blue ridge
blue ridge
May 2011
You are now leaving WNC. Don’t call us traitors for straying from our beloved natural wonderland. Sometimes you just have to play outside the lines. After all, much of what we love here—lofty peaks, wild rivers, picturesque lakes, and awe-inspiring trails—spills over into Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Summer is the season to grab your gear, whether it be a life jacket, fishing rod, hiking boots, or mountain bike, and head for great escapes just across the border.
May 2011
Friends of the Ecusta Trail hope to add a new route to the region’s selection of recreational pathways
Apr 2011
For generations, wildcrafters have relied on the healing properties of our region’s diverse plant life. Today, Bent Creek Institute is using the tools of biotechnology to prove the value of these folk remedies and create a local hub for a new medicinal products industry.
Mar 2011
Uncover treasures, raise your auction paddle, and find home design inspiration with our guide to an eclectic
collection of antiques purveyors
Feb 2011
Tour a few of WNC’s intriguing homes for a greater perspective on our region's early days
Feb 2011
One of the country's early attempts at harvesting renewable energy began in Boone
Jan 2011
Frigid temperatures, record snowfall, remarkable beauty—
rangers experience it all atop mighty Mount Mitchell
Oct 2010
A Brevard couple’s cozy Stickley cottage preserves generations of memories
Sep 2010
In the centuries-old craft traditions of our area, the
woodworking school at Haywood Community College may be a relative newcomer. But with more than 30 years of instruction, the intensive program continues to launch creative and highly skilled artisans into the world of furniture making and woodworking.
Sep 2010
Meet six people who translate panache into acts of community and enduring pillars of design
Sep 2010
A scorching pepper from India brings a distinct heat to Smoking J’s latest sauce
Jul 2010
We all love our mountain environment, but how well do we take care of it? Here’s a look at where we stand: What WNC is doing right, and how we can improve
Apr 2010
This summer, log some miles and celebrate the Blue Ridge Parkway’s anniversary with 75 must-see stops
Feb 2010
Six plants that will turn your backyard into a private farmer's market
Feb 2010
Post meets beam to create a timber frame home worthy of housing an eclectic collection of antiques
Sep 2009
Waynesville may be the biggest town west of Asheville, but it retains a neighborly charm
Aug 2009
Western North Carolina’s growth comes with a price, and our rivers are paying it
Aug 2009
The Tour de Tuck’s uphill battles are epic, but the views promise sweet rewards
Aug 2009
Western North Carolina’s few remaining century-old cabins stand as reminders of the region’s isolation and the Appalachian way of life. Here’s a trio of hikes to historic homesteads that offer insight into the past.
May 2009
Remembering Art Loeb, the man whose love for hiking helped create a beloved footpath
Apr 2009
How Western North Carolina’s craft community became a $200 million force in our local economy
Mar 2009
SouthWings goes above and beyond for a revealing perspective on threats to our landscape
Mar 2009
Visitors flock to Banner Elk for the slopes, but locals keep the small-town identity alive