Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022 - 56

By MARLA HARDEE MILLING
; Our favorite must-see places, to-do
events, best-of experiences in and around
the WNC-Waters area of Clay, Jackson and
Macon counties. Items grouped loosely into
increasing activity levels. See = relaxed. Do
= some walking/standing required. Play =
option for longer activity.
LEFT: Wayah Bald
Lookout presents a
fantastic view from
5,342 feet.
BELOW: Dry Falls
takes its name from
the opportunity to
stand under it and not
get wet.
SEE
; Whitewater Falls. (Jackson County).
Whitewater ranks as the tallest waterfall
east of the Rockies. There are too many
waterfalls in these three counties to list
individually, but here are a few to consider
visiting: Bridal Veil Falls in Highlands, the
picturesque Cullasaja Falls, located on U.S.
64-28 between Highlands and Franklin.
Word of caution: Rocks are very slippery at
the top of waterfalls and falls can be deadly.
Respect marked areas and enjoy the falls
from a safer level. discoverjacksonnc.com/
outdoors/waterfalls
; The Scottish Tartans Museum and
Heritage Center. (Franklin). More than 600
tartan samples are on display. Plus, it boasts
kilts in its gallery dating from 1800, tartan
specimens from 1725, and a computer
database showcasing more than 11,000
tartan designs. Launched in Highlands in
1988, it's been in Franklin since 1994. Open
year-round, six days a week except major
holidays. scottishtartansmuseum.org
; Bust Your Butt, Bridal Veil and Dry
Falls. (Highlands area). Make the drive from
Hayesville east on Hwy 64 and along the
way pass three North Carolina favorite
falls. claychambernc.com/wp-content/
uploads/2021/04/Clay-County-Area-Waterfalls.
pdf
; Historic Clay County Courthouse.
(Hayesville). Built in 1888, it was added to the
National Register of Historic Places in 1975
and renovated in 2018. The Historic Clay
County Courthouse/Beal Center is now a
unique event venue. Bealcenter.org
56 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
; Wayah Bald Lookout Tower. (Nantahala
National Forest near Franklin). Offers a fear
hike to witness awe-inspiring views from
its vantage point of 5,342 feet. The Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) built the old stone
fire tower in 1937. Travel west on U.S. 64
out of Franklin for 3.7 miles and turn right
at the Wayah Bald directional sign. For more
details visit bit.ly/3F75vWM
; Judaculla Rock. (Cullowhee). See a
legendary sandstone boulder in person
with some 1,500 designs carved into it.
Cherokee legend holds that a giant named
Judaculla created the petroglyphs. It's listed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
atlasobscura.com/places/judaculla-rock
; Dogwood Crafters. (Dillsboro).
Appreciate the handiwork of more than 100
area artisans and makers. The sales gallery
is described as " 12 shops in one " and
features cornshuck dolls, handmade quilts,
wooden bowls, basketry, pottery and more.
dogwoodcrafters.com
VISITNC.COM | JARED KAY
; Cowee School Arts & Heritage
Center. (Franklin). Hosts musical programs
including a full Summer Concert Series,
SEBA Jam Sessions and other concerts
throughout the year. Some events are
free, some require tickets and all are fun.
coweeschool.org/
; Gem & Mineral Museum. (Franklin).
Visit the old Macon County jail in Franklin to
admire an impressive array of gems, one of
the largest in the southeast. fgmm.org
; Peacock Performing Art Center
(Hayesville). Under the banner of 'Big City
Entertainment in a Quiet Mountain Town,'
the Peacock offers comedy, drama, live
music and other events in 250 comfortable
seats with superior sound and lighting.
thepeacocknc.org
OPENER PAGE: Nantahala Lake is home
to great fishing, including freshwater Kokanee
salmon.

http://www.coweeschool.org/ http://www.bit.ly/3F75vWM http://www.fgmm.org http://www.discoverjacksonnc.com/outdoors/waterfalls http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/judaculla-rock http://www.thepeacocknc.org http://www.dogwoodcrafters.com http://www.VISITNC.COM http://www.scottishtartansmuseum.org http://www.claychambernc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Clay-County-Area-Waterfalls.pdf http://www.Bealcenter.org http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022