How the western North Carolina outdoors community mobilized to help with Hurricane Helene relief.
9 | FIELD REPORT
A guide to hiking Maryland’s stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
44 | THE OUT AND BACK
A dad watches his kids process the distaster of Hurricane Helene.
46 | THE GOODS
A gift guide for gear lovers.
50
| TRAIL MIX
New songs from Bon Iver and Tim Heidecker.
22
| THE LAST MILE
An A.T. section hike becomes a full family quest.
32 | BEAR BRAVERY
A test of fortitude becomes a lesson in perception.
39
| UNRAVELING PLATEAUS
A teacher learns to unwind backpacking in Dolly Sods.
FROM THE STAFF OF BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS
We dedicate this issue to the many incredible communities in our region affected by Hurricane Helene. These beloved destinations in western North Carolina and surrounding areas have long been cherished by our staff and readers, and as their residents forge ahead on a path to recovery, we stand with them, inspired by their resilience and confident they will rebuild and thrive. Together, we celebrate their unwavering spirit and look forward to the adventures ahead.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL GARRIGAN
Carve out an unforgettable
winter escape.
Atop Snowshoe Mountain, there is a flurry of fun for the whole family to enjoy. This winter, hit the slopes and carve out an adventure to remember. Amidst these frosted mountaintops, you’ll discover your own slice of Almost Heaven.
Snowshoe Mountain
Rapid Response
How paddlers, climbers, and other members of the outdoor community sprang into action after Hurricane
Helene devastated western North Carolina
BY MIKE BEZEMEK
“I SAW SOME PRETTY DEVASTATING things,” said Andrew Wilmot, a swift-water rescue instructor for the Nantahala Outdoor Center. On September 27, violent floodwaters related to Hurricane Helene were sweeping across western North Carolina. Wilmot was asked to fill a spot on a search and rescue team heading north to the swollen Pigeon River.
“When the Pigeon was cresting, it felt like an earthquake with the boulders tumbling,” he recalled. During their response, the team worked along shore and entered the rising waters to rescue trapped people. Sadly, they couldn’t reach everyone.
“People washing away in cars,” Wilmot said about the horrific things they witnessed that day. “People drowning. People losing everything.”
When Wilmot returned home to Bryson City, about a half-hour drive from the path of destruction, he wanted to do more. Given the intensity of the storm, he realized there
were residents across the stricken areas who needed immediate help. There were widespread power outages. Tap water wasn’t flowing. Homes, vehicles, and possessions were destroyed in places. With cellular and internet communications down, there was no way to contact loved ones or coordinate help. So Wilmot decided to act.
“I pulled the trigger and rented a U-Haul,” he explained. Wilmot spent the weekend shuttling out to unaffected towns like Franklin, N.C., and Clayton, Ga. He purchased drinking water and food and collected donated provisions. Then he drove into devastated areas around flooded rivers, threw open the rear door, and handed things out.
Wilmot’s neighbor, a firefighter in the affected town of Lake Junaluska, was able to arrange access to an official supply depot. When cell and internet service was restored that weekend, Wilmot set up a GoFundMe donation page called Help on the Way. He
reached out to friends who wanted to get involved. Step by step, a solo response was turning into a grassroots effort.
Expanding Efforts
“As soon as I saw someone had a direction, I jumped on it,” said Dan Dixon, a long-time paddling instructor at NOC. After several days with almost no communication, yet knowing people were at risk, he was feeling frustrated.
Once connected, Dixon learned that Wilmot had developed several infections during his grassroots response. He’d gotten cuts on his elbow and foot and debris in his eye from the muddy floodwaters of the Pigeon River. Clearly, the grassroots responder could use some help.
By that point, area businesses and churches were serving as impromptu supply depots. On October 3, Dixon headed over to Innovation
PHOTO BY AMY MEDFORD
Brewing in neighboring Jackson County, which had recently started canning drinking water instead of beer. He readied the supplies to speed up loading when Wilmot arrived.
Gradually, more friends teamed up with Wilmot. Some focused on finding water sources to fill the U-Haul. Others focused on food, clothing, and household items. People took turns traveling with Wilmot to make deliveries in the affected areas.
In Clyde, N.C., on October 4, the Help on the Way team departed from a church distribution center with the U-Haul fully loaded. Then Wilmot took a wrong turn toward the river, and they found themselves outside a home. Dixon began conversing in Spanish with a Latin American family. Their house was still standing, but the interior had seen several feet of flooding. Outside, the scene resembled what was happening throughout nearby towns.
“At every house, there’s an eight-foothigh pile of debris,” said Dixon. “Gray, dingy mountains of furniture, mattresses, electronics, and garden supplies.”
Like other residents, the family had lost all their possessions. Elsewhere, entire neighborhoods were covered in inches or feet of thick mud. Encounters like this led Wilmot, with a team now numbering eight, to expand their collection efforts to recovery items. Oil burning lamps. Propane stoves. Generators. Shovels. And mattresses for people like the family in Clyde.
Impromptu Hubs
“We never really closed the doors that weekend,” said Luke Walden. He and Chelsea Brinton are local climbers and co-owners of Innovation Brewing in Sylva. Unlike the surrounding region, the taphouse regained internet access late on the night of September 27. So, they stayed open and became a hub for residents trying to contact family and friends.
“Monday morning is when we decided,” said Walden. “The best way to get water to town was to can it.”
They started with two pallets—just under a thousand cans of drinking water. Using Walden’s pickup truck, they drove the pallets over to Asheville, where the donation was well received. So, they went back to the brewery and canned four more pallets for donation and pickup by responders.
Around this time, a guest in the taproom approached the co-owners. She’d just read a Facebook post from a local volunteer named Amy Medford who was searching for an interior space around Sylva. The hope was to establish an impromptu distribution hub for donated supplies. The brewery co-owners
offered an interior event space, at their Dillsboro location, called the Greenhouse.
Organizing Supplies
“I fell ass-backwards into this,” said Amy Medford, a resident of Franklin, N.C. Avid paddlers and outdoor adventurers, her family had relocated to the mountains of western North Carolina about two years ago. After fortunately dodging the storm, she’d noticed numerous posts by Facebook friends trying but failing to contact residents in the affected regions. So she and her husband began driving around trying to locate certain individuals.
When Medford saw that Wilmington Response, a disaster relief nonprofit organization, was seeking volunteers, she responded immediately. Her initial task was to set up a distribution hub. On September 30, she went to Innovation Brewing to meet with Walden and Brinton.
Soon, the Greenhouse was filling up with donations arranged by other volunteers. Medford evaluated and organized these supplies for distribution. The co-owners and brewery regulars helped load goods onto
volunteer vehicles, like Wilmot’s U-Haul or Walden’s pickup. Off they went to towns in the affected area, sometimes checking on new spots to gauge their situation. Back at the brewery, Medford kept track of reports from returning volunteers, who shared what was needed and where. While the organizational response from local, state, and federal agencies expanded, the need for grassroots efforts remained.
Some small towns were cut off by muddied or damaged roads. So, volunteers came forward with off-road vehicles that could make the trip. Eventually, Innovation’s Greenhouse was overflowing. So, Medford and a growing team expanded into a warehouse in nearby Sylva, N.C.
As relief efforts gradually shifted to include recovery and rebuilding, the team gathered and distributed buckets, work clothes, and rubber boots. Personal protection equipment included gloves, masks, and Tyvek suits. Workers in the affected areas were clearing mud deposits that some feared were toxic due to pollution carried by floodwaters.
“It’s really neat to see the team effort,” Medford said. “These are people that will just do what needs to be done, because they want to help their neighbors.”
PHOTO BY AMY MEDFORD
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY CUNNINGHAM
TAKING STEPS
Maryland’s section of the Appalachian Trail is the perfect introduction for backpackers considering a thru-hike
BY BJ POSS
THRU-HIKING IS A COLLECTION of small victories: getting up the day’s ascent, finding the water source before dark, enjoying the company of shelter-mates. And those able to stack enough of those victories, perhaps six months’ worth, sprinkled in with side quests, a handful of zero days, and a hiker festival or two, could end up walking the entire 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
“The beautiful thing about hiking is that life moves at the same pace whether you're out there for an hour in your local park or deep in the backcountry for days on end,” says Katie “Oats” Houston, community manager for Sawyer Products and a contributing writer to The Trek. “If you're a confident weekend warrior, you've likely got the skills to execute a thru-hike. For most folks, logistics is the limiting factor: money, time, or obligations back home. Section hiking is a great way to increase your confidence, comfort, and chances of success.”
Due to current responsibilities, hiking the entire A.T. is indeed still a dream on the distant horizon for me. But earlier this year, I decided to get a proper taste of the trail by hiking the entire section of the famous footpath that runs through Maryland. I did the reasonable 41-mile jaunt—right around the trail’s midpoint—with my old man to welcome his retirement, a passage to the next phase in life. Here’s a step-by-step guide to an attainable section hike that offers a perfect introduction to the A.T.
Pen Mar Park
(Southbound Starting Point)
A.T. Mile Marker 1067.4/1285 feet
We were dropped at the PA/MD border on Pen Mar Road in early spring and pointed south towards
Harper’s Ferry, W.Va. We had solar lights and down jackets hanging off our packs, way too much beef jerky, and a loose grip on what 1,000 feet of elevation gain in a single mile entails.
We planned for five nights to cover just over 40 miles. Plenty of folks could knock out 15-20 miles a day at a steady pace. One hiker, trail name The Optimist, bopped into camp as we were putting our sleeping bags down for the night and shared that he was on a 32mile/day pace. But he didn’t scoff at our honest 8-mile average; he congratulated us on our journey as he nudged a half-eaten deli sandwich onto a campfire rock.
The voyage from Pen Mar to Raven Rock offers a condensed preview of what lies ahead. It eases in with a mile or so of wooded flatland, moseys through an eerily scenic boulder field, and ascends roughly 600 feet of incline over the course of a half mile. Take your time; the rocks aren’t going anywhere. Set a layer for the rest of your trip by lulling your pace to the boulders rather than forcing your way around them. Your breaths will get deep at times, but remember that’s part of the fun, even if you don’t see it that way until you’re back home.
Raven Rock Shelter
A.T. Mile Marker 1061.7/1066 feet
Pro tip: Sure, the name of the game is shedding weight, but if you’ve got somebody who doesn’t mind briefly being a mule, carry a bag of frozen beef, which will thaw during your first day on the trail and make for a well-deserved first-night camp meal.
The water source at Raven Rock is a deceivingly lengthy walk from camp. You'll be tempted to relax on arrival, set up your tent, and
take a load off. But I suggest you drop the weight of your pack and fuel up on water for the night while you’re still warmed up. Even if you’re tenting it, spend some time at the shelter around chow time to begin collecting stories and tips from fellow hikers.
Pogo Campsite
A.T. Mile Marker 1052.6/1607 feet
No fuss, no shelter. Pogo is a collection of beautifully dug-out tent sites and a privy. So if rain is to come, consider hoofing it to Pine Knob Shelter or cutting the day short at Ensign Cowall Shelter. Here was our only bear encounter. “BEAR IN CAMP” rang through Pogo’s rigid tent sites. Everybody chimed in to not only warn but deter. It came just after sunrise, causing everyone to silently worry that they were the ones who hadn’t completely sealed their dinner trash from the night
before. I’m not sure if it could smell something or just happened to be moseying through, but it didn’t pay us or our chants much attention. I appreciated that about him. He was young and likely used to being around hikers. He lived by the code, one foot in front of the other, and moved on within minutes.
Dahlgren Backpack Campground
A.T. Mile Marker 1043.9/1057 feet
As you cross over the I-70 footbridge, take a moment and watch the cars. I couldn’t help but wonder where they were all going and why they had to get there so quickly. After two days of your speed being one foot in front of the other, the running may suddenly feel silly. You’ll think back on all the rushing you’ve done or dread what rushing is to come. Either way, may your pace to the other side of the bridge be a reminder that no matter
ALL PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR
your speed, you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be.
“It takes at least four nights for what I call my ‘thought knots’ to start to untangle and for me to reach the mental state I really love when I'm out there for weeks on end,” Oats says.
Dahlgren is your clean site with a hot shower. Call up Rasco NY Pizza in Boonsboro. They’re a bit of trail magic in themselves in that they’ll deliver to the Old South Mountain Inn parking lot, which is not even a quarter mile from the Dahlgren Campground.
The ultimate vulnerability required to ask a stranger sitting on a curb for a slice of their pizza can only be found by running solely on oats and dreams. But that’s what the hike is all about—the kinship of
shared self-induced suffering. The parking lot pizza is the trail's magic way of pulling each of us closer to our internal finish lines, determined by miles and markers.
Rocky Run Shelter
A.T. Mile Marker 1042.1/950 feet
A near-0 day! Sleep in, take your time, clean your hiking clothes, and let them dry. A creek can be heard from the Rocky Run shelter. If you follow the footpath down to it, the “old shelter” is just up the hill. Maryland notoriously has some of the most well-kept shelters on the trail. But the old shelter is worth visiting, even if just for a nice quiet sit. Its stumpy stature overlooking the creek holds the essence of wooded huntsmen taking elbow-lifting pulls of XXX-
labeled clear jugs.
Ed Garvey Shelter
A.T. Mile Marker 1033.0/1072 feet
This is your last night. Fill up on any food you’ve got left or offer it to a shelter-mate who is trekking on. Build a fire and make some friends before you go.
Harpers Ferry
A.T. Mile Marker 1026.6/280 feet
“One of my favorite trail sayings is HYOH - Hike Your Own Hike. People interpret that in different ways, but for me, it means to honor your own process,” says Oats. “Feel empowered to try new gear, honor your body, say ‘that's not for me,’ and hike on when confronted
by someone trying to cramp your style. Give yourself your own trail name, put smiles over miles, and remember there are many ways to engage with the trails we all love; thru-hiking is one of many.”
The fabric of the scenic West Virginia border town of Harpers Ferry is sewn together by hiker camaraderie and passion like a fireside patched 30L pack. Roughly 3,000 hikers attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail each year, with about a quarter completing the feat. They will all pass through Harpers Ferry, whether for a zero-day, a cheeky beer at the Rabbit Hole, or just to bask in the mist coming off the Potomac River. If you’ve got the time, get a celebratory room and walk the stone streets.
Virginia Tourism celebrates the Top Adventure Towns across the Commonwealth and stands with those recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Now, more than ever, your visit matters. With fall’s peak season upon us, it’s the perfect time to explore Virginia’s outdoor towns. From hiking scenic trails to savoring local flavors, your visit helps these resilient communities rebuild. Be part of their future—plan ahead, travel with care, and support local businesses.
Start your adventure at virginia.org/outdoors.
Barter Theatre
Virginia Creeper Trail
Blue Ridge Parkway
Top Adventure Towns 2024
Readers pick the best Blue Ridge towns to live and play
BY ERIC J. WALLACE
THE BLUE RIDGE IS HOME TO SOME OF the planet’s most beautiful mountain ranges, forests, wilderness areas, and waterways—and it’s chock full of culture-packed, outdoorsloving towns and cities.
Each year our editors compile a list of the region’s top 100 hubs across four categories: Tiny, small, medium, and large. Then we invite readers to pick their favorite adventure-ready places to live, visit, and play.
Now thousands of votes have been cast and champions have emerged. The winners offer stunning scenery, beautiful parks and greenways, proximity to stellar outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as thriving local businesses, restaurants, bars, and cultural offerings.
Read on to learn more about this year’s Top Adventure Towns.
Editor’s Note: Voting for our annual Top Adventure Towns contest and most of the reporting on the winners took place before Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding to the mountains of western North Carolina and areas in surrounding states. Although we’d still like to celebrate these towns, destinations in this article are currently dealing with effects of the storm and are not able to be visited. Contact local officials for travel advisory updates. And to learn how you can help those affected by Helene, visit blueridgeoutdoors. com/helene.
TOP LARGE TOWN Winner
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville has long been the beloved adventure epicenter of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so it’s no surprise that our readers named it the region’s Top Large Town. As of press time, the city was in the very early stages of recovery, still reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. Many parts of town, including the vibrant River Arts District, experienced unfathomable destruction. With homes and businesses still without power and water—and many uninhabitable—
inspiring scenes emerged of locals coming together in a time of crisis. Neighbors helped each other with rescues and shelter, while many of the city’s well-known breweries and restaurants cooked free meals and passed out bottled water.
It’s going to take a long time for the city to get back to full strength, but Asheville is full of determined adventurers who will diligently rebuild and eventually get back to enjoying surrounding nearby outdoor treasures, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, and 6,684-foot Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
To find out how you can help Asheville, and for updates on travel advisories, visit exploreasheville.com.
Runners Up
Roanoke, Va.
The town and surrounding Roanoke Valley are outdoor recreation hotspots, as locals mountain bike at Carvins Cove, hike the Appalachian Trail, and ride road bikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Charleston, S.C.
This historic Southern port city is surrounded by rivers, creeks, and lakes for kayaking and paddleboarding, so locals who love water-based adventure can typically be found gliding across favorites like Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek.
TOp
ADVENTURE TOWNS
LARGE TOWNS 2024
Alexandria, Va.
Asheville, N.C.
Augusta, Ga.
Bowling Green, Ky.
Charleston, S.C.
Charlotte, N.C.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Chesapeake, Va.
Clarksville, Tenn.
Columbia, S.C.
Columbus, Ga.
Frederick, Md.
Hampton, Va.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Lexington, Ky.
Lynchburg, Va.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Raleigh, N.C.
Richmond, Va.
Roanoke, Va.
Roswell, Ga.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Wilmington, N.C.
Winston-Salem, N.C.
MEDIUM TOWNS 2024
Alpharetta, Ga.
Annapolis, Md.
Beckley, W.Va.
Boone, N.C.
Bristol, Va./Tenn.
Charlottesville, Va.
Clemson, S.C.
Cumberland, Md.
Danville, Va.
Frankfort, Ky.
Fredericksburg, Va.
Greenville, S.C.
Harrisonburg, Va.
Johnson City, Tenn.
Maryville, Tenn.
Moncks Corner, S.C.
Morganton, N.C.
Morgantown, W.Va.
Sevierville, Tenn.
State College, Pa.
Staunton, Va.
Waynesboro, Va.
Winchester, Ky.
Winchester, Va.
Woodstock, Ga.
TOp
ADVENTURE TOWNS
SMALL TOWNS 2024
Abingdon, Va.
Bedford, Va.
Belmont, N.C.
Boonsboro, Md.
Brevard, N.C.
Clifton Forge, Va.
Dahlonega, Ga.
Dawsonville, Ga.
Elizabethton, Tenn.
Galax, Va.
Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Hendersonville, N.C.
Lewisburg, W.Va.
Lexington, Va.
Marion, Va.
Pickens, S.C.
Prestonsburg, Ky.
Somerset, Ky.
Somerset, Pa.
Summersville, W.Va.
Travelers Rest, S.C.
Walhalla, S.C.
Waynesville, N.C.
Woodstock, Va.
Wytheville, Va.
TINY TOWNS 2024
Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
Blowing Rock, N.C.
Bryson City, N.C.
Burnsville, N.C.
Cape Charles, Va.
Cherokee, N.C.
Damascus, Va.
Davis, W.Va.
Elijay, Ga.
Elkton, Va.
Fayetteville, W.Va.
Floyd, Va.
Halifax, Va.
Helen, Ga.
Hot Springs, Va.
Lake Lure, N.C.
Marlinton, W.Va.
McHenry, Md.
Old Fort, N.C.
Park City, Ky.
Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Spruce Pine, N.C.
St. Paul, Va.
Sylva, N.C.
Townsend, Tenn.
TOP MIDSIZE TOWN Winner
Charlottesville, Virginia
Say “Charlottesville” and most people think of the University of Virginia, wine, or the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, but outdoor aficionados know the little city has much to offer in the way of adventure.
For starters, it sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains a 45-minute drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, George Washington National Forest, Appalachian Trail, and Shenandoah National Park. Great family-friendly paddling opportunities are found in town on the Rivanna River, while access to the mighty James River awaits just 20 miles to the southeast. Residents can carve up 129 skiable acres of snowsports at Wintergreen Resort less than an hour away. And there’s also a whopping 96 miles of mountain biking trails in and around town.
“I love that I can step right outside my backdoor and have so many options for outdoors things to do any time of the year,” says longtime resident and Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Coalition vice president Sam Lindblom, who spearheaded efforts to form the state’s first public school-sanctioned competitive mountain biking team at Albemarle High School in 2015.
The other top thing he loves about Charlottesville “is it’s such a cultural melting pot.”
“We have the kinds of restaurants and cultural opportunities you’d expect to find in major cities like Washington D.C.,” says Lindblom. Major, midsize, and small music venues attract artists that range from pop megastars like Sabrina Carpenter to festival favorites like the Infamous Stringdusters or jazz up-and-comer Julian Lage.
Top it all off with a beautiful outdoor mall downtown, a 40-vineyard vino region that Wine Enthusiast named the world’s best for 2023, and more than two dozen area craft breweries and cideries? Now that’s a winning recipe.
SCENES FROM IN AND AROUND CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.(TOP) KAYAKING AT BEAVER CREEK RESERVOIR. (BOTTOM LEFT) THE FARMERS MARKET AT IX ART PARK. (BOTTOM RIGHT) MOUNTAIN BIKING IN HEYWARD COMMUNITY FOREST. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE CVB
Runners Up
Sevierville, Tenn.
The town where country legend Dolly Parton grew up is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its 800 miles of maintained trails. Anglers come to the area to cast for smallmouth bass in the Little Pigeon River, while paddlers and rafters love to bounce through the class III-IV rapids of the Upper Pigeon.
Boone, N.C.
This college town in the North Carolina High Country has long been revered for an abundance of outdoor treasures. Favorites include hiking the Daniel Boone Scout Trail to Calloway Peak, riding at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, and skiing at nearby resorts, including Beech Mountain. Boone is currently in recovery mode after severe damage from Hurricane Helene, so contact local officials and businesses before planning a visit.
TOP SMALL TOWN Winner
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Its position on the northern edge of 522,000acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park
has transformed this small town in the rural southeastern Tennessee highlands into a bustling destination for outdoors lovers of all stripes. But don’t let the sparse population fool you: The Smokies attract some 13 million official visitors a year and a high percentage of them stop in Gatlinburg. That means you’ll find a busy downtown area brimming with eateries, music venues, and drink spots.
“We’ve really got the best of both worlds,” says Kaitlyn Kerrigan, a head river guide with Nantahala Outdoor Center Gatlinburg. She loves that you can spend the day doing things like hiking to stunning views from 6,593-foot Mount Le Conte, then follow with craft beers and a topnotch meal in the heart of downtown. “That’s not something you can say about many places,” she continues. “And it makes this town really, really special.”
But while the Smokies boast more than 800 miles of walking trails—including a 72-mile span of the iconic Appalachian Trail—outdoor opportunities don’t stop there. Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Resort offers 35 skiable acres and a lift-served MTB park with a dozen purpose-built trails. And there are tasty kayaking opportunities on the Little Pigeon River and miles of beginner to intermediate friendly whitewater on the lower Pigeon.
RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES ARE PLENTIFUL IN THE SCENIC SMALL TOWN OF GATLINBURG, TENN.
Runners Up
Brevard, N.C.
Brevard is a tight-knit mountain community in western North Carolina that is beloved by mountain bikers, hikers, and waterfall seekers. It’s surrounded by a massive stretch of public lands, including Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Recreational Forest. As of press time, Transylvania County was still under a travel advisory after experiencing widespread damage from Helene.
Clifton Forge, Va.
Tucked away in a scenic valley in the Allegheny Mountains, Clifton Forge is surrounded by some of Virginia’s most unspoiled terrain, with the Jackson River flowing through town and Douthat State Park just minutes away.
TOP TINY TOWN
Winner
Cherokee, North Carolina
The municipal seat of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ 56,000-acre Qualla Boundary is one of the most scenic—and under-the-radar—outdoor destinations in the Southeast. Cherokee’s quaint, historic
Calling WINTER WANDERERS
MOUNTAIN BIKERS AND ANGLERS HAVE MUCH TO EXPLORE IN CHEROKEE, N.C. PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT CHEROKEE, NC
downtown area occupies a narrow valley that sits about a mile from the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, sandwiched between Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north and the Nantahala National Forest to the south. The town is surrounded by densely forested and sparsely populated 3,000-plus-foot peaks that are home to countless trout streams. And it’s bisected by a gorgeous, 1.5-mile public greenway and park system that occupies both sides of the Oconaluftee River.
A quarter-century of fiercely intentional revitalization and hard pivot toward an outdoor recreation economy has spurred an ongoing renaissance. It’s brought Cherokeecentered shops, outfitting operations, an outdoor store, new restaurants, and a nativeowned brewery and distillery.
Outdoor recreation is bountiful in Cherokee. Hiking opportunities are plentiful, with dozens of picturesque waterfalls and summits within a few miles of town alone. Anglers can pick from a slew of guided outings along the Oconaluftee and its tributaries, and paddlers can find everything from expert to beginner-friendly whitewater rafting within 30 minutes of town on the Nantahala River. In the cold months, carve powder at the Cataloochee Ski Area, which
sits less than 20 miles away.
But in Cherokee, mountain biking really steals the show. The tribal-owned Fire Mountain Bike Park is less than a mile from downtown, features about 14 miles of pro-grade trails, dozens of wooden features—and won’t cost you a dime to ride. Highlights include half-mile-long, feature-packed progression trail Skilly and 2-mile doubletrack rollercoaster, Kessel Run. The latter brings 2,000 feet of vert.
Runners Up
Blowing Rock, N.C.
Located in the North Carolina High Country just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock is a quaint village with vibrant local businesses located near stunning mountain scenery. Visitors typically flock to the town during the crisp fall months, but at press time many roads—including the Parkway—in surrounding Watauga County were still closed following Helene.
Elkton, Va.
This tiny town sits just minutes from Massanutten Resort and the Swift Run Gap entrance of Shenandoah National Park. Local businesses like Elkton Brewing Company and Small Axe Farms Hostel are hospitable to adventurers.
ELKTON, VA. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY TOURISM
THE LAST MILE
After two decades spent section-hiking the Appalachian Trail, a retiree left a single mile untrodden for a celebration with his aging dad and friends. But with injuries and illnesses mounting, would everyone make it to the end?
BY MIKE BEZEMEK
“THE BEGINNING OF THE WILDERNESS WAS TOUGH,” SAYS Bob Corradetti.
It was August of 2021, when he and three friends started backpacking from Monson, Maine, into the 100 Mile Wilderness. Each day, the hikers spread out along one of the most remote and rugged sections of the roughly 2,195-mile Appalachian Trail. Wearing heavy packs, they progressed past steep pitches, loose scree, tricky boulders, and jolting bedrock. When sporadic rains fell, the humidity felt suffocating, and the route became slippery.
On day five, Lou was feeling overheated, so he went ahead to collect water from a stream. Coming next was Ingrid, followed by Bob and Lynn. Each of them was a dedicated section hiker in various stages of completing the entire A.T. Forty miles into the wilderness, Bob had about 323 miles left, spread across five states.
“I took a regular step,” says Bob. “And I felt a sudden sharp pain and a snap.”
The 69-year-old Bob soon realized his week was over. It wasn’t the first time a section hike had ended early, usually due to weather. This time, he couldn’t put weight on his right knee without wincing. Fortunately, a day hiker heading out from Gulf Hagas had a vehicle nearby. Bob managed to limp a few miles down a side trail and catch a ride.
During his drive home, the injured Bob was distraught. As usual, Bob stopped at his dad’s house near the Delaware Water Gap. Nearby was a single mile of the A.T. that Bob had left untrodden. He planned to walk it last, so he could complete his section hike during a celebration with his dad and friends.
But Fred Corradetti was now 90 years old and struggling with his own health issues.
During a 20-year Navy career, he’d done plenty of mandatory training marches, including summiting Mt. Fuji in Japan. Now, Fred was an avid supporter of his son’s endeavor.
“I hope you can still finish the trail,” said Fred.
POPLAR RIDGE IN MAINE.
Bob hoped so, too. But with his knee aching, he was seriously wondering if he’d ever make it to that last mile.
From Steps to Seeds
“I didn’t understand why many hikers prefer uphill to downhill,” Bob says about when he began hiking the A.T. “I used to jump from boulder to boulder, but now I’m older and slower.”
Bob’s first experience on the A.T. came in 2005, at the age of 53, when a friend invited him on a three-day backpacking trip. Bob was a nurse at the University of Delaware, which allowed him time off during college breaks. He continued doing sporadic trips and eventually joined the Wilmington Trail Club, whose members focused on hiking the A.T. in Pennsylvania.
In 2013, Bob joined the neighboring Chester County Trail Club, which organized two-week trips to day-hike the southern portion of A.T. Each June, around 15 members rented a house near the trail. Every day, the group would focus on a different segment, about 10 miles in length. Half the group would park at the northern trailhead and hike south. The other half parked at the southern trailhead and hiked north. When everyone met in the middle, they exchanged keys and drove each other’s cars back to the house— just in time for cocktail hour.
In the club, Bob became friends with members like Lynn and Lou, whom he would eventually hike with for a thousand miles. It’s also how Bob earned his trail name: Waldo.
“In the beginning, I was pretty fast,” says Bob, who often waited for others to catch up.
During one club trip, he missed the connector trail and kept hiking. “Everyone is saying, ‘Where’s Bob?’ Later, I was getting so slow that I was always lagging behind. ‘Where’s Bob?’ kind of morphed into ‘Where’s Waldo?’”
By mid-2016, after three summer club trips, Bob had completed the southern end of the trail: about 390 miles between Springer Mountain in Georgia to near Roan Mountain, Tennessee.
trail town usa is now open for business
bike the virginia creeper trail from the start to the heart 17 miles from abingdon to damascus, Shuttles available
For over 100 years the Virginia Creeper has been a vital connection between our communities. We are open for business and your trail towns need your continued support. Find lodging, restaurants, and shopping in both Abingdon and Damascus.
Grayson Highlands State Park is open and can be reached from the Chilhowie side.
Expect local trail and road closures temporarily until conditions can be assessed and damage can be repaired, including the Virginia Creeper Trail from Whitetop Station.
view updates and current trail closures at visitdamascus.org
During other trips with club members, friends, and his son Jeff, Bob completed all of New Jersey’s 72 miles, Maryland’s 41 miles, and most of Pennsylvania’s 230 miles. That amounted to roughly a third of the entire trail, and the seed was planted. For the first time, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail seemed possible.
Easy Miles and Hard Knocks
“I thought I should tackle Virginia next,” says Bob. The triangular state has 550 trail miles, the most among the 14 states along the A.T. Given its southern location, Virginia seemed suitable for fall attempts.
On Thanksgiving Day in 2016, Bob, Jin, and Richard hiked north from Skyland in Shenandoah National Park. The weather and trail terrain were mild, and nearly 50 miles later they reached Front Royal on Sunday morning. Most of the state would not come so easy. The following Thanksgiving, Bob, Lynn, and Leslie met up north of Roanoke for a long weekend of day hikes. Then an ice storm closed the roads. So the hikers walked short sections of the A.T. and returned on the empty Blue Ridge Parkway, trudging through snow and fallen branches.
Bob’s retirement in September of 2018 allowed him to hike the following month with Lou and Jin. They went southbound on a steep section through Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. It was hot out when the
BOB, DURING A BRIEF REST WHILE HIKING IN MAINE.
remnants of Hurricane Michael arrived. At first, the steady rains felt refreshing. Then temperatures dropped into the 40s, and Lou went hypothermic. The trio hit the road just five miles from Damascus and put their thumbs out.
Other trips went better. The Grayson Highlands involved a breezy walk through mountain meadows, with longhorn cattle and wild ponies. Bob and his wife Reneé went back to Shenandoah National Park and day-hiked south of Skyland. He and friends did 75 miles northbound from Roan Mountain to just past Damascus, closing the five-mile gap they previously accrued. For that trip, they traveled with light packs and slept in hiker hostels.
In the north, it took Bob, Lynn, and Lou three summers to knock out New Hampshire’s 161 miles. The trail was challenging with rocky and steep sections, where ladder rungs of rebar were embedded in stone. Here they did the Appalachian Mountain Club’s hut-to-hut trip, each paying over $100 per night for a place to sleep, cold running water, and a hot dinner and breakfast.
Bob recorded his completed sections in a copy of the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker’s Companion, which he used to plan the next hikes. Gradually, he knocked off parts of Vermont and southern Maine until 2021. Then, just 323 miles short of completion, his right knee buckled, and he stumbled out of the 100 Mile Wilderness.
BOB RESTS AFTER FINISHING THE VERMONT PORTION OF A.T.
Progress and Doubts
Back home, Bob saw an orthopedist who believed it was only arthritis of the knee. Bob wasn’t convinced, but he welcomed the chance to continue. With the help of a cortisone shot and knee brace, he shrugged off the discomfort and was back on the trail six weeks later. After seven days in Vermont, moving slowly for 87 miles, the pain returned. Ultimately, Bob would need arthroscopic surgery to clean up a torn meniscus. He regretted not completing the tough northern sections years earlier, when he hiked ahead of the pack. If Bob wanted to finish, it was going to be a painful slog.
“People always say [to me] that your knees hurt because you did that stuff,” says Bob, explaining he doesn’t regret continuing. “I see people all the time in the store who can barely walk, and they never did the A.T.”
The summer of 2022 involved forward progress and further setbacks. Bob and Lou completed Connecticut’s 52 miles and New York’s 88 miles.
Now Bob’s left ankle was hurting—an overuse injury from favoring the right knee. Returning to Maine, the two friends went southbound about 74 miles from Monson to Straton. Along the way, they crossed the Kennebec River by canoe ferry. At one point, Bob was descending a slick rock face. He grabbed a tree for support and pulled a muscle in his shoulder.
Late that July, they returned to the 100 Mile Wilderness. Completing the 60 miles past the access road took a week. When Bob reached Abel Creek, other than an easier 60-mile gap in Virginia, he had just 15 difficult miles remaining, the round-trip ascent of Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park.
But an aching Bob was being cautious, so he drove south with hopes that 2023 would be the year.
“What do you mean you’re having doubts,” said Fred, when his son visited to plan the Last Mile party. By now, Fred's health was deteriorating, even as he happily anticipated attending the Last Mile party and a Navy reunion.
“You’re gonna finish,” said Fred. “If I gotta pull you up there myself.”
LYNN, LOU, AND BOB ATOP THE HORN IN MAINE.
OLD RAG MOUNTAIN
FIND WHAT YOU LOVE IN MADISON
Mount Katahdin and the Last Mile
“Katahdin really kicked my ass,” says Bob, who did six weeks of PT to prepare.
When Bob and Lou picked up their permit in July of 2023, the ranger told them an average hiker takes 8-12 hours roundtrip. But they wouldn’t return for fifteen hours. On the ascent, they carefully negotiated loose slopes and large rocks. Upon reaching the boulder-strewn summit at 5,269 feet, there was little time to celebrate. Weather was rolling in, and they were exposed above tree line. The descent felt disturbingly slow, including a lengthy traverse of a landslide zone in the rain.
“I finally finish Katahdin,” thought Bob, as the sky flashed, and thunder rumbled. “And we’re going to get struck by lightning.”
Instead, the exhausted pair staggered into camp. Bob had done the math. He’d walked over five million steps in nineteen years. Now he could barely move, so Renee helped him climb into their motorhome.
“I was hurting,” says Bob, but then he laughs. “Lou came up with the rigor mortis scale. I was a nine and ten is the true rigor mortis.”
If Katahdin was Bob’s hardest hike, walking the last mile was the easiest. Two months later, 30 people joined him at the Kittatinny Point Visitor Center at the Delaware Water Gap. Renee,
Jeff, and Bob’s daughter Dina were there. So were trail buddies like Lou, Leslie, and Jin. Club members came from Wilmington and Chester County. Together they strolled across the I-80 bridge over the Delaware River.
Afterward, the celebration moved to
Pub 447. Other folks arrived with Fred, who brought his son an engraved crystal plaque. The full length of the A.T. changes every year, due to minor trail rerouting, so each section hiker’s final mileage is a little different. Bob put $2,190.40 on the bar, and the drinks flowed. During a speech, Bob shared his trail adventures with each guest present.
“I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun,” says Bob.
However, sad news soon followed. During the event, Fred sat at the center table, loving the chance to reminisce with family, friends, and A.T. hikers who had stayed at his house over the years. By the end, Fred felt fatigued and needed help rising from his chair. A month later, and a year before his Navy reunion, Bob’s dad passed away a few days short of his 93rd birthday.
“In retrospect, it was like a living wake,” Bob says, reflecting about the Last Mile party.
Bob initially thought the completion of his section hike meant the end of his A.T. days. But many of his friends had their own sections to complete, so the hiking continued. Bob was back on the trail with Lou when he finished in Damascus. Lynn ended at Harpers Ferry. Leslie at the James River.
BOB AND HIS DAD FRED AT LAST MILE PARTY.
My Shaggy Bear Story
BY ROBERT MCGEE
FOR A TIME, I LIVED NEAR 10,000 acres of national forest on land adjoining an organic farm owned by a friend. Back then, my friend traveled a great deal for work and, as he was setting off for one of these trips, we met by chance on our shared driveway. After a few neighborly words, I asked if I could do anything for him while he was gone, and he said, “Just keep an eye on my family.”
Now, I’m a Capricorn, a highly responsible human, and this can be a double-edged sword. I take requests (and life) seriously—a little too seriously, a few former girlfriends have said. But try as I might to lighten up, I've learned to accept that I am who I am. When a neighbor casually suggests I watch out for his family, protecting his loved ones becomes my main mission in life.
The very first night my friend was away—just as dusk descended upon the land and frogs began to peep—I stepped onto my porch to enjoy their wondrous sounds. And that's when, in the distance, I got my first glimpse of what I immediately took to be a dangerous-looking bear. Hallelujah! I thought. A chance to serve and protect my friend's family the very first night!
This wasn’t just any bear, though. This was an obviously mischievous bear who was lurking near my friend's honeybee hives with awful intentions. I didn’t have much experience with bears at the time, hadn’t yet read any helpful tips for how humans should behave or stay safe around bears. From what
I could see, this bear appeared to be about as big as bears get where we live, and one thing seemed clear: Once this monstrous bear destroyed the beehives and gorged on the honey, he’d storm into my neighbors’ home with his big gooey paws and cause further mayhem. What choice did I have but to (very bravely) take action to save my friend’s wife and son? “Go away, bear!” I called out. “Get away from there, bear!” I yelled as I raised my fists high and gave a mighty ROAR!
Yell as I might, that dang bad bear wouldn’t budge. Even after three boisterous roars, he sat immobile like a king on his throne. With each roar, I raised my fists higher, my voice louder (while also hoping I wouldn’t disturb my friend’s wife and child). But that dang mangy bear sat there like an immovable statue or rock. As my ursine foe sat there unfazed with stoic patience, I wondered, Is he mocking me, or trying to teach me some sort of lesson?
“Are you a bear or the Buddha?” I yelled at the stubborn beast, but no response, nada. I mean: That. Bear. Wouldn’t. Move.
I suppose I might have yelled a fourth time, but by now I feared losing my voice. I couldn’t risk getting hoarse because, once the real battle between man and bear ensued, I’d need my voice to call for help. So I decided to outsmart that awful bear by playing it cool and faking him out. And so I did what any self-respecting brave human would do: I went into my lair and poured a stiff drink.
A few minutes later, I returned to
the porch, highball in hand, hoping that my massive invader might have skedaddled. But alas, that bad news bear was still there.
Lately, I've noticed that our bear population seems to be growing at a faster-than-normal rate. Maybe it's because housing developments have wiped out large swaths of habitat. Or maybe it's because newcomers who know nothing of bears leave out smelly, enticing food scraps with trash. All year, I've been hearing more and more stories about brazen bears lounging around people's yards, breaking into cars, or parading past tipsy tourists who tempt fate by taking selfies near them. Recently, some fools in my town even made headlines when they got caught on camera clutching a traumatized cub they'd snatched from a tree. While it’s headscratching and enraging to see folks confuse wild animals with Disney animations, I must admit that back when this story took place, I didn’t know much about bears.
But at the time, I was so worried about that bear harming my neighbor's family that I didn’t sleep very well. In fitful dreams, dozens of big hungry bears traipsed onto my porch and broke into my
home. Massive hairy invaders transformed my monkish lair into a musky bear lodge, and I awoke from that night's final nightmare just as the biggest hungriest bear (the ringleader, I guess) was about to take my relatively small head into his gigantic open mouth… I rushed to the porch before sunrise the morning after the bear encounter without making coffee. I didn’t need it. I was sleep deprived but hyped on adrenaline and eager to scan the land for the beast. It was still dark. I couldn't see much, so I leaned over my porch railing, thinking that getting a little closer might help. I was very brave, I tell you. Even Marlin Perkins from the old Wild Kingdom TV show would have been impressed by what I did next. Because I couldn't see whether or not the bear was still there, I crept off the porch to sidle a few feet nearer the bear. Okay, so I don't know whether this was brave or just stupid. If the latter, I suppose I could blame my stupidity on not having had coffee to help think things through. In hindsight, I know I could have waited till the sun was fully risen. Despite being a Capricorn, I'm sometimes an impetuous fool.
PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR
My rash and possibly stupid act that day stemmed from my overly responsible worry that the bear might be injured and in need of help—though, if so, I wouldn't have known what to do.
In the years since my risky encounter, I've learned a fair amount about bears. I know that it's dangerous to be anywhere near sows when cubs are near; I know the dangers of getting near boars when they're eating or mating. And I know not to wear a meat necklace when I take a nap in my hammock.
But on this day (back before I got myself educated), I crept nearer to get a closer look at the bear that I feared might be injured. I very bravely—bravely, I tell you!—inched closer to the bee hives and still could not quite make out the bear and so wasn't sure what was going on and so (bravely, I tell you) kept creeping closer until I was maybe twenty-five feet away from what I'd convinced myself was a large injured bear but was in fact...a large and healthy blueberry bush!
Oh, sweet relief! How joyful I felt to be alive and to be me!
How glad I was not to have called a wildlife expert or panicked my neighbor’s peace-loving family during the night. What a lune they might have believed me to be. For the longest time, I vowed never to tell this story for fear of being considered as foolish as people who get caught on camera pulling young cubs from trees. But as both human and bear populations continue to grow and natural habitats shrink, I now feel compelled to urge any and all who venture into our mountains to learn a bit more about the wildlife they come here to see. I hope that others will take it upon themselves to learn a thing or two about bears as I have set out to do since that fateful night years ago.
But by golly, I'm happy to report that I held up my end of the bargain. I protected the hell out of my neighbor’s loved ones. That big old berry bush wasn’t gonna get anywhere near his wife and child.
TheGoOutsideandPlay
Guide
Escape to the Blue Ridge for an unforgettable early-winter getaway. With crisp air and stunning views, the region is perfect for 24- and 48-hour adventures. In just a day, you can hike scenic trails, see breathtaking views, and savor local flavors. Extend your stay to explore quaint towns, enjoy a local festival, or immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene. Whether you’re looking for a brief escape or a quick adventure, these itineraries will help you make the most of your time in the Southeast.
A DAY BY THE WATER IN SOLOMONS ISLAND, MD
Solomons Island, Maryland, nestled in rural Calvert County, is a hidden gem renowned for its rich maritime history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. Situated where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay, this charming waterfront community boasts breathtaking views, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or a relaxing long weekend getaway.
MORNING
Drive onto Solomons Island, park at one of the free public parking lots and grab a hot cup a’ joe at the Bugeye Grill Morning Coffee Café. Take a stroll down the halfmile boardwalk overlooking the majestic Patuxent River, soak in the sun, and get your steps in while checking out the fully walkable island community.
AFTERNOON
Continue sightseeing at the Calvert Marine Museum, where prehistory, natural history and maritime heritage come together to tell a unique story of the Chesapeake Bay. This family-friendly museum boasts live animals, fossils,
interactive exhibits, daily activities, and a furnished, cottage-style lighthouse that you can climb inside and explore!
EVENING
Savor a relaxing evening at the Tiki Bar & Grill Solomons with a cocktail in hand while watching a stunning Solomons Island sunset. Treat yourself to a delicious cup of authentic cream of crab soup at one of the local waterfront restaurants. Finally, drift off to sleep to the soothing sound of waves at one of the island’s three charming, familyowned bed & breakfast inns for a perfect end to your day.
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LOCAL TIP
Enjoy a delightful one-hour sightseeing cruise aboard the Wm. B. Tennison during the warmer months!
AN OUTDOOR LOVER’S WEEKEND IN GRAHAM COUNTY, NC
Graham County is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Experience thrilling class IV and V rapids on the Cheoah River, mountain biking in the Tsali Recreation Area, and the iconic Appalachian Trail. For a more relaxed adventure, enjoy backcountry trout fishing, miles of hiking trails, and peaceful lakes like Santeetlah, Fontana, and Cheoah. Whether you’re seeking a lake day, scenic drive, epic thru-hike, or a quiet creekside picnic, Graham County has it all!
DAY ONE
Start your day with breakfast and a peaceful sunrise yoga session at Snowbird Mountain Lodge
Afterward, embark on a scenic drive across the Cherohala Skyway
National Scenic Byway, soaking in stunning mountain vistas along the way. Finish the morning with hikes to Hooper Bald and Huckleberry Knob, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.
Enjoy lunch at Lynn’s Place , then explore Wehrloom Honey for local honey, mead, honey
sodas, and handcrafted bath products. Afterward, head to Kin Cafe for a caffeinated pick-me-up before taking a peaceful stroll through Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to see some of the largest trees on the East Coast, or opt for a short but rewarding hike to Yellow Creek Falls along the picturesque waterfront.
DAY TWO
Head to Fontana Village for breakfast at Hazel’s, where you’ll enjoy views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Afterward, hike across Fontana Dam and up to the Shuckstack firetower for stunning vistas of Fontana Lake and the surrounding mountains.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Stecoah Valley Center, and if you’re lucky, time your visit to coincide with one of their annual festivals, like the Stecoah Harvest Festival. It’s a true local treat, featuring live music, artisans, crafters, and hands-on demonstrations.
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Close the weekend by watching the sunset aboard Miss Hazel during an evening history tour on Fontana Lake. Afterward, rest for the night at one of the area’s unique accommodations, whether it’s a historic lodge, cozy cabin, yurt, Conestoga wagon, waterfront RV resort, treehouse, or geodesic dome—there’s something for every traveler!
LOCAL TIP
Even the nightlife takes you outdoors here. Enjoy stargazing under dark skies and marvel at the twinkling fireflies. The region’s commitment to dark sky preservation makes these after-sunset experiences unforgettable.
Savor dinner by the river at Tapoco Lodge , enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Afterward, wrap up your night with a movie at the charming Historic Tin Can Theater , or unwind with a classic old fashioned at the Laurel Lounge
A CHARMING DAY IN CHARLESTON, WV
Head to the Capital of West Virginia for a full day of fun! This vibrant region offers a fantastic mix of outdoor activities and in-town attractions, making it an ideal destination for a family getaway. From scenic rivers to engaging local experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the day.
MORNING
Start your morning on Charleston’s West Side with a cozy visit to Vandalia Co. Treat yourself to a seasonal coffee paired with homemade scones or a hearty breakfast sandwich, perfect for fueling your day. Afterward, take a short stroll to Kin Ship Goods, where you can browse a curated selection of West Virginia-inspired apparel, accessories, and unique home goods.
AFTERNOON
EVENING
and reel to try your luck while soaking in the stunning natural surroundings!
SO MUCH TO SEE IN SOSI
Located in the heart of Southern Virginia, Danville and Pittsylvania County offer scenic farmers markets and historic main street communities, traditional and one-of-a-kind museums, award-winning trails and waterways. Whether visitors come for family friendly excursions or more adult-ish night-on-the town itineraries, we offer warm hospitality and abundant activities, unique delights, and plenty of adventure. So, what are you waiting for? Visit SoSi.
MORNING
Bring your own kayak or rent one from Coal River Group to enjoy a tranquil float on the beautiful, world-class flat waters of the Coal River. This scenic river is teeming with a diverse range of fish, including small-mouth bass, walleye, and catfish, making it a perfect spot for fishing enthusiasts. Don’t forget to pack your rod
Spend a lively evening in downtown Charleston with a visit to Brewers Row
Explore the local brewery scene by stopping at Short Story Brewing, Fife Street Brewing, and Bad Shepherd Beer Co., located inside Black Sheep Burrito. Each spot offers a full dinner menu, so you can pair your drinks with great food. No evening downtown is complete without indulging in a sweet treat from Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream, the perfect way to end your night on a tasty note.
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HIDDEN GEM
Stop by the Speakeasy inside Hale House. This space will transport you to the 1920s with the esthetic and traditional red room cocktails!
Start your morning with a refreshing sunrise stroll or bike ride along the scenic Riverwalk Trail. Afterward, head to the Danville Farmer’s Market to explore fresh produce, local vendors, and artisans. For breakfast, swing by Link’s Coffeehouse or Crema and Vine, two cozy local spots offering delicious pastries, bagels, and seasonal lattes.
AFTERNOON
Gear up for adventure at Moss Mountain Outfitters and The Brick Running and Tri Store, specializing in outdoor gear and running apparel. Once you’re set, explore the 53 acres of paved and stone trails at Wayside Park, including the
scenic Meadow Trail. For a more thrilling experience, head to Angler’s Ridge, home to one of the longest single-track mountain bike trails in the region, perfect for an afternoon of outdoor excitement.
EVENING
To cap off your day, check into The Holbrook Hotel or The Bee Hotel, two boutique options in historic districts. Start your night at 2 Witches Winery and Brewing Co., where you can enjoy craft spirits, wine, and live music. Then, head to River District Social, a trendy sports bar offering virtual golf, bowling, and a lively atmosphere to wrap up your evening in style.
South Union Street Pocket Park is a lively urban space, perfect for picnics, casual seating, and hosting events in the heart of Danville.
PHOTO BY THE COAL RIVER GROUP
AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY IN BOWLING GREEN, KY
Bowling Green offers a wide range of adventures, from the aweinspiring Mammoth Cave National Park to the hidden wonders of Lost River Cave. Whether you’re drawn to the natural beauty of hiking, camping, and caving or prefer quirky attractions, this destination promises unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveler.
MORNING
Start your day like a local with a freshly brewed coffee from Spencer’s Coffee in downtown Bowling Green. This cozy spot is a favorite among locals for its welcoming atmosphere and expertly crafted drinks. Afterward, satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Groovy Gus Donuts, where you’ll find a variety of mini donuts bursting with creative flavors and fun toppings. From classic favorites to bold combinations, these bitesized treats are the perfect way to indulge and start your morning on a sweet note.
AFTERNOON
Mammoth Cave National Park, where you can delve into millennia of human history, hike, bike, and even camp. Another must-visit is Lost River Cave, offering a unique hidden boat ride through the underground caves right in the heart of the city!
EVENING
For a magical experience, visit The Reindeer Farm to feed and meet live reindeer, enjoy ice carving demos, and join in holiday-themed activities for all ages. Or, explore the world’s longest cave system at
End the day at Chaney’s Dairy Barn, a 6th-generation dairy farm distributing products across Kentucky and neighboring states. Enjoy juicy burgers, indulge in unique ice cream flavors, and watch a robotic milking tour to see how it all gets made. The farm also offers a corn maze and a free playground for family fun!
Fulfill a lifelong dream by driving a Corvette at the NCM Motorsports Park— an unforgettable thrill! BUCKET LIST
Unraveling Plateaus
A teacher learns how to unwind backpacking in West Virginia’s Dolly Sods Wilderness Area
BY MICHAEL GARRIGAN
THE PARKING LOT IS shockingly empty when I arrive. Everything I’ve read online tells me that this place gets hammered by crowds, especially on the weekends. Thankfully, I’m able to come in the middle of the week since my summer vacation just started. I’m grateful for the emptiness and the flexibility to go when the weather’s right and most people are at work. To be crowded when I’m seeking solitude, as I do when I’m backpacking, is as bad as having to sign bathroom passes and have lunch duty. My summers have become my time to unravel into a feral state of living each day as it comes, a stark and drastic change from the rest of my year,
which is spent in a classroom community of teenagers where our conversations and deep dives into literature and writing are structured by bells and assignments and grades. Over the past few years, I’ve begun each summer vacation with a backpacking trip in order for my body and mind to step into the openness and possibility that the next 10 weeks will afford me.
Right as I’m about to hitch my pack and head out, a car pulls in and a middle-aged guy who looks very similar to me hurriedly gets out and before I even have a chance to lock my doors, is already walking by, trekking poles tapping the gravel behind me.
“Hey man, have a good hike!,”
I yell.
“Yeah, you too! Classes ended last week, so I’m heading out into the woods,” he mentions without stopping.
“Hah! Nice! Me too! See you around,” I say knowing full well that neither of us really wants or needs to see the other over the next few days. A kindred spirit who respects the need for unstructured solitude. I watch as he takes a left at the juncture and so when I set out, I go to the right.
I’m surprised at how low the river I’m hiking along is already. I’m surprised by how worn the trail is. I’m surprised by the amount of campsites along the creek, all empty. As I make my way up the valley and across the creek and begin ascending a ridge, my surprise turns inward. I’m surprised how quickly I fall into a routine-less day and how quickly my body adjusts to carrying a heavy pack and walking on a rocky trail and how easy it is for me to notice what needs to be noticed: chickenof-the-woods growing on a rotting oak log, the white leaves of Allegheny blackberry splattered throughout long fields of thick fern like the last errant snow of April, quartz sandstone erratics
frozen in their slow naked erosion surrounded by beech and blooming mountain laurel.
One of the things I love about teaching is that each day is unlike the previous, inevitably full of the unexpected, which is also what I love about backpacking into wild areas. Each holds very different types of mysteries—a classroom is full of the human mystery, whereas the woods are full of the nonhuman. I love them both, but for me to fully engage with and honor the multitude of adolescent surprises that my job entails, I need to get into places as wild as Dolly Sods where I’m able to lose myself in another world that is slowly, deliberately, organically, happening and existing and occurring on its own time and within its own energy and along its own wavelength. I need to let myself go a little and be shaped by a landscape that is far from my day-to-day life as a teacher.
I spend the next few hours climbing out of the Red Creek ravine and make my way towards Lions Head where I’m granted sweeping views south into the Roaring Plains West Wilderness. After a nice lunch of Nutella, almond peanut butter, and honey wrapped in a tortilla, I hike back down to the Red Creek Trail until I
reach the forks and set up camp for the night. It’s easy to see how much use this area gets by the number of stone fire rings along the creeks. Since it’s midweek, I have the place to myself. I find a boulder along the water to sit on and read as sunlight fades out of the woods. I listen to a concert of eastern towhees and dark-eyed juncos and vireos—some blue-headed, some red-eyed— and Hermit Thrushes fill dusk and I’m reminded that animals, too, experience joy. I’m full of gratitude for being here, bearing witness to these gleeful melodies. I sleep deep that night with my rainfly open and a cool early summer breeze rustling through my sleeping bag.
I take the next morning slowly: drinking instant coffee, eating hot oatmeal, watching fog lift off the creek and into the canopy before dissipating into a steady stream of sunlight and caddisflies. I have no
place to be, no job to commute to, no attendance to take, no lesson to deliver, nothing to do but walk. So that’s what I do, meandering uphill, gaining elevation as I make my way through stands of Eastern Hemlocks and cedar and bright pink blooming mountain laurel. I know it’s supposed to be up in the 90s back home but at this elevation, it stays in the 70s and the humidity that has been suffocating the riverlands back in Pennsylvania hasn’t found its way here. With each step I take, I shake off the routines of my job and untangle myself from the months of grading and, at times, intense intellectual conversations, listening more intently to the sounds of the rhododendron thickets.
I stop in a grove of sugar maple for lunch and let my feet dry from walking through a
particularly wet sphagnum bog an hour earlier. By afternoon I am traversing wind-swept grass sods lined with stunted red spruce and yellow birch twirling in wind that is long gone but will inevitably appear again soon. I’m too early for blueberries, but each stem that brushes my leg brings me happiness knowing the sweetness they’ll hold in a few weeks. The north end of this wilderness is truly unique. It reminds me of hiking in Nova Scotia or the alpine area of Maine. Eventually I make my way to the western ridge where I set up camp, the wind blocked by a nice boulder field. I spend that evening and night immersed in the wide, expansive heath barrens dotted with stunted trees and well-worn boulders creating an unraveling plateau where I let myself untether and unfold into an endless horizon.
In West Virginia, even the chilliest days bring the most heartwarming memories. Explore snow-covered trails or simply cozy up by the fireplace for a night in. Whatever winter adventure looks like to you, it all awaits in the
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
Babcock State Park
TO BUILD A FORT
BY GRAHAM AVERILL
TEENAGERS DON’T BUILD FORTS. They look at their phones, they hang out with friends while looking at their phones, they play sports in between looking at their phones. I know this because I have two of them, a boy and girl, twins, both 15, and they haven’t built a fort in years. It used to be one of their favorite pastimes. They’d have a few friends over and they’d head off into the woods of the vacant lot down the street and fashion an elaborate lean-to with sticks and leaves.
It was good, wholesome fun, and I loved that fort-building phase of their childhood, a phase that has since been replaced by video games, poker games, cruising the neighborhood in packs, and probably less savory pastimes I don’t want to think about. I understand that these phases of childhood are important, but if my kids could have the decency to remain 10 years old, stuck in the fort-building phase until I pass away at the ripe age of 112, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings.
I had a glimpse of that dream recently after Hurricane Helene devastated our hometown of Asheville, and my kids decided to spend a day building a massive fort to pass the time. The storm hit our town hard, causing all kinds of damage that we’re still trying to wrap our heads around. Almost 100 people lost their lives. More lost their homes and businesses. It was a horrific natural disaster that also wiped out cell communications for several days in our immediate area.
I don’t know how many times I’ve wished for the evaporation of cell phone technology since having kids. In my dream, we’d wake up one morning and all our phones would just be dead. Social media platforms that occupy so much of our free time would be gone. The constant need to check and respond to emails would be a memory. My son wouldn’t constantly pepper his mom to give him “more screen time.”
That’s essentially what
happened to us in Asheville after the storm. About an hour after the worst of the winds and rain hit, knocking countless trees over in my neighborhood alone, our phones just died. No calls could go out. No internet could be found. Instagram was a ghost. It stayed that way for several days.
The feeling of disconnection was disorienting at first. I couldn’t get news, I couldn’t message my family or reach anyone who wasn’t in my immediate vicinity. When my wife left the house to get water, she left a note on the counter so I knew where she was going. If you wanted to talk to someone, you had to find that person and talk to them face to face. It was like time travel. We were suddenly back in the ‘80s.
And my kids, who for the past few years have lived their lives with the phone as the engine of their social lives, were right back in that decade with us, only with the ambiance of a natural disaster coloring the background.
My own childhood didn’t have the trauma that my kids have been living through. First, they navigated a global pandemic and now this natural disaster. They’ll either be super resilient or super fucked up as they get older. Time will tell. I didn’t have to contend with any of that. I grew up in the ‘80s in a small town in the South, so I spent my time exploring the woods and farms near my house, ogling throwing stars at the local knife shop and buying bootleg tapes of RATT and Twisted Sister at the flea market. It was great. I was bored a lot, but that’s okay because kids are supposed to be bored. You figure out who you are when you’re bored. I learned how to draw and wrote mystery stories about missing rabbits and threw a tennis ball against the wall of my house for hours on end, because there was nothing better to do in 1987 in Kennesaw, Georgia.
My kids are never bored because they have these amazing little computers in their pockets that
deliver them videos of cats dressed like Elton John playing Mozart on demand. I can’t say that I blame them. Why would you draw a picture or throw a tennis ball when you can watch an Elton John kitty playing classical music?
But for a week in Asheville, the tiny computers in our pockets were worthless, which meant for the first time in years, my kids were bored. So they built a fort. It was an elaborate structure using the exposed root system of a downed tree in our backyard as a foundational wall. I watched that tree fall from my bedroom window, praying it wouldn’t hit my neighbor’s house. It was a big, 100-year-old white oak. It missed the neighbor’s house by about two inches and smashed their trampoline instead.
At first, it was just my son and daughter working on the fort, but word got out amongst the other teenagers in the neighborhood and soon there was an army of 15 and 16 year olds, each wielding hatchets to dismember the branches of that tree and fashion those branches into a massive bunker of sorts, kind of like the camouflaged tents you see in those old war movies. It was a large fort, roughly the size of the living room in our home. They dug couches into the ground and spread a parachute down as a rug. They loaded the fort with provisions—a 12pack of root beer and some FunYuns.
It took them several hours and they had a blast. There was carnage from the natural disaster all around that fort. Trees had smashed houses and cars, telephone poles were
ripped out of the ground, wires hung across the street. A mile down the road the French Broad River ripped a swath of destruction along its corridor. But inside that fort, the world was in order.
Everybody handles stress and uncertainty differently. No more than 24 hours after the storm ravaged our town, I saw a guy mowing his lawn with his electric mower. Nobody had power at this point, and there were trees that had smashed cars and houses all around him, but there he was keeping his front lawn as tidy as can be, as if he was going to host a picnic later that day. A good friend of mine spent most of his free time disassembling the small oak that had fallen in his own backyard. He didn’t have gas for his chainsaw, and we couldn’t get gas at that point, so he did it with an axe and hatchet. It was hard, sweat inducing work, but he was determined to get it done. When he was finished, you could barely tell a tree had fallen at all.
I watched these people and thought about the legend of the band that played songs while the Titanic sank. When there is chaos, we grasp for some sense of control and order. We mow our lawn. We chop up a tree. My kids built a fort. It was a good way to establish order, to start to comprehend the devastation that had just occurred. Watching the process, and watching my kids revert to their younger selves for just a brief time, gave me a small sense of order as well. It put the world back in place, just a little bit, serving as a bright spot in a dark storm.
WINTER GIFT GUIDE
The holiday season is here and we are here to help you find presents for the outdoor lovers in your life. Presenting our picks for the best gifts for adventurers.
BY DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN
Dometic
CFX5 45L
We wager this cooler is better than your home fridge and it’s the dream gift for that glamping freak in your life. Plug it into a generator or Dometic batteries and you can enjoy the refrigeration and freezing power down to -7 Fahrenheit, with the ability to create dual cooling zones and adjust temperature via the Dometic app. $950; dometic.com
Columbia
Flare Gun Stretch Flannel
While it may simply look the part of a cool flannel from the grungy, outdoor-obsessed, this do-it-all shirt comes with built-in superpowers. The Omni-Wick material is fast-drying so you won’t sweat it out when you make the move from the cold to indoors. It’s a fave for dog walkers. $60; columbia.com
Fjallraven
Expedition Fleece Hoodie
Cozy and soft to the touch, this performance hoody that doesn’t look too technical is the perfect choice for women who like to get after it on the trail but can transition to down time in a hurry. The recycled fleece material wicks moisture and is made without PFAS. $215; fjallraven.com
CEP Compression
The Run Compression Mid-cut 4.0 Sure, socks have a rep as a boring gift. But these are not just any socks. Compression in the arch and ankle keep your feet stable and refreshed during and after a run. Plus, the fabric and design wick away sweat and provide some ventilation. $20; cepcompression.com
Blundstone
#2440 Men's Leather Chelsea Boots
No shoe does it all like a Blundstone—wear them to the bar, to work, weddings, and on hikes. This classic model combines water-resistant leather and the brand's famed tough outsole (first developed by Tasmanian sheep shearers) in a shoe that’s the dream gift for anyone who lives a busy and slightly rough-and-tumble lifestyle. $210; blundstone.com
Cotopaxi
Mero Organic Flannel
This snazzy flannel is the perfect layer for a crisp day. Made from 100% organic cotton and coming from a company with a strong sustainability ethos, it's a good gift for those who value environmental ethics. $100; cotopaxi.com
Arc’teryx
Granville Crossbody Bag
The fanny pack is old news. This handy, waterproof cross-body pack proves that you can look cool while having all your stuff secure and within easy reach. And it’s a nice size and price to be the perfect gift for any outdoorist. $100; arcteryx.com
Duer
Performance Denim Slim
You can never go wrong giving jeans as a present. Better still, the performance denim here has the stretch, temperature-regulation, and wicking abilities to take it on hikes and road trips. Even better? The great-looking slim fit. 129; shopduer.com
Yeti
Cast Iron Skillet 12
Here’s an outdoorsy gift you can give to someone who never leaves the kitchen, as well as those who love to play gourmet at camp. Yeti’s sturdy, smooth, pre-seasoned cast iron works just as well on a gas stove as it does over a campfire. $250; yeti.com
Victorinox
Huntsman
The classic stocking stuffer pleases pretty much anyone. The original Swiss Army brand gives campers, hikers, adventurers, and epicureans a pocket knife with blades, corkscrew, tweezers, and more. $52; victorinox.com
COLUMBIA
FJALLRAVEN
BLUNDSTONE
ARC’TERYX
DUER
CEP COMPRESSION
YETI
VICTORINOX
COTOPAXI
SP X RUMPL
Nanoloft Tabiki Blanket in Pro
Epic Ink
This limited-edition blanket combines all the coziness of RUMPL with the Japanese style of Snow Peak in a camp blanket built of fireresistant materials that will look the part in those Insta photos. Give it to anyone who likes to snuggle up. $199; snowpeak.com
Outdoor Tech
Turtle Shell 4.0
Tough and waterproof, this Bluetooth speaker will be a hit with campers, festival goers, and anyone who likes to bring the party along on adventures. It charges faster than previous models and will juice up via a USB-C. $80; outdoortechnology.com
Grayl
30 oz. GeoPress Nesting Cup and Lid
Have no idea what to get your outdoorsy bud? Start with this camp-stove compatible stainless steel nesting cup that works just fine on its own but also fits Grayl’s water filter ($100), which you can buy for them or they can add later. $25; grayl.com
National Parks Uncovered
A standout for any coffee table and a lot of fun to peruse, this book explores every one of the U.S.'s 63 national parks, with stories from rangers, fun facts, and recommendations for how to visit alongside stunning photos. $25; mcnallyjackson.com
TVLA
The Summit Scholarship Foundation
Summit Scholarship Program
The 2025 Women of Mountaineering Calendar Support the Summit Scholarship program, which is on a mission to advance gender equity on and off the mountain, by gifting this beautiful calendar. Each month shows off the exploits of a trailblazer in the peaks from Phunjo Lama in Nepal to Allie Pepper in Australia. It’s solid inspiration for anyone. $30; summitscholarship.org
Wild Country
Flow Chalk Bag
This rip-stop,fleece-lined beauty is the ideal gift for the gym or crag climber in your life who could always use a new chalk bag. $30; wildcountry.com
Align[Mat] V1
Got someone looking for some grounding? No matter if you don’t have experience or want to up the subtleties of your yoga practice, this durable nifty mat with alignment cues built into the design will help. Plus, the brand is owned and operated by a hard working yoga teacher. $118; tvlashop.com
NRS
Clipper 110
This inflatable touring board is the ideal gift for the paddler who loves adventure and exploration. Built for big tours and overnight trips, the 11-foot inflatable—which comes complete with two interchangeable fins, a pump, and a backpack to carry it in—features a V nose and multiple air chambers, giving it just the right tracking and stability for those lengthy trips. The series also includes a 12-foot model and wider versions for larger loads. $895; nrs.com
SP X RUMPL
OUTDOOR TECH
GRAYL
WILD COUNTRY
TVLA
NRS
THE SUMMIT SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
OUR FAVORITE SONGS IN NOVEMBER
Best New Music from the Blue Ridge and Beyond
BY JEDD FERRIS AND DAVE STALLARD
EVERY MONTH OUR EDITORS
curate a playlist of new music, mainly focusing on independent artists from the South. In November we’re highlighting new tunes from Bon Iver and Indigo de Souza.
BON IVER
After recent electronic experiments, Justin Vernon goes full circle with his sound and gets back to the sparse folk that first garnered his long-running indie outfit acclaim. The acoustic tune, from the recently released EP “SABLE,” finds Vernon ruminating on regret via his signature falsetto and gentle guitar strumming. It’s reminiscent of the songs on Bon Iver’s 2007 landmark album “For Emma, Forever Ago.” – J.F.
THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
“Possum”
Considering the band’s instrumental wizardry, it wasn’t surprising that, early in their career, the ‘Dusters pivoted from a more traditional bluegrass sound to one grounded in improvisational exploration. The band offers an homage to Phish, another band with a knack for sonic spontaneity, on “Possum,” the first offering from their latest album, “Undercover, Vol. 3.” This latest collection also includes interpretations of tracks from the Grateful Dead, Avicci, and Harry Styles, among others, showcasing the 'Dusters’ wide array of interests and influences. – D.S.
INDIGO DE SOUZA
“Wholesome”
Asheville’s Indigo de Souza cuts loose on her new three-song EP, “Wholesome Evil Fantasy.” The
indie rocker embraces full electro pop bliss on the effort’s first track, a sunny, synth-heavy celebration of love that’s ready to fuel a dance party. –
J.F.
DAWES
“Surprise!”
California folk rockers Dawes hit a fork in the road last year. With the departure of long-time members Wylie Gelber and Lee Pardini, the band was reduced to brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith. Undaunted, the brothers forged on, entering the studio to craft a collection of songs with just Taylor on guitar and vocals and Griffin on drums. “Surprise!” is yet another stripped-down dandy from the duo, with Taylor’s lyrics focusing on the only certainty in life being uncertainty, delivered with a mellow ease over Griffin’s deliberate rhythms and the guitar work of longtime touring musician Trevor Menear. – D.S.
TIM HEIDECKER
“Well’s Running Dry”
The multi-talented Tim Heidecker is best known as an alternative comedian and actor, but he’s also a deep music head who’s released a handful of earnest singersongwriter records that showcase his reverence for Randy Newman and the Beatles. His latest album, “Slipping Away,” dropped last month via Bloodshot Records, and it features this playfully vulnerable folk-rock track about dealing with writer’s block and feeling creatively stifled with age. – J.F.
WILLIE NELSON
“Do You Realize?”
The Flaming Lips’ grand meditation on mortality gets melancholy introspective treatment from the country legend who’s now 91. It’s a poignant stunner that evokes the fragile yet graceful musical aging Johnny Cash provided with his take on Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” It comes from Nelson’s 76th solo studio album, “Last Leaf on the Tree” – J.F.
YOLA
“Future Enemies”
When making a new acquaintance, there is a pivotal moment when things could go either way. Does it feel comfortable? Future friend, of course. Something off kilter? Well, future enemy. R&B soul maven Yola’s first release in three years, the aptly titled “Future Enemy,” tackles this feeling, dissecting that razor thin moment when a relationship, based on intuition, dissolves before it ever spawns. With her titanic vocals soaring over electro-pop beats and synth highlights, Yola has delivered an absolute dance hall banger. – D.S
SISTER HAZEL
“Live Again”
Platinum-selling alt-rockers Sister Hazel broke through in the late nineties with megahit “All For You,” and while mainstream attention might have waned over the ensuing years, the band has continued touring and recording. This month marks the release of their thirteenth studio album, “Sand, Sea & Crash Debris,” and the first single, “Live Again,” has all the hallmarks of a stadium anthem; big guitar chords and a yank-on-yourheartstring singalong chorus that will have long time fans—and probably some new ones, too—singing note for note. – D.S.
To hear these songs and more, follow the Blue Ridge Outdoors’ Trail Mix playlist on Spotify.
TIM HEIDECKER’S NEW ALBUM “SLIPPING AWAY” CAME OUT LAST MONTH. PHOTO BY CHANTAL ANDERSON
