WNC Travel Guide 2019

SummerDelights

Sunny days and warm nights top the list of what to enjoy during your mountain getaway. Hike a trail, take in a show, stroll downtown, see the sights, and discover a curious desire to return.

Crucis • Boone • Hendersonville • Winston-Salem

Asheville • Waynesville, NC • Greenville • Columbia, SC

Knoxville, TN • Roanoke, VA opening in 2020

FOR STORE HOURS AND PARKING INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

If you’ve picked up this publication, then, by all accounts, you’re in search of outdoors adventure and countless experiences in our backyard paradise that is Western North Carolina.

As folks proud of our region, we also take a lot of pride in making those who visit feel as welcomed and embraced as possible. Life is about trying new things and meeting new people. What better place to do so than with Mother Nature’s masterpiece of the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountain ranges as the backdrop?

Take to the trail for a day-hike or mountain bike ride, or to the river for some vigorous kayaking or tranquil fly fishing, or take to Main Street for an afternoon of shopping, perhaps a farm-totable dinner or live bluegrass performance. The beauty of Western North Carolina resides in the mere notion that everyday is a blank canvas by which we have all the colors of possibility at our disposal to paint with. With our array of weekend festivals and seasonal events, the hardest part is simply figuring out what to do. It’s all here, and more.

I’ve always believed the litmus test of the strength of a place resides in how well its community aims at bringing one and all together. Show me a town where the people really care and are well vested in the community and its potential, and I’ll show you a location that is pulsating with energy, passion and fun.

— Garret K. Woodward, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Editor/Publisher: Scott McLeod info@smokymountainnews.com

Advertising Director: Greg Boothroyd greg@smokymountainnews.com

Art Director: Micah McClure micah@smokymountainnews.com

Composition & Design: Travis Bumgardner ...... travis@smokymountainnews.com Jessica Murray jessica.m@smokymountainnews.com

Writing/Photography: Garret K. Woodward garret@smokymountainnews.com

Advertising: Amanda Bradley jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com

Susanna Shetley susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com

Hylah Birenbaum ........ hylah@smokymountainnews.com

Distribution: Scott Collier classads@smokymountainnews.com

Bookkeeping: Amanda Singletary smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com

PLEIN AIR PAINTING RETREATS

Eats+Drinks

Espresso yourself: Orchard Coffee opens in Waynesville

Halfway up a steep hill in downtown Waynesville, and just a stone’s throw from the Haywood County Historic Courthouse, sits Orchard Coffee.

“I love coffee because I love people,” said Cabell Tice, co-owner of Orchard Coffee. “I’ve always really enjoyed connecting with people. Coffee is a vessel for reaching people — there’s nothing like a conversation over coffee.”

Sitting in front of the large bay window in the shop last week, Tice, 28, gazes out onto Depot Street. It’s day three of having the doors open, and another sunny day in this mountain paradise. Natural light streams into the cozy space. Though the three-story 1938 art deco building has been an architectural fixture of Waynesville, it’s remained empty for the better part of a decade.

“This place has been all kinds of things — a photo studio, stained glass studio, law office,” Tice said. “But, nobody ever renovated it because it was never owner-operated.”

Tice, his wife (Sophie), three kids (ages 5 and under), his mother (Maria, a co-owner) and little brother (Ephraim) all took over the structure once it was purchased, the shop on the first floor and the family living upstairs. Their presence immediately added a muchneeded sense of place, warmth and beauty to a building many have forgotten about in passing.

“This shop is everything to us,” Tice smiled. “After seeing this building and getting acquainted with this town, it was a nobrainer to come here.”

Tice has been on a long journey that has ultimately landed him and his family in Waynesville. Born and raised in Hawai’i (on Maui, then Kauai), he left for Astoria, Oregon, at age 14. When he was 18, he started working in a coffee shop at the base of a hotel in Astoria.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to go to college and study some things. I wasn’t really passionate about anything other than photography and music,” Tice said. “And I started working in a coffee shop because I wanted to find a way to pay for losing money on the road as a singer-songwriter — touring was a lot of fun, but it was nothing you could put your hat on.”

From there, he headed to Boston, Massa-

chusetts, to live with his brother and figure out the next step. After landing a job with Thinking Cup coffee shops there, he helped launched several locations for the popular company. He even won three World Latte Art Championships (designs created in the texture of the foam) during that period, too.

“I was enjoying it, but I wasn’t home very much. We just had our first child, and I had to make a decision — do I want to sit here and chase a salary at this company or do something that’s better for my family? So, I left,” Tice said. “I started consulting for a lot of different coffee companies and shot photos at weddings, did portraits and photographed businesses. I was based again out of Oregon and shooting full-time — always

somewhere cool and fun.”

After doing consulting work and launching stores for Revelator Coffee in Atlanta, Georgia, Tice became enamored with the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. After wandering into Waynesville and finding the art deco building, he was sold on the idea of relocating his entire family and starting his own coffee shop in town.

Aside from the main use of Methodical Coffee (Greenville, South Carolina), Tice will also have a different coffee company featured each month, all of which organic and sourced responsibly. There’s also a food component, with a commercial baking kitchen in the back, where Sophie creates madefrom-scratch pastries each morning (small plates and lunch specials are planned for the future).

So, why the name Orchard Coffee?

“Orchards take a long time to cultivate. I grew up running around an orchard in Hawai’i picking guavas. All of my siblings and I grew up on that property,” Tice said. “So, what do I want to represent my journey to this coffee shop? It took 10 years to get to where I can have my own space and this is what I want to share with you.”

Alongside the rotating artwork from well-known regional artists, there are also plans for pop-up acoustic concerts in the near future, which will feature old friends and new that Tice has crossed paths with over the years. Within this wild and wondrous moment Tice and his family find themselves currently in, he looks at the shop as not only the end of one chapter, but also the fresh start of another.

“With an orchard, it takes about seven years before you get your fruit,” Tice said. “And then once you get there, you’re not done, you’ve only just begun when you start to bear fruit — we’ve created this space, and now we’re looking forward to welcoming people in.”

Savoring the Smokies

After a full day of hiking the mountains, biking the backcountry roads, cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway or swimming in a pristine lake, one can sure built up quite the appetite soaking in all that Western North Carolina has to offer. To remedy that, our region is home to some of the finest restaurants in the Southeast. Whether specializing in local farm-to-table items, southern “cosmopolitan country” dishes or intricate ethnic cuisines, any flavor or style can be found, each able to tantalize and capture any palate.

Andrews

• Burger Basket

American – 828.321.3785

• Granieri’s Italian Restaurant

Italian/American – 828.321.5555

• Happy Hawg BBQ

Southern/American – 828.321.2900

• Hoppy Trout Brewing Company

American – 828.835.2111

• Kobe Grill

Asian – 828.321.1010

• Monte Alban

Mexican – 828.321.1802

• Ronnie’s

American/Southern – 828.644.8271

• Santo Nino

Mexican – 828.321.2109

Bryson City

• 1101 Main Steak House

American/Southern – 828.488.5333

• Anthony’s

Italian/American – 828.488.8898

• Bar-B-Que Wagon

Southern/American – 828.488.9521

• Big Wesser

American/Southern – 828.905.7238

• The Bistro at the Everett Hotel

Southern/Gourmet – 828.488.1934

• Box Car Café & Cones

American – 828.488.5379

• CJ’s Grille

American/Southern – 828.488.9880

• Derailed Bar & Lounge

American – 828.488.8898

• Everett Street Diner

American/Café – 828.488.0123

• Filling Station Deli

American/Southern – 828.488.1919

• Fryemont

•

•

• Hemlock Inn Southern/Gourmet – 828.488.2885

RESTAURANTS

Canton

(continued)

• El Pobre

Mexican – 828.235.9311

• J-RO’s

American – 828.492.0015

• Jukebox Junction

American/Café – 828.648.4546

• Kobe Express

Asian – 828.492.1255

• Kountry Kitchen

American/Café – 828.492.8072

• Pigeon River Grille

American/Café – 828.492.1422

• Sagebrush

Steakhouse – 828.646.3750

• Southern Porch Kitchen & Drink

Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.492.8006

• Three Compas

Mexican – 828.235.9193

Cashiers

• Buck’s Coffee Café

American/Café – 828.743.9997

• Carolina Smokehouse

Southern Barbecue – 828.743.3200

• Chez Dupont & The Stone Soup Café

Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.743.1960

• Chile Loco

Mexican – 828.743.1160

• Cornucopia Restaurant

Southern/American – 828.743.3750

• El Manzanillo

Mexican – 828.743.5522

• High Hampton Inn & Country Club

Steak/Seafood/Southern – 828.743.2411

• The Orchard

Southern/American – 828.743.7614

• Randevu

Southern – 828.743.0190

• Slab Town Pizza

American – 828.743.0020

• The Ugly Dog Pub

American/Southern – 828.743.3000

• Trillium Clubhouse

American/Southern – 828.743.4157

• Whiteside Brewing

American/Southern – 828.743.6000

• Winslow’s Hideaway

Steak/Seafood – 828.743.2226

• Zookeeper Café

American/Café – 828.743.7711

Cherokee

• BJ’s Diner

American/Southern – 828.497.4303

• Brio Tuscan Grille (Harrah’s)

Italian – 828.497.7777

• Chestnut Tree

American/Café – 828.497.9181

• Front Porch Cakery & Deli

American/Southern – 828.497.1776

• Frontier Pancake House

American/Café – 828.497.4718

• Granny’s Kitchen

Southern/American – 828.497.5010

• Lee Garden

Chinese – 828.497.4388

• Little Princess

Southern/American – 828.497.9000

• Kobe Express

Asian – 828.497.9779

• New Happy Garden

Chinese – 828.497.4310

• Newfound Lodge

American/Café – 828.497.4590

• Noodle Bar (Harrah’s)

Asian – 828.497.7777

• Paul’s Diner

American/Southern – 828.497.9012

• Peter’s Pancakes & Waffles

American/Café – 828.497.5116

• Rancho Viejo

Mexican – 828.497.0343

• Ruth’s Chris Streak House (Harrah’s)

Steak/Seafood – 828.497.7777

• Sassy Sunflowers Bakery & Café

American/Southern – 828.497.2539

• Selu Garden Café (Harrah’s)

American/Southern – 828.497.7777

• Wize Guyz Grille

American – 828.497.2838

Clyde

• 7 Asian Kitchen

Asian – 828.476.5121

• Blue Rooster Southern Grill

Southern/American – 828.456.1997

• Coffee Cup Café

American/Café – 828.627.8905

• Da Asian Kitchen

Asian/Sushi – 828.476.5121

• Ferrara Pizza & Pasta

Italian/American – 828.476.5058

• Sherrill’s Pioneer

American/Café – 828.627.9880

Cullowhee

• 9 Lives

American/Southern

• Sazon

Mexican – 828.293.9443

Dillsboro

• Boots Steakhouse – 828.631.9713

• Country Traditions

American/Southern – 828.586.1600

• Foragers Canteen

Farm-to-Table/Southern – 828.631.4114

• Haywood Smokehouse

Barbecue/Southern – 828.586.9556

• Jarrett House

Southern – 828.586.0265

• Kostas

Greek/Italian – 828.631.0777

• Well House

American/Southern – 828.586.8588

Franklin

• The Boiler Room

Steak/Southern – 828.349.5555

• Boone Thai Thai – 828.524.1111

• The Bowery Southern – 828.369.3663

• Caff’e Rel French – 828.369.9446

• Chris & Charlie’s Italian/American – 828.349.0900

• City Restaurant

American – 828.524.4948

• Cody’s Kitchen American/Southern – 828.524.9048

• El Charro

Mexican – 828.369.9002

• Elevations Pizza & Eats

American/Southern – 828.369.1359

• Fortune House

Asian – 828.349.3888

• Franklin Café

American/Southern – 828.634.4995

• Frogtown Market

American/Southern – 828.369.0001

• Gazebo Creekside Café

American/Southern – 828.524.8783

• Gondolas

American/Southern

• Hungry Bear

American/Café – 828.369.2900

• Jaxon’s Downtown

American/Southern – 828.369.1302

• Kobe Express

Asian – 828.524.5623

• Kountry Kitchen

American – 828.524.6209

• Las Barricas

Mexican – 828.349.4484

• Los Tamalitos

Mexican – 828.369.6288

• Lucio’s

Italian – 828.369.6670

• Martha’s Kitchen

American/Southern – 828.524.4600

• Mi Casa

Mexican – 828.369.1580

• Motor Company Grill

American/Southern – 828.524.0099

• Ms Lois’

American/Café – 828.369.8628

• Mulligan’s Bar & Grill

American/Southern – 828.349.3183

• Normandie

American/Café – 828.524.3118

• Papa’s Pizza of Franklin

American – 828.369.9999

• The Post & Beam at Mill Creek

Southern/American – 828.349.0402

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus

American/Café – 828.369.6796

• Rico’s Tacos

Mexican – 828.200.3960

• Rizzo’s Bakery & Bistro

American/Southern – 828.369.7774

• Rock House Lodge

American/Southern – 828.349.7676

• Rockin’ Rollie Pollies

American/Southern – 828.369.2690

• Root + Barrel

American/Gourmet – 828.369.3663

• Sakura

Japanese – 828.349.8917

• Stamey’s Café

American/Café – 828.524.8198

• Sunset

American/Café – 828.524.4842

• Thai Paradise

Thai – 828.349.0973

• Tienda Mexicana La Guadalupana

Mexican – 828.349.0108

• Town Hill Grill

American/Southern – 828.369.6799

• Vito’s Pizza

Italian/American – 828.369.9890

• Willy’s Ribs & BBQ

Southern/American – 828.524.0414

• Yonder

American/Southern – 828.369.6007

Hayesville

• Alazan

Mexican – 828.389.2727

• Anejo Grille

Mexican – 828.389.6061

• Angelo’s Downtown Pizza

Italian/American – 828.389.2500

• Black Dog Tavern Grill & Spirits

American/Southern – 828.415.1700

• Carlotta’s

American/Southern – 828.415.0909

• Chevelle’s 69

American – 828.389.6069

• The Copper Door

Steak/Seafood/Southern – 828.237.4030

• Giovanni’s Pizzeria

Italian/American – 828.415.1615

• Hayesville Brewing

American/Southern – 828.835.6010

• Mariolino’s Italian Cuisine

Italian/American – 828.415.1572

• Mika’s Pizza

American – 828.389.6366

• Nocturnal Brewing

American/Southern – 828.305.7337

• Rib Country BBQ

Barbecue/Southern – 828.389.9597

• Roma’s Pizzeria

Italian/American – 828.389.6366

• Sequoyah Bar & Grille

American/Southern – 828.389.9000

• Tusquittee Tavern

American/Southern

• Valley River Brewery

American/Southern – 828.389.1472

Highlands

• 4118 Kitchen + Bar

American/Southern – 828.526.5002

• Asia House

Asian – 828.787.1680

• Azteca Rainforest Bar & Grill

Mexican/American – 828.526.2244

• Bistro On Main

American – 828.526.2590

• Brick Oven Pizza

American – 828.526.4121

• Buck’s Coffee Café

American/Café – 828.526.0020

• Cyprus International – 828.526.4429

• El Azteca

South Pacific/Mexican – 828.526.2244

• El Manzanillo

Mexican – 828.526.0608

• Fresser’s Express

American/Southern – 828.526.4188

• Highlands Smokehouse

Southern Barbecue – 828.526.1900

• Kelsey Place

American/Southern – 828.526.9380

• Lakeside

Seafood/Southern – 828.526.9419

• The Log Cabin

American/Southern – 828.526.5777

• Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden

Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.526.5477

• Main Street Inn Bistro

American – 828.526.2590

• Meritage Bistro American – 828.526.1019

• Mountain Fresh Pizza Italian/American – 828.526.2400

• On the Verandah Gourmet Fusion – 828.526.2338

• Paoletti’s Italian/American – 828.526.4906

• Pescados Mexican – 828.526.9313

• Pizza Place American – 828.526.5660

• Ristorante Paoletti Northern Italian – 828.526.4906

• Ruka’s Table Southern/Contemporary – 828.526.3636

• Rustico at the Log Cabin Northern Italian – 828.526.0999

• Sky Pie Pizza Italian/American – 828.526.5188

• The Ugly Dog Pub American/Southern – 828.526.8364

• Wild Thyme Gourmet Southern – 828.526.4035

• Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro New Orleans/Steak/Seafood – 828.526.3807

Lake Toxaway

• The Blind Mule

American/Southern – 828.553.8978

• Brown Trout Mountain Grille American/Southern – 828.877.3474

• Country Cupboard American/Southern – 828.883.5533

RESTAURANTS

Lake Toxaway (continued)

• The Falls Café & Grill

American/Southern – 828.877.3322

• The Grill

American – 828.883.5551

Maggie Valley

• Andolini’s

Italian/American – 828.944.0770

• Apple Andy’s

American/Southern – 828.944.0626

• Brew Cue & BBQ

Southern/American – 828.944.0259

• Brickhouse Burgers & Pizza

American/Southern – 828.944.0909

• Butts On The Creek

Barbecue/Southern – 828.926.7885

• Cataloochee Guest Ranch

Southern/American – 800.868.1401

• Country Vittles

American/Southern – 828.926.1820

• Frankie’s Italian Trattoria

Italian – 828.926.6216

• The Garrett House

Southern/American – 828.944.1004

• Guayabitos

Mexican – 828.926.7777

• Holiday Diner

American/Café – 828.926.0820

• Iconic Sandwiches

American/Southern – 828.944.0606

• J. Arthur’s

Steakhouse/American – 828.926.1817

• Joey’s Pancake House

American/Café – 828.926.0212

• Legends Sports Grill

American/Southern – 828.926.9464

• Maggie Valley Club

American/Southern – 828.926.1616

• Maggie Valley Pizzeria

Italian/American – 828.926.2325

• Maggie Valley Restaurant

American/Café – 828.926.0425

• Maggie Valley Sandwich Shop

American/Southern – 828.944.0620

• Moonshine Grille

Southern/American – 828.926.7440

• Mountaineer

American/Café – 828.926.1730

• Pin High Bar & Grille

American/Southern – 828.926.4848

• Pop’s Grits & Eggs

American/Southern – 828.944.0677

• Rendezvous

American/Southern – 828.926.2325

• Salty Dog’s

Seafood/American – 828.926.9105

• Snappy’s

Italian/American – 828.926.6126

• The Swag

Farm-to-Table/Southern – 828.926.0430

• Taqueria Guanajuato

Mexican – 828.926.3483

• Willie Brooks BBQ

Barbecue/American – 828.944.1227

Murphy

• Bistro 29

American/Southern – 828.837.9022

• Blue Mountain Coffee & Grill

American/Café – 828.837.1362

• Brother’s

American/Southern – 828.835.9100

• Chevelle’s

American – 828.835.7001

• Chowder House

American/Southern – 828.837.9697

• Daily Grind & Wine

American/Coffeehouse – 828.835.7322

• Downtown Bakery

American – 828.835.8986

• Downtown Pizza Company

American – 828.837.0500

• Doyle’s Cedar Hill

American – 828.837.3400

• El Manzanillo

Mexican – 828.837.9624

• Herb’s Pit Bar-B-Que

Southern/American – 828.494.5367

• The Landing Café

American/Southern – 828.422.5309

• Main Street

American/Southern – 828.837.7648

• Mama Mia’s

Italian – 828.557.5401

• Monte Alban

Mexican – 828.835.9767

• Murphy’s Chophouse

Southern/Steak/Gourmet – 828.835.3287

• No Name Deli

American/Italian – 828.837.9138

• Parson’s Pub

American/Southern – 828.837.4151

• Red Brick Deli

American/Southern – 828.837.9090

• Rib Country BBQ

Barbecue/Southern – 828.837.4444

• Sal’s Brooklyn Pizza

Italian/American – 828.835.0822

• ShoeBooties Café

Southern/American – 828.837.4589

• Valley River Brewery

American/Southern – 828.837.2337

Robbinsville

• Carolina Kitchen

Southern/American – 828.479.1500

• Dragon’s Den Grill

American/Southern – 828.498.2231

• El Pacifico Mexican – 828.479.8448

• Hub Of WNC Barbecue/Southern – 828.479.0478

• Lynn’s Place American/Southern – 828.479.9777

• Moonshiner’s Steakhouse Steakhouse – 828.479.0708

• Pacefeco Mexican – 828.479.8448

• Pop & Nana’s Kicthen & The Scoop American/Southern – 828.479.8461

• Roger’s Smoky Mountain Restaurant American/Southern – 828.479.4770

• Southern Gals Country Cooking Southern/American – 828.479.9405

• Stecoah Diner American/Café – 828.479.8430

• T. Dubbs American/Southern – 828.479.2161

• Wildwood Grill American/Southern – 828.498.2141

Sapphire

• Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.743.7697

• Cork & Barrel Lounge American/Southern – 828.743.7477

• Four Season Grill American/Southern – 828.743.4284

• Gamekeeper’s Tavern American – 828.743.4263

• The Library Kitchen & Bar Artisan/Gourmet – 828-743.5512

• Mica’s American – 828.743.5740

• Osteria Del Monte Italian – 828.883.2551

• Sapphire Mountain Brewing American – 828.743.0220

Creating an extensive network of off-the-beaten path natural and cultural experiences, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is composed of two intricate routes — the Craft Trails and Music Trails.

“This region has an incredible wealth of history and heritage around our music and crafts,” said Angie Chandler, executive director of the BRNHA. “It has been part of these mountains for hundreds of years and we want to share all of that.”

Encompassing 25 counties in Western North Carolina, the Craft Trails consist of over 100 galleries, studios and festivals (with more to be added) while the Music Trails identifies more than 150 festivals, venues and musical events throughout the region. The organization also showcases hundreds of artisans and musicians, all of whom are perpetuating the heritage and creativity that solely resides in these mountains and valleys.

With seemingly every artistic medium (beading, blacksmithing, Cherokee crafts, fiber, glass blowing, pottery, quilting, woodworking) represented amid the Craft Trails, each experience in these mountain communities are complemented by the area’s numerous world-class restaurants, breweries, independent businesses, hiking trails, and breathtaking scenic views.

The Music Trails feature legendary bluegrass, old-time and mountain pickers-n-grinners. With some of the

most talented instrumentalists and singers on the planet, locals and visitors alike are exposed first-hand to the incredible sounds and ancient tones of Western North Carolina music.

“If you really think about it, how bluegrass grew out of old-time music, and how it developed, it wouldn’t have existed without Western North Carolina,” said legendary banjoist/storyteller Laura Boosinger. “People like Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson, what they brought to the music in terms of style and finger-picking, were huge for how the sound evolved.”

These two trail systems were created for the simple purpose of sharing with the world the unique artistic nature that has resided in Western North Carolina for centuries. It’s a passion for many around here to ensure that these Southern Appalachian traditions not only survive in the 21st century, but also thrive for generations to come.

RESTAURANTS

Sapphire (continued)

• Table 64

American/Southern – 828.743.4135

Sylva

• B & Al’s Grill

American – 828.586.5686

• Balsam Mountain Inn

Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.456.9498

• Big Nick’s BBQ

Southern/American – 828.631.3891

• Bogart’s

Steakhouse – 828.586.6532

• City Lights Café

American/Southern – 828.587.2233

• The Coffee Shop

American/Café – 828.586.2013

• Colima

Mexican – 828.586.9999

• Cosmic Carryout at Innovation Brewing

American/Farm-to-Table – 828.586.9678

• Creekside Oyster House & Grill

Seafood/Southern – 828.586.1985

• Cut Cocktail Lounge

Gastropub – 828.631.4795

• El Patron

Mexican – 828.586.8805

• Ferrara Pizza & Pasta

Italian/American – 828.477.4931

• Guadalupe Café

Caribbean Fusion – 828.586.9877

• Half Past

American/Southern – 828.586.1212

• Jade Dragon

Chinese – 828.586.6688

• Lulu’s On Main

Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.586.8989

• Mad Batter Food & Film

American/Southern – 828.586.3555

• Melissa’s Backstreet Takeout

Asian – 828.586.9131

• Mesquite Grill

Mexican – 828.586.3000

• Nantahala Brewing (Outpost)

American/Southern

• O’Malley’s Sports Bar & Grill

American/Southern – 828.631.0554

• Peking Gourmet II

Chinese – 828.586.9082

• Pie Times Pizza Company

Italian/American – 828.608.0309

• Robbie’s Char-Burger

American – 828.586.2723

• Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro

Southern Fusion/American – 828.586.1717

• South of Philly

American – 828.586.0550

• Southeast Asian Restaurant

Asian – 828.631.9773

• Speedy’s Pizza

American – 828.586.3800

Waynesville

• Ammon’s Drive-In & Dairy Bar

American/Southern – 828.926.0734

• Angelo’s Family Pizza

American/Southern – 828.452.1886

• Balsam Café

American/Southern – 828.456.2299

• Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen

Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.246.6111

• Bocelli’s Italian Eatery

Italian – 828.456.4900

• Bogart’s

Steakhouse – 828.452.1313

• Boojum Brewing

American/Southern – 828.944.0888

• Bosu’s Wine Shop

Farm-to-Table – 828.452.0120

• Bourbon Barrel Beef & Ale

Southern/American – 828.452.9191

• Buttered Biscuit

American/Café – 828.246.6446

• Captain’s Bay

Seafood/Steakhouse – 828.456.6761

• The Chef’s Table

Italian/Farm-to-Table – 828.452.6210

• Church Street Depot

American – 828.246.6505

• The Classic Wineseller

Italian/French/Southern – 828.452.6000

• Clyde’s Restaurant

American/Southern – 828.456.9135

• Cork & Cleaver at The Waynesville Inn

Steak/Seafood – 828.456.3551

• El Pobre

Mexican – 828.456.9557

• Ellie’s Deli & Coffee House

American/Café – 828.456.4949

• Firefly Taps & Grill

American/Southern – 828.454.5400

• Frog’s Leap Public House

Farm-to-Table/Southern – 828.456.1930

• Gigi’s Restaurant

American/Southern – 828.926.6020

• Harmons’ Den Bistro at HART Theatre

Farm-to-Table/Southern – 828.456.6322

• Haywood 209 Café

American/Café – 828.627.3331

• Haywood Smokehouse

Barbecue/Southern – 828.456.7275

• Hazelwood Farmacy & Soda Fountain

American/Southern – 828.246.6996

• Ian & Jojo’s Pizzeria & Restaurant

Italian/American – 828.246.6626

• J Creek Café

American/Café – 828.926.7877

• Kanini’s

Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.452.5187

• Kornerstone Kafé

American/Café – 828.550.2265

• Las Palmas Mexican – 828.456.4234

• Los Amigos Mexican – 828.456.7870

• Mad Anthony’s Taproom & Restaurant American/Southern – 828.246.9249

• Maggie’s Galley Seafood – 828.456.8945

• New Happy Garden Asian – 828.456.6988

• Panacea Coffee House Café & Roastery American/Café – 828.452.6200

• Patio Bistro Southern/American – 828.454.0070

• Pub 319 American/Southern – 828.456.3040

• Sagebrush Steakhouse – 828.452.5822

• Sauced American/Mexican – 828.246.9585

• Secret Wine Company Farm-to-Table – 828.452.0120

• Smoky Mountain Sub Shop American – 828.456.3400

• The Sweet Onion Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.456.5559

• Tap Room Bar & Grill American/Southern – 828.456.3551

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill American/Southern – 828.456.4750

• Waynesville Pizza Company

American/Italian – 828.246.0927

DAILY SPECIALS

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Eats+Drinks

Coming down the mountain: Whiteside Brewing in Cashiers

It’s just after 5 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 64 and N.C. 107 in the village of Cashiers. Otherwise known as the “Crossroads,” the junction — atop a mountainous plateau at the southern end of Jackson County — is usually buzzing with tourists and second-homeowners spring through fall. And, normally, it’s relatively silent when winter rears its head.

But, over the last year, that shuttered up seasonal attitude has slowly changed with the addition of Whiteside Brewing, just a stone’s throw from the Crossroads.

“We saw two things: the tourism market and the local market,” said Whiteside co-owner Bob Dews. “When we came to develop this, we really saw an opportunity for a social element. What we want to create here, whether interior or exterior, is a relaxed conversation after work, a place to go and unwind at the Crossroads.”

Dews and his wife, Lise, have been the proud owners of the Laurelwood Inn in Cashiers since 1995. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, the couple left the corporate world and headed for the plateau when their twin daughters were born — a place of natural beauty and wonder that was ideal for raising a family.

Also located at the Crossroads, the inn is a quick walk down a path from Whiteside. Formerly a dinner theatre, the 20-year-old building was transformed into a fully operational brewery in May 2018.

“What’s helped us is having been in business here for 24 years. We’re not getting caught off-guard in the seasonality and things that go along with being part of a resort community,” Lise said. “This became a natural extension of what we love about this place and what it has to offer. We have a very unique opportunity to tie a lot of things together.”

“There was a need for a brewery, and it does tie into the Laurelwood. But, more importantly, for Lise and I, that inn is our home. So, I know Cashiers is going to be our business community for the rest of our lives,” Bob added. “And if I’m going to participate and contribute to Cashiers, and be a good steward of my business environment, I’m going to create something not only enjoyable to myself, but also everyone else.”

On any given night, folks wander out from their homes tucked be-

WNC Breweries

Andrews

• Andrews Brewing 828.321.2006 www.andrewsbrewing.com

• Hoppy Trout Brewing Company 828.835.2111 www.hoppytroutbrewing.com

Bryson City

• Mountain Layers Brewing www.mtnlayersbeer.com

• Nantahala Brewing 828.488.2337 www.nantahalabrewing.com

Canton

• 7 Clans Brewing www.7clansbrewing.com

• BearWaters Brewing 828.246.0602 www.bwbrewing.com

Cashiers

• Whiteside Brewing 828.743.6000 www.whitesidebrewing.com

Franklin

• Currahee Brewing 828.634.0078 www.curraheebrew.com

• Lazy Hiker Brewing 828.342.5133 www.lazyhikerbrewing.com

Hayesville

• Haynesville Brewing 828.835.6010

• Nocturnal Brewing 828.305.7337 www.nocturnalbrewing.com

• Valley River Brewery 828.389.1472 www.valleyriverbreweries.com

Highlands

• Satulah Mountain Brewing 828.482.9794 www.satulahmountainbrewing.c om

Murphy

• Valley River Brewery 828.837.2337 www.valleyriverbreweries.com

Sapphire

• Sapphire Valley Brewing 828.743.0220 www.sapphirebrewingcompany.com

Sylva

• Balsam Falls Brewing 828.631.1987 www.facebook.com/balsamfallsbrewing

• Innovation Brewing 828.586.9678 www.innovation-brewing.com

• Nantahala Brewing (Outpost) 828.641.9797 www.nantahalabrewing.com

Waynesville

• Boojum Brewing 828.944.0888 www.boojumbrewing.com

• Frog Level Brewing 828.454.5664 www.froglevelbrewing.com

hind vast tree lines on the plateau and head for the brewery. Friendships are made, perhaps rekindled, amid a wide selection of American and German styles of craft beer and live music on the weekends, all of which is complemented with a full menu of hearty dishes streaming out of the commercial kitchen.

And at the heart of the brewing operation is Dieter Kuhn. A well-known Western North Carolina brewer, Kuhn formerly owned and operated Heinzelmannchen Brewery in

Want to go?

For more information on Whiteside Brewing in Cashiers, call 828.743.6000 or visit www.whitesidebrewing.com.

To learn more about the Laurelwood Inn, go to www.laurelwoodinncashiers.com.

Sylva. Opened in 2004, it was the oldest brewery west of Asheville until it closed in July 2017. At that time, Kuhn figured he was somewhat retired, though his lifelong love for brewing never wandered too far from his thoughts.

“By September 2017, I was up here at Whiteside helping with construction and painting, doing all kinds of odd jobs. Bob then approached me and said, ‘You ought to be my brewer,’” Kuhn smiled. “I wanted to continue to brew. I was really tired of work-

ing hard and not being as consistent as I would like with the system we had a Heinzelmannchen. I was glad to get away from that ancient system and now use this state-of-the-art system at Whiteside.”

The seven-barrel brewing system also includes two 15-barrel and three 10-barrel fermenters. For the upcoming calendar year, Kuhn estimated Whiteside could produce over 500 barrels. And coming from a German background of brewing, Kuhn’s techniques and recipes flow seamlessly with the food component of Whiteside — a key trait of traditional German styles.

“Dieter is an incredibly intuitive brewer. He stays true to a lot of the origins of beer, and I think in this day and age, it’s almost the abnormal to say true to the origins,” Bob noted. “When you’re staying true to original, ancient beers, you’re adhering to the history of beer and all of those who came before you who brewed with passion and brought communities together — the classics are never going to go out-of-style.”

“What I see here at Whiteside are our teammates. Everybody who works here really gets along, and we try to gear this place more towards the idea of family and community,” Kuhn added. “You get that warm fuzzy feeling in your heart — people come in here and leave satisfied, and leave with a happy thought.”

11AM- 8 PM

Authentic 1926 Caboose

converted into the ultimate vacation destination!

At Station 451 we combine a unique caboose, bath house, patio and farm land into a tiny house you'll never forget. The bright red storybook caboose was part of the famed Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The caboose cottage itself is located on a private 20 acre residential farm. It is located minutes to I-40, about 30 minutes to Asheville, 20 miles to Tennessee and a mere 1.5 hours to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. Station 451 is approximately 10 miles from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Close to hiking, waterfalls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, fly fishing, tubing, kayaking, shopping, fine dining, Harrah's Casino in Cherokee, art galleries, and theater ... you name it and it's a short drive away!

Book your stay:

Station 451 is the vacation!

Unlike a place where you just lay your head at night, this was an adventure like no other. The caboose is so sweet, and the "depot" (bathroom) is luxury. The connecting deck is the best place to be. We loved being out there! It was a great experience and we hope to return.

— Alexandra T.

Super unique, extremely comfy, wonderful location! This place is so fun!!! The location was beautiful and removed enough to feel private but close enough to easily get around town and to the local restaurants and shops. The bath house was beautiful and the amenities were fabulous!

— Sarah G.

Retreats Reunions

Eats+Drinks

Farmer’s & Tailgate Markets

The foundation of culture in Western North Carolina lies in a keen emphasis on things locally made and grown. Whether it’s the porch sounds of mountain music or stitching together your heritage with an elaborate quilt, quality and one-of-a-kind are attributes to the many products offered in this region. And at the heart of these traditions is the fresh produce raised and harvested from the rich soil of Southern Appalachia.

There is a renewed vigor in the local farmer’s markets as new growers working smaller farms have become the norm. From delicious fruits and crisp vegetables, to sweet honey and fresh trout, there are innumerable

The beauty of simplicity: Bird in Hand & Ivory Hollow Farmstead

These

days, Megan and Bryan Thurman call a 31-foot Airstream home. The iconic silver travel trailer is currently parked on a picturesque property in the rural

southern edge of Sylva.

It’s a lush 6-acre mountain paradise named Ivory Hollow Farmstead. With a large focus on organic growing, the Thurmans harvest the land and sell the produce to customers within Jackson County.

The young couple also works at Innovation Brewing in downtown Sylva, many-a-time alongside each other, slinging some of the finest craft beer in Western North Carolina to locals and touristds alike.

unique items locals and visitors alike can purchase. Throughout the week, dozens of vendors in several towns gather to showcase and sell their goods. With organic products becoming more popular, these markets provide the community with the perfect avenue for their need of healthy options.

Brasstown

• Brasstown Farmer’s Market

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays through late October on Old Highway 64. 828.360.2498.

Bryson City

• Swain County Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays from May through the end of October. The Barn on Island Street in downtown. 828.488.3848 or www.facebook.com/swaincountyfarmersmarket.

But, when they’re not farming or pouring pints, the duo performs music together as Bird in Hand — a sound and tone located at the intersection of Americana and old-time folk music.

“This style of music fits perfectly with our love of travel and ease, and we’re trying to live a life that’s worth singing about,” Megan said. “I never really felt it more strongly until we moved here — into the woods and also around such a supportive community.”

And whenever there is a free moment to tour, Bird in Hand continually hits the road, playing small clubs and raucous venues around Southern Appalachia. Soon, the act will release its second album.

“Folk music has been here since the Europeans arrived and has stayed through every other genre that has come and gone,” Bryan said. “It’s remained essentially the same in its core, but has had all that time to evolve — and it has, subtly.”

Cashiers

• Cashiers Tailgate Market

1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays at 20 Frank Allen Road. 828.226.9988 or www.facebook.com/cashierstailgatemarket.

Cullowhee

• The ‘Whee Farmer’s Market

3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through the end of October. Corner of North Country Club Drive and Stadium View Drive. 828.476.0334 or www.facebook.com/wheemarket.

Franklin

• Franklin Farmer’s Tailgate Market

8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through the end of October. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. 200 East Palmer Street. www.facebook.com/franklinncfarmersmarket.

happily occupy.

Megan and Bryan Thurman

Witnessing Bird in Hand live, it’s a stripped-down stage setup, one where the focus is on the melodic harmonies created between the two musicians — their songbird voices and acoustic notes swirling around whatever space they and the audience may

“I feel like folk music is this common ground that people can meet on,” Megan added. “So much of the storytelling aspect relates all types of people together, emotions that we all feel, current situations we’re all exposed to, and with a strong backbone in this region. To me, it’s what these mountains sound like — warm and worn, full of secrets and celebration.”

Murphy

• Murphy Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from April 6 through Oct. 26 in the old L&N Depot in downtown. www.facebook.com/murphyncfarmersmarket.

Sylva

• Jackson County Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays running April through October in the Bridge Park parking lot in downtown. Hours for November and December are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at Bridge Park. The winter market is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays (February and March) at Bridge Park. 828.393.5236 or www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

Robbinsville

• Graham County Farmer’s Market

8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from July 13 through Oct. 12 in the Graham County Public Library parking lot on Knight Street. 828.479.8871.

Waynesville

• Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market

April 20 through Oct. 26. 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in the parking lot of the HART Theatre (250 Pigeon Street) and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in the overflow parking lot of the First Baptist Church (South Main Street). 828.713.5972 or www.waynesvillefarmersmarket.com.

• Original Waynesville Tailgate Market

8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the end of October. 171 Legion Drive at the American Legion in Waynesville behind Bogart’s restaurant. 828.456.1830 or Facebook search: “Original Waynesville Tailgate Market.”

For more information on these farmer’s markets and agritourism in Western North Carolina, you can go to the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s (ASAP) “Local Food Guide” by clicking on www.appalachiangrown.org.

113th

9/1-9/2

Arts+Culture

A

closer look at WNC festivals

The proud communities that make up Western North Carolina were once mountain towns that played host to several successful blue-collar industries. These companies found a crucial, much-needed balance alongside the serene beauty and endless natural resources of our forests, rivers and wildlife.

But, with the passing of time, most of these industries either left the county, the state, and the country, or disappeared altogether. Jobs started flowing out of our mountain towns beginning in the late 1980s, with the tourism industry becoming even more important.

As part of that transition, several organizations popped up with one idea in mind — let’s throw a party.

These festivals remain a shining light in their communities, a time to gather and celebrate. These mountain towns have reinvented how they do business and how they attract the next wave of residents, tourists and the curious alike — craft beer, outdoor recreation, family-friendly, connectivity to nearby metropolitan areas, millennial attentive — off of the interstate, out of their cars, and onto Main Street.

Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival

• When: June 13-16

• Where: Downtown Franklin

• Years active: 22

• Attendance: 2,000

• Put on by: Friends of the Scottish Tartans Museum

• Website: www.tasteofscotlandfestival.org

• Interviewee: George James, TSCF chairman

• Purpose: This festival is a celebration of the heritage brought to these mountains, that of the Scots and Scots-Irish, along with celebrating the historic relationships with the Cherokee.

• Staying relevant: Franklin is home to the Scottish Tartans Museum. The Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival celebrates the history and heritage of our area, and encourages everyone to participate. This year, we’re including a Highland Games contest to further enhance our offerings to the public. With few exceptions, our festival is free and open

to the public. The Clan Dinner, on Thursday night, is the only ticketed event.

• Importance: The Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival is important to our community because it’s a celebration of our community. We’re actively celebrating our cultural inheritance, and sharing that with the people who attend the festival. We work very hard to include as many events as we can to reach everyone. Personally, I’m very happy that we can continue to bring in representatives of the Cherokee Nation to our festival. The lectures and demonstrations of their culture help to remind us all that we are now, as we were then, neighbors.

Folkmoot International

Dance & Music Festival

• When: July 18-28

• Where: Western North Carolina

• Years active: 36

• Attendance: 8,000 seated shows/40,000 free events

• Put on by: Folkmoot

• Website:  www.folkmoot.org

• Interviewee: Angie Schwab, Folkmoot executive director

• Purpose: We give Haywood County “onlyness” in that we’re the only organization in the eastern United States that has an international folk festival.

• Staying relevant: The core of the message of Folkmoot is that accepting cultural diversity makes our society stronger — no matter what our cultural heritage, we’re more alike than different.

We’ve put the founding board’s intent forward, providing local kids and families with access to world culture in Haywood County. They wanted the kids to have higher expectations of themselves by having access to the world here at home. We are doing this in a different format — more outdoor festival events and adding in food and beverage and a few contemporary acts.

• Importance: We’re trying to do things a little differently, surprise people with the variety, quality and diversity of shows and hope the community will come out and enjoy what we’re doing. We have a lot of fun for everyone coming up at the July festival and have some creative ideas in mind for 2019. Folkmoot has an ambitious staff — we’re entrepreneurial and creative and we know how to do a lot with a little. I suspect we’ll surprise you with our fresh approach.

Arts+Culture

Mountain Heritage Day

• When: Saturday, Sept. 28

• Where: Western Carolina University, Cullowhee

• Years active: 45

• Attendance: 15,000

• Put on by: WCU

• Website: www.mountainheritageday.com

• Interviewee: Geoff Cantrell, WCU Office of Communications & Public Relations

• Purpose: Having started as Founders’ Day during the inauguration of Chancellor H.F. “Cotton” Robinson in 1974, the festival became known as Mountain Heritage Day the following year.

• Staying relevant: By staying true to our roots. A festival about heritage and traditions should be steadfast to its mission in presenting heritage and traditions. That’s always subject to interpretation, discovery and new voices, so it’s not like I’m saying there’s never anything new. To the contrary, every year there are new things to see and do. We stay relevant with mixing new bands and musicians into the lineup along with old favorites, by presenting different living history demonstrations every year, adding fun com-

GETTING FESTIVE

• May 31-June 1: Cold Mountain Music Festival, Lake Logan

• May 31-June 1: Ole Smokey Spring Farm Fest, Clyde

• June 6-8: Cherokee Bluegrass Festival

• June 6-9: Highlands Motoring Festival

• June 8: Cherokee Voices Festival

• June 13-16: Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival, Franklin

• June 15: Front Street Arts & Crafts Show

• June 28: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville

• June 29-30: Village Square Arts & Crafts Show, Highlands

• July 12: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville

• July 13: Blueberry Festival, Cherokee

• July 18-28: Folkmoot International Dance & Music Festival, Waynesville

• July 20: Appalachian Heritage Festival, Franklin

• July 26: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville

petitions and children activities. In a larger sense, Mountain Heritage Day is the “handing on” of heritage through musicians and their students playing together, the gathering of shape-note singers from all over the region, master craftsmen demonstrating their handiwork, the county fair style of

canned goods and recipes contests, through Cherokee people sharing their traditions and inviting festival-goers to participate in a friendship dance. Mountain Heritage Day is regional in scope. We have a lot of talent and wisdom to draw from.

• Importance: There’s something unique

• July 26-27: Hillbilly Jam, Maggie Valley

• July 26-28: Macon County Gemboree, Franklin

• Aug. 2-3: Lake Logan Multisport Festival

• Aug. 9: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville

• Aug. 9-10: Mountain High BBQ Festival, Franklin

• Aug. 17: Franklin Folk Festival

• Aug. 24: Qualla Arts & Crafts Open Air Indian Market, Cherokee

• Aug. 24-25: Village Square Arts & Crafts Show, Highlands

• Aug. 30-31: Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, Lake Junaluska

• Aug. 31-Sept. 1: Cashiers Rotary Arts & Crafts Festival

• Sept. 1-2: Canton Labor Day Festival

• Sept. 21: Green Energy Park Youth Art Fest, Dillsboro

• Sept. 27: Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville

• Sept. 27-29: Guest Appreciation Festival, Nantahala Outdoor Center

• Sept. 28: Mountain Heritage Day, Cullowhee

• Oct. 5: Colorfest, Dillsboro

• Oct. 5-6: John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival, Brasstown

• Oct. 8-12: Cherokee Indian Fair

• Oct. 10-12: Autumn Leaves Craft Show, Franklin

• Oct. 11-13: Cashiers Leaf Festival

• Oct. 12: Church Street Art & Craft Show, Waynesville

• Oct. 18-19: Fall Harvest Festival, Stecoah

• Oct. 18-20: Leaf Lookers Gemboree, Franklin

• Oct. 19: Apple Harvest Festival, Waynesville

• Oct. 26: PumpkinFest, Franklin

• Nov. 2: WNC Pottery Festival, Dillsboro

• Nov. 7-10: Highlands Food & Wine Festival

• Nov. 29-30: Hard Candy Christmas Art & Craft Show, Cullowhee

• Dec. 6: Waynesville Christmas Tree Lighting

• Dec. 6-7/13-14: Lights & Luminaries, Dillsboro

• Dec. 6-8: Balsam Range Art of Music Festival

• Dec. 14: A Night Before Christmas, Waynesville

about Mountain Heritage Day in that it’s university-sponsored, community driven, held on campus and promotes Southern Appalachian history, culture and traditions. It’s family oriented, so the target demographic is young and old and everyone in-between. We’re established. Mountain Heritage Day has had an established date and location on the WCU campus the last Saturday in September for more than four decades now. We’re the granddaddy of these type festivals and we promote all the hometowns and communities across the mountains and the good things they’ve got going on.

So, it’s not just about listening to music, eating, and shopping, although there are some mighty fine opportunities to do those things. Mountain Heritage Day encourages active participation. You can go on a wagon ride, cheer on the Cherokee stickball games, learn to make crafts, play games in the children’s tent and enter one of several competitions like timber cutting with a crosscut saw. We also take time to honor the people who are engaged in preserving our traditions with the Mountain Heritage Awards, as well as the artisans who are carrying on the region’s strong arts and crafts heritage.

Apple Harvest Festival

• When: Saturday, Oct. 19

• Where: Downtown Waynesville

• Years active: 31

• Attendance: 45,000

• Put on by: Haywood County Chamber of Commerce

• Website: www.haywoodchamber.com

• Interviewee: CeCe Hipps, HCCC executive director

• Purpose: The event began as a way for the apple growers to sell their remaining harvest of apples, hence the name Apple Harvest Festival.

• Staying relevant: The Apple Harvest Festival is one of those events which fits for the community. We don’t change too much with the festival from year to year because what we currently do keeps everyone happy. The craft breweries and recreational activities compliment the Apple Harvest Festival. If [the over 180] vendors and people continue to come, we’re happy.

• Importance: The Apple Harvest Festival continues to be a draw with both the young and old. Families like to bring their children and enjoy the music.

Arts+Culture

For the love of the arts: Macon County Art Association

Following the passing of her husband after a lengthy illness, Betsey Sloan was looking for an outlet, something in her community that would nurture her creative and spiritual soul.

“So, I decided to get into my car, come here, get out, and say, ‘Hi, can I join?’” Sloan smiled. “And I’ve made such great friends here. The people here are wonderful, always helping me out and encouraging me in whatever it is I want to pursue.”

“Here” is the Uptown Gallery on Main Street in Franklin. An artisan cooperative owned and operated by the Macon County Art Association, the nonprofit gallery has been an integral part of the community for over a half century, with a physical presence in downtown for the better part of the last 25 years.

“It makes me feel very good to say that, ‘I’m a member in a local art gallery and part of an art community,’” said Sloan, an acclaimed gourd artist. “I enjoy being here on the days I work the register and meet the public, telling them we’re a cooperative, and helping visiting families and leaf peepers get a real feel for our town.”

Currently, there are around 30 members in the MCAA. Known as “hanging members,” they have their work hanging in the first-floor showcase space. There’s another 20 or so “partner members,” folks who donate funds to the MCAA and participate in the vast array of events, activities, workshops and classes offered by the organization.

“It’s important for any community to have art as one of its centerpieces, whether that’s music, art on the wall, classes in the schools,” Sloan said. “I mean, I always had that growing up, and I can’t imagine today’s kids in school not having access to that because of budget cuts. We need to keep people focused on their hometown, rather than going out of town to Asheville to do your

“The arts do foster creativity and innovative ways of thinking about problems and problem solving. And it gets people to meet people.”

— Maryellen Tulley, Uptown Gallery co-director

Want to know more?

For more information on the Macon County Arts Association and a complete schedule of upcoming events, workshops, classes and paint parties at the Uptown Gallery, visit www.franklinuptowngallery.com, call 828.349.4607, email franklinuptowngallery@gmail.com and/or “Like” them on Facebook.

shopping — check out local, it’s important.”

And what’s just behind the curtain of the nonprofit is a group of determined artists and residents, all of which possess an iron will to not let their beloved organization get sunk and go under.

A silk painter and member of the MCAA since 2015, Maryellen Tully, who recently became the co-director of the gallery.

“It’s a great asset for our community. It fosters so much creativity and camaraderie. I think it also gives kids a different point of view to succeed in another venue. I know sports is a big thing, but so are the arts — it’s STEAM versus STEM,” Tully said. “The arts do foster creativity and innovative ways of thinking about problems and problem solving. And it gets people to meet people. You have to find a passion to keep going. That’s the key to longevity — finding your passion.”

Every Tuesday night, Tully heads down to the gallery and is part of the free open studio session. Attracting folks from all walks of life and backgrounds, Tully sees the class as a worthwhile endeavor for any and all, even if you’re never created in the name of artistic discovery.

Rest Relax Rejuvenate

“It’s like anything else, you’re not going to be an expert the first time you do something. It’s all about having fun and meeting new people, and learning something new about yourself,” Tully said. “I love it because I love the camaraderie of working with other artists. The community is welcome to come in. We paint, we critique, we talk about the artwork and the mediums — it’s a nice fellowship.”

Aside from an increasing presence in the community with its workshops and classes, the MCAA is hard at work on a master plan for the future, and also aiming to make a big push to create more partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and institutions in the area.

That said, Binnall will be the first, and certainly not the last — as seen by the steadfast and resilient nature of the MCAA — to say she isn’t walking away.

“We’re always trying to put the word out, wherever we go or whatever we’re doing. The more talent we can bring in, the better this would be,” Binnall proudly stated. “The community needs this association. It’s a great thing, because if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here, I’d just quit — but I won’t.”

Arts+Culture

The art of togetherness

Five years ago, Michelle and Robby Railey had one question in mind. “How do we get to the next level?” Michelle said.

That next level was for the couple to be able to make and sell their artwork as a fulltime gig, something that could not only pay the bills, but also fulfill the duo’s creative urges. Michelle is a longtime painter, while Robby has been a potter since he was a kid.

“I was four or five years old the first time I touched clay. Took some ceramic classes in high school and outside of school,” Robby said. “But, I stopped doing all ceramics after high school and became an electrician for 14 years.”

Living in Florida hustle and bustle that is Orlando, Robby was getting tired of the 9-to5 workday. He missed being in nature, and he missed creating with his hands. When his

mother said she was moving to Western North Carolina, Robby quit his electrician gig that exact day and headed for the hills — to start fresh, and to create.

“I love being in the mud. I love getting dirty,” Robby said. “You can form anything out of air with clay. I can just take a block of clay and put a face on it, making it all come alive. I get inspiration from everywhere, so does Michelle — we’re sponges for ideas of what to create from what we see and experience.”

A resident of Haywood County since elementary school, Michelle had always wanted to be an artist, finding a deep passion for painting early on.

“I get inspiration from everywhere, so does Michelle — we’re sponges for ideas of what to create from what we see and experience.”

“I enjoy painting because it’s so forgiving,” Michelle said. “There’s not a lot of pressure when I’m doing it. If I paint something I don’t like, I just start over. Scratch this and start fresh — it allows me to see what I feel in my head and put it on the canvas.”

And though she dabbled in painting for years, it wasn’t until she crossed paths with Robby in Waynesville that the couple combined their art, hopes and dreams into one solid effort at making a living doing what they love.

“It’s about making enough money to just pay the bills and buy art supplies — clay, paint, canvas, and gas in the car to get to the next art show,” Michelle said.

The Raileys work out of their home, a quiet and peaceful abode tucked high up along a mountain ridge, just off a dirt road in the depths of Haywood County.

When they’re not on the road selling their wares at local farmers markets and regional art shows, Michelle is inside painting, Robby outside firing up the kiln. Recently, they’ve started collaborating on pieces, with a new sense of togetherness now discovered.

“It’s all happening right now — and we’re happy,” Michelle said. “Art helps you feel a flood of memories and emotions. It grounds people. It’s important to have art and artists in our community. It’s give you feeling and a response outside of the day-to-day grind — it’s an outlet.”

“We’re going to do this, hell or high water.

There’s no option for us to go back and get a day job. I’ll be broke and starve to death before I have to work for somebody else — we love it, all of it,” Robby added. “Things will always work out, so long as you keep doing what you’re supposed to be doing, which is your true passion and calling in life. For us? It’s creating, and doing so together.”

Arts+Culture

Fish,

With fly-fishing tourism on the rise in Western North Carolina, a new attraction in Bryson City will bring visitors up-close and personal with up to 50 species of freshwater fish.

A soft opening event for the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium and Aquatic Science Center was held recently to give the public and the Fly-Fishing Hall of Fame inductees a preview of what’s ahead, but the grand opening unveiling will be held during the summer of 2019.

“It’s looking good — for the space we have, it’s jam packed full of display tanks and we’re putting a lot of fish in front of people,” said Alen Baker, a fly-fishing enthusiast who has helped spearhead the project.

The aquarium — an extension of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians housed inside the Swain County Chamber of Commerce building — has been in the works for the last couple of years. It’s all been made possible thanks to a collaboration between the county, the chamber of commerce and Tourism Development Authority and the nonprofit that founded the fly-fishing museum.

“There have been a lot of contributors that have gone above and beyond to make this aquarium happen,” said Rita Jones, the new aquarium director.

What’s to see?

Baker said they’re still in the process of bringing in different aquatic wildlife to the aquarium, but when all is said and done, visitors will be able to see 30 to 50 different regional game and non-gamefish.

The aquarium has more than a dozen tanks ranging from 75 gallons to 620 gallons, including three tanks that make up the Mountain Stream exhibit featuring a waterfall that flows into the tank. The exhibit will contain northern and southern strains of brook trout and at times tiger trout, which is a natural, sterile hybrid brook-brown trout.

“Once we get the trout in then we can work on the bottom fish like red horse and suckers,” Baker said.

Three smaller tanks will be home to small gamefish like dace, minnows, shiners, darters, madtoms and sculpins while other tanks will exhibit non-gamefish like sunfish, crappie, black bass, temperate bass, pike, bowfin, gar and catfish.

A pair of hellbenders, the largest salamander found in North Carolina, have already

settled into their new 450-gallon tank at the aquarium. They were flown in from Minnesota where they’ve been held in captivity at a zoo for the last seven years. These particular eel-like salamanders — also known in these parts as water dog, mud puppy, devil dog and snot otter — were raised from eggs in Dallas, Texas, before outgrowing their space and being shipped to Minnesota.

Baker said they are actually small for hellbenders — one is 15 inches long and the other is a little smaller. However, the pair will have a larger tank at the aquarium, which will allow them to grow larger.

“They’ll get bigger. They’re small for their age because of their surroundings in the past but we’ve noticed they’re eating well,” he said. “The other day the sun hit the tank from the skylight and the second hellbender moved into the sun and was as happy as can be. They go up for a gulp of air every once in a while but at that age they’re gilled like fish and don’t really need to be on land.”

Acquiring hellbenders is no simple task. Baker said state and federal permits had to be obtained in order to be able to transport the endangered species from Minnesota and hold them in captivity in Bryson City.

Tourism draw

Swain County has been working to brand itself as the ”Fly-Fishing Capital of the Smokies” for the last several years. It’s a good strategy considering 87 percent of the county is federally owned national park and national forest land.

The art of fly-fishing seems to be making a comeback in the region thanks to the efforts

had Bryson City declared a Trout City so I think the aquarium is an enhancement of that,” said Swain Commission Chairman Ben Bushyhead. “The aquarium shows what kind of aquatic life there is in the rivers here.”

It also ties nicely into the downtown area and improvements being made to attract tourists for more than an afternoon. Bushyhead said the fly-fishing museum has been a big draw as well as the heritage museum in the historic courthouse, the farmers market area behind the museum and now the aquarium along the river.

“We want it to become an oasis for tourists,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a

of Baker and other fly-fishermen hellbent on keeping it going.

“The people that helped develop the museum saw fly-fishing as a dying sport and they didn’t want that history to be forgotten,” Jones said.

Seeing these elusive creatures up close will be a treat since they are such a rare find in the wild. Baker, an avid fisherman, said he’d only seen a hellbender a few times during his lifetime. “I’ve seen three in trout stream in 38 years — you have to fish certain places where they’re located. I saw one two years ago near the Virginia line that was 2 feet long,” he said. “In nature they live an average of 20 years if something doesn’t get ‘em, but in captivity they can live 30 years and as long as 50.”

With Fontana Lake, the Nantahala, Little Tennessee, Oconaluftee, and the Tuckasegee rivers all flowing through the county, Swain’s natural resources make it an ideal location for all kinds of fishing adventures.

Former Bryson City alderman Rick Bryson led an effort a few years ago to get the Wildlife Resource Commission to designate Bryson City as a Trout City. The town earned the designation in the fall of 2017, which allows for some bragging rights but also allows visitors to come fish on the Tuckasegee River for three days on a $5 license.

“When Rick Bryson was on the board he

good addition and I’m excited to see the final product.”

About 15,000 people visited the fly-fishing museum last year, and Baker hopes the addition of the aquarium will only create more excitement around both attractions.

Jones said having the fly-fishing museum located inside the chamber building will be an ideal way to direct interested visitors over to the aquarium to see more.

“The aquarium is just going to fit in with with everything else offered in Swain County — it’s going to go hand in hand with the museum and all the other fishing resources we have here,” she said. “When tourists come to the chamber we can send them across to the aquarium and vice versa. Everyone in town seems to be excited about it opening this summer.”

Baker says the aquarium will attract expe-

Arts+Culture

rienced fishermen, as well as those interested in learning more about fly-fishing techniques and families looking to keep their kids entertained on vacation. “Deep down I’m not sure a family could turn down coming by to see the fish — it will be another attraction for visitors and hopefully that brings business for local restaurants and hotels in town,” he said. “Fly fishermen won’t be able to resist coming to see the fish either.”

While there are several commercial aquariums in the region, this one is unique because it’s specifically focused on freshwater fish found in the Southern Appalachians. Yet, there will be species on display people of Western North Carolina might not see every day in mountain streams — like the paddlefish found in the Mississippi River Basin or the sturgeons found in Kentucky.

Science education

The freshwater aquarium and science center will also offer plenty of educational opportunities for students of all ages.

“We plan to have a lot of things kids will like — they can even get under the tank and see the hellbenders from below since that’s where they tend to stay,” Baker said. “We’ll

Appalachian Rivers Aquarium and Aquatic Science Center

117 Island Street, Bryson City along the Tuckasegee River. For more information, visit www.flyfishingmuseum.org or call 828.488.3681.

also have turtles, frogs and salamanders and crayfish in the tanks.” The aquarium was built to accommodate student field trips with indoor and outdoor science class space and staff plans to work closely with the Swain County Schools system to offer programming.

“We’re going to support the schools in doing a Trout in the Classroom project where they raise a trout from eggs and then release them into the stream,” Baker said. “It’s a partnership with a Trout Unlimited chapter and we have spare tanks and chillers to loan out to schools if they need it.”

An intern program for high school and college students is also in the works. An intern could come with with the aquatic science

center to learn about the fish and the operations as well as the fish collection process and any other field work needed.

Bushyhead said he’s excited about the educational opportunities for the community and tourists.

“Even I learned something new the other day. The aquarium has what I used to call mud puppies, which we were always told were supposed to be dangerous and cannibalistic, but I learned that’s false information — just old folklore,” he said. “We were always told if we caught one to just cut the line and move on, but you should actually take the hook out if possible and release them. So now we have that resource of information we can offer to people coming to Bryson City from great distances away.”

Bushyhead said some species being exhibited at the aquarium — like the river redhorse — will also allow people to learn more about Cherokee culture.

“The redhorse was very important to the Cherokee and their meals. The only thing I remember about it as a kid was that it had so many small bones it was hard to eat in anything other than a stew,” Bushyhead recalled.

What lies beneath: WNC Museums

Although the rich history and culture of Western North Carolina is alive and thriving through the hands of our local artisans and performers, there are also numerous museums here preserving and perpetuating the heritage of Southern Appalachia. These buildings each pay homage to the crafts, sounds, and deeply held traditions of these ancient mountains and its people.

• American Museum of The House Cat

Over 5,000 items dedicated to entire history of the house cat, here and abroad.

4704 U.S. 441 South, Sylva 828.421.0275 or 828.506.1236 www.facebook.com/americanmuseumofthehousecat

• Andrews Art Museum

Exhibits and galleries featuring local and regional artists.

Corner of Chestnut and Third streets, Andrews 828.360.5071 • www.andrewsvalleyarts.com

• Canton Area Historical Museum

Displays focusing on the cultural history of Canton and Haywood County.

36 Park Street, Canton 828.646.3412 • www.cantonnc.com

• Cherokee County Historical Museum

Artifacts and exhibits showcasing the Cherokee Indians, local history and artisans. 87 Peachtree Street, Murphy 828.837.6792 • www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov

• Clay County Historical & Arts Council Museum

Displays exhibiting the history, art and people of the area.

21 Davis Loop, Hayesville 828.389.6814 • www.clayhistoryarts.org

• Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum

Exhibits on the region’s gems and minerals. 25 Phillips Street, Franklin 828.369.7831 • www.fgmm.org

• Glenville Historical Museum

Showcasing the history and culture of Glenville and greater Western North Carolina. 4735 N.C. 107 North, Glenville • 828.743.1658

• Graham County Museum of Prehistoric Relics

A collection of prehistoric artifacts from North, South and Central America.

3204 Fontana Road, Fontana Dam 828.479.3677 • www.thehikeinn.com

• Highlands Museum & Historical Village

A village composed of several restored buildings, with historical exhibits in the museum.

524 North 4th Street, Highlands 828.787.1050 • www.highlandshistory.com

• Junaluska Memorial & Museum

Displays dedicated to preserving Cherokee Indian history and culture.

1 Junaluska Drive, Robbinsville 828.479.4727

• Macon County Historical Society & Museum

Antiques and artifacts showcasing the history of Macon and Western North Carolina.

36 West Main Street, Franklin 828.524.9758 • www.maconnchistorical.org

• Mountain Farm Museum

Collection of historical log buildings and artifacts.

150 U.S. 441 North, Oconaluftee Visitor Center 423.436.1200 • www.nps.gov/grsm

• Mountain Heritage Center

Extensive displays of Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachian history.

150 H.F. Robinson Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee 828.227.7129 • www.wcu.edu

• Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass

Exhibits presenting one of the finest collections of its kind in the world

472 Chestnut Street, Highlands 828.526.3415 • www.ashevilleguidebook.com

• Museum of the Cherokee Indian

Large exhibits showcasing the extensive and intricate tribe history.

589 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee 828.497.3481 • www.cherokeemuseum.org

• Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts Featuring unique works from some of the state’s most acclaimed artisans.

49 Shelton Street, Waynesville 828.452.1551 • www.sheltonhouse.org

• Ruby City Gems Museum

Thousands of gem and mineral specimens on display.

131 East Main Street, Franklin 828.524.3967 • www.rubycity.com

• Scottish Tartans Museum

Exhibit on Scottish history and culture abroad and in Western North Carolina.

86 East Main Street, Franklin 828.524.7472 • www.scottishtartans.org

• Wheels Through Time Museum

Rare and extensive collection of vintage motorcycles and classic automobiles.

62 Vintage Lane, Maggie Valley 828.926.6266 • www.wheelsthroughtime.com

• World Methodist Museum

Artifacts and memorabilia celebrating founder John Wesley and the worldwide religion.

575 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska 828.456.9432

www.worldmethodistcouncil.org

Presented by:

7PM Live Entertainment on Stage: Legends Tribute Show: Willie (Casey Ferguson) Waylon (Hokey Sloan), Dolly (Becca Bongiorno) & Patsy (Colene Walters) with Live Band ‘The Highway Legends’

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 • 10AM-5PM

10AM Gates Open- Admission $5 for Adults. Kids 12 & under free.

10AM Food Vendors & Craft Barn Open

10AM-5PM New! Kid Zone- Inflatables & Games $5 at Gate

10AM Car Show Opens

11AM Cooking Demostration on Stage

11:30AM-1:30PM Live Entertainment on Stage: The True Outlaws Tribute with Willie (Casey Ferguson) & Waylon (Hokey Sloan)

1:30PM Cooking Demo at Traeger Tent

2:30PM Cooking Demo at Traeger Tent

3PM Tastin’ Tent (Taste & Judge Cookers pulled pork) Tickets limited to 200, sold at entrance gates $5 each

3PM Car Show Awards Presentation

5PM KCBS BBQ Competition Awards Presentation

Arts+Culture

Can’t keep a good man down: Banjo legend Raymond Fairchild on turning 80, a life in music

Though his fingers seemingly wrap around a walking cane more than his trusty banjo these days, Raymond Fairchild remains one of the finest musicians who ever picked up the fivestring acoustic instrument.

“I just count myself another mountain picker. I don’t think I’m no better than anybody else, but I think I’m as good as any of’em — that’s the legacy,” Fairchild said with his trademark grin. “When they ask me when I’m going to retire, I say when somebody comes along and beats me at picking the banjo — and they said, ‘you’ll never retire.’”  Fairchild is sitting in a chair in front of the Maggie Valley Opry House, which he and his wife Shirley have owned and operated for 33 years. Fairchild himself recently

turned 80, but shows no signs of slowing down, even with a performance schedule at the Opry House that hovers around seven nights a week in the summer months.

“The Opry House is a like a second home. I’ve about quit the road and that gives people a chance to come see me here, you know? Travel will kill you, man,” Fairchild said. “I play Friday and Saturday up to Memorial Day. Then, I’m going to play seven nights a week when I can. See, I’m going to run the Opry House — it ain’t going to run me.”

Although he may come across as rough around the edges, Fairchild is a not only a man of his word, but someone fiercely loyal to those he calls friends and family. The only thing hard about Raymond Fairchild is his work ethic, one of tireless performing night after night, mile after mile — it’s his passion, and also his paycheck.

“I made a pretty good living. Raised three [kids]. I’ve got a pretty good little dwelling and I ain’t going hungry,” Fairchild said. “It’s just another way of making a living, but it’s more enjoyable than getting out and cutting wood or digging a hole in the ground.”

This spring, North Carolina State Sen. Jim Davis presented Fairchild with two awards onstage at the Opry House. One was a recognition from Davis and the other from the floor of the state Senate. But, even with the honors, it still doesn’t do much to put folks in the seats at the Opry House.

“For people to think that much of you, it means something, you know? But, a lot of the people [that used to come see me play] are fading away because they’re dying out,”

Fairchild noted. “I’m losing a lot of my fans through death, and the youngsters just ain’t going to pick this type of music up — time changes everything, and you have to live with the times.”

If you’re unaware of who Raymond Fairchild is, you might be unaware that he’s regarded as one of the three all-time great banjoists in the history of bluegrass and mountain music, the other two being the late Earl Scruggs and the late Don Reno — a statement of merit made to Fairchild by the “Father of Bluegrass” himself, the late Bill Monroe.

“Every time I pick up the banjo, I learn something. I still love a banjo guitar. I just love what I call mountain music.”

— Raymond Fairchild

“Bill Monroe told me that. Earl Scruggs told me that, too,” Fairchild smiled. “And when you say bluegrass, it’s Bill Monroe — the rest after Bill Monroe are just copycats. Bill Monroe was the true bluegrass man, and he’ll never be equaled — you don’t beat a man at his own game.”

Born to a white father and Cherokee mother, Fairchild learned how to play the banjo by ear, which led to the creation of his distinctive style — never duplicated, always imitated.

“I didn’t have no radio or nothing,” Fairchild recalled. “And when I got a chance to hear a tune, I’d hold it in my head. So, I’d go from that and do the rest from imagination.”

Aside from the unique dexterity in Fairchild’s fingertips, what’s just as awe-inspiring is the lightning-fast speed by which he plays such intricate and complicated melodies.

“It just comes from the way I learned, I guess — I always liked to play fast. Of course, I can’t play that fast now,” Fairchild modestly stated. “And another thing, it all depends on who’s behind you. If the backup men can’t get it, you can’t either — they’ll drag you down.”

Gazing along the walls of the aging Opry House, there are numerous awards, including plaques signifying over two million records sold of Fairchild’s instrumental “Whoa Mule,” now a standard of traditional music. Right next to the stage, there’s also

Arts+Culture

Want to go?

Acclaimed banjo picker Raymond Fairchild performs at the Maggie Valley Opry House at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday through Memorial Day Weekend. After Memorial Day, he and his band play upwards of seven nights a week.

Tickets are $12 per person. The Opry House is located at 3605 Soco Road in Maggie Valley. To purchase tickets, click on www.raymondfairchild.com or call 828.926.9336.

A longtime and storied moonshiner, Fairchild has also lent his name and recipe to Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Maggie Valley. Labeled “Raymond Fairchild Root Beer White Lightning,” the popular moonshine is available for purchase at Elevated Mountain and also at your nearest ABC Store.

Fairchild also hosts a monthly bluegrass jam at the distillery. For more information on the moonshine and the jam, click on www.elevatedmountain.com or call 828.944.0766.

his award for induction into Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame (Bean Blossom, Indiana), an honor he received in 2015.

Many of the photographs and concert posters on the walls are yellowed and dusty. The faces and names are of bluegrass and country music legends — all friends of Fairchild, with most of which long gone from this earth.

“There are ones I really miss — The Lewis Family, Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe,” Fairchild solemnly said. “It just brings back old memories. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, according to the mood you’re in. Sometimes you want to see them memories, sometimes you don’t. And a lot [of those faces] have done went on.”

Within the 65 years he’s played professionally, one moment sticks out more than the rest — the first time Fairchild took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Fairchild reckons that initial appearance was somewhere around 1977 or 1978. No matter though, because it led to several other pickin’-n-grinnin’ sessions onstage at “The

Mother Church of Country Music.”

“It was me and The Crowe Brothers — the greatest [three-piece] band that’s ever been together,” Fairchild reminisced. “A lot of people say their knees are shaking and they were nervous [being onstage at the Grand Ole Opry]. It didn’t bother me more than stepping out here [at the Maggie Valley Opry House]. But, I knew it was the highest you were going to go in this type of music — when you stand in front of them WSM microphones.”

Sitting back down in his chair in front of the Maggie Valley Opry House, Fairchild places his cane beside him and reaches for his banjo case. He unbuckles the latches and pulls out his old friend, those five strings that provided him with a life well-lived, one of musical glory and lore.

“Every time I pick up the banjo, I learn something. I still love a banjo guitar. I just love what I call mountain music,” Fairchild said. “What kind of future do you think I’ve got? Probably a short one. But, you just look back on it all, the music and the memories — if I had to do it over, I’d do it again.”

Live music is an important part of the heritage of Western North Carolina. Here’s a listing of venues that regularly have bands in the region:

Andrews

• Andrews Brewing

828.321.2006 • www.andrewsbrewing.com

• Hoppy Trout Brewing Company

828.835.2111 • www.hoppytroutbrewing.com

Brasstown

• John C. Campbell Folk School

800.365.5724 • www.folkschool.org

Bryson City

• Mountain Layers Brewing

828.538.0115 • www.mtnlayersbeer.com

• Nantahala Brewing

828.488.2337 • www.nantahalabrewing.com

• Nantahala Outdoor Center

888.905.7238 • www.noc.com

Canton

• BearWaters Brewing

828.246.0602 • www.bwbrewing.com

• Colonial Theater

828.235.2760 • www.cantonnc.com

• Southern Porch

828.492.8009 • www.southern-porch.com

Cashiers

• The Ugly Dog Pub

828.743.3000 • www.theuglydogpub.com

• Whiteside Brewing

828.743.6000 • www.whitesidebrewing.com

Cherokee

• Harrah’s Cherokee

828.497.7777 • www.harrahscherokee.com

Dillsboro

• Innovation Station

828.226.0262 • www.innovation-brewing.com

Franklin

• Currahee Brewing

828.634.0078 • www.curraheebrew.com

• Lazy Hiker Brewing

828.342.5133 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com

• Mixers Bar and Nightclub

828.369.9211

www.mixersbarandnightclub.com

• Mulligan’s Bar & Grille

828.349.3183 • www.mulligans-bar.com

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub

828.369.6796 • www.rathskellerfranklin.com

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

828.524.1598 • www.greatmountainmusic.com

Hayesville

• Chevelle’s

828.835.7001 • www.chevellerestaurants.com

• Peacock Performing Arts Center

828.389.2787 • www.peacockplayhouse.org

Highlands

• Lost Hiker

828.526.8232 • www.thelosthikerbar.com

• Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center 828.526.9047 • www.highlandspac.net

• Satulah Mountain Brewing 828.482.9794 • www.satulahmountainbrewing.com

• The Ugly Dog Pub

828.526.8364 • www.theuglydogpub.com

Maggie Valley

• Legends Sports Grill

828.926.9464 • www.facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley

• Maggie Valley Festival Grounds 828.926.0866 www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.org

• Maggie Valley Opry House 828.648.7941 or 828.926.9336 www.raymondfairchild.com

• Maggie Valley Rendezvous 828.926.0201 • www.maggievalleyhotel.com

• Salty Dog’s Seafood and Grill 828.926.9105

• Stompin’ Ground 828.926.1288

Murphy

• Chevelle’s 828.389.6069 • www.chevellerestaurants.com

Robbinsville

• Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center 828.479.3364 • www.stecoahvalleycenter.com

Sylva

• Balsam Mountain Inn and Restaurant

800.224.9498 • www.balsammountaininn.net

• City Lights Café

828.587.2233 • www.citylightscafe.com

• Cut Cocktail Lounge 828.631.4795

• Innovation Brewing

828.586.9678 • www.innovation-brewing.com

• Mad Batter Food & Film

828.586.3555 • www.madbatterfoodfilm.com

• Nantahala Brewing Outpost 828.641.9797 • www.natahalabrewing.com

• O’Malley’s Pub & Grill

828.631.0554

• The Paper Mill Lounge & Theatre

828.508.0554 • www.thepapermilllounge.com

• Soul Infusion

828.586.1717 • www.soulinfusion.com

Waynesville

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub

828.246.9320 • www.blueridgebeerhub.com

• Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern

828.452.1313 • www.bogartswaynesville.com

• Boojum Brewing

828.944.0888 • www.boojumbrewing.com

• Classic Wineseller

828.452.6000 • www.classicwineseller.com

• Firefly Taps & Grill

828.454.5400 • www.fireflytapsandgrill.com

• Frog Level Brewing

828.454.5664 • www.froglevelbrewing.com

• Mad Anthony’s Taproom & Restaurant

828.246.9249 • www.madanthonys.bar

• The Strand at 38 Main

828.283.0079 • www.38main.com

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill

828.456.4750

Outdoors+Recreation

A.T. hikers share their stories

From flip-flops to overnights to the quintessential northbound thru-hike, there are many different ways to experience the Appalachian Trail on its route from Georgia to Maine. An overnight along the trail at Roaring Fork Shelter near Max Patch was

enough to meet a variety of hikers, all hiking the trail their own way.

The thru-hikers

Giggles is from Switzerland, while Spartan splits his time between Naples, Florida, and Petoskey, Michigan. But for now, they both call the Appalachian Trail home.

They’re thru-hikers, two of the more than 2,000 people who each year step off from Springer Mountain in Georgia with the goal of walking 2,192 miles to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

“We’ll see,” said Giggles — a 38-year-old woman whose off-trail name is Julia Dimmler — when asked if she thinks she’ll make it. “I don’t know. Two weeks ago I would have said no, because I’m too slow. My foot, it hurts. And now today my legs were like machines.”

“I could barely keep up,” laughed Spartan, also known as Brian DeForest, 54.

Evening was falling on the one-month anniversary of Giggles’ April 9 hike start as she

and Spartan settled down to camp at Roaring Fork Shelter. They’d been hiking together since Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and were planning to cover the entire 18 miles to Hot Springs the next day, their highest mileage yet.

Spartan is a retired Army veteran, and Giggles works in customer relationship management for a Swiss culinary company. They’re different people, from different

and this was the same time I heard about it,” she said. “I was like, OK, I always wanted to do a longer hike.”

Her main reservations were not having someone to do it with and not being in good enough physical shape, but as she researched the trail she realized that doing it alone wouldn’t be a problem, and that she’d get into shape as she hiked. So, she flew to America and became hiker number 2,158 to register as starting the trail from Georgia.

backgrounds, with different reasons for doing the trail, but they’re united by a common desire to reach Mount Katahdin.

For Spartan, hiking the A.T. has been a dream ever since he retired from the Army in 2014. The timing just hasn’t been right until now — his wife is a traveling nurse, so the logistics involved in moving their fifthwheel trailer about the country have made it difficult to block out five or six months for hiking. Now, finally, he’s on the trail.

“There’s always that little segment of time in your mind that you’re like, ‘What am I doing here? What was I thinking?’” he admitted. “But I think for the most part, it’s good.”

The time was right for Giggles, too.

“I broke up from my boyfriend last year,

“I have no apartment, I have nothing at the moment, only my insurance to pay,” said Giggles. “Which is perfect. The perfect moment in life to do it.”

The roommates

Living in Boston, Dylan Welch and Mat Todtenkoph, both 26, do a lot of A.T. hiking in the nearby White Mountains. But when they decided to tackle a weeklong section of the trail, they chose the Smokies.

“The Smokies just looked to be the prettiest section,” said Welch.

Packing up for their last day of hiking before reaching the end of their hike in Hot Springs, the roommates dedicated some time to doctoring their blistered feet, reflecting that the 110-mile section they chose

starting at Fontana Dam may have been a bit ambitious for the time allotted. The trail gains and loses more than 30,000 feet in elevation along that route through the Smokies.

Their trip didn’t include any resupply stops — Welch and Todtenkoph packed in all the food they ate over the past week, and with one night left to go they were running low, sadly anticipating a morning without breakfast and a dismaying shortage of toilet paper for their last 24 hours on the trail.

Todtenkoph did, however, have three mini Snickers bars left to snack on, which he lined up on the shelter picnic table as a miser counting his gold. Snickers bars aren’t a luxury item, he said: “No, that’s a necessity.”

Despite the hurting feet and overwhelming desire for pizza, Welch and Todtenkoph said they enjoyed their hike, and are hoping to become thru-hikers themselves in a couple years.

“The thing you miss with day hikes and things like that is the trail culture,” said Welch. “It’s fun to jump in and be part off that for a little bit, even if you don’t do the whole A.T. Every night you meet interesting people, hear interesting stories.”

The flip-flopper

With an ever-increasing number of people hiking the A.T. each year, the trail is often more of a social experience than a solitary one. But that hasn’t been the case for Trigger, a 63-year-old-hiker whose off-trail name is John Dupras.

“Super solitary,” he said. “Just me, myself and I for the beginning.”

Trigger’s doing what’s known as a flip-flop hike — he started March 1 at the trail’s midpoint in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and is hiking south to Springer Mountain. When he finishes, he’ll go home to northern Virginia for a few days and then return to Harpers Ferry, where he’ll become a northbound hiker headed to Mount Katahdin.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has been encouraging flip-flop hikes in recent years to alleviate crowding at the trail southern end. And for Trigger, a flip-flop made sense — his wife has an event in Savannah the weekend of May 31, and he needs to be there.

“If all goes well and I keep on my schedule, I should get there right about when she can pluck me off the trail,” he said.

Trigger, a native of the south shore of Boston, speaks with a thick New England accent despite having lived in northern Virginia for the past 16 years. He’s a retired Marine who then went to work for the Transportation Security Administration, based first out of the Pentagon and then out of Dulles.

“I had a horrific commute that was just eating me alive,” he said. “I was going to work until I was 65, but I said at 63 I’m retiring and then I’m going to focus on doing the trail, and here I am.”

There have been nights of frigid cold and days of unrelenting rain, but Trigger did his research before starting the trail. He knew what he was getting into. And he’s not nostalgic for the commute he left behind.

“I don’t miss that,” he said. “I like life at the mile-and-a-half, 2 miles an hour that I have now.”

The overnighter

It was 6:30 p.m. before I made it to the trailhead, but I almost didn’t get there at all. The workday, as it tends to do, been longer than anticipated, I’d woken up feeling distinctly less than 100 percent, and the sky had remained a demotivating gray all day long. The thought of Netflix and wine in place of hiking and camping was definitely tempting.

But I had a plan, and I stuck to it, with

some modification — Chick-fil-A on the go rather than Mountain House on the trail, and a campsite arrival of 8 p.m. rather than 5 p.m.

I walked the A.T. toward Roaring Fork Shelter under a sky that seemed to have forgotten it had until 8 p.m. to let go of the light, keeping a uniform dimness throughout the hours until the actual setting of the sun. But I was glad I’d come. My dog ran in joyful circles around me, and as I went through the motions of picking out a campsite, setting up a tent and filtering water, the stresses of the world down below slowly drained away.

By the morning, when the rising sun

prompted a latent chorus of birds to come to life in the canopy above my tent, the clouds were gone from both my psyche and the sky. I lay there for a while, listening, before finally unzipping the tent and joining my fellow shelter inhabitants for breakfast.

For them, the day ahead would be marked in miles of trail, deadlines mandated by sunrises and sunsets rather than by minutes and hours. But for me, it would too soon be time to leave the woods, switch on my phone and get back to civilization.

Maybe someday I’ll make it to Maine. For now, though, I’ll celebrate the renewed joy that only a night on the trail can impart.

Hiking trails in Western North Carolina

With a quiet step you stand a great chance of seeing some of the multitude of wildlife Western North Carolina has to offer.

There are hikes for all kinds — climbs along the rocks to a high mountain waterfalls, casual strolls to expansive mountain views, all-day treks out into the wilderness and brisk jaunts to perfect picnic places. Wherever you go, trying making part of your hike a “soft walk.” Tread quietly and use your senses to experience the world around you without talking. If you see something worth pointing out, communicate without speech. The process will help you tune in to nature and how it communicates with us. When hiking, you know best what you’re looking for and what you’re capable of — injuries happen when you take on too much or get too tired. Find a hike that suits your tastes and skills.

Easy

Panthertown Valley

Panthertown Valley is a 6,700-acre area in the Nantahala National Forest. It's been nicknamed “the Yosemite of the East” and is home to granite domes, waterfalls, valley floors and rare high altitude bogs, as well as the headwaters for Greenland and Panthertown Creeks and the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River. Trails abound and primitive overnight camping and catch-and-release fishing is allowed.

Horsepasture River Trail

This out and back three-mile hike in Sapphire offers outstanding view of four large waterfalls and good camping along the way. The trail can be a little gnarly. Use extreme caution when viewing waterfalls, particularly Rainbow Falls, which can be viewed from the top. Falls are slippery and that closer look just isn’t worth the type of injuries that may occur.

Boogerman Trail

This 3.8 mile loop hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes you past old growth hemlocks and Robert “Booger” Palmer’s home place (hence the name). There’s plenty of creek views and wildflowers. Nealry a mile in, you’ll see a sign for

Boogerman Trail. To avoid a relentless and steep climb, continue further up Caldwell Fork Trail and take the upper loop of Boogerman Trail. The hike begins near the Cataloochee campground.

Wayah Bald

Located near Franklin in Macon County, this paved trail suitable for the handicapped leads to the Wayah Bald lookout tower, which is a National Historic Landmark offering breathtaking, panoramic views of the area. The Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail intersect at the tower.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail

Joyce Kilmer Forest, the last remnant of virgin forest in the Southern Appalachians, offers a spectacular 2-mile loop trail. Near Robbinsville.

Medium

Hemphill Bald

The Loop hike at Hemphill Bald is 13.7 miles in total, but just 4.7 miles in will get you to the Bald. The bald was named after a pioneer family.

Tsali Recreation Area

Located in Graham County the Tsali Recreation Area is known for its excellent trails. Hikers, bikers and horses all must share, but a bike/horse usage schedule keeps down the melee. Hikers may use any trail at any time. The Thompson Loop and Mouse Branch Looop are billed as easy to moderate and good for families.

Looking Glass Rock

This 6-mile hike through the Pisgah National Forest travels first through small cove, then steeply up the backside of Looking Glass Rock through many switchbacks, hardwood forests, Carolina hemlocks.

At the top of the trail there are cliffs providing views of Pisgah Ridge from Mt. Pisgah toward the Shining Rock/Black Balsam Area and the valleys below.

Hard

Shining Rock Wilderness Area

Shining Rock became one of the original components of the Wilderness System in September 1964. A series of high ridges extends east and west from the north-south oriented Shining Rock Ledge. There are three main access points for trails within this Wilderness. First and foremost is the Black Balsam area near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although this is not part of the Wilderness itself, The Art Loeb (moderate) and Ivestor Gap (easy) trails lead into the wilderness area from here.

Mount Sterling Gap Trail

This low ridge trail begins at Mt. Sterling Gap on Cataloochee-Big Creek Road. It’s only 2.8 miles to the firetower, but is rated extremely strenuous because of a 2,000-foot climb in 2.3 miles along an old jeep trail to the ridge just below the firetower. This firetower is one of three remaining in the Park. There are several excellent lookouts from the trail prior to reaching the main ridge, but the view from the tower is unequalled in the Park.

Fontana to Wesser

This 30-mile hike along the Appalachian Trails is full of ups and downs. There are shelters along the way, and in the end you’ll find yourself at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Or do the hike in reverse and end at Fontana Dam. To learn more about the Appalachian Trail visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

(Some hike recommendations courtesy of Danny Bernstein, author of Hiking the Carolina Mountains.)

Outdoors+Recreation

The spiritual appeal of waterfalls

Whether one is an avid outdoorsman or an occasional hiker, there is something special about making a gorgeous waterfall the destination for a hike.

Among the Cherokee Indians, rivers were known as “The Long Man” and special ceremonies were often held at waterfalls.

There are hundreds of waterfalls in Western North Carolina, and we’ve compiled a fairly extensive list and an interactive map on our newspaper website www.smokymountainnews.com (navigate to the Outdoors section).

SELECT WATERFALLS

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is easy to get to and impossible to miss. If you are headed west from Highlands through the Cullasaja Gorge on U.S. 64, the falls will go over a small pull off road on the right. The falls isn’t nearly as impressive as the other falls in the Gorge, but after all, how often do you get the chance to drive your car under a waterfall?

Bridal Veil Falls is 2.3 miles west of Highlands on U.S. 64. You’ll see a pull off road on the right side of U.S. 64 under the falls.

Dry Falls

Dry Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Western North Carolina and an easy stop if you are seeing the other falls on U.S. 64 through the Cullasaja Gorge. Visitors can walk behind the falls

and to the other side. The powerful waterfall is about 65 feet tall.

Dry Falls is in between Quarry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls about three miles west of Highlands on U.S. 64. There’s a small parking area on the left if you are headed west. Signs mark the falls on both sides of the road. If you come on a Saturday during peak tourist season, a parking space will be hard to come by. The trail to the falls is short with some steps.

Cullasaja Falls

Cullasaja Falls is the final waterfall on the Cullasaja River before leaving the Gorge. The falls, a 200-foot cascade, is powerful and beautiful. You can get a good view of it from the road, but it would be difficult to get to the base. The downside to Cullasaja Falls is that the pull off is small and is a dangerous place for traffic to stop.

Cullasaja Falls is about two and a half miles west of Quarry Falls on U.S. 64. The pull off is small and at a sharp curve. The small pull off fills up quickly during peak tourism days. Heading west, the pull off is on the left side of the road.

Mingo Falls

On the Qualla Indian Reservation in Cherokee, you’ll find the popular Mingo Falls. A small creek falls about 150 feet over mossy rocks. Access to the falls is good – if you can handle lots of steps. A small bridge goes across the creek, giving hikers a face on view of the falls.

Coming from Cherokee, head north on U.S. 441. You’ll turn right onto Acquoni Road. There will be signs telling you to turn there for Big Cove Road. In about 0.1 mile, turn left on to Big Cove Road. Again you’ll see signs pointing to Big Cove Road. Drive about 5 miles and turn right into Mingo Falls Campground. The parking area is straight ahead. The trail starts there, goes up a lot of stairs, levels out and comes to a bridge overlooking the falls. The trail is about 265 yards.

Soco Falls

Soco Falls is one of the closest large falls to Waynesville. Two creeks flow over steep rock cascades at a right angle from each other. There’s a wooden platform that faces the higher of the two falls. The other falls is nearly impossible to see face on without going down to the base of the falls. There's a really steep dirt incline that goes down there without a lot to hold on to.

From Waynesville, drive north on U.S. 19. You’ll pass under the Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing the Blue Ridge Parkway, drive 1.4 miles to a pull off on the left. At the corner before the pull off you want, you’ll see a large gravel pull off. This

is actually a private driveway and not the way to Soco Falls. A sign on the right side of the road will tell you to go another half mile. Find a pull off with a guardrail. A short, steep path goes down between the guardrails. Follow the trail, which leads to a wooden platform. The trail beyond the platform is steeper and more difficult but will take you to the top of one of the falls. A dirt incline leads to the bottom of the falls that you’d have to slide down. It looks like it would be a challenge to get back up.

Midnight Hole

If you’re looking for a good place to jump in the water, this is it. Midnight Hole is very popular and crowded at times. There’s a rope that goes up one of the boulders so swimmers can jump off the rocks into the pool. The water is cold and crystal clear and feels wonderful after a hike on a hot, muggy afternoon.

Take I-40 Exit 451 in Tennessee. It will be the first exit after you cross the state line. Stay left after crossing the Pigeon River and follow the road 2 miles. You’ll drive by a power plant and community park. You’ll come to a stop sign at an intersection. Go straight through the intersection and enter the Big Creek section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Follow the gravel road 0.8 miles to a picnic area and campground entrance.

From the parking area, walk back up the road. You’ll see a sign on the left for the trailhead. The hike to Midnight Hole is about 1.5 miles. Stay on the main path and the hole is on the left. The hike is easy. Horses and their riders also frequent the trail.

Waterfall on West Fork Pigeon River

The waterfall on West Fork Pigeon River runs under an old stone bridge on N.C. 215. Although this waterfall isn’t one to plan a trip around, if you’re driving to the other falls on N.C. 215, it’s worth a stop. You can take shots from the road and the bridge but watch out for traffic.

The waterfall is under a bridge on N.C. 215, 4.2 miles from where N.C. 215 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s 13.6 miles south of where N.C. 215 intersects with U.S. 276.

Outdoors+Recreation

Mountain Biking

The Smokies contain some of the best bike trails anywhere. Here are the popular spots:

Cherokee Mountain Bike Trails

Twelve-mile system with wide variety of terrain from beginners to relatively serious downhill sections. This is one of the bestmaintained trail systems in the Smokies region. Trailhead is in downtown Cherokee at the Oconaluftee Indian Village

Tsali Recreation Area

This is the granddaddy of Western North Carolina mountain biking, boasting 40 miles of trails on four loops. Rated as one of top 10 places to ride in the U.S. Fast, hard-packed singletrack, and you can’t go wrong with any of the loops. Off N.C. 28 past Bryson City, or if coming from Robbinsville N.C. 143 until you reach N.C. 28, go east. Entrance on north side of N.C. 28, well-marked.

Santeetlah Lake Trail

A 15-mile trail open to mountain bikes, horses, and hikers. The trail follows a number of open and gated Forest Service roads with a short portion of single-track. Large sections of the trail hug the shoreline of Lake Santeetlah. The primary trailhead is located at the intersection of N.C. 143 and Snowbird Road.

Jackrabbit Mountain

Located next to the huge Jackrabbit Campground at Lake Chatuge, this 14-mile trail system is gaining popularity fast. Mostly flat with rolling dips and berms and just a few technical areas. At Lake Chatuge get on N.C. 175, turn onto Jackrabbit Road, parking area on left.

Western Carolina

University Trail

More than 7 miles of singletrack across the street from main WCU campus in Cullowhee. The trail system has two trailheads. One is located near the softball field and picnic area on WCU main campus, east of N.C. 107. Trail users travel through the pedestrian tunnel under N.C. 107 and access the trail on NCCAT property. The second trailhead is located at the parking lot of the Health and Human Sciences building.

Bent Creek, Asheville

Located near where N.C. 191 intersects the Blue Ridge Parkway and I-26, this favorite among Asheville locals because of its proximity to this outdoors-loving city. Lots of hardpacked singletrack with very few technical sections, great place for beginner to intermediate riders and for children. www.mtbikewnc.com.

Dupont State Park

Located near Brevard, this has become one of the premier destinations in the region. Over 10,000 acres of trails, waterfalls, and rivers. Numerous trailheads. www.dupontforest.com.

Pisgah National Forest near Brevard

Hundreds of miles of trails for bikers, some of it among the most technical in the region. For more information, visit www.mtbikewnc.com.

Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City

The Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Nantahala Gorge has its own trail, which allows riders to try their hand at some technical maneuvering. The 4.5-mile Flint Ridge Trail system was designed specifically for mountain bikers. It features technical riding as well as some rolling single-track.

Directions: From Bryson City, go south on U.S. 74 for 12 miles and the NOC campus will be on the right. The highway will narrow to two lanes after about 8 miles. www.noc.com.

Fontana Village, Robbinsville

There are a ton of trails in the village, each of them labeled and fairly well blazed. Mix and match from numerous options to make your own loop. You can get a good bit of climbing and long descents, plus technical rock gardens, stream crossings and log crossings on the 20-mile trail system that is among the best in the region. Directions: From Bryson City, take U.S. 74 south 8 miles past Bryson City. Turn right on N.C. 28. Go about 25 miles. www.fontanavillage.com/hiking.

Outdoors+Recreation

Blue Ridge Parkway serves up the best of the mountains

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road that winds for 469 miles from the southern end of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive in Virginia to U.S. 441 at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee.

It’s hard to get lost on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It only goes in two directions — north or south. Short, wooden posts along the edge of the road mark off each mile — the entire 469-mile length of the Parkway — making it easy to know exactly where you are. The milemarker is listed for the recommended stops on the Parkway below, and should be easy to find by watching the mileposts. Hint: the numbers get bigger as you go south, so the end of the Parkway in Cherokee is mile 469.

The Parkway boasts more than 200 overlooks and more than 100 trails. The local section of the Parkway runs from the southern end in Oconaluftee to the Pisgah Inn on the Haywood, Transylvania County line. Along this stretch of scenic road you’ll find highlights such as the Parkway’s highest elevation overlook at Richland Balsam (6,053 feet), views of Cold Mountain made famous by author Charles Frazier, Waterrock Knob and Oconaluftee Visitors Centers, and Devil’s Courthouse Trail.

The Parkway is made for exploring. Here are few suggested highlights in our region, but feel free to ignore them. It’s all about the journey, not the destination.

SELECTED STOPS

Waterrock Knob Visitors Center, milemarker 451

A must for Parkway travelers. Stop here to get recommendations from park rangers on things to do and see, plus pick up a free Parkway map and browse the bookstore. Views are fabulous if you are looking for a picnic spot. Also, there is a one-mile hike to the summit of Waterrock Knob. Interesting fact: the visitor center is powered by solar panels.

Richland Balsam, milemarker 432

The views are great all along the Parkway, but there’s even a milestone achievement available for those don’t want to hike but prefer just getting out of their car to take a picture, enjoy the view, or have a picnic. Just about halfway between the Balsam Gap (U.S. 23-74) and N.C. 215 entrance to the Parkway, near milepost 432, is the Parkway’s highest point (6,053 feet), which is marked with a large sign and a great overlook. Just a mile away at milepost

431 is the Richland-Balsam Self-Guiding Trail, which is just one mile long and meanders through a spruce-fir forest. You’ll top out at an elevation of 6,410 feet, the 10th highest peak in the Eastern U.S.

Devil’s Courthouse, milemarker 422

This one-mile round-trip trail leads to the top of stunning rock formation, a giant pedestal that seems to rise up magically from the mountains around it and makes you feel like you’re on top of the world looking out. Despite the sheer drop off all around you, rock walls provide a sense of safety — just don’t hop over them or let kids climb on the edge. Ecologically, visitors should stay off the cliff face, which is home to peregrine falcons and endangered rock-clinging lichens and plant life. The trail is steep but paved, making it accessible to anyone if you take it slow and steady.

Sam’s Knob, milemarker 420

Stellar hiking trails lead into the Shining Rock Wilderness, passing over grassy balds, rock outcrops, high elevation streams and fir forests. The

area is riddled with trails, some of which extend for miles into the Shining Rock Wilderness, so if you don’t have a map, watch the way you came carefully. To reach the parking area, turn down a gravel forest service road.

Upper Falls at Graveyard Fields, milemarker 419

A high-elevation bowl home to two waterfalls, a swimming hole and crystal clear rocky stream. Unlike the dense forests that engulf most hiking trails in the Smokies, this area is defined by open meadows.

Mt. Pisgah (5,749 feet)

Located near milepost 408, this mountain with the Biblical name used to be part of the George Vanderbilt Estate (he’s the man who built Biltmore Estate). A parking area is well marked, and the hike is only about a mile but it is relatively strenuous to the platform atop the mountain. Once there, however, the 360-degree views are fabulous. Nearby campground and one of the only restaurants on the Parkway at the Pisgah Inn.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Along with knowledgeable rangers who can help you plan your time in the park, fabulous exhibits will take you back in time among the early settlers and Cherokee who called these mountains home. The visitor center chronicles the culture and history of the Smokies, from exhibits on the Civil War in the Smokies to moonshine making. Located on U.S. 441 at the North Carolina entrance to the park, north of Cherokee and near the terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 828.497.1904.

Mountain Farm Museum

This stroll through an historic Appalachian farm offers a window on the ingenuity and self-reliance of early mountain people and Cherokee. A blacksmith shop to make everything from barn door hinges to horseshoes, a spring house to keep milk and butter cool, and sundry buildings for storing the food they raised, from corn cribs to apple houses to smoke houses. The outhouse is a guaranteed eye-opener for kids. Located at the entrance to the park on U.S. 441 just north of Cherokee.

Deep Creek

Enjoy a little of everything at Deep Creek. Hiking to waterfalls, picnicking, mountain biking, camping and what Deep Creek is famous for: tubing. Several outfitters rent inner tubes to float all day in the creek. This is a fantastic place to visit for a few hours because you can do so many different activities without having to go to different places. If you are in the Bryson City area, treat yourself to a visit.

Mingus Mill

The rumble of mill stones, the whistle of corn meal sliding down the wooden shoot, the slap-slap-slap of water falling over the giant paddle wheel. Explore this historic site just one mile from the park entrance on U.S. 441 north of Cherokee.

Clingmans Dome

A paved half-mile trail leads to a soaring lookout tower atop the highest peak in the Smokies. At 6,643 feet, the panoramic view offers spectacular scenery and is one of the best examples of the region’s famed blue mountain ridges marching endlessly across the horizon. The tower features a spiraling 375-foot ramp to the top.

Cataloochee Valley

History and nature intersect in this picturesque meadow, a long, narrow valley cradled by mountains on all sides. An elk herd has been re-introduced into the park and calls the valley home. Cataloochee Valley is also home to a former mountain settlement, with intact farm houses, churches, schoolhouse and cemeteries that can be toured by car and short walks. Pick up an interpretive brochure at the campground on the left after you get down to the valley floor that describes the historic buildings.

Big Creek

This relatively isolated area is a favorite of locals, with a campground, bathroom, picnic area and jumping off point for some great hikes into the Smokies, including the all-day hike up to Mount Cammerer lookout tower. One of the coldest, clearest swimming holes in the Smokies — aptly named Midnight Hole — is a short one-mile-hike up the wide Big Creek Trail.

Western North Carolina’s national treasure

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has an amazing array of mini-ecosystems — from peaks over 6,000 feet to low valleys, from moist densely forested coves to dry meadows. A walk from mountain base to peak compares with traveling 1,250 miles north. Several resident plants and animals live only in the Smokies.

The park has more than 100 species of trees and 4,000 species of plants. Some people say if you throw a rock and then trace its path, you’re likely to walk by at least 30 different kinds of trees.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses more than 500,00 acres and straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, making it the largest national park in the East.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing Events

• First/Third Thursdays — Community music jam, Bryson City. www.fontanalib.org

• Fridays, Memorial Day to Labor Day — Concerts on the Creek, Sylva. www.mountainlovers.com

• Fridays, Memorial Day to September — Groovin’ on the Green, Cashiers. www.visitcashiersvalley.com

• Fridays, Memorial Day to Early September — Concerts on the Square, Hayesville. www.cccra-nc.org

• Fridays, Memorial Day to Late October — Movies on Everett, Bryson City. www.greatsmokies.com

• First Friday of the Month — Art After Dark, Waynesville. Evening stroll of galleries, restaurants and breweries in downtown. www.downtownwaynesville.com

• First Friday of the Month — Art Walk, Murphy. Stroll downtown art galleries, restaurants and shops. www.cherokeecountychamber.com

• Friday-Saturday, Late May to Labor Day — Music on the River, Cherokee. www.visitcherokeenc.com

• Friday-Saturday, Memorial Day to Late October — Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling. www.visitcherokeenc.com

• Friday-Saturday, Memorial Day to Late October — Street Tunes, Bryson City. www.greatsmokies.com

• Saturdays, Memorial Day to Mid-October — Pickin’ on the Square, Franklin. www.franklin-chamber.com

• Monday-Saturday, Early June to Mid-August — Unto These Hills outdoor drama, Cherokee. www.cherokeehistorical.org

• Fridays, Early June to Labor Day — Pickin’ in the Park, Canton. www.cantonnc.com

• Mid-June to October — Friday Night Live, Highlands. www.highlandschamber.org

• Late June to Labor Day — Saturdays on Pine concert series, Highlands. www.highlandschamber.org

Independence Day in the Smokies

• Canton Fourth of July Celebration www.cantonnc.com

• Stars & Strips Celebration, Waynesville www.downtownwaynesville.com

• Red White & Boom, Maggie Valley www.maggievalley.org

• Fourth of July Celebration, Sylva www.mountainlovers.com

• Freedom Fest, Bryson City www.greatsmokies.com

• 4th of July Parade/Fireworks Celebration, Franklin www.franklin-chamber.com

• 4th of July Fireworks Show, Cherokee www.nc-cherokee.com

• Fourth of July Celebration, Cashiers www.cashiers411.com

• Fourth of July Celebration, Andrews www.visitcherokeecountync.com

• Independence Day Celebration, Highlands www.highlandsinfo.com

• Independence Day Fireworks, Murphy www.visitcherokeecountync.com

• Independence Day Parade/ Celebration, Hayesville www.ncmtnchamber.com

• Sapphire Valley Yankee Doodle Dandy Day www.sapphirevalley.com

• Fourth of July Celebration, Fontana Village www.fontanavillage.com

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