountain Wildlife Auto Loop
Cherokee legend tells the story of the Great Buzzard, a being who is responsible for creating the mountains we call home. It is said that when the earth was first formed, the ground was still soft mud. The buzzard was sent to look for a dry landing spot, but as he flew on and on […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Hiking Fuel
Mountain Mix: First take 4 pinecones and break them up into small pieces. Add in a handful of acorns (chestnuts can be substituted) and mix with 3 hand cups of creek water. Now take a boot full of soft sifted dirt (be sure to remove any earthworms, they will be added in later)..… Errrr… Week […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Blue Ridge Parkway – James River to Roanoke
High in the narrow Allegheny Mountain valleys of George Washington National Forest lie two small rivers. The Jackson River winds through gorges and dams before joining Cowpasture River just outside the town of Clifton Forge. This junction marks the start of the mighty James River. Virginia’s longest river, it stretches over four hundred miles from […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Blue Ridge Parkway-Shenandoah to James River Gorge
Far to our north, just outside the small borough of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, a series of ridges rise abruptly from the gently-rolling Piedmont. While they may not seem all that impressive, these forested hills are the starting point of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From their timid beginnings they’ll march over six hundred and fifteen miles across […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Foothills Parkway and the Missing Link
Breathtaking views, dozens of hiking trails, and a string of beautiful recreation areas make the Blue Ridge Parkway the most popular units of the entire National Park Service. Over 16 million explored its 469 miles of blacktop in 2017 alone! Unknown to most of these visitors, there are actually nine other parkways in the system. […]
Appalachian Wanderers
The Virginia Creeper Trail
Imagine the year is 1900 and you are somewhere between Abingdon and Damascus, Virginia. It’s a sunny but cold day in February and all of the sudden you see black smoke shooting into the air, you hear strange “chugging” sounds, and then out of nowhere comes the loudest steam train whistle you have ever heard. […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
It’s Christmas time in the Smokies! While the last of autumn’s colorful displays may still cling to the more tenacious trees in the valley, we’re already wishing for the first snowflakes of winter. The Thanksgiving turkey is still in the deep freezer and yet Christmas trees are up, Chex mix is being made, and Mariah […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Silver Dollar City Part 2
Last week we introduced you to Silver Dollar City, undoubtedly one of the best theme parks found in the country. Like its sister park Dollywood, you’re transported to a world of world-class shows, food, entertainment, and thrill rides. We finally made our first trip to Branson over the summer and were so impressed with the […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Silver Dollar City
Dollywood is a favorite topic of ours here at Appalachian Wanderers. Dolly’s theme park at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains is probably one of our favorite places to visit. We’ve been pass holders for years and have excitedly watched as it has doubled in size over the last decade. Now a national destination, […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Great Pumpkin Luminights
Theme parks are magical worlds. They’re fun places where memories of laughter and the smell of funnel cakes linger in the mind for years to come. They offer a chance for children, families, or thrill seekers to escape the pressures of everyday life. Here the biggest worry is the sight of that rollercoaster towering above […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Abrams Falls
Who hasn’t been on a trip to Cades Cove? The peaceful mountain valley, filled with historic cabins, astounding mountain views, and what seems to be an ever-growing population of bear and deer, is by far the most popular attraction within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With an average of four million visitors per year, about […]
Appalachian Wanderers
Fall Hiking Tips
Now that fall is right around the corner and the days seem to be getting shorter, many people take to the mountains and trails to get a glimpse of the bright reds, the deep orange and vibrant yellows that will begin popping up all over East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. No, we’re not talking about […]
