May 2013

Newly completed Rocky Knob Park puts Boone on the map for mountain biking enthusiasts

Author F. Scott Fitzgerald's frequent visits to the mountains yielded a turning point amid dark days

Spot the blooms of the Yellow Lady’s Slipper in secluded mountain coves in May and June

Three new reads chronicle adventures past and present

This Polk County town’s image is forever tied to the steep railroad grade that once brought passengers to downtown, but more recently its outdoor persona is on the rise.

A new program offers an alternative education for tomorrows innovators

Two shops meld cycling with beer for a whole new spin on community hubs

Harboring troves of curiosities, such as dwarfed turtles and carnivorous plants, bogs are among the most imperiled habitats in the mountains. Today, conservationists are bringing these fascinating and rare ecosystems back from the brink in hopes of creating the first national wildlife refuge in Western North Carolina.

Each year, millions of visitors pass through this scenic valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to marvel at the wildlife that roams free. Get a glimpse of what awaits with this collection of photographs that capture one lensman’s breath-taking encounters.

Weaverville lays out the welcome mat for new restaurants