A Mountain Dreams Press Site
Great Smoky Mountains National Park The Smokies might lie pretty far south—but no other mountains lie to the west to sap the snow from storms. The Smokies’ ridge is so abrupt and massive—rising from 1,000 feet near Gatlinburg to nearly 7,000 feet—that the highest peaks can get hammered by big snow in even marginal conditions. Snowstorms often interrupt travel across
Keep readingThe eastern portion of the state of Tennessee is known for its diverse natural habitats, shopping and recreational areas. There are several state and national parks within the state that showcase the areas best scenic vistas and natural scenery, and that are close to numerous shopping and recreational attractions. The following three parks have camping areas that are open and
Keep readingThe National Park Service is beginning the process of making parts of West Virginia’s Monongehela National Forest a national park, something the state does not have currently. The process starts with a survey, scheduled for next month and planned to be complete in September 2012, to determine if the area is viable for a national park. Specifically, the survey would,
Keep readingJohn-Boy might not be there, but youll still get a taste of Appalachian Christmas cheer with a visit to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park this coming Saturday. Each year, deep in Appalachia, the holiday season is ushered in as Christmas-red cardinals decorate snow-covered hemlocks. Icicles become natures diamonds frosting rocky mountainsides. The brisk air makes ones skin tingle. Christmas bells
Keep readingBristol, Tenn. The official birthplace of country music sits on the Tennessee/Virginia border, offering affordable cost of living, big-city conveniences in a smaller atmosphere and, of course, lots of live music. Bristol also provides recreational activities such as boating and fishing on nearby lakes, golfing and exploring caverns. Big draws: NASCAR races at the Bristol Motor Speedway and performances at
Keep readingGarrett County, Md. For nature lovers, Garrett County presents a variety of ways to spend time outdoors. Wisp Resort in Deep Creek Lake is the place-to-be for winter recreation. The lake itself beckons residents and visitors to boat, fish or swim during warmer months. Arts and culture are alive in Grantsville, where Spruce Forest Artisan Village showcases resident artists. In
Keep readingOne of the spots I keep meaning to visit as we make our semi-annual run for the mountains… Mentone, Ala. High atop Lookout Mountain, this charming community in DeKalb County is the ideal starting point for exploring nearby mountains, canyons and caves. And Mentone sits just eight miles from DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve. In town,
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From my favorite magazine comes an article on mountain retirement communities…. Blue Ridge, Ga. It’s a small town that has it all. The area has been dubbed the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia thanks to places such as the Toccoa River. Other popular outdoor adventures include horseback riding, hiking, golf, whitewater rafting and boating. Downtown Blue Ridge bustles with folks visiting the
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Walking through the wooded valley between Nell’s Hill and Roundtop Mtn. is a joy in any season, but it’s hard to argue against fall being the best of the best. A snow-covered walk is fine, too, but sometimes hard to accomplish, even on snowshoes. In spring the beauties tend to be smaller–tiny wildflowers and unfolding ferns. In summer I can
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