Blue Ridge Outdoors November 2022

NOVEMBER 2022

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BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

Top Adventure Towns READERS PICK THE SOUTH’S BEST OUTDOOR HOT SPOTS

BREWS AND VIEWS

Best Scenic Craft Breweries

+ MISSING +GIFT +

TOM PETTY

GUIDE FOR GEAR LOVERS

TRAIL CREWS NEED YOUR HELP

Solutions start in the South. southernenvironment.org

©Leslie Restivo

©Sam Dean

© Steven Reinhold

We are the Southern Environmental Law Center, one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted right here in the South. As lawyers, policy and issue experts, and community advocates and partners, we take on the toughest challenges to protect our air, water, land, wildlife and the people who live here. Together, we can solve the most complex environmental challenges right here in the South.

LY H WELCOMES YOU Named One of the Top Adventure Town’s, LYH welcomes you to explore our outdoor recreation possibilities. Bike along our 40-miles of urban trails, float the James River, or ski all-year-long at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.

LYNCHBURGVIRGINIA.ORG

Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre

Snowshoe Mountain

You’ll get into the winter scene here.

Surreal beauty and winter adventure await you this winter in Pocahontas County. Here, its easy to make memories that will last a lifetime as you hike, ski, shred and sled all season long.

Explore more at WVtourism.com/PocahontasCounty

ON THE COVER

CONTENTS

PRESIDENT BLAKE DEMASO b l a ke @ b l u e r i d g e o u t d o o r s . c o m E D I TO R I N C H I E F J E D D F E R R I S jedd@blueridgeoutdoors.com P U B L I S H E R L E A H WO O DY leah@blueridgeoutdoors.com

November 2022

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D E PA R T M E N T S

A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R K AT I E H A R T W E L L katie@blueridgeoutdoors.com C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R M E L I S S A K E N N E L LY m . ke n n e l l y @ b l u e r i d g e o u t d o o r s . c o m

7 | FIELD NOTES

Volunteers maintain trails in the Blue Ridge, and they could use your help.

E D I TO R I A L & P R O D U C T I O N S E N I O R E D I TO R W I L L H A R L A N will@blueridgeoutdoors.com

9 | THE STUDIO

G E A R E D I TO R D O U G S C H N I T Z S PA H N doug@elevationoutdoors.com

Meet two Southern bakers bringing nature-inspired artistry to every bite.

D E S I G N E R / A R T M A N AG E R REBECCA CENCEWIZKI art@blueridgeoutdoors.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM

45 | THE OUT AND BACK

C O N T R I B U TO R S DAV E S TA L L A R D G R A H A M AV E R I L L ELLEN KANZINGER

I L LU S T R AT I O N BY KEVIN HOWDESHELL OF T H E B R AV E U N I O N .

Why the Blue Ridge needs a good ski bar.

L AU R E N S T E P P M A R Y B E T H S KY L I S MIKE BEZEMEK

46 | THE GOODS

C O P Y E D I TO R S JULIA GREEN, ROBERT MCGEE

Our big annual gear gift guide.

50 | TRAIL MIX

ADVERTISING & BUSINESS

New music from Deer Tick, Wild Pink, and Lucy Dacus.

A D V E R T I S I N G A S S I S TA N T A M A N DA L I V E R E T T E assistant@blueridgeoutdoors.com AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E H A N N A H C O O P E R hannah@blueridgeoutdoors.com B U S I N E S S M A N AG E R M E L I S S A G E S S L E R melissa@blueridgeoutdoors.com

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A DV E R T I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S Advertise@blueridgeoutdoors.com

D I G I TA L M E D I A O N L I N E D I R E C TO R C R A I G S N O D G R A S S webdir@blueridgeoutdoors.com

F E AT U R E S

10 | TOP ADVENTURE TOWNS

Hot spots with easy access to the outdoors and vibrant local culture.

C R E AT I V E C O N T E N T M A N AG E R

S H A N N O N M C G OWA N

20 | BREW AND VIEWS

shannon@blueridgeoutdoors.com

Best scenic craft breweries in the Blue Ridge.

SUMMIT

PUBLISHING

977 SEMINOLE TR PMB294 C H A R LOT T E S V I L L E , V I R G I N I A 2 2 9 0 1 ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

©2022 Summit Publishing, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

GOT A STORY IDEA OR COMMENT? submit@blueridgeoutdoors.com B LU E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F D E V I L S B A C K B O N E B R E W I N G C O M PA N Y

A DV E R T I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S Advertise@blueridgeoutdoors.com

32 | NEW HEIGHTS

After losing her hand in an accident, a successful chef becomes a climber.

24 | OBX: NORTH TO SOUTH

No Thanksgiving plans? Try this crowd-free road trip on the Carolina coast. .

35 | THE BATTLE OVER HORSESHOE CRABS

These ancient animals that have saved human lives are in trouble.

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YOU. FOUR PARKS. HUNDREDS OF ACRES. COUNTLESS ADVENTURES. BAKERS MOUNTAIN 189 ACRES | 6 TRAIL MILES | HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA LOCATED AT THE HIGHEST ELEVATION POINT IN CATAWBA COUNTY (1780 FEET), BAKERS MOUNTAIN’S EASY TO ADVANCED TRAILS ARE A HAVEN FOR HIKERS AND ARE OFTEN USED AS TRAINING GROUND FOR TACKLING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL. THE PARK’S TRAIL SYSTEM ASCENDS OVER CREEKS AND THROUGH MATURE CHESTNUT OAK FOREST TO A MOUNTAINTOP OBSERVATION DECK WITH STUNNING YEAR-ROUND VIEWS. THE PARK ALSO FEATURES A PAVED LITERACY TRAIL PERFECT FOR GETTING YOUNGSTERS ENGAGED WITH THE OUTDOORS.

MOUNTAIN CREEK 606 ACRES | 18.7 TRAIL MILES | SHERRILLS FORD, NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAIN BIKING IS AT THE HEART OF MOUNTAIN CREEK, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE NORTHWESTERN TIP OF LAKE NORMAN. CATAWBA COUNTY’S NEWEST OUTDOOR DESTINATION FEATURES MULTI-USE AND BIKE-ONLY TRAILS WITH ENOUGH COMBINATIONS TO ENSURE YOU RARELY HAVE TO RIDE THE SAME ROUTE TWICE. OTHER MAJOR AMENITIES INCLUDE HIKING TRAILS, AN ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND, PICKLEBALL COURTS, A DOG PARK, AND LAKE ACCESS FOR PADDLING AND FISHING.

RIVERBEND 690 ACRES | 19.7 TRAIL MILES | CONOVER, NORTH CAROLINA NAMED AFTER ITS IDYLLIC LOCATION ALONG THE CATAWBA RIVER SHORELINE, RIVERBEND’S TRAIL SYSTEM WINDS THROUGH TWO DISTINCT HABITATS – DENSELY WOODED UPLAND FOREST AND PRESERVED NATIVE GRASSLANDS – WHICH ARE AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS “TRAIL RUNNER’S HEAVEN.” VISITORS TO THIS PARK ALSO ENJOY HIKING, BIKING, RIVER ACCESS FOR PADDLING, A DOG PARK, AND AN OBSERVATION DECK PERFECT FOR VIEWING OXFORD DAM OR CASTING A LINE.

ST. STEPHENS 9 ACRES | .3 TRAIL MILES | HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO AT ST. STEPHENS, DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR DOG. THE PARK’S SIGNATURE ONE-ACRE OFF-LEASH DOG PARK OFFERS UNFETTERED PLAY TIME FOR FIDO AND HAS BECOME A BELOVED HANGOUT FOR LOCALS AND THEIR FOUR-LEGGED COMPANIONS. THIS SUBURBAN OASIS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF HICKORY ALSO FEATURES A PLAYGROUND, HORSESHOE PITS, A PAVED LITERACY TRAIL, AND A WOODED 1/3-MILE HIKING LOOP.

CATAWBACOUNTYPARKS.ORG

WITH AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES EMBEDDED INTO LARGE-SCALE, BEAUTIFULLY SCENIC AND HIGHLY DIVERSE NATURAL HABITATS, THE CATAWBA COUNTY PARK SYSTEM PROVIDES COUNTLESS WAYS TO CRAFT YOUR OWN OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. COME SEE WHY OUR PARKS ARE FOUR OF THE WAYS WE’RE MAKING. LIVING. BETTER. IN CATAWBA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.

FIELD NOTES

JOIN THE CREW

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY Hard-working volunteers maintain trails in the Blue Ridge, and they could use your help.

BY MIKE WILLIAMS

RETIRED ATTORNEY BOB WIDMAN didn’t know a hazel hoe from a Pulaski several years ago when he started volunteering as part of a weekly trail maintenance crew that helps keep western North Carolina’s hiking trails open. Now he’s an old hand at building steps, clearing water drains, trimming back thick vegetation, and helping clear fallen trees blocking the trail.

He’s also got enough lawyer jokes to keep most of his fellow crew members laughing as they work.

“I always thought park rangers or Forest Service workers cleared the trails,” Widman said, echoing a misconception held by much of the public. “I was never very handy with tools, but these guys are patient and have taught me everything I need to know.”

Widman is part of a crew that goes out most Mondays, year-round, representing both the Carolina Mountain Club from Asheville and Burnsville’s NC High Peaks Trail Association. The crew works trails ranging from the Black Mountains to the Appalachian Trail on the Tennessee border to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail that parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“The scenery is incredible,” Widman said. “It’s almost as good as the camaraderie and the brownies that the Crew Leader’s wife makes for us.”

A typical workday starts with the weekly email sent out by the Crew Leader to let the team know when and where to meet and what the tasks will be. The group usually gathers at a trailhead between 8 and 9 a.m. for a safety talk and distribution of tools.

“No tools or experience necessary,” said High Peaks President John Whitehouse, who doubles as the Carolina Mountain Club’s Monday Crew Leader. “The volunteers only need to bring a sturdy pair of work gloves, wear long pants, and bring water, lunch, and

some snacks. We’ll provide all the tools and help them learn how to do the work.”

The group then typically hikes out from the trailhead to the work area, sometimes going a mile or two with a steep climb; other times working only a few hundred yards down the trail. In summer they might weed-eat overgrown sections or trim back vegetation with loppers or handsaws. They also dig out water drains that help stop erosion, sometimes embedding logs to make a berm to channel the water away.

The crews build steps out of logs or rocks on steep and eroded sections and help saw teams clear limbs or whole trees that have fallen and are blocking the path. Volunteer sawyers must take a two-day safety course from the U.S. Forest Service before using chainsaws and must wear safety equipment provided by the clubs.

Whitehouse’s Monday Crew often attracts 12 to 15 volunteers, so they break up into smaller teams to accomplish several different tasks and to keep a safe working distance from each other. The work usually ends at 2 p.m., followed by the hike back to the trailhead.

T R A I L C R E W S W O R K I N T H E M O U N TA I N S O F N O R T H C A R O L I N A . P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F T H E A U T H O R / C A R O L I N A M O U N TA I N C L U B

“We’ll provide all the tools and help them learn how to do the work.”

“We’ve recently been building steps at Mt. Mitchell State Park on a couple of badly eroded trails,” Whitehouse said.

“We might have two guys digging out and installing the timbers for the steps, screwing them together with a drill and then drilling a hole for metal rebar that will hold the timber in place. Meanwhile other team members are installing water drains or finding rocks that can be broken up with a sledgehammer to fill in behind the step.”

Whitehouse’s crew also recently hiked several miles up to weed-eat the Black Mountain Crest Trail, one of their most ambitious but badly needed annual tasks. A team of nine workers shared seven weed-eaters, clearing heavy grass and fast-growing vegetation from a couple of miles of the path. The group will take several trips to complete about seven miles of that one trail.

“When we started clearing this trail 10 years ago, it was nearly grown shut with blackberry canes, blueberries, laurel, and rhododendron,” Whitehouse said. “We’ve managed to open it wide enough so

that you can hike it now without getting soaked by the vegetation when it’s wet.”

The trail crews are salted heavily with retirees, who often thrive on the social interaction and the feeling of working for a good cause. But as the retirees gradually age out, the clubs are constantly trying to attract new volunteers to replenish the ranks.

“We often see dozens of hikers enjoying the trails we work,” Whitehouse said. “If only 10 percent of them would volunteer with us one or two days a month, it would be a big help. But so many hikers don’t seem to know that it’s volunteers who do almost all the maintenance on these trails.”

Widman says the volunteer work has become one of the most enjoyable parts of his week, something that he looks forward to.

“The only problem is I keep asking for a raise,” he said. “The Crew Leader says he’ll double my salary, but I keep telling him zero times zero is still zero.”

NOVEMBER 2022 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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Hit the road in anticipation of Autumn’s beautiful colors and cool temperatures.

explorebrevard.com

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

THE STUDIO

EDIBLE ART

WILD ABOUT BAKING Have you ever looked at a cake and thought, “This is too pretty to eat?” Meet two bakers bringing nature-inspired artistry to every bite.

BY ELLEN KANZIN GER

Starting a Tradition

It’s tough for avian ecologist Araks Ohanyan to detach from her day job.

When it comes to studying birds, she doesn’t easily separate her fieldwork from her passion for baking.

Ohanyan’s interests in birding and baking began at a young age, both developing separately until one day she found the species she was studying were inspiring her cakes. And once she started recreating her beloved birds on cakes she couldn’t stop. “(They) became more and more ambitious,” Ohanyan said.

Professionally, Ohanyan has studied a variety of endangered and imperiled species, from black guillemot in Maine and quail in Texas to scarlet macaws in Mexico and scrub jays in Florida. With

each new job, Ohanyan inadvertently started a tradition of making a cake with her current study species on it. “One of the reasons I love to bake is because I like to share food with people,” Ohanyan said. “It’s how I show people that I care.”

Ohanyan worked with South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources to monitor the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker that uses the fire-dependent longleaf pine forests for habitat. Because fire regimes don’t occur the way they used to before human colonization, the longleaf pine now relies on prescribed burns. Using a variety of survey methods, Ohanyan helped collect data to figure out how those prescribed burns impacted the woodpeckers.

Near the end of her contract with the department, the project’s stakeholders came together to translocate a group of woodpecker fledglings across state lines. As the team wrapped up their roost check and prepared for travel to Virginia, they held an interagency Low Country boil to celebrate. Ohanyan’s contribution? A cake designed to look like a tree stump with a red-cockaded woodpecker digging a hole, of course.

When she’s not working or baking, Ohanyan is often birding in her free time. Since she moves every few months for work, she likes to explore her new location and report bird sightings to eBird, a citizen science database that allows users to upload bird checklists,

photos, and audio files from specific locations. Users from all over the world contribute millions of sightings that support researchers studying changes in bird distributions over time, especially as those changes relate to habitat loss and climate change. “Basically, I'm neckdeep in birds all the time,” Ohanyan said.

Must Love Herbs

For Lauren May, a baker, gardener, and teacher from eastern Kentucky, food is so much more than sustenance.

“Food is like an unspoken language that conveys culture and heritage better than any other medium,” she said. “It is also a way for me to express myself.”

Whether it’s a sheet cake decorated with edible flowers, focaccia with foraged delicacies, or cupcakes with marzipan mushrooms, May’s delicious creations use artistry— a variety of textures, an abundance of bright colors, and a range of flavors—to mimic natural elements. Using family recipes adapted to modern tastes, May hopes to upend the notion that Appalachian food is bland, unhealthy, and uninspired. “Come to any grandmother’s table, and you will see that is the furthest thing from the truth,” she said.

May spends days on each bake, tediously hand-sculpting every detail.

“I like to put all my attention and love into each one,” she said. “I feel if I do so without being rushed, then that translates into the finished piece.”

(LEFT) A YULE LOG CAKE WITH A WOODPECKER AND S C U L P T E D N AT U R A L E L E M E N T S . P H O T O B Y A R A K S O H A N YA N ( R I G H T ) M U S H R O O M & C H O C O L A T E C U P C A K E S W I T H E D I B L E M O S S & M A R Z I PA N M U S H R O O M S . P H O T O B Y L A U R E N M AY

Whatever herbs she find lying around tend to make their way into her creations, a tribute to the Appalachian resourcefulness that runs deep in the region. Her inspiration comes from the fresh ingredients she grows and forages for in her backyard. She began gardening at three years old, helping her grandfather tend to each plant with patience and care. All of May’s gardening knowledge has been passed down, connecting her to the land around her and the generations that came before her. “Having generations of gardeners that have worked this very land gives you a bit of a leg up,” she said. “You know what does well here, what doesn’t, and what you need to combat pests and diseases.”

May’s advice for budding bakers?

Take your time, and don’t be afraid to get things wrong. It’s a sentiment Ohanyan echoes when reflecting on her baking journey. Once she broke baking down into steps, the practice of decorating and recreating natural elements became a lot less daunting.

“You’ll probably surprise yourself and make something really fun,” Ohanyan said. “People appreciate the effort you put into it. So I would say go out and bake a cake.”

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THE SKYLINE VIEW OF ASHEVILLE, N.C. PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM

Top Adventure Towns Blue Ridge hot spots with easy access to the outdoors and vibrant local culture

BY C HRIS RITTER

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

THE BLUE RIDGE IS FULL OF VIBRANT TOWNS THAT OFFER FAST ACCESS TO OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, BUSTLING BURGS NOT FAR FROM HIKING WITH WILD PONIES, KAYAKING WORLD-CLASS RAPIDS, AND CATCHING LIVE MUSIC EVERY

LARGE TOWNS 2022

NIGHT OF THE WEEK. WE ASKED BRO READERS TO PICK THEIR FAVORITES.

Alexandria, Va. Asheville, N.C. Atlanta , Ga. Baltimore, Md. Charleston, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Chattanooga, Tenn.

Chesapeake, Va. Clarksville, Tenn.

Columbia, S.C. Columbus, Ga. Knoxville, Tenn.

Lexington, Ky. Louisville, Ky. Lynchburg, Va. Newport News, Va. Philadelphia, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Raleigh, N.C. Richmond, Va. Roanoke, Va. Roswell, Ga. Virginia Beach, Va. Wilmington, N.C. Winston-Salem, N.C.

WHITTLED DOWN FROM A LIST OF 100 TOWNS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST, VOTES WERE CAST IN BIG NUMBERS TO SELECT THESE FOUR TOWNS AS THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE, VISIT, AND RECREATE IN THE REGION.

MEDIUM TOWNS 2022 Annapolis, Md. Beckley, W.Va. Boone, N.C. Bristol, Va./Tenn.

Charlottesville, Va. Cumberland, Md. Danville, Va. Evans, Ga. Frankfort, Ky. Frederick, Md. Fredericksburg, Va. Georgetown, Ky. Greenville, S.C. Hagerstown, Md. Harrisonburg, Va. Johnson City, Tenn.

Martinsburg, W.Va. Maryville, Tenn.

Morganton, N.C. Morgantown, W.Va. Richmond, KY Sevierville, Tenn.

Spartanburg, S.C. Winchester, Va. Woodstock, Ga.

SMALL TOWNS 2022 Abingdon, Va. Bedford, Va. Black Mountain, N.C. Brevard, N.C. Clifton Forge, Va. Corbin, Ky. Dahlonega, Ga. Dawsonville, Ga. Elkin, N.C. Erwin, Tenn.

Franklin, N.C. Galax, Va. Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Hendersonville, N.C. Leonardtown, Md. Lewisburg, W.Va. Lexington, Va. Marion, Va. Prestonsburg, Ky. Somerset, Pa. Summersville, W.Va. Thurmont, MD. Travelers Rest, S.C. Waynesville, N.C. Wytheville, Va.

TINY TOWNS 2022 Banner Elk, N.C. Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Blowing Rock, N.C. Blue Ridge, Ga. Bryson City, N.C. Cape Charles, Va. Cherokee, N.C. Damascus, Va. Davis, W.Va. Edisto Island, S.C. Fayetteville, W.Va. Floyd, Va. Helen, Ga. Hot Springs, N.C. Hot Springs, Va. Marlinton, W.Va. McHenry, Md. Mt. Jackson, Va. Old Fort, N.C. Park City, Ky. Shepherdstown, W.Va. St. Paul, Va. Stuart, Va. Sylva, N.C. Townsend, Tenn.

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

SCENES FROM ASHEVILLE, N.C. PHOTOS COURTESY OF EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM

Large Town

Asheville, North Carolina The cat has long been out of the bag about Asheville.

The booming western North Carolina mountain town with a colorful arts scene has nearly tripled in size over the last 20 years, and for good reason. Asheville is flanked on the east

by Pisgah National Forest, containing miles of pristine hikes and world class mountain biking, the highest peak east of the Mississippi (Mt. Mitchell), and a particularly scenic stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway— and that’s only on one side of town.

Less than an hour west sits Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s more wild land than you’d expect to surround a 300,000-person city with more than 20 dedicated music venues.

The rare combo of a big city culture scene and quick access to wilderness keeps folks coming back to Asheville.

While those things may seem separate, locals know that in Asheville, the city’s vibrance is shaped by the nature just outside of town.

Take local kayaker Shane Benedict, who worked in Asheville at a budding music club before co-founding LiquidLogic, a now world-renowned kayak outfitter. When Benedict first came to town in the late 80s, Asheville was at the beginning of a renaissance. “We were traveling from all over the place to paddle the Green [River],” Benedict said, “then as Asheville grew, there was all the good food and great music; it just made it even better to get into town.” In 2000,

Benedict moved to Asheville and co-founded LiquidLogic to make kayaks specifically for paddling western North Carolina rivers like the Green, whose dam-controlled waters enjoy 250+ days of paddleable conditions per year.

Benedict’s story is indicative of how Asheville’s outdoor culture has shaped the area. It’s no wonder popular innovations as varied as ENO hammocks and Moog synthesizers also got their start in Asheville, and their companies still call the town home. But don’t miss the artists that haven’t made it big yet—Asheville’s River Arts District is home to hundreds of local artisans who show, craft, and teach there. Check out local orgs like the North Carolina Glass Center, a nonprofit that showcases emerging artists and teaches beginner glassblowing at their studio in the RAD.

Runners Up Roanoke, Va.

Recreation abounds both in town and in the surrounding Roanoke Valley, as locals mountain bike at Carvins Cove, hike the Appalachian Trail, and ride road bikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway. After long days of play, bellies are filled at popular restaurants like Burger in the Square and Local Roots.

Charleston S.C.

Water is everywhere in Charleston, a port city surrounded by rivers, creeks, and lakes for kayaking and paddleboarding.

Locals can typically be found gliding across favorites like Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek.

B R I S T O L I S L O C AT E D O N T H E B O R D E R O F T E N N E S S E E A N D VIRGINIA. PHOTO COURTESY OF DISCOVER BRISTOL

Medium Town

Bristol, Virginia + Tennessee Sitting right on the border of Tennessee and Virginia, the twin cities of Bristol come together to form one vibrant spot brimming with opportunity for adventure. On the Virginia side, the Mendota Trail—a Rails to Trails project set to be complete later this year—will meander for 12 miles of countryside connecting Bristol to nearby Mendota, VA, creating a scenic hiking and biking route to rival the nearby Virginia Creeper Trail. Less than 10 miles southeast, South Holston Lake boasts over 7,500 acres of open water that stretch right up to the peaks of the Blue Ridge, creating a serene landscape for boating, paddle boarding, and fishing.

It’s that mountain lake setting that brought Christopher Perrin, who serves as the marketing director for the town, to move his family to Bristol from Florida nearly 30 years ago. “It just took my breath away the first time that I saw it,” said Perrin of South Holston. “I've always enjoyed time on the lake, but I was probably just as captivated looking at the scenery around me instead of participating in the activities.” Perrin says what makes Bristol’s outdoor scene special is the diversity of activities it offers. At Steele Creek Park, visitors can bike, fish, play a round of disc golf, and hike in a 2,200-acre tract of undeveloped forest, all without ever leaving town.

For culture inside the city limits, look to Bristol’s historic country music scene. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum hosts exhibits chronicling the city’s deep roots in Appalachian sounds and regularly features speakers, performances, and trivia nights. The music doesn’t stop there— in addition to legendary venues like the Paramount Center for the Arts and NOVEMBER 2022 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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tination DesSOUTHWEST

FLY FISHING ON THE HOLSTON RIVER. PHOTO COURTESY OF DISCOVER BRISTOL

VIRGINIA

TOP TINY TOWN

DAMASCUS the Cameo Theater, there is local food favorite Burger Bar, where lore has it Hank Williams Sr. ate his last meal.

Runners Up Boone, N.C.

TOP SMALL TOWN

Appalachian State football has been making all the headlines lately, but 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.

ABINGDON

Charlottesville, Va.

TOP MEDIUM TOWN

BRISTOL

Photo: Joshua lee bryant

From Charlottesville, it’s an easy drive to the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the southern end of Shenandoah National Park. But the small city also has plenty of in-town recreation, including hiking on the Rivanna Trail and mountain biking at Preddy Creek Park.

M O U N TA I N B I K E R S O N T H E M E N D O TA T R A I L .

PHOTO COURTESY OF DISCOVER BRISTOL

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Small Town

( T O P ) M A I N S T R E E T I N A B I N G D O N , VA . P H O T O B Y J A S O N B A R N E T T E ( B E L O W ) T H E WAT E R F R O N T S E T T I N G AT A B I N G D O N V I N E YA R D S . P H O T O B Y S A R A H L A U G H L A N D

Abingdon, Virginia

Tucked tightly into a high valley near the Tennessee border, the town of Abingdon benefits from being the southern terminus of the Virginia Creeper Trail, the 34-mile rails-to-trails bike path that draws thousands of visitors to the area every year.

But there’s also more to see near Abingdon. “If you're looking outdoors, you're not limited to just the Virginia Creeper Trail.

That's kind of a gift for our area,” said Jill Dalton, an Abingdon native and co-owner of Creeper’s End Lodging, a cozy group of cottages tucked right at the end of the trail. Dalton runs Creeper’s End with her husband Dave, and the two often direct visitors to lesser-known attractions, such as the fishing and paddling opportunities at Hidden Valley Lake, several nearby caves such as Wolf Cave, and scenic drives to Burke’s Garden near Tazewell, which Dave describes as “God’s country.”

Chad Thompson, who grew up in Washington County and said he accepted his dream job when he began working for the town’s tourism department, also remarked on Abingdon’s proximity to such a wide range of outdoor opportunities. “I try to refer to ourselves as a base for adventure,” said Thompson. “So you can stay here and eat here, then you can go find places to play all around us.”

Abingdon is better than your average base camp too— the town hosts a robust arts scene highlighted by the Barter Theater and features sleek modern shops like Salt of the Earth Spa, which provides post-adventure massages and therapies. “The creeper trail is 34 miles long, so if you're one of the brave souls that

does the entire thing,” said Thompson, “getting a spa treatment afterwards would definitely be something I would need to do.”

Runners Up Bedford, Va.

A low-key gem in the central Virginia Blue Ridge, Bedford sits in close proximity to some of the region's best natural treasures, including the Appalachian Trail, Peaks of Otter, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Smith Mountain Lake.

Franklin, N.C.

Deep in the mountains of western North Carolina, surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, Franklin is well known as a friendly trail town due to its location right near the A.T. A perfect day: hike to Wayah Bald, then head back to town for beers at Lazy Hiker Brewing Co.

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Tiny Town

Damascus, Virginia In Damascus, there’s no boundary between the town’s outdoor scene and thriving local culture. Just ask Tyler Irving, manager of Appalachian Heritage Distillery, which, like many of Damascus’ small businesses, sits right on the Appalachian Trail. “As a trail runner and the manager of this place, I'm always trying to tie the two things together, because that's just what I like to do and it's what I know,” said Irving.

The distillery shares the town’s main drag with other local favorites like the Damascus Diner (where Irving says he could eat breakfast every day of his life) and Main Street Coffee & Cream, both of which often feed travelers coming from the A.T. or one of the other six nationally recognized trails— the Virginia Creeper Trail, the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, and the Iron Mountain Trail among them—that run through town.

But with so much to do in and around the small southwest Virginia town, Damascus, aptly known as “Trail Town USA,” is more than just a pit stop. The area’s main draws have long been biking the Creeper Trail or hiking among wild ponies in nearby Grayson Highlands State Park, but locals glow about

lesser known moves like a walk up to the waterfall at Backbone Rock, a dip in one of dozens of swimming holes in Whitetop Laurel Creek, or wide open ridgeline hiking on the Iron Mountain Trail. Back in town, there’s more than a post-hike beer or ice cream to enjoy.

You can get both at local joint Wicked Chicken, but you’ll also get live music there every weekend, a regular feature of other Damascus taverns as well.

Runners Up Floyd, Va.

Quaint, idyllic, and funky, Floyd is a vibrant spot in a southwest Virginia stretch of the Blue Ridge that mixes old-school mountain town charm with a thriving arts scene. Locals can be found hiking at Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve or paddling the Little River, and a must-do is catching bluegrass tunes at the Floyd Country Store’s Friday Night Jamboree.

Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

This historic town in the West Virginia mountains offers a sweet mix of adventure and relaxation. Take a hike on the Tuscarora Trail, then soak in the mineral springs at Berkeley Springs State Park. ( T O P ) D O W N T O W N D A M A S C U S , VA . ( B E L O W ) F L Y F I S H I N G O N LAUREL CREEK. PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPERIENCE DAMASCUS

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Raft the longest urban whitewater course in the world or zip line across the state line—just steps away from a lively entertainment and food scene. Come see why we were selected one of the TOP 100 ADVENTURE TOWNS, by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors.

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

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P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F D I R T FA R M B R E W I N G

BREWS & VIEWS

Seven great mountain breweries with spectacular scenery

BY E R I C J . WA L L AC E

WITH THE SEASONS CHANGING AND FALL FOLIAGE kicking into high gear, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a craft brew on an outdoor terrace with some killer mountain views. Throw in a firepit and some nearby outdoor adventure and you have a recipe for a perfect day. Below you’ll find seven of our favorite spots for combining nature, pints, and Blue Ridge eye-candy.

Mountain State Brewing

Morgantown, West Virginia Mountain State is located in Morgantown’s Wharf and Warehouse Historic District overlooking the Monongahela River. Sip brews and sample pub fare — including wood-fired gourmet flatbreads — while watching the current flow from a covered rear patio area with ambience to spare. With cooler weather on the way, we like the Miner’s Daughter Oatmeal Stout.

It’s coal black and creamy smooth with a light tan head, hints of roasted chocolate, and a surprisingly light body that won’t fill you up. mountainstatebrewing.com

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

While you’re there

While you’re there

Dirt Farm Brewing

Devils Backbone Basecamp & Meadows

Hike or bike the Deckers Creek Trail. The 19-mile converted railway begins near neighboring Reedsville, is mostly flat, and follows the creek through beautiful oak, hickory, and hemlock forests to its confluence with the Monongahela River about a block from the brewery.

Access points are found throughout, and can help you shorten the adventure to taste.

Bluemont, Virginia Enjoy expansive views of Loudoun Valley vineyards, farmland, and countryside from a roughly 1,000-foot outdoor stone terrace carved into the Blue Ridge mountainside. Better still are the brews: Dirt Farm’s locally sourced, plow-to-pint philosophy yields some of the best craft beer in Virginia. Expect five standard brews and a rotating menu of six or seven seasonals on tap. We’re loving the Pumpkin Ale, which is brewed with roasted neck pumpkins and yams grown onsite. dirtfarmbrewing.com

The Appalachian Trail passes through Bluemont about four miles from the brewery. The out-and-back hike to Raven Rocks is super convenient and offers 5.8 miles of famed steep climbs and descents known as the “Rollercoaster” before opening onto a 1,500-foot overlook with panoramic views.

Roseland, Virginia Nestled just six miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway in a Rockfish Valley meadow surrounded by streams, mountains, and forest, Devils Backbone is a nature and beer lover’s paradise. The brewery’s expansive property features a variety of fun outdoor seating spaces with incredible panoramic views. Menus combine six staples on tap and about a dozen rotating seasonals with a fullservice grill and standard pub fare. We like Heavenly Trip, a super hazy juicy IPA with a lovely straw-colored body that’s crammed with citrus tang. dbbrewingcompany.com

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While you’re there

Take a scenic 15-mile cruise to nearby Montebello to explore Crabtree Falls, the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. A switchback-heavy, roughly mile-long trail ascends through rhododendron thickets and oak-hickory forests, bringing jaw-dropping views of about 1,200 feet of cascading falls throughout.

Native Brews Tap & Grill

Cherokee, North Carolina The brewery and restaurant sits less than a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway’s southern terminus in the heart of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ 57,000-acre Qualla Boundary. Pick from a selection of eight delicious beers while basking in views of the trout-rich Oconaluftee River and Great Smoky Mountains from a grassy outdoor seating area replete with picnic tables and a large, covered gazebo.

Our favorite is the Woven Walnut Stout, a decadent brew with a rich mouthfeel, roasty finish, notes of semisweet chocolate, coffee and light caramel. native-brews.com

While you’re there

Get your flow on in the Fire Mountain Bike Park. You get about 12 miles and counting of machine-built, thrill-packed, pro-grade mountain biking trails within a mile of downtown Cherokee. Don’t miss “Skilly,” a progression trail packed with loads of wooden features, or flagship two-mile, one-way rollercoaster “Kessel Run.” E N J O Y I N G A B E E R O N T H E PAT I O AT D E V I L S B A C K B O N E I N V I R G I N I A .

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

Pisgah Brewing Co.

Hiawassee Brew

While you’re there

While you're there

Black Mountain, North Carolina Located 15 miles east of Asheville in Black Mountain, one of North Carolina’s coolest small towns, Pisgah Brewing Co. combines a fleet of award-winning organic brews with gorgeous scenery, great music, and a vibe that feels more Portland, Oregon, than East Coast. Sip cold ones in a funky outdoor seating and stage area backed by views of surrounding 4,000-plus-foot mountain peaks and the Pisgah National Forest. Feast from a cast of rotating food trucks on Thursdays and Sundays, and during ticketed events.

Expect eight staple beers and a handful of rotating, experimental seasonals. Among the standards, our pick is the Turtleback Brown Ale. A hint of organic chocolate malt yields a medium, caramel-infused body with a remarkably drinkable, malt-forward presence.

Hike to the 3,200-foot summit of Kitsuma Peak. Easy access can be found about five miles from the brewery using the Ridgecrest trailhead on Royal Gorge Road near Interstate 40. Climb about a mile, then take a 100-yard detour to the top for magnificent views of Black Mountain, Swannanoa Creek Royal Gorge, and enumerable 3,000 to 4,000-foot peaks in Pisgah.

Hiawassee, Georgia Enjoy a rotating menu of eight house beers supplemented by wines from local vineyards and a cast of regional guest brews on tap. A permanent food truck dishes out street tacos, burgers, wings, and Mexicanstyle pub fare. Best of all, the northeast Georgia brewery overlooks beautiful Lake Chatuge and a horizon of mountains in the Chattahoochee-Oconee national forests.

Take in the scenery through floor-to-ceiling windows in the taproom, from a covered second-story deck with firepits and soft seating options, or an outdoor patio bar. We recommend the Midnight Cove Black Lager, a roasty, pleasantly bitter, relatively lightbodied delight that goes down dangerously smooth. hiawasseebrew24.com Use a two-mile loop trail to explore the nearby Lake Chatuge Recreation Area. This breezy, family-friendly hike passes through lakeside forests, bringing access to beaches and fantastic views of the surrounding hills and undeveloped shorelines.

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B O D I E I S L A N D L I G H T S TAT I O N . P H O T O B Y M I K E B E Z E M E K

North to South through the Outer Banks Why fall is the right time for a road trip on the Carolina coast

BY MIKE BEZEMEK

The Outer Banks—a string of scenic barrier islands about 20 miles off the coast of North Carolina best-known for lighthouses, shipwrecks, and pirates— have always intrigued me. But instead of booking a beach house like everyone else, my wife and I decided to explore the full scope of the tranquil coast’s scenic landscape and adventure opportunities in one straight road trip.

So last year, during a purposefully plan-free Thanksgiving, we packed the car and headed to OBX during the lessbusy fall season.

The first few days of our trip took us to Washington, D.C., where we bundled up and walked the chilly National Mall while visiting monuments and museums.

At the National Air & Space Museum we viewed the actual 1903 Wright Flyer, the world’s first powered airplane. This was the perfect segue into our first stop on a north-to-south tour through the Outer Banks. The next day we drove south along the mainland and crossed a bridge onto Bodie Island.

Wright Brothers National Memorial is an NPS site in Kill Devil Hills just south of Kitty Hawk. This small park unit

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preserves the location of the Wright Brother’s historic first flight. After touring the visitor center museum, we walked outside to inspect a replica of the wooden hangar used by the brothers.

On December 17th, 1903, on what was then a nearly level expanse of sand, Orville lay flat at the controls between two rear-pointing propellors. The boxy aircraft moved down a wooden track and took to the air. The Flyer flew just under seven mph, but combined with an icy 27 mph headwind, the result was enough lift to stay about 10 feet high for 120 feet. The brothers took turns making three more flights that day.

Today, the grounds are grasscovered, and the park service has installed a walkway with stone monuments that mark the distance of each flight. The second and third attempts reached 175 feet and 200 feet, respectively. During the fourth flight, Wilbur lasted the longest. A remarkable 59 seconds in the air, flying 852 feet before a minor crash grounded the Flyer. From the fourth landing spot, we retraced our steps and continued up to the granite monument atop Kill Devil Hill.

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Continuing our drive south, the next stop was Jockey’s Ridge State Park, where we set off on a nature trail through the dunes.

With some cresting at heights of 80 to 100 feet, these are the tallest active dunes in the eastern U.S. As Albemarle Sound came into view, we could see the outline of Roanoke Island, where we would stay for two nights.

The next morning, we went to the NC Aquarium to learn more about the aquatic ecosystems of the Outer Banks. One highlight was the sea turtle rehabilitation center. Every year, sea turtles like loggerheads emerge from the sea and lay their eggs in the sand along the Outer Banks, typically from May through September.

About two months later, the hatchlings break through the eggs and sprint for the surf. In the rehab center tanks, there were several turtles of various ages and sizes

recovering from various ailments before returning to the wild.

Roanoke Island is best known for the 16th-century disappearance of the first English colony in North America. Today, the site of the Lost Colony is preserved at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. After learning more about the mystery in the NPS museum, we explored the grounds on a nature trail that led to a star-shaped earthen fort, reconstructed to resemble the original one built in the 1580s.

Centuries later, during the Civil War, the Union-occupied island became home to formerly enslaved African Americans. Before we left, we hiked the 1.25-mile Freedom Trail out to the site of the 1860s Freedman’s Colony.

Back in the small downtown of Manteo, named for a 16th-century Native American guide who helped the English colonists, we wandered around the waterfront.

W R I G H T B R O T H E R S N AT I O N A L M E M O R I A L . P H O T O B Y M I K E B E Z E M E K

After crossing a small bridge, we stumbled across yet another indooroutdoor museum, the Roanoke Island Festival Park. Outside exhibits included recreations of an Algonquin coastal village, including two long houses made from lashed poles and woven bark. Nearby was a recreated settlement site of what the first English colony may have looked like, including a blacksmith shop with a costumed interpreter. Finally, we boarded the sea-worthy Elizabeth II, a detailed recreation of an English merchant ship from the Roanoke expedition of 1585, which floats in the Manteo harbor.

The next day was Thanksgiving, and we continued driving south through Cape Hatteras National Seashore, best known for its undeveloped beaches and a series of historic 19th-century lighthouses.

The weather warmed throughout the morning, as an early fall cold snap gave way to the typical low 60s of

November days.

The first stop was Bodie Island Light Station, followed by Cape Hatteras Light Station, with its distinctive diagonal black and white stripes. Originally built right next to the beach, steady sea encroachment and shoreline erosion threatened the structure. In 1999, the entire tower was lifted onto steel beams and slowly moved inland 2,900 feet to its present location. After visiting the small museum near the lighthouse, we walked the relocation path to see the former location not far from the surf zone.

We drove a few miles farther to the southwestern tip of Hatteras Island and lined up for the mid-day vehicle ferry to Ocracoke Island. Within sight was the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, closed for the holiday, which focuses on the maritime history and shipwrecks of the area, caused by the constantly shifting sand bars and inlets of the Outer Banks. While the

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(TOP) SILVER LAKE HARBOR. PHOTO BY MIKE BEZEMEK (MIDDLE AND BOTTOM) SCENES FROM THE OUTER BANKS. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

point-to-point distance between islands is only a few miles, the ferry has to follow a roundabout route through treacherous channels that takes about an hour. On the way, we watched a pod of dolphins playfully swimming and jumping alongside the ferry.

Our final destination in the Outer Banks was two nights on Ocracoke Island, a regular haunt of the infamous pirate Blackbeard that still can only be reached by boat. Other than the village, the majority of this island is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Once off the ferry, we made a few stops along the 14-mile drive south. The so-called Pony Pen is an NPS corral filled with the descendants of wild horses that escaped from early Spanish explorers. We checked out the campground for a future warm-weather visit, and we walked the short Hammock Hills Trail through the forest to the edge of Pamlico Sound.

After checking into our near-empty hotel, we explored the quiet village neighborhoods on foot.

Among the mix of resident homes and vacation rentals, most houses had decks that appropriately rise high above the rooftops like crow’s nests.

By now, we’d worked up quite an appetite for a Thanksgiving dinner. But on an island with limited off-season restaurants to begin with, during a last-minute holiday trip, dinner out had proved impossible. Thus, we’d come prepared with a grocery bag and cooler filled with a variety of no-cook delectables. Fresh bread, a few cheeses, olives, pepperoncini, hummus, lunch meats, and brownie bites for dessert. We called it Snacksgiving. And, yes, we were still hungry at the start of our final full day in the Outer Banks.

Ocracoke did not disappoint in terms of highlights—and quirkiness. The only open coffee shop was inside some locals’ house. We ordered through a window from their porch, and for all we know, they made the quality coffee while still in bed.

We walked village roads and a nature trail through coastal forest out to Springer’s Point on the sound side. Then we checked out the quaint Ocracoke Light Station on our way over to the seaside, where we walked a few of the 15 miles of undeveloped beach. Afterward, we mingled with the locals at the excellent 1718 Brewing, named for the year Blackbeard was killed in a naval battle just off the island.

That evening we walked out to Silver Lake Harbor, but strong winds caused the cancellation of the parade of boats, which would have been decked out in holiday lights. It was the final night of a great impromptu trip. Tomorrow we’d take the ferry south and drive along the mainland past the southernmost Outer Banks. These three undeveloped and bridgefree islands are part of Cape Lookout National Seashore, which we’d have to visit another time.

But for now, our final stop was the Ocracoke Oyster Company to make up for lost meals.

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

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New Heights After a life-changing accident, a chef finds strength through climbing

BY ALLISON BARRETT C ARTER

R E D S H AW L O S T H E R H A N D A F T E R A R E S TA U R A N T A C C I D E N T I N 2 0 1 7 . P H O T O B Y C O D Y S O WA / C O U R T E S Y O F R E D S H AW

ALLIE REDSHAW WASN’T A CLIMBER BEFORE THE accident. Her attention was focused on being a new mom and a chef at some of Charlottesville, Virginia’s best restaurants. But then one night at work in 2017 her right hand got caught in a meat grinder and doctors at the University of Virginia ultimately determined it needed to be amputated.

At the time, Redshaw, a trained professional chef who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, was pregnant with her second daughter. So as her life quickly changed, Redshaw decided her healing process

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would include new pursuits.

First came hot yoga. Redshaw received a gift certificate from a friend, and the generous gesture ultimately led to her completing a 200-hour teacher training (she now teaches Bikram to dozens of students every week). Then she moved from extreme heat to extreme heights.

Without any previous experience, Redshaw applied for a grant to attend a climbing clinic with Kirstie Ennis, a veteran and accomplished mountaineer who lost a leg while fighting in Afghanistan and now helps those

suffering from trauma through outdoor therapy.

Redshaw says she was timid when she showed up for the clinic in Colorado four years ago, but Ennis saw potential in her skills and later asked if she’d be interested in being a sponsored paralympic climber.

“She saw me as a great athlete at a time when I felt so diminished,” Redshaw said of Ennis. “She believed in me when I had problems doing daily tasks. It was empowering.”

With newfound confidence, Redshaw signed up for the Paraclimbing National Championships soon

after, and although her performance fell short of personal expectations, the competition motivated her to keep climbing.

“I definitely underestimated the athleticism that would be there,” Redshaw remembered, “but it showed me I was alive. I got a dose of humility, yet the entire experience lit me up. It drove me to be better.”

Last year Redshaw joined a team of adaptive athletes and summited Cotopaxi, a 19,347-foot peak in Ecuador. The adventure benefited Range of Motion Project, a nonprofit that helps provide amputees with assistive devices and other resources. And in May she traveled to Salt Lake City to compete in the Paraclimbing World Cup, another eye-opening experience that gave her inspiring admiration for the achievements of adaptive athletes.

“I hadn’t seen that many people in a room before that looked like me,” Redshaw said. “This community has been waiting for this platform, to step in and be ready to be treated like athletes.”

Redshaw recently started working with a modeling agency that places differently abled bodies in major media campaigns. Although modeling is something she admits she would never have done before her accident, it’s part of her committment to raising awareness for transparency around body differences and helping those in R E D S H AW C O M P E T E D I N T H E PA R A C L I M B I N G W O R L D C U P I N M AY. P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F R E D S H AW

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search of assistance.

“Where I live, I had resources and people around me to help me heal,” Redshaw shared. “It was a privilege. Now I am doing everything I can to bring access and resources to people. I want to keep asking: ‘How can we make bodily and human differences cool?’”

Redshaw has spent the last couple years training at Peak Experiences in Richmond with Sam King, the climbing gym’s head of instruction who’s been seeking ways to make climbing more inclusive, particularly for the adaptive community.

“Climbing is unique in that anyone can feel a sense of accomplishment at any level,” said King.

“The goal doesn’t need to be to make it to the top, but to challenge yourself. We want to give everyone the ability to experience that and instead of asking if it’s possible, we look at how we can make it possible.”

While adaptive communities can still be hard to find in smaller communities, Redshaw said it’s beneficial for those with body differences to find pursuits they're passionate about and advocate for themselves.

“There are people out there who want to support you,” she encouraged. “It may be the hardest thing in the world to call someone or show up, but many magical things will come if you do. You just have to have an openness to what comes.”

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A HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA The holidays are shining bright this year!

A full list of events including holiday lights, skating, snowless sledding and more can be found at GoGastonNC.org/Christmas.

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Bloody Battle Over Horseshoe Crabs These ancient animals have saved human lives. Can we return the favor?

BY WILL HARL AN

I remember seeing the ocean for the first time: the vast liquid horizon, curling breakers, warm sand between my toes. It was magical.

And creepy. Because the beach was littered with dozens of prehistoric creatures. These brown, body-armored beasts with long, spiked tails looked primordial.

They were horseshoe crabs, I later learned, and they are completely harmless. They don’t bite or sting.

They are living fossils that have been around for 500 million years, nearly twice as old as the dinosaurs. They have survived five mass extinctions and are some of the most ancient creatures on earth.

They’ve had time to evolve some nifty tricks, including massive beach orgies. In late spring along the Atlantic Coast, females crawl ashore and bury thousands of eggs in the surf, and mobs of males battle to fertilize them. Millions of horseshoe crab eggs are deposited along Atlantic Coast beaches each year.

A badass bird

These mass spawning events aren’t just essential for the survival of horseshoe crabs. An endangered shorebird called the red knot also times its annual migration to coincide with the horseshoe crab beach orgies. The red knot is one of the world’s greatest endurance athletes. It overwinters on the southern tip of South America, and each spring, it flies 19,000 miles roundtrip to breed in the Canadian Arctic. It is one of the longest known migrations on the planet.

During their annual 9,500-mile flight to the Arctic, red knots arrive along the Atlantic Coast just as horseshoe crabs are laying their eggs. Red knots gorge on protein-rich horseshoe crab eggs, providing an essential refueling for the beleaguered birds on their long journey north. Red knots that miss the egg feast usually die or fail to breed.

Bait and blood

Horseshoe crabs and red knots have sustained this co-evolutionary relationship for millions of years. But in recent decades, industrial eel and whelk fisheries

began targeting horseshoe crabs for bait. And the pharmaceutical industry began harvesting horseshoe crabs for their blood.

Horseshoe crabs have another superpower: blue blood containing special cells that can immediately detect the presence of bacteria. These cells, called amebocytes, instantly identify a bacterial invader and coagulate around it.

The biomedical industry now harvests horseshoe crabs’ blood as a rapid test for bacterial contamination.

Horseshoe crabs are gathered from Atlantic Coast beaches and taken to laboratories, where their blue blood is extracted. Thirty percent of the animals’ blood is drained, and up to 30 percent of the animals die as a result.

Horseshoe crab blood has saved lives. Everything from vaccines to medical equipment is tested with horseshoe crab blood extracts. Everyone who has had an injection or medical procedure in the past 40 years has been protected by the blood of this ancient sea creature. But it has come at a cost: the overharvest of horseshoe crabs for bait and blood has caused a massive crash in horseshoe crab populations.

Red knot populations have plummeted even faster.

Without enough horseshoe crab eggs to sustain their long migrations, red knots are disappearing. Their numbers have declined by 94 percent since the 1980s, and in 2014, red knots were listed as an endangered species.

Endangered sea turtles, fish, and other rare shorebirds also depend on horseshoe crabs and their eggs. The iconic, ancient horseshoe crabs that once blanketed Atlantic Coast beaches are vanishing.

The Final Blow?

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is proposing to increase commercial horseshoe crab harvests for bait. This harvest increase would also allow the harvesting of female horseshoe crabs for the first time.

Under current law, horseshoe crab harvests are not allowed to increase until female horseshoe crab

A CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW AN INCREASE IN C O M M E R C I A L H O R S E S H O E C R A B H A R V E S T S F O R B A I T. P H O T O C O U R T E S Y OF THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

populations reach 11.2 million or red knot populations reach 81,900 birds. Populations of both species are nowhere close to recovery. Only 6,800 migrating red knots were observed last year.

Dozens of organizations have voiced opposition to this proposal, including the Horseshoe Crab Recovery Coalition, Center for Biological Diversity, The Humane Society, National Aquarium, National Wildlife Federation, and state Audubon chapters all along the Atlantic Coast. Thousands of individuals have also formally opposed the proposal. A final decision is expected by the end of the year.

For the biomedical harvests, there is hope on the horizon. A synthetic substitute to horseshoe crab blood has been developed, and it is already being used in Europe, China, and Japan. In the U.S., pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is the first to use the synthetic substitute— called rFC. However, the U.S. Pharmacopeia and FDA under the Trump administration reversed course and failed to recognize rFC as an equivalent substitute for horseshoe crab blood. An unusual alliance of Big Pharma and grassroots environmental groups are urging the FDA and U.S. Pharmacopeia to issue equivalency guidelines and accelerate the transition to the synthetic substitute.

Ancient allies

For a half-billion years, horseshoe crabs have survived asteroid impacts, Ice Ages, and toxic mass volcanic eruptions that wiped out most other life on this planet. Today, they face their greatest threat yet: us.

Horseshoe crabs—and the endangered species who depend on them—are fighting a bloody battle for their survival. They sustain avian athletes on their annual migrations, and their blood has saved countless human lives. These ancient creatures have probably kept you or a loved one safe. Will we do the same for them?

NOVEMBER 2022 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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A L L P HOTO S COU RTE SY O F FRA N K L I N & N A N TA HA L A TDC

GO OUTSIDE AND P L AY G U I D E November in the Blue Ridge is the perfect time to Go Out and Play. From the endless hiking trails soaked in autumn colors to vibrant downtown shopping and dining, historic sites to visit and cultural riches to soak in, you’ll find everything you are looking for and more in this collection of some of the south’s most unique getaways. Winter may be coming, but November is here, and ready to delight!

A DAY IN ...

Franklin.

NC

The Franklin & Nantahala, North Carolina area offers something for every outdoor adventurer. Hike the Appalachian Trail to discover panoramic views, kayak the Nantahala River, or climb your way to a gorgeous waterfall along the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. After dark, head downtown to enjoy local craft beer and area food truck fare that will put a smile on everyone’s face.

MORNING

Start your day early with a hike up the Appalachian Trail to Siler Bald and take in a breathtaking sunrise and 360-degree panoramic views from its grassy summit.

Pickens Nose is another great option, with multiple overlooks showcasing sweeping views of the surrounding Southern Nanthala Wilderness.

AFTERNOON

After grabbing a delicious lunch at Slanted Window Tasting Station, where you can enjoy wine, beer, and bourbon tastings in addition to delicious sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and flatbreads, you can take to the Little Tennessee River for a self-guided kayak trip. The “Little T,” as its affectionately known, offers premium flat-

water paddling on one of the region’s cleanest rivers, and as a Stage II offers plenty of fun for paddlers of all ages.

EVENING

FUN FACT

A sunrise hike Spotsylvania is celebrating to Wayah its 300th Bald delivers anniversary in 360-degree 2021 of view with the aBlue series ofSouthern Ridge, programs and events and Nantahala, throughout Great Smoky the year!

Mountains.

Choose your dinner fare from a terrific collection of local food trucks, then kick back and sample some of our outstanding locally crafted beer in a family-friendly atmosphere at Lazy Hiker Brewery or Currahee Brewing Company. In the mood for something different? How about Caffe Rel, a fine French bistro located in a renovated gas station where Chef Richard E. Long cultivates a casual vibe and diverse menu designed to make fine cuisine accessible to all.

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A WEEKEND IN...

Dawsonville

GA

Situated just north of Atlanta along Georgia’s Hospitality Highway, Dawsonville is home to the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail and an autumn wonderland that boasts endless hiking options including in the Amicalola Falls State Park, NASCAR history and the best adventuring opportunities in the Peach State and beyond.

DAY ONE MORNING

Start your day at our local roaster and coffee shop, Because Coffee. Then it is on to ‘ll find North America’s premier sporting clays facility, Etowah Valley Sporting Clays. Whether you are a beginner or a longtime gun sports enthusiast, you’ll find courses and offerings for you in the beautiful Appalachian Mountain range foothills, and a team of veteran shooters to help you get on target.

AFTERNOON

Try lunch at the Dawsonville Pool Room, made famous by its owner, Gordon Pirkle, a.k.a. “Mr. Dawsonville.”

Filled with memorabilia from NASCAR champions Bill Elliott and Chase Elliott, the Pool Room is famous for sounding the “SI-REEN” for every Elliott victory since 1983, and for its famed “Billy Burger.” While you are downtown, head

over to the Bowen Center for the Arts or learn more about the history of stock car racing at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.

EVENING

A spectacular day should be finished off in style, and you can do just that at the Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge This nature-lover’s wonderland, sits only 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail

inside the Chattahoochee National Forest. With beautiful views outside almost every window, this is the perfect place for comfort, rejuvenation and true Georgia adventure.

DAY TWO MORNING

After a good night’s rest, you’ll be good and ready to take in the wonders within Amicalola Falls State Park. Kick things off with a morning hike on one of the 829-acre park’s 10 trails. Then

it’s time to head out to find Amicalola Falls – at 729 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall in the state and the third-highest east of the Mississippi.

AFTERNOON

Take a lovely five-mile dayhike through the foothills of North Georgia on your way to discovering the Len Foote Hike Inn, Georgia’s only backcountry lodge and an eco-friendly rustic-modern

HIDDEN GEM

Dawsonville is home to the South’s largest folk art gallery, Around Back at Rocky’s Place, where you will find work from over 300 artists. It’s open weekends only, and by appointment through the week

treasure accessible only by trail. If you’re looking to ramp things up a bit, take a zipline tour through the mountains with Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventure, with lines reaching 2,000 feet long and climbing to 250 feet off the ground.

EVENING

Wrap your day back at Amicalola State Park & Lodge’s acclaimed restaurant Cascades.

Outstanding traditional American and Southern classic cuisine combine with stunning park views and sunset views to sigh for, making Cascades a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.

DESTINATIONDAWSONVILLE.COM @ DESTINATIONDAWSONVILLE @ DESTINATIONDAWSONVILLE

A L L P HOTO S COU RTE SY O F GATL I N B U RG CVB

GATLINBURG CVB

A DAY IN ...

Staunton

A DAY IN ...

VA

Staunton, Virginia is your perfect basecamp for outdoor fun, a “choose your own adventure” getaway. Located at the intersection of I-81 and I-64 and a short distance from the Shenandoah National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway, Staunton combines small town charm with big-time fun all year round.

MORNING

Start your day on a delicious note at Reunion Bakery and Espresso, a European-inspired bakery with fine espresso service whose quality is comparable to the very best around. Just try them – it’s the best taste test you’ll ever take!

AFTERNOON

EVENING

Try Blu Point Seafood Co. for the Valley’s most delicious seafood, or Mill Street Grill for hearty helpings of classic comfort food in a warm atmosphere. You say you want some culture?

Head to the world-class American Shakespeare Center, presenting the best of the Bard and beyond all year long in the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre.

Try Humpback Rocks for a variety of hiking options for the casual and serious hiker alike and spectacular valley views for miles!

Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail features some of the best craft beers in Virginia. Stroll the streets and peruse the shops of downtown Staunton and find a treasure just for you.

Gatlinburg

TN

Surrounded on three sides by the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is the perfect basecamp for adventure. Don’t miss our annual Winter Magic Celebration! In addition to thousands of twinkling lights, the city is illuminated with rosy cheeks and glowing smiles enjoying Gatlinburg’s walkable Parkway. Experience over 50 unique attractions, eclectic dining options, a diverse holiday shopping scene, and more - all in the heart of the Smokies.

MORNING

Start your day on the sweet side by pairing your morning coffee with freshly baked donuts, and pastries at The Donut Friar. Looking for a heartier breakfast? Get yourself some eggs made to order, or maybe a mountain of pancakes at The Pancake Pantry. Then take a stroll through the village and peruse the 27 boutique style storefronts, where you can find everything from homemade soaps to hiking gear and more.

bridge in North America. And while you are taking things to new heights, try Anakeesta, an outdoor theme park featuring AnaVista Tower, the highest point in the city – the stuff of sunset dreams. Grab a bite to eat at Gatlinburg Brewing Company.

Warm yourself up with a hot stone-fired pizza made fresh daily accompanied by a local brew – and don’t miss your chance for an Instagramworthy moment around the city’s towering Christmas tree just a few feet away!

EVENING

AFTERNOON

Head to the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, where you can take in beautiful views of the city from 500 feet in the air on the longest pedestrian cable

VISITSTAUNTON.COM @STAUNTONV @VISITSTAUNTON

Don’t miss Gatlinburg after dark! Stroll downtown, illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights for the Winter Magic Celebration. Enjoy some live music and Southern inspired cuisine at Ole Red Gatlinburg. Then, get yourself a night cap, at the Ole Smoky Holler.

GATLINBURG.COM @GATLINBURGTN @VISITGATLINBURG

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A WEEKEND IN...

Allegany County

MD

From an abundance of incredible outdoor recreational activities to amazing historic sites, dining, and entertainment venues - no matter your interest, passion, sport, or idea of fun, you’ll find a trail for just about any type of adventure here in Allegany County, Maryland. We’ve got a trail for that.

DAY ONE MORNING

There’s no better way to start your day than breakfast and coffee at Corner Tavern Cafe in Cumberland, part of the Donut & Go – Donut and Coffee Trail. Take a stroll down Centre Street and cross over to Baltimore Street for downtown shopping at local boutiques, antique, and adventure sport stores.

DAY TWO

AFTERNOON

Grab pre-packaged lunch from Queen City Creamery before heading out to Green Ridge State Forest for the scenic overlook tour. Unlike heavilypopulated scenic driving routes, Green Ridge State Forest’s Scenic Driving Tour takes you on a 45-mile journey to some of Allegany County’s most spectacular overlooks.

EVENING

After a day of adventure, head to Locust Post Brewery, located on a 26-acre farmstead, for brews and a pizza dinner. Catch an amazing sunset from the historic Town Hill Overlook before settling in for the night at Town Hill Bed and Breakfast.

MORNING

Start your day of adventure at Clatter Café in the Mountain City of Frostburg.

From there, hop on the Great Allegheny Passage to cycle 16 miles from Frostburg to Cumberland.

AFTERNOON

Fill up on delicious salads, crab cake sandwiches, and Cajun cuisine at the popular Baltimore Street Grill. Then explore the many murals and artwork throughout downtown Cumberland as you head to the Crossroads of America Exhibit at the Allegany Museum, highlighting the evolution of

LOCAL TIPS

transportation from the mid1700s to the early 1900s, including a fully-restored 1825 Conestoga Wagon and 1902 Oldsmobile.

The magical, runaway hit movie-inspired Polar Express™ EVENING train ride experience with the Western Maryland For quality of service, Scenic Railroad is hospitality, and food that the perfect addition is second to none, reserve to your mountain a table at Ristorante family getaway.

Ottaviani, serving the

best steaks and seafood around. Stop at Dig Deep Brewing Co. for a nightcap before walking across the street to a stay at the Fairfield Inn in Cumberland, right off the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath trails.

MDMOUNTAINSIDE.COM @MOUNTAINMARYLAND @MOUNTAIN_MARYLAND

A DAY IN ...

Halifax

A DAY IN ...

VA

There is truly something for everyone in Halifax County. Here you’ll find history, character, and charm in great supply to go along with bucolic scenic byways and classic country roads that lead you to beautiful state parks and numerous attractions ranging from vineyards to historical landmarks, an internationally renowned road racing course and miles of lush countryside to explore.

MORNING

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast and coffee from Southern Plenty, an eclectic café located in Downtown South Boston. After breakfast, walk Main Street and explore the antique shops and boutiques of this charming community.

AFTERNOON

Head to the stately Berry Hill Resort for lunch at Darby’s Tavern, which serves American and pub favorites. After lunch, spend an afternoon at Virginia International Raceway racing around the kart track. These aren’t your average go-karts, the karts run ungoverned Honda GX 270cc motors, capable of speeds more than 50 mph!

EVENING

D DFEANC TG E M FHUI N

Cage Sculpture Spotsylvania Garden is a mustis celebrating see on any trip its 300th to Halifax – in an anniversary open 2021sculpture with a field seriesfeaturing of programs aand collection events of whimsical throughoutart the created year! by castoff industrial materials, and goats. Great family fun!

After an excitementfilled day, enjoy dinner in downtown Halifax at Molasses Grill, named one of the “30 places to eat in Virginia before you die”. Featuring a diverse menu of Southern Inspired fare and fresh, inseason ingredients, this restaurant is sure to delight. Catch some sleep at one of the rustic cabins of Springfield 1842, built using traditional craftsmanship. The cabins are just a short walk from the distillery on site – perfect for a night cap or a souvenir the following morning!

GOHALIFAXVA.COM @DISCOVERHALIFAXVA @DISCOVERHALIFAXVA

Charlottesville & Albemarle County

VA Outdoor recreation meets a world-class wine and culinary scene in Charlottesville & Albemarle County. Located just a short 30-minute drive from where the Blue Ridge Parkway meets up with Shenandoah National Park, it’s a great home base for people wanting to explore both of those outdoor recreational treasures!

MORNING

Fuel up with coffee and pastries at The Wool Factory. Located just a few steps from the Rivanna Trail, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll by the serene and scenic Rivanna River.

AFTERNOON

Start with lunch at Dairy Market – Central Virginia’s first market hall concept. You’ll find food from all over the world with many options that are portable enough to grab and go! Then head out for a hike on the gorgeous Saunders-Monticello Trail. This trail leads to the visitor center at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and is ADA accessible. Next up, explore the Monticello Wine Trail – on horseback! Indian Summer Guide Service offers horseback rides through vineyards for the perfect way to discover the area’s robust wine region. There are more than

40 wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail and this region is quickly becoming one of the most wellknown wine regions on the East Coast.

EVENING

INSIDER TIP

Stay longer and visit additional wineries using the Monticello Wine Trail Digital Passport. Check in at 10 participating wineries on the trail and win a prize!

Dine on the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall where there are plenty of heated patios that will keep you warm into the winter! Or head up to the rooftop of the Quirk Hotel to see a spectacular Central Virginia sunset. And when it is time to call it a day, you can have your choice of lodging options, from luxurious resorts to your favorite chain hotels, cozy inns and B&Bs, plus a selection of vacation rentals, cabins, and cottages.

Plan your stay today at visitcharlottesville.org.

VISITCHARLOTTESVILLE.ORG @CHARLOTTESVILLEVIRGINIA @CHARLOTTESVILLEVA

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A WEEKEND IN...

Bristol

DOWNTOWN BRIS TOL CREDIT JARED KREISS

TN/VA

With the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains serving as a backdrop, Bristol is known for its incomparable outdoor beauty, is one of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia’s most precious jewels. A rich musical heritage, a world-renowned racing facility and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet make Bristol the perfect destination for your next great adventure.

DAY ONE MORNING

There’s no better place to start your day than at South Holston Lake, and Holston River where the already spectacular views are lit up the bright orange, red, and yellow hues. Autumn views don’t get any better than from these shores.

Like to fish? Don’t forget to pack your gear because you’ll find a wide array of options here, from trout to catfish, bass, crappie and more.

AFTERNOON

Autumn awesomeness is in abundance at the spectacular 2,200-acre Steele Creek Park. The third-largest municipal park in Tennessee, it features a 52-acre lake and hours of family fun including an 18-hole disc golf course, nine-hole golf course, miles of hiking trails, paddleboats, a nature center, and splash pad

LOS T S TATE 3 CREDIT EARL NEIKIRK

EVENING

On any given night in Bristol, you’ll find a range of live music at several of our downtown Bristol venues, including Cascade Draft House, with 40 rotating taps to satisfy all your craft beer cravings and an outstanding lineup of live music.

DAY TWO MORNING

Wake up to the freshest of treats at Blackbird Bakery, where you’ll find everything from Bavarian crème donuts to jalapeño bacon Kolaches, to freshbrewed coffee and more. When in Bristol, a trip to the Bristol Motor Speedway, one of NASCAR’s most popular tracks, should be on your itinerary.

AFTERNOON

Get out and enjoy the outdoors again on the Mendota Trail, a 12.5-mile hiking and biking corridor that will take you across forests, giving you a variety of spectacular views. Head to downtown’s State Street, where you cross the line into Virginia and back again and find specialty stores, breweries, distilleries and antiques.

After a lunch at one of several locally owned restaurants, take a walk over to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum SOUTH HOL S TON L AKE CREDIT JARED KREISS

and hear the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, which were instrumental to shaping the sound of country music for generations to come.

EVENING

Ready for some dinner? You are in the right place. For classic, elevated American and Southern fare, try 620 State. Sample the outstanding homemade Chicago Pizza at the Angry Italian, or at Machiavelli’s also known for its handmade offerings, and then settle in for some live music where you can hear every song but Wagon Wheel (there’s even a sign).

EXPLOREBRISTOL.COM @EXPLOREBRISTOLNOW @EXPLOREBRISTOLNOW

A WEEKEND IN...

Bedford

VA

Destination Bedford is for disc golf lovers! With more than 120 holes of disc golf across five courses ranging from beginner to advanced, including a championship-level course designed by six-time World Champion Paul McBeth, there is something for all skill levels. Courses are open yearround and free to play. Get your competition on and experience what Bedford, VA has to offer!

DAY ONE MORNING

Start the day at Bridge Street Café in downtown Bedford.

This locally owned specialty coffee shop features a variety of coffee drinks, pastries and bagels, along with indoor and outdoor seating.

Next head to Falling Creek Park, a suitable course for all skill levels with 38 holes total. It’s the perfect place to learn the game or have a warm-up round.

There are also bike trails, a skate park, playground and picnic areas.

AFTERNOON

Head to downtown Bedford for lunch at Azul (Tex-Mex) or Town Kitchen & Provisions (sandwiches with names like Friar Cluck and Loretta Lynn, salads & sides).

EVENING

Choose your next course destination, whether it be Beale’s Treasure at Montvale Park, Moneta Park featuring a mix of open and wooded holes with moderate elevation changes, or Independence Park which features a water challenge.

Grab food and brew at Beale’s Brewery or Apocalypse Ale Works, which also recently opened a cidery and winery next door to the brewery! On weekends there may be live music. Clam Digger’s in downtown Bedford and Ole Ole Mexican Grill and Cantina are also great spots for food, drinks and live music.

Spend a restful night in one of the area’s cabins, cottages, B&Bs, or campsites.

DAY TWO MORNING

If it’s the weekend, head to Brimstone Bistro in Forest for brunch. If not, go to Owen’s Market for made-to-order breakfast biscuits and other delicious home-cooked offerings.

UNUSUAL FACT

Beale’s Treasure Disc Golf Course and Beale’s Brewery are named after Thomas Jefferson Beale who supposedly buried treasure somewhere in the mountains of Bedford County back in the 1800s.

Let the staff at the Bedford Area Welcome Center help you plan your stay

AFTERNOON

Now it’s time for the New London Tech Disc Golf Course (a.k.a. “Bogey Heaven”), where you can test your skills against a course designed by Paul McBeth, a sixtime world champion. The Par 68, 18-hole championship course spans roughly two miles and features new challenges at every turn.

EVENING

Reward yourself with a delicious dinner at Bedford Social Club, where you’ll find award-winning cuisine and libations featuring only the freshest and topquality ingredients. Or head back in time to Liberty Station, a beautifully restored station house that combines history with top-notch American fare and is a favorite among locals and travelers alike!

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

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UPPER JAMES RIVER WATER TRAIL – BOTETOURT COUNT Y

A DAY IN ...

Virginia’s Blue Ridge

You’ll love exploring Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and the many opportunities to experience stunning views, delicious food and drink, and rich history and culture. Whether you’re attending a sporting event in the City of Salem, exploring a trail in Botetourt County, setting up camp in Roanoke County, listening to music in Franklin County, or enjoying a great meal in Roanoke, it can all be part of a getaway to Virginia’s Blue Ridge!

LOCAL TIP

MORNING

Get things started with a breakfast sandwich on a freshly-baked bagel at Donnie D’s Bagels and Deli in Botetourt County. Then, head north to Historic Fincastle, a walkable town that still features buildings and architecture from when it was established in 1770.

AFTERNOON

Experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the water with a float on the Upper James River Water Trail. Located in the Town of Buchanan, Twin River Outfitters is a great option for guided trips, rentals, and shuttle service.

EVENING

With nearly 60 miles of trails, Carvins Cove is known as one of the best places for mountain biking on the East Coast.

Don’t let the weekend end without a visit to Downtown Roanoke.

You’ll love the diversity of cuisine from local restaurants, including Middle Eastern, Peruvian, Indian, Japanese, and classic Southern fare. Following dinner, make your way up Mill Mountain to the iconic Roanoke Star for a selfie and a stunning view of the Roanoke Valley.

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

THE OUT AND BACK

SHOT SKI WANTED

THE AUTHOR'S IDEAL SKI-BAR SCENE. P H O T O S B Y G R A H A M AV E R I L L

IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT SKI BAR

BY G R A H A M AV E R I L L

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT BARS IN the Southern Appalachians, and we’ve been known to have some great skiing from time to time, but great ski bars are scarce in these parts. We have some great paddling bars, and we have mountain bike bars in spades, but ski bars are few and far between.

Trust me, I’ve looked. And let me be clear— I’m not talking about a bar that’s actually located on the mountain. I’m talking about a bar in a town at the base of the mountain or off a lonely highway somewhat adjacent to said ski hill. Slope-side bars are lovely, but they’re typically a different beast altogether, starting with the cost of beer and trickling down to the clientele that bellies up to the bar.

That’s not to say I haven’t had good times at slope-side bars. Some of my fondest memories of skiing at Snowshoe include drinking tall boy PBRs at Arbunkle’s Cabin at the base of Cupp Run. But the

problem with slope-side bars is that they know they’re ski bars, and once a bar is aware of its ski bar status, it loses some of its charm. It’s confusing, like physics, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

While I haven’t found the perfect ski bar in these parts yet, I’m always on the lookout and I want everyone reading this right now to be on the lookout as well.

While I haven’t found the perfect ski bar in these parts yet, I’m always on the lookout and I want everyone reading this right now to be on the lookout as well. So you can tell me if and when you find the ideal bar to plant my tired body in after a fun day on the hill.

Here are my thoughts on what makes the perfect ski bar, so you know what to look for.

• Location is obviously important (it needs to be near a ski slope, duh) but so is the exterior. The façade of the ski bar should be nondescript to the point that it’s unwelcoming to casual passers-by.

• Half the people in the ski bar should

be locals that do not ski. These locals should also glare at the skiers fresh off the mountain like they’re aliens.

• The perfect ski bar must have some sort of mildly athletic competition to keep the patrons busy. Pool and darts don’t count.

Ping pong or shuffleboard are ideal.

Karaoke will also work in this category.

• If there’s enough snow on the ground, customers will be allowed, nay, encouraged to ski through the front door of the ski bar.

• The perfect ski bar does not have cheesy drink specials, giveaways or gimmicks. The Jager Luge is the obvious exception to this rule.

• A shot ski should be hung high above the back of the bar, but it shouldn’t be used haphazardly. The shot ski is ceremonial and will only be filled to celebrate monumental events like funerals or when someone gets a new set of powder skis.

• Local IPAs should be heavily featured, but there should also be a PBR on tap for a dollar ‘cause skiing is expensive.

• If you have a bitchin’ van, the owners of the ski bar will let you sleep in the parking lot. If you’re cool and help them take out the trash, they’ll even give you free coffee in the morning.

• This isn’t a sports bar, but there is one TV in the corner showing classic films like The Blizzard of AAHHH’s and Aspen Extreme (see Dexter Rutecki, above) on a loop.

• For one hour a day, people are allowed to erupt into an impromptu dance party at the perfect ski bar. The exact timing of that dance party is not set but allowed to happen organically. Otherwise, the only music played at the perfect ski bar is classic country.

• There should be food, but the perfect ski bar isn’t a restaurant, so Hot Pockets, heated up begrudgingly in the microwave by the bartender, will suffice.

That bartender is also a better skier than you, so don’t bother telling him/her how hard you ripped today.

• Any bar tab left under the name “Dexter Rutecki” will be automatically forgiven at the perfect ski bar.

NOVEMBER 2022 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

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THE GOODS

GIFT GUIDE

THE OUTDOOR LOVER’S WISH LIST The holidays are just around the corner and we have you covered when it comes to finding the perfect gift for those gear heads in your life—comfy favorites anyone will love at home or in the outdoors.

BY D O U G S C H N I T Z S PA H N

JBL

FJÄLLRÄVEN

IBEX

DAHU

CEP

NOMADIX YODER SMOKERS 640S AND WOOD FIRED OVEN

Fjällräven CEP

HIking Compression Socks Mid Socks. The ultimate lame holiday gift, right? Wrong.

These are no ordinary hiking socks. Built with cozy merino wool that never gets too hot or too cold, they don’t just provide weather protection; they also compress your hard-working dogs, increasing circulation and making for healthy feet. $35; cepcompression.com

Dahu

Écorce 01X You live in the South and you hate how your ski boots hurt when you make it to the slopes. It doesn’t have to be this way. Swiss brand Dahu has created a comfort-first boot that doesn't skimp on performance on the hill. The shell of the boot features cutouts at common pressure points, making a fine fit for any foot, and the boot opens up for easy entry (no jamming in). Best of all, the cozy Primaloft-insulated liner serves as an aprés boot when you are done shredding. $989; skidahu.com

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

Singi Down Jacket Hate the cold? Meet your new savior. This classic Scandinavian parka boasts a range of contemporary tech perks, including adjustable sleeve cuffs and a more than ample amount of eco-friendly insulation. It’s guaranteed to keep even the coldest souls warm in the dead of winter. $600; fjallraven.com

Ibex

Woolies Tech ¼ Zip They may seem boring, but base layers make the ideal gift for any outdoorist. Ibex’s merino wool is warm but never too hot, wicks sweat, and doesn’t itch. Not sure what to get them? This gift will always be well received. $135; ibex.com

JBL

Tour One Another gift that will please anyone (especially outdoor lovers who plan on long flights to reach their destination or those festivarians who want to keep jamming in their own head) these swank over-ear

headphones will wow even the most precocious audiophiles. Fully noise-canceling, they provide an impressive 50 hours of playback time. $300; jbl.com

Yoder Smokers 640S and Wood Fired Oven Straight outta Kansas, this grill company is not messing around when it comes to converting your backyard into something the chefs on “The Bear” would covet. The meat connoisseurs in your life will rejoice as the 640S pellet grill smokes, open-flame sears, and provides precise temperature control. The Wood Fired Oven serves up everything from pizza to pie with restaurant-perfect taste and consistency. $2,399 640S, $499, Wood Fired Oven; atbbq.com

Nomadix

Puffer Blanket The cozy stuff always pleases when it comes to gifts. Packing down small enough to stuff in a daypack and offering warmth and water-resistant protection, this blanket will increase your snuggling satisfaction on everything from backpacking trips to Netflix nights on the couch. $99; nomadix.co

“It put us at ease knowing she was in good hands and good care.”

— Desiree Wright When a loved one needs to go under anesthesia, it’s never easy. That’s especially true when your little girl is too young to understand. “As first-time parents we were very, very nervous,” Desiree Wright says. But she and her husband, Jobie, soon discovered the expertise that physician anesthesiologists bring — including such specialties as pediatrics. Dr. Tiffany Minehart prepared them, offering comfort and reassurance. When you or a loved one needs surgery, trust a physician anesthesiologist to provide expert care before, during and after your procedure.

DR. TIFFANY MINEHART Pediatric Anesthesiologist

GEAR DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND

NELLIE and the Wright Family

Find out what you need to know before you undergo surgery at RestAssuredVA.com.

© 2022 Eagles Nest Outfitters, Inc.

From backyard to backcountry and everywhere in between, our tried-and-true products outfit you with an all-access pass to explore, connect, and relax…

enonation.com

NOVEMBER 2022 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM

47

THE GOODS

GIFT GUIDE

PRANA

YUKON CHARLIE’S

OPINEL

SNOW PEAK

ROVR

Opinel

Les Forgés 1890 Trio The foodies in your life will rejoice when they open up this masterful set of French blades. Made in the land where food is an art, the blades will serve day-today in the kitchen and make the ideal tools to create gourmet feasting out in the field. $399; opinel-usa.com

Prana

Ice Flow Legging Made for getting active on cold days, these insulated leggings deliver plenty of stretch and extra warmth. And if you are headed to yoga, you can feel as if you are walking the walk since they are Bluesigncertified, the strictest sustainability rating, and made with fair-trade recycled polyester. $89; prana.com

Snow Peak

Titanium Fork and Spoon Set The perfect stocking stuffer for backpackers and campers—it fits right in the toe—this nifty cutlery set is that present they didn’t think they needed. But the titanium utensils outperform any other fork and spoon on the trail (or even when you travel). $27; snowpeak.com

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

DAKOTA GRIZZLY

Rovr

TravelR 30 Who doesn’t love a cooler? This soft, well-insulated hauler will keep everything from juice boxes to craft beer on ice whether you are on the river or hanging out at the park. Backpack straps make it easy to haul. Bonus: Add the KeepR Cooler Caddy ($149) for pro organization on the inside. $250; rovrproducts.com

Yukon Charlie’s

Minimalist Snowshoe Kit Snowshoes please all comers. They get newbies out in the snow deep in the hills and they give core performers the chance to push it off trail. No matter what they open up the woods in the winter. This all-in-one kit gives you durable aluminum snowshoes that fit any boot with the simple heel-strap system, adjustable poles with multiple tips for various snow conditions, and a bag to transport and store it all. $175–$200; yukoncharlies.com

MOUNTAINSMITH

Dakota Grizzly

Drager The shacket is the go-to item for aspiring lumberjacks, festival hounds, car campers, and refined chillists. This warm, water-resistant waxed cotton piece pulls double duty as a jacket on brisk days and insulator when it’s truly cold outside. Plus, it looks the part. $129; dakotagrizzly.com

Mountainsmith

Trippin' Fanny Pack Indeed, the fanny pack continues its resurgence— for good reason. The ease-of-access and minimalism they provide never goes out of style, working for all genders and generations. Wear it proudly when you want to carry stuff along to a festival or day hike. $30; mountainsmith.com

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TRAIL MIX

FRESH TRACKS

TOP TUNES IN NOVEMBER Our Favorite New Music from the Blue Ridge and Beyond

BY J E D D F E R R I S A N D DAV E S TA L L A R D

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 Rhett Miller, Lucy Dacus, and Deer Tick.

RHETT MILLER “Heart Attack Days” Old 97’s front man Rhett Miler helped pioneer the late-90s alt-country movement, but on his latest solo album, “The Misfit,” he moves beyond rootsbased borders and embraces colorful studio experimentation with help from producer Sam Cohen. With the steady patter of a drum machine, swirling synths, and vocals soaked in reverb, “Heart Attack Days” is a playfully weird track that exemplifies the sonic shift, as Miller sounds lost in space singing about the irresistible urges of toxic attraction. – J.F.

DEER TICK "Cake and Eggs” On November 11, Deer Tick will release an expanded, remastered version of its 2011 album “Divine Providence.”

Included in the updated set is the first recorded version “Cake and Eggs,” an irreverent country love song that’s long been a staple of the twang-punk outfit’s live shows. Led by a lighthearted piano shuffle, the tune features Tick head John McCauley scruffily singing comedic lines, both corny and horny, with some wry wit reminiscent of the late great John Prine.

– J.F .

EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON “Built on Bones” In 2021, singer/songwriter Emily Scott Robinson composed music for an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” for the Telluride Theater. “Built on Bones - Songs for Macbeth” is the result of

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BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS

R H E T T M I L L E R R E L E A S E D H I S L AT E S T S O L O A L B U M , “ T H E M I S F I T, ” I N S E P T E M B E R . P H O T O B Y E B R U Y I L D I Z

the project. Featuring the six songs written for the production, Robinson and fellow vocalists Alisa Amador and Lizzy Ross sing as the three witches, weaving Macbeth’s tragic tale throughout the intricate threads of their haunting harmonies. “Built on Bones” fits perfectly in a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s writing while also standing on its own as a somber, beautiful song. – D.S.

WILD PINK “See You Better Now” Big-swinging folk-rock group Wild Pink is poised for well-deserved breakout success with newly released album “ILYSM.” The guest-heavy record mixes wispy ballads with epic soundscapes, but “See You Better Now” is a down-the-middle pop-rock song that recalls Tom Petty’s FM heyday. The band’s leader and main songwriter John Ross sings about nostalgic little moments from youth amid sun-kissed acoustic guitar chords, and it’s all punctuated by a ripping guitar solo from J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. – J.F.

LUCY DACUS “It’s Too Late” Lucy Dacus is a top song scribe in modern indie rock, proven on last year’s revelatory studio album “Home Video.” But here she looks back at her influences and gives a glowing edge to the heartache anthem from Carole King’s landmark “Tapestry.” The cover, originally recorded as a seven inch for Jack White’s Third Man Records but recently released to streaming, is a faithful yet refreshingly vital update, as Dacus uses her entrancing voice to sing about relationships that can’t be saved.

– J.F.

GLEN PHILLIPS “Big Changes” Glen Phillips soared to stardom as singer and guitarist for Toad The Wet Sprocket in the early 1990s. Though he still tours and records with his old band, Phillips has crafted a successful solo career since Toad first went on hiatus in 1998. “Big Changes” finds Phillips staring down helplessness in the face of adversity, only to rediscover his resolve as he works to overcome those

challenges. Over a deliberate rock beat and arching electrical guitars, Phillips delivers with a voice that has matured over his 30-year career, though he still reaches those upper registers that long time Toad fans readily remember. – D.S

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS

“Listen to Her Heart - Live at the Fillmore, 1997” Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers began 1997 with a 20-night residency at San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore Auditorium. Six of the concerts were professionally recorded and those tracks are now the focus of the band’s first live release in 13 years. Petty’s unexpected passing five years ago left fans reeling, and this performance of “Listen to Her Heart” reminds all how significant his absence has been.

There is a joyousness captured in the

recording, both in the band’s playing and the crowd’s reception to the song. Petty is certainly missed. – D.S.

WAYNE GRAHAM “Taking You In” Eastern Kentucky’s mountains have birthed some impressive musicians in recent years. To the list that includes Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, and Tyler Childers, add the name Wayne Graham. But be clear, Wayne Graham is a we, not a he. Named for the grandfathers of brothers Kenny and Hayden Miles, the band has spent recent years doling out folky country rock. “Taking You In” is stripped down and intimate, with Kenny strumming and singing over Hayden’s restrained drums, all set in a wash of spacey pedal steel and fuzzy guitars. This marks a sterling addition to the songbook of the Bluegrass State. – D.S.

To hear these songs and more, follow the Blue Ridge Outdoors’ Trail Mix playlist on Spotify.

Main Streets to

Mountain Tops

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