Story is co-written with Ashley Kairis and Kayla Minion Franklin, North Carolina, sits 110 miles from Springer Mountain, the starting point for most Appalachian Trail hikers. Over the years, Franklin has seen an increase in thru hikers and has welcomed them with open arms. In 2010, Franklin became the very first Appalachian Trail Community. “Every year […]
Greening Up The Mountains one tradition at a time
April 20, 2017 by
Every 4th Saturday in April, thousands of people from across the southeast crowd the streets of downtown Sylva for a fun-filled day of music, food, arts and crafts and more. This Saturday, April 22, is just around the corner, so get ready! Since 1997, Sylva, North Carolina, has been home to the Greening Up The Mountains festival. […]
Outhouse race to raise money for local charity
February 16, 2017 by
Sapphire Valley Resort is raising money for a local food bank in a very unusual way – a homemade outhouse race on the ski slopes. The tradition that started 11 years ago continues this Saturday, Feb 18, at 11 a.m. “It’s an unusual way to promote a local charity and it always get’s a lot of […]
Landmark Learning gets a new and improved campus
December 17, 2016 by
This story was co-written with Jessica Wooten. Landmark Learning is a hands on school in Cullowhee, North Carolina that specializes in teaching and training people who work or want to work in the outdoor community. Landmark Learning has many different courses to choose from in the categories of water, medical and wilderness. Within these courses, you can […]
Southeast wildfires consume thoughts of WNC residents
December 7, 2016 by
Major drought and dry weather reaching across the southeast has made is easy for wildfires to start. According to the US Forest Service, 59 out of the 61 wildfires were located in the southeast during November. There are currently no active wildfires in Western North Carolina, according to the West Macon Volunteer Fire Department. The […]
The best leaf color in WNC higher elevations is next weekend (Oct. 15-16)
October 10, 2016 by
Whether you resented or embraced the summer’s stifling refusal to leave us last month, its lingering high temperatures have greater significance than allowing our cardigans and hoodies to rest in the back of our drawers a while longer. Dr. Beverly Collins, Western Carolina University’s resident “fall color forecaster,” says a warmer September means a delayed and […]
