Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2014 - 25

For every tree that turns a brilliant scarlet

or sunburst orange, there's something to do in the
Southern Appalachians this fall. Lucky are those
who live or visit in the highlands and valleys of the
region, from Maryland to Georgia, Kentucky to
the Carolinas. Cooling temperatures bring extra
vigor to a region already ripe with activities.
north carolina

LEAF PEAK

Avoid the crowded Blue Ridge Parkway by cruising
down U.S. 64 into Chimney Rock State Park (828625-9611/ chimneyrockpark.com) near Lake Lure.
The view from the 315-foot "chimney" is an
astounding place to see the leaf change sweeping
over the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
Stay: The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, Lake
Lure (888-434-4970/ lakelure.com).
Eat: Larkin's on the Lake, Lake Lure (828-6254075/ larkinsonthelake.com).

SPLASh down

Not really, but you'll love getting wet while rafting
down the Nantahala River near Bryson City with
Nantahala Outdoor Center (828-785-5082
noc.com).
Stay: Nantahala Cabins, Nantahala Outdoor
Center (828-488-1622/ nantahalacabins.com)
Eat: Cork and Bean, Bryson City (828-4881934/ brysoncitycorkandbean.com) uses local and
organic when it can and offers bagels for breakfast
and tapas all day, as well as local brews from
Nantahala Brewery.

CASt AwAy

River's Edge Outfitters in Spruce Pine (828-7653474/ riversedgeoutfittersnc.com) guides fly fishing trips along more than 3,000 miles of waterway
in the region.
Stay and Stay: With its own trout fishing
pond, Vance Toe River Lodge in Plumtree (828765-9696/ vancetoeriverlodge.com) has an inn,
cabins, campsites, restaurant, winery and brewery.

ALL AboArd

Leaving from Bryson City, Great Smoky
Mountains Railroad's open-air gondolas take leaf
lookers through the Nantahala Gorge. Bluegrass
musicians and storytellers perform during the 4.5-

hour round-trip excursion (800-872-4681
gsmr.com).
Stay: Fryemont Inn, Bryson City (828-4882159/ fryemontinn.com).
Eat: At Nantahala Outdoor Center's River's End
Restaurant (828-488-7172/ noc.com) during the
trip's one-hour layover.

The sun never sets on
options for day hikers
and backpackers in West
Virginia's Monongahela
National Forest.

Kidding Around

Children's events at Grandfather Mountain or
Grandfather Mountain State Park (800-468-7325/
grandfather.com), like Creatures of the Night and
Bonfire Delight Oct. 4, will inspire interest in nature.
Stay: Yonahlossee Resort & Club, Boone (828963-2393/ yonahlossee.com)
Eat: Splurge worthy, The Gamekeeper
Restaurant (828-963-7400/ gamekeeper-nc.com) at
the resort grills wild game and serves Southern comfort food in an old mountain lodge-style home.

APPLE PiCKing

The 45-minutes hayrides at The Orchards at
Altapass (828-765-9531/ altapassorchard.org) near
Spruce Pine pass beneath old apple trees and
include stories about early settlers, revolutionary
war fighters and the coming of the railroad. Pick
(or buy) a peck of apples while you're there.
Stay: Switzerland Inn, Little Switzerland
(828-765-2153/ switzerlandinn.com).
Eat: Mountain View Restaurant, Little
Switzerland (828-766-9670/ mountainviewrest.
com).

gEt CrAFty

A local tradition since 1948, the Craft Fair of the
Southern Highlands in Asheville (southernhighlandguild.org) convenes more than 200 juried craft
artisans who excel in clay, fiber and other media.
Stay: Aloft Asheville Downtown (866-7168143/ aloftashevilledowntown.com).
Eat: Small plates at Bull and Beggar, Asheville
(828-575-9443/ the-bull-and-beggar.com) are extra
tasty when preceded by an Iron Rail IPA at Wedge
Brewing Co. next door.

LooKing AhEAd

The Tail of the Dragon (U.S. 129) near Tapoco -
318 curves in 11 miles - is considered to be one of
the toughest motorcycle and sport car challenges in
the country.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | 25

http://www.gsmr.com http://www.fryemontinn.com http://www.noc.com http://www.grandfather.com http://www.chimneyrockpark.com http://www.yonahlossee.com http://www.gamekeeper-nc.com http://www.lakelure.com http://www.larkinsonthelake.com http://www.altapassorchard.org http://www.noc.com http://www.nantahalacabins.com http://www.switzerlandinn.com http://www.mountainviewrest.com http://www.brysoncitycorkandbean.com http://www.mountainviewrest.com http://www.southernhighlandguild.org http://www.southernhighlandguild.org http://www.riversedgeoutfittersnc.com http://www.aloftashevilledowntown.com http://www.the-bull-and-beggar.com http://www.vancetoeriverlodge.com

Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2014

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