55 26 ADOBE STOCK ADOBE STOCK NOT FEATURES 26 ISLANDS? IN THE MOUNTAINS? LET'S GO EXPLORE They're mostly not very big, but all are distinctive. BY SU CLAUSON-WICKER 32 A RIVER RUNS THROUGH THEM: BLUE STATE PARKS Water defines many state parks, these especially so. BY ANGELA MINOR 40 SPLASHY TO SERENE: A PHOTO ESSAY IN BLUE Our contributing photographers capture the best of mountain waters. 46 HOW TO LOVE A RIVER: FRENCH BROAD MUSINGS You can take a river for granted when you grow up beside it. Or not. BY LAUREN STEPP 52 ANNE ROYALL: AMERICA'S FIRST FEMALE JOURNALIST? Her pioneering independence reached all the way to a president. BY SU CLAUSON-WICKER 55 SOUTHWESTERN NC WATERS QUICK GUIDE Here's your guide to exploring Jackson, Macon and Clay counties. BY MARLA HARDEE MILLING 65 KATY BROWN: FIRST LADY OF EQUITY THEATRE The artistic director at Virginia's Barter Theatre is charting new ground. BY BRUCE INGRAM ON THE COVER Summer skies reflect off beautiful Lake Lure, located in Rutherford County, North Carolina. PHOTO BY ROBERT STEPHENS DEPARTMENTS 10 12 6 Letters 8 From the Editor Mill Creek Stories Creature Feature 14 The Good Walk 16 Our Blue Ridge Towns 18 Festivals & Events 23 Country Roads 70 Flavors 72 Singing in the Garden 74 The Mountain Q & A