WNC Travel Guide | 2022

Serving Up Adventure The Mountains-to-Sea Trail’s Unlikely Beginning

Cashiers’ Many Charms Disc Golf & Thai Food

Roller Skating’s Enduring Allure

ADVENTURE | EATS + DRINKS | LIVE MUSIC

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If you’ve picked up this publication, then, by all accounts, you’re in search of outdoors adventure and countless memorable experiences in our backyard paradise that is Western North Carolina.

As folks proud of our region, we also take a lot of pride in making those who visit feel as welcomed and embraced as possible.

Life is about trying new things and meeting new people, and what better place to do so than with Mother Nature’s masterpiece of the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountain ranges as the backdrop?

Take to the trail for a day-hike or mountain bike ride, or to the river for some vigorous kayaking or tranquil fly fishing, or take to Main Street for an afternoon of shopping, perhaps a farm-to-table dinner or live bluegrass performance. The beauty of Western North Carolina resides in the mere notion that every day is a blank canvas by which we have all the colors of possibility at our disposal to paint with. Between our array of weekend festivals and seasonal events, the hardest part is simply figuring out what to do. It’s all here, and more.

I’ve always believed the litmus test of the strength of a place resides in how well its community aims at bringing one and all together. Give me a town where the people really care and are well vested in the community and its potential, and I’ll give you a location that is pulsating with activity, with love and passion, intellectuality and enthusiasm for the unknowns of tomorrow — bring it on, y’all.

— Garret K. Woodward, Arts & Entertainment Editor

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INSIDE: Food+Drink Home is where the meal is..............................................6 In search of a sense of community..............................8 The Chef & The Baker...................................................10 Bryson City brewery celebrates five years ............22 RESTAURANTS ...........................................................11 WNC BRE WERIE S ............................................... ......22

Art+Culture Artisan combines love of horses, jewelry...............26 Bringing history, culture and lore to life .................28 A conversation with John Duncan ...........................30 MUSEUMS .......................................................... ......29 MOUNTAIN MUSIC ...................................................3 2 E VE NTS ............................................................. .......5 7

Outdoors+Recreation Cashiers, NC......................................................................38 Launching a legacy: Chestnut Mountain ...............40 Offering Memories for a Lifetime..............................42 HIT THE BIKE TRAILS ................................................41 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ...................................... ......46 THE SMOKIES ..........................................................47 WATE RFALLS ...........................................................5 0 CLIMB A MOUNTAIN ................................................5 4 On the Cover: Nathaniel Flowers making dinner after a day on the Mountains to Sea Trail along the eastern rim of the Linville Gorge.

Steve Yocom photo | steveyocomphotography.com

Editor/Publisher:

Writing/Photography:

Scott McLeod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Advertising Director: Greg Boothroyd . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Susanna Shetley . . . . susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com

Composition & Design:

Advertising:

Distribution:

Bookkeeping:

Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Sophia Burleigh . . . . . . sophia.b@smokymountainnews.com Jessica Murray. . . . . . . jessica.m@smokymountainnews.com Susanna Shetley . . . . susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier. . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com

If you’d like bulk copies of the WNC Travel Guide to distribute at your business, email your request to classads@smokymountainnews.com or call Distribution Manager Scott Collier at 828.452.4251. Contents ©2022/2023 The Smoky Mountain News. All rights reserved.

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2022 Downtown Waynesville Events 2022 ART AFTER DARK Gallery Stroll EVENT DATES June 3 • July 1 • August 5 • September 2 • October 7 • November 4 • December 2

Spring Block Party

Friday Night Summer Street Dances

Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend • 7-10PM

June 24, July 8 & 22, August 5 • 6-9PM

Stars & Stripes July 4th Celebration

Fall Block Party

Monday, July 4 • 10AM - 3PM

Saturday, September 10 • 7-10PM

Church Street Art & Craft Show

Treats on the Street

Saturday, October 8 • 10AM - 5PM

Monday, October 31 • 5-7PM

Waynesville Christmas Parade

A Night Before Christmas

Monday, December 5 • 6PM All Dates/Times/Events are subject to change.

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Saturday, December 10 & 17 • 6-9PM Please check before traveling.

DowntownWaynesville.com

2022

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Eats+Drinks Home is where the meal is Sylva restaurant specialize in authentic Thai cuisine Although the 5 o’clock dinner rush is still a few hours away, Chef Kanlaya Supachana is zipping around the kitchen of Dalaya, preparing several signature northern Thai dishes with such meticulous and precise care — no small detail overlooked, whether for presentation or palate.

Sitting in the small, cozy dining area of the Sylva establishment (on the far end of West

pachana modestly stated. “I want this room to feel like my home, where everyone is welcome, where we look forward to introducing you to the real cooking of my native Thailand.”

Though many folks may think Thai food is all about “heat and spice,” the style of authentic northern Thai, according to Supachana, is more of an emphasis on flavor,

Main Street) is a hungry and curious journalist from The Smoky Mountain News. And even though he only wanted to try a couple offerings and not overstay his welcome, Supachana won’t let him leave until she brings out dish after dish (after dish) to sample.

“You can’t write about this place without trying a little bit of everything,” Su-

as well as color and beauty (the food is almost too aesthetically pleasing to consume, with Supachana a true artisan of her craft).

Fresh fruit (Thai pineapple salad), vegetables and sauces (krabong) come into play, often complemented by sweet and sour glazes (spicy fish sauce wings). There’s also a keen knack for mouthwatering curry

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soups (khao soi, gaeng masaman), meat that falls off the bone (khao muu daeng) and seafood (plaa muk yang, khoong yang), not to mention homemade Thai tea ice cream for dessert.

Originally from the Chiang Mai region of northern Thailand, Supachana learned to cook from her late father, a beloved figure of culinary talent and delights in her hometown. He bestowed upon his daughter the ancient cooking instincts of feel and taste, instead of “going by the book” of exact recipes and regimented instruction.

But, initially, Supachana didn’t see herself in the food world. She was more interested in computers, something that parlayed itself into Supachana immigrating to the United States to pursue a degree in the field. Ultimately, she found herself working in Thai restaurants in New York City to pay the bills.

“I started by just answering phones and putting together the takeout orders,” Supachana reminisced.

“And, on our days off, myself and my coworkers — who were also from northern Thailand — would cook the actual food we ate back home, not the usual things you see in [American] Thai restaurants.”

Supachana’s cooking became in high demand from friends and acquaintances, ultimately placing her in the kitchen of a handful of Thai spots in Brooklyn. Soon, she and a partner opened the pop-up restaurant Kao Soy. Located in Red Hook, the business was a smashing success — lauded by The New York Times, with lines out the door daily.

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Kanlaya Supachana

LOCATED ON A 65 ACRE BISON RANCH

And it was in Brooklyn where Supachana met David Weeks, a self-proclaimed foodie who frequented Kao Soy (which has since closed). Weeks, who has family roots in Sylva, found himself with an opportunity to bring Supachana and her fine dining expertise to Jackson County.

The two became partners and Dalaya (a combination of their first names) opened just about two and a half years ago, with most of its existence spent in the midst of the restaurant industry shutdown during the early stages of the pandemic.

But, the business survived, mainly due to a stream of loyal customers who ordered takeout on a regular basis. And now, with the dining room reopened, Dalaya is serving both lunch (takeout only) and dinner (sitdown/takeout), where a packed house is the norm these days.

“The support has been so great,” Supachana said. “If it wasn’t for that when we had to shut down, I don’t know if we’d be here today — but, we are, and the people are still coming in to eat and enjoy themselves.”

So, what would her late father think of Dalaya, of Supachana and her renowned talents in the kitchen, of finding footing and friendship in the mountains of Western North Carolina?

“He’d be very proud, but he’d also be laughing a little, too, because when I was young, I didn’t want to become a cook,” Supachana marveled with a chuckle. “He loved cooking and I keep his memory alive with this food — it’s pretty special.”

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Eats+Drinks In search of a sense of community

Highly-anticipated pub opens in Waynesville

Serendipity is a word Makyia Blair has been using a lot lately.

“I’m a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason,” Blair said. “And, so far, everything that’s happened has been serendipitous — it’s just worked out that way.”

Perched at the end of the dimly-lit bar at The Scotsman Public House in downtown Waynesville one recent afternoon, Blair, alongside her husband, Scot, opened the business this past February to great fervor, where the space has already become one of the most popular spots in Western North Carolina.

“My first thought has been, ‘How do we

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know this many people already?’” Makyia reflected on the first few months in operation.

“It’s just been so beautiful to see it all unfold.

It was also really emotional, knowing how much we’ve put into this space to make our dream a reality.”

Originally from Washington State, Makyia went to college for creative writing. But, upon graduation in 2008, she quickly found herself in the food/beverage industry during the crippling economic collapse that year.

From there, she left behind the seeming never-ending rainy days of the Pacific Northwest and traded it in for the signature sunshine of San Diego, California. And it

was in Southern Cali where Makyia rose through the ranks of the storied San Diego craft beer and culinary industries, eventually crossing paths with Scot.

Hailing from rural Illinois, Scot joined the Marines after high school, soon to be stationed in San Diego, his longtime home where, following his honorable discharge, he dove deep into the food/beverage scene of the city, ultimately parlaying itself into the opening of his own brewery/restaurant.

“And when the pandemic hit, I was laid off from my craft beer sales rep position, only to start working for the family business alongside Scot,” Makyia said. “There were so many

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ups and downs and unknowns when COVID hit, especially with the protocols and closures in California. So, we were able to leave the business behind, to take our investment of time and money elsewhere — and we did.”

With a blank canvas in front of them, Makyia and Scot started looking around the country as to where they wanted to put roots down next. In an almost “Goldilocks & The Three Bears” fashion, they came across a place not too hot, not too cold, something that was just right, in terms of the physical and economic landscape offered — Western North Carolina.

“We had traveled through this area for our honeymoon, and Scot had been coming to the Smokies since he was a kid, so he knew the beauty of this region,” Makyia said. “Something about this place felt right, and we started looking around for a property to launch our next idea — a Celtic-style pub. Then, we stumbled across this building through a simple Google search.”

Once the building at 37 Church Street in downtown Waynesville was discovered, Makyia and Scot jumped at the opportunity for a fresh start. They packed everything up in California and headed for Haywood County, only to immediate rent the first floor of the building and begin the long renovation process on a beloved space that had sat empty for several years.

Checking the time on her smart phone, Makyia knows the doors to The Scotsman will be open once again within the next couple of hours. The Thursday afternoon rush will soon be here, this maddening vision of people and conversations, interactions and reactions all occurring in real time.

With The Scotsman now in motion, the business has already been happily embraced by the community — this vibrant beehive of humanity and a highly-anticipated addition to Waynesville’s ever-growing culinary and social scenes.

“With everything that’s gone on in the world these past two years, it seems crazy to be opening a business, let alone a pub,” Makyia chuckled. “But, being behind the bar counter and interacting with people is what I enjoy doing. I love making a connection with customers and bonding with my co-workers. We want to provide that second home to this community — that feeling where everyone is welcome and belongs here.”

WNCTravel

2022

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Eats+Drinks The Chef & The Baker September Burton and Taylor Miller opened The Chef & The Baker in Maggie Valley in January 2022. They are a talented couple boasting a multitude of culinary skills. We sat down with September for a Q&A where she shared a little about their lives and the story of their new business.

WNC Travel Guide: Where are you and Taylor from and how did you meet?

September: We’re from Colorado and met when we started working together at a restaurant. He was executive chef and I was an independent baker.

WNCTG: When did you move to the area?

September: We moved here in November 2021 and opened the restaurant in January.

We expected it would be about a year before we were able to open our own place but we actually got up and running in only about 6 weeks.

WNCTG: Is your background in culinary arts?

September: I did four years in the navy as a cook for admirals and when I got out, I went back and forth between studying nutrition and culinary arts. I went the nutrition route for a while. I learned how to keep food healthy so we can keep our bodies healthy.

That’s when I got into sourdough baking, which uses natural leavening and is much healthier for the body and the digestive tract, and it also tastes delicious. I also bake custom cakes without using any artificial dyes, refined sugars or other unhealthy, un-

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freedom and creativity to be ourselves. Most of the time you’ll find us laughing, goofing off, and dancing to great music in the kitchen.

Taylor Miller and September Burton.

natural ingredients. The bread is where my heart is though.

WNCTG: How did you come up with the idea for The Chef & the Baker?

September: The initial idea was Taylor’s. He’s highly creative and it started out almost as a joke but quickly became something we talked about frequently and started dreaming up. Even in Colorado we always worked well together and have different and complimentary strengths. One of our first collaborations was where I would pick a country and bake a traditional bread from that region and Taylor would create an accompanying butter, chutney, or other spread. We realized how well our skills blended and thought it would be fun to open a restaurant like this one. When we first came up with the concept, we were going to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I think we are going to just stick with breakfast and brunch.

WNCTG: What is something you would like customers to know about your business or products?

September: We are very particular about the products we use. For instance, we make everything in-house including ketchup, hot sauces, aiolis and other sauces. We are focused on showing people that we’re beyond farm-to-table, which is a term that’s become a little cliché and watered down. We shop at farmers markets and source local produce, meats, and even spices. The flour I use is North Carolina grown and milled fresh to order. We put so much care and passion into the food we make, and we hope people can feel that when eating our dishes and breads.

WNCTG: How are you settling into the Haywood County community?

September: We are connecting with other business owners, getting to know people in the area, and working hard to meet with local farmers and purveyors. We’ve had such a warm welcome from both locals and visitors.

WNCTG: Is it hard working with your partner?

September: Mostly it’s great. There can be challenges but we agreed early on that we would each focus on the other one’s strengths, both in the kitchen and on the business side of things. We do pretty well at remembering this and allow each other the

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Savoring the Smokies After a full day of hiking the mountains, biking the backcountry roads, cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway or swimming in a pristine lake, one can sure build up quite the appetite soaking in all that Western North Carolina has to offer. To remedy that, our region is home to some of the finest restaurants in the Southeast. Whether specializing in local farm-to-table items, southern “cosmopolitan country” dishes or intricate ethnic cuisines, any flavor or style can be found, each able to tantalize and capture any palate.

Andrews • Burger Basket American – 828.321.3785 • Grandpa Charlie’s Country Cookin’ American – 828.516.9022 • Granieri’s Italian Restaurant Italian/American – 828.321.5555 • Happy Hawg BBQ Southern/American – 828.321.2900 • Hoppy Trout Brewing Company American – 828.835.2111 • Kobe Grill Asian – 828.321.1010 • Monte Alban Mexican – 828.321.1802 • Ronnie’s American/Southern – 828.644.8271 • Santo Nino Mexican – 828.321.2109

Bryson City • Anthony’s Italian/American – 828.488.8898 • Bar-B-Que Wagon Southern/American – 828.488.9521 • Big Wesser American/Southern – 828.905.7238 • The Bistro at the Everett Hotel Southern/Gourmet – 828.488.1934 • Box Car Café & Cones American – 828.488.5379 • CJ’s Grille American/Southern – 828.488.9880 • Cornerstone Café American – 828.735.1609 • Derailed Bar & Lounge American – 828.488.8898 • Everett Street Diner American/Café – 828.488.0123 • Fryemont Inn Southern/Seafood – 800.845.4879 • Great Smoky Mountains Winery American/Southern – 828.788.1346 • Guayabitos Mexican – 828.488.1336

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If you were inadvertently left off this list, please email ae@smokymountainnews.com and we will add you to our online listing.

• Hemlock Inn Southern/Gourmet – 828.488.2885 • High Test Deli American/Southern – 828.488.1919 • Iron Wok Asian – 828.488.9553 • Iron Skillet American/Café – 828.488.4766 • Jimmy Mac’s American/Southern – 828.488.4700 • La Poblana Mexican – 828.488.1701 • La Taqueria Mexican – 828.488.9162 • Mountain Perks Espresso Bar & Café American/Café – 828.488.9561 • Naber’s Drive-In American/Southern – 828.488.2877 • Nantahala Brewing (Burger Bar) Southern/Gourmet – 828.585.5885 • Nate & Nick’s Pizza American/Southern – 828.588.0500 • Pasqualino’s Italian – 828.488.9555 • Pizza By The River American/Southern – 828.342.9101 • River’s End Restaurantv American/Southern – 828.488.7172 • Snak Shak American/Southern – 828.341.1999 • Village Bistro Southern/American – 828.488.9000

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Canton • Black Bear Café American/Café – 828.648.1003 • BearWaters Brewing American/Southern – 828.237.4200 • Canelos Mexican – 828.648.0303 • China King Buffet Chinese/Asian – 828.235.8815 • DiMaggio’s Pizza & Pasta American/Italian – 828.492.0641 • El Chapala Mexican – 828.235.9193 • Grateful Table American/Café – 828.276.2840 • J-RO’s American – 828.492.0015 • Jukebox Junction American/Café – 828.648.4546 • Kobe Express Asian – 828.492.1255

2022

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RESTAURANTS Canton

(continued)

• Kountry Kitchen American/Café – 828.492.8072 • Papertown Coffee American/Café – 828.492.0993 • Philly Italian Pasta & Subs Italian/American – 828.593.3580 • Southern Porch Kitchen & Drink Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.492.8006 • Three Compas Mexican – 828.235.9193 • WildFlour Blue Bakery – 828.492.1313

• Front Porch Cakery & Deli American/Southern – 828.497.1776 • Frontier Pancake House American/Café – 828.497.4718 • Granny’s Kitchen Southern/American – 828.497.5010 • Lee Garden Chinese – 828.497.4388

• Blue Rooster Southern Grill Southern/American – 828.456.1997 • Coffee Cup Café American/Café – 828.627.8905 • Da Asian Kitchen Asian/Sushi – 828.476.5121 • Valé Italian/American – 828.246.9199 Dough Boys Pizza & Wings.

Cashiers • Buck’s Coffee Café American/Café – 828.743.9997 • Carolina Smokehouse Southern Barbecue – 828.743.3200 • Cashiers Village Tavern American/Southern – 828.482.8743 • Chile Loco Mexican – 828.743.1160 • Cornucopia Restaurant Southern/American – 828.743.3750 • El Manzanillo Mexican – 828.743.5522 • High Hampton Inn & Country Club Steak/Seafood – 828.743.2411 • The Orchard Southern/American – 828.743.7614 • Randevu Southern – 828.743.0190 • Slab Town Pizza American – 828.743.0020 • The Ugly Dog Pub American/Southern – 828.743.3000 • Trillium Clubhouse American/Southern – 828.743.4157 • Whiteside Brewing American/Southern – 828.743.6000 • Winslow’s Hideaway Steak/Seafood – 828.743.2226 • Zookeeper Café American/Café – 828.743.7711

Cherokee • BJ’s Diner American/Southern – 828.497.4303 • Brio Tuscan Grille (Harrah’s) Italian – 828.497.7777 • Chestnut Tree American/Café – 828.497.9181 • Earl of Sandwich (Harrah’s) American/Deli – 828.497.8713

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• Little Princess Southern/American – 828.497.9000 • Kobe Express Asian – 828.497.9779 • Native Brews Tap & Grill American/Southern – 828.497.2739 • New Happy Garden Chinese – 828.497.4310 • Newfound Lodge American/Café – 828.497.4590 • Noodle Bar (Harrah’s) Asian – 828.497.7777 • Paul’s Diner American/Southern – 828.497.9012 • Peter’s Pancakes & Waffles American/Café – 828.497.5116 • Rancho Viejo Mexican – 828.497.0343 • Ruth’s Chris Streak House (Harrah’s) Steak/Seafood – 828.497.7777 • Sassy Sunflowers Bakery & Café American/Southern – 828.497.2539 • Selu Garden Café (Harrah’s) American/Southern – 828.497.7777 • Wize Guyz Grille American – 828.497.2838

• Sherrill’s Pioneer American/Café – 828.627.9880

Cullowhee • Sazon Mexican – 828.293.9443

Dillsboro • Boots Steakhouse – 828.631.9713 • Country Traditions American/Southern – 828.586.1600 • Foragers Canteen Farm-to-Table/Southern – 828.631.4114 • Front Street Takeout American/Southern – 828.586.1717 • Haywood Smokehouse Barbecue/Southern – 828.586.9556 • Kostas Greek/Italian – 828.631.0777 • Rivers & Rails Tavern American/Gourmet – 828.367.1225 • Well House American/Southern – 828.586.8588

Clyde

Franklin

• 7 Asian Kitchen Asian – 828.476.5121

• The Boiler Room Steak/Southern – 828.349.5555

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• Boone Thai Thai – 828.524.1111 • The Bowery Southern – 828.369.3663 • Caffe Rel French – 828.369.9446 • Chris & Charlie’s Italian/American – 828.349.0900 • City Restaurant American – 828.524.4948 • Cleaver’s American – 828.634.7247 • Cody’s Kitchen American/Southern – 828.524.9048 • El Charro Mexican – 828.369.9002 • Elevations Pizza & Eats American/Southern – 828.369.1359 • Fortune House Asian – 828.349.3888 • Franklin Café American/Southern – 828.634.4995 • Frogtown Market American/Southern – 828.369.0001 • Gazebo Creekside Café American/Southern – 828.524.8783 • Gondolas American/Southern • Hungry Bear American/Café – 828.369.2900 • Jaxon’s Downtown American/Southern – 828.369.1302 • Kobe Express Asian – 828.524.5623 • Kountry Kitchen American – 828.524.6209 • Las Barricas Mexican – 828.349.4484 • Las Margaritas Mexican – 828.369.2021 • Los Tamalitos Mexican – 828.369.6288 • Lucio’s Italian – 828.369.6670 • Martha’s Kitchen American/Southern – 828.524.4600 • Mi Casa Mexican – 828.369.1580 • Motor Company Grill American/Southern – 828.524.0099 • Ms Lois’ American/Café – 828.369.8628 • Mulligan’s Bar & Grill American/Southern – 828.349.3183 • Normandie American/Café – 828.524.3118 • Papa’s Pizza of Franklin American – 828.369.9999

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RESTAURANTS Franklin

(continued)

• The Post & Beam at Mill Creek Southern/American – 828.349.0402 • Rathskeller Coffee Haus American/Café – 828.369.6796 • Rico’s Tacos Mexican – 828.200.3960 • Rizzo’s Bakery & Bistro American/Southern – 828.369.7774 • Rock House Lodge American/Southern – 828.349.7676 • Rockin’ Rollie Pollies American/Southern – 828.369.2690 • Root + Barrel American/Gourmet – 828.369.3663 • Sakura Japanese – 828.349.8917 • Stamey’s Café American/Café – 828.524.8198 • Sunset American/Café – 828.524.4842 • Thai Paradise Thai – 828.349.0973 • Tienda Mexicana La Guadalupana Mexican – 828.349.0108 • Town Hill Grill American/Southern – 828.369.6799 • Vito’s Pizza Italian/American – 828.369.9890 • Willy’s Ribs & BBQ Southern/American – 828.524.0414 • Yonder American/Southern – 828.369.6007

Hayesville • Alazan Mexican – 828.389.2727 • Anejo Grille Mexican – 828.389.6061 • Angelo’s Downtown Pizza Italian/American – 828.389.2500 • Black Dog Tavern Grill & Spirits American/Southern – 828.415.1700 • Carlotta’s American/Southern – 828.415.0909 • Chevelle’s 69 American – 828.389.6069 • The Copper Door Steak/Seafood/Southern – 828.237.4030 • Giovanni’s Pizzeria Italian/American – 828.415.1615 • Hayesville Brewing American/Southern – 828.835.6010 • Mariolino’s Italian Cuisine Italian/American – 828.415.1572

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• Mika’s Pizza American – 828.389.6366 • Nocturnal Brewing American/Southern – 828.305.7337 • Rib Country BBQ Barbecue/Southern – 828.389.9597 • Roma’s Pizzeria Italian/American – 828.389.6366 • Sequoyah Bar & Grille American/Southern – 828.389.9000 • Tusquittee Tavern American/Southern • Valley River Brewery American/Southern – 828.389.1472

Highlands • 4118 Kitchen + Bar American/Southern – 828.526.5002 • Asia House Asian – 828.787.1680 • Azteca Rainforest Bar & Grill Mexican/American – 828.526.2244 • Bistro On Main American – 828.526.2590 • Brick Oven Pizza American – 828.526.4121 • Buck’s Coffee Café American/Café – 828.526.0020 • El Azteca South Pacific/Mexican – 828.526.2244 • El Manzanillo Mexican – 828.526.0608 • Fresser’s Express American/Southern – 828.526.4188 • Highlands Smokehouse Southern Barbecue – 828.526.1900 • Kelsey Place American/Southern – 828.526.9380 • Lakeside Seafood/Southern – 828.526.9419 • The Log Cabin American/Southern – 828.526.5777 • Madison’s Restaurant & Wine Garden Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.526.5477 • Main Street Inn Bistro American – 828.526.2590 • Meritage Bistro American – 828.526.1019 • Mountain Fresh Pizza Italian/American – 828.526.2400 • On the Verandah Gourmet Fusion – 828.526.2338 • Paoletti’s Italian/American – 828.526.4906 • Pescados Mexican – 828.526.9313 • Pizza Place American – 828.526.5660

• Ristorante Paoletti Northern Italian – 828.526.4906 • Rustico at the Log Cabin Northern Italian – 828.526.0999 • The Ugly Dog Pub American/Southern – 828.526.8364 • Wild Thyme Gourmet Southern – 828.526.4035 • Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro Steak/Seafood – 828.526.3807

Lake Toxaway • The Blind Mule American/Southern – 828.553.8978 • Brown Trout Mountain Grille American/Southern – 828.877.3474 • Country Cupboard American/Southern – 828.883.5533 • The Falls Café & Grill American/Southern – 828.877.3322 • The Grill American – 828.883.5551

Maggie Valley • BearWaters Brewing (Creekside) American/Southern – 828.944.0009 • Brickhouse Burgers & Pizza American/Southern – 828.944.0909 • Butts On The Creek Barbecue/Southern – 828.926.7885 • Café Italiano Italian/American – 828.944.1099 • Cataloochee Guest Ranch Southern/American – 800.868.1401 • The Chef & The Baker American/Southern – 828.550.3090 • Country Vittles American/Southern – 828.926.1820 • Frankie’s Italian Trattoria Italian – 828.926.6216 • Guayabitos Mexican – 828.926.7777 • Holiday Diner American/Café – 828.926.0820 • J. Arthur’s Steakhouse/American – 828.926.1817 • Joey’s Pancake House American/Café – 828.926.0212 • Legends Sports Grill American/Southern – 828.926.9464 • Loco Street Tacos Mexican/Fusion – 828.734.4162 • Maggie Valley Club American/Southern – 828.926.1616 • Maggie Valley Pizzeria Italian/American – 828.926.2325 • Maggie Valley Restaurant American/Café – 828.926.0425

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Since opening in 1989, we have been frequented by locals and visitors alike. Known for our fresh, cooked-to-order seafood, hand-shucked Gulf and Blue Point oysters, poultry, pasta, and hand-cut steaks.

DAILY SPECIALS SUNDAY

Brunch 11 AM -3 PM • $6.25 Bloody Marys & Mimosas

MONDAY

1/2 priced all bottles of wine $9.95 Peel-n-Shucked 1/4lb Cold U-Peel's & 6 Raw Gulf Oysters (dine in only)

THURSDAY 1/2 priced Estancia and Rodney Strong wine bottles $9.95 Peel-n-Shucked 1/4lb Cold U-Peel's & 6 Raw Gulf Oysters (dine in only)

828.456.8945 | 1374 Sulphur Springs Road | Waynesville Open Thursday - Monday 11AM to 9PM • Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

5 NORTH MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN WAYNESVILLE | 828.452.7672

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RESTAURANTS Maggie Valley

(continued)

• Maggie Valley Sandwich Shop American/Southern – 828.944.0620 • Mountaineer American/Café – 828.926.1730 • Pavino’s Pizzeria & Bistro Italian/American – 828.944.0007 • Pin High Bar & Grille American/Southern – 828.926.4848 • Pop’s Grits & Eggs American/Southern – 828.944.0677 • Rendezvous American/Southern – 828.926.2325 • Salty Dog’s Seafood/American – 828.926.9105 • Snappy’s Italian/American – 828.926.6126 • The Swag Farm-to-Table/Southern – 828.926.0430 • Taqueria Guanajuato Mexican – 828.926.3483 • The Valley House American/Southern – 828.944.0352 • Valley Tavern American/Southern – 828.944.0703

Murphy • Bistro 29 American/Southern – 828.837.9022 • Blue Mountain Coffee & Grill American/Café – 828.837.1362 • Brother’s American/Southern – 828.835.9100 • Chevelle’s American – 828.835.7001 • Chowder House American/Southern – 828.837.9697

• Daily Grind & Wine American/Coffeehouse – 828.835.7322 • Downtown Bakery American – 828.835.8986 • Downtown Pizza Company American – 828.837.0500 • Doyle’s Cedar Hill American – 828.837.3400 • El Manzanillo Mexican – 828.837.9624 • Herb’s Pit Bar-B-Que Southern/American – 828.494.5367 • The Landing Café American/Southern – 828.422.5309 • Main Street American/Southern – 828.837.7648 • Mama Mia’s Italian – 828.557.5401 • Monte Alban Mexican – 828.835.9767 • Murphy’s Chophouse Southern/Steak/Gourmet – 828.835.3287 • No Name Deli American/Italian – 828.837.9138 • Parson’s Pub American/Southern – 828.837.4151 • Red Brick Deli American/Southern – 828.837.9090 • Rib Country BBQ Barbecue/Southern – 828.837.4444 • Sal’s Brooklyn Pizza Italian/American – 828.835.0822 • ShoeBooties Café Southern/American – 828.837.4589 • Valley River Brewery American/Southern – 828.837.2337

• Dragon’s Den Grill American/Southern – 828.498.2231 • El Pacifico Mexican – 828.479.8448 • Hub Of WNC Barbecue/Southern – 828.479.0478 • Lynn’s Place American/Southern – 828.479.9777 • Moonshiner’s Steakhouse Steakhouse – 828.479.0708 • Pacefeco Mexican – 828.479.8448 • Pop & Nana’s Kicthen & The Scoop American/Southern – 828.479.8461 • Roger’s Smoky Mountain Restaurant American/Southern – 828.479.4770 • Southern Gals Country Cooking Southern/American – 828.479.9405 • Stecoah Diner American/Café – 828.479.8430 • T. Dubbs American/Southern – 828.479.2161 • Wildwood Grill American/Southern – 828.498.2141

Sapphire • Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.743.7697 • Cork & Barrel Lounge American/Southern – 828.743.7477 • The Library Kitchen & Bar Artisan/Gourmet – 828-743.5512 • Mica’s American – 828.743.5740 • Osteria Del Monte Italian – 828.883.2551 • Sapphire Mountain Brewing American – 828.743.0220 • Table 64 American/Southern – 828.743.4135

Robbinsville • Carolina Kitchen Southern/American – 828.479.1500

Sylva • B & Al’s Grill American – 828.586.5686 • Big Nick’s BBQ Southern/American – 828.631.3891 • Bogart’s Steakhouse – 828.586.6532 • City Lights Café American/Southern – 828.587.2233 • The Coffee Shop American/Café – 828.586.2013 • Colima Mexican – 828.586.9999 • Cosmic Carryout at Innovation Brewing American/Farm-to-Table – 828.586.9678 Ilda.

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RESTAURANTS Sylva

(continued)

• Creekside Oyster House & Grill Seafood/Southern – 828.586.1985 • Cut Cocktail Lounge Gastropub – 828.631.4795 • Dalaya Thai/Fusion – 828.477.4945 • El Patron Mexican – 828.586.8805 • Ferrara Pizza & Pasta Italian/American – 828.477.4931 • Guadalupe Café Caribbean Fusion – 828.586.9877 • Ilda Italian/Gourmet – 828.307.2036 • Jade Dragon Chinese – 828.586.6688 • Lucy In The Rye American/Southern – 828.586.4601 • Lulu’s On Main Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.586.8989 • Mad Batter Kitchen/Lazy Hiker Brewing American/Southern – 828.586.3555 • Melissa’s Backstreet Takeout Asian – 828.586.9131 • Mesquite Grill Mexican – 828.586.3000 • Nantahala Brewing (Outpost) American/Southern • O’Malley’s Sports Bar & Grill American/Southern – 828.631.0554 • Peking Gourmet II Chinese – 828.586.9082 • Pie Times Pizza Company Italian/American – 828.608.0309 • South of Philly American – 828.586.0550 • Southeast Asian Restaurant Asian – 828.631.9773 • Speedy’s Pizza American – 828.586.3800 • White Moon Gourmet/Café – 828.331.0111

• Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.246.6111 • Bocelli’s Italian Eatery Italian – 828.456.4900 • Bogart’s Steakhouse – 828.452.1313 • Boojum Brewing American/Southern – 828.944.0888 • Bosu’s Wine Shop Farm-to-Table – 828.452.0120 • Buttered Biscuit American/Café – 828.246.6446 • The Chef’s Table Italian/Farm-to-Table – 828.452.6210 • Church Street Depot American – 828.246.6505 • The Classic Wineseller Italian/French – 828.452.6000 • Clyde’s Restaurant American/Southern – 828.456.9135 • The Cuban Guy Cuban/Fusion – 828.246.9649 • Dough Boys Pizza & Wings American/Gourmet – 828.246.9249 • Frog’s Leap Public House Farm-to-Table/Southern – 828.456.1930 • Haywood 209 Café American/Café – 828.627.3331 • Haywood Smokehouse Barbecue/Southern – 828.456.7275 • Ian & Jojo’s Pizzeria & Restaurant Italian/American – 828.246.6626 • J Creek Café American/Café – 828.926.7877 • Kanini’s Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.452.5187

• Kornerstone Kafé American/Café – 828.550.2265 • Las Palmas Mexican – 828.456.4234 • Los Amigos Mexican – 828.456.7870 • Mad Anthony’s Taproom & Restaurant American/Southern – 828.246.9249 • Maggie’s Galley Seafood – 828.456.8945 • New Happy Garden Asian – 828.456.6988 • Orchard Coffee American/Café – 828.246.9264 • Panacea Coffee House Café & Roastery American/Café – 828.452.6200 • Patio Bistro Southern/American – 828.454.0070 • Pub 319 American/Southern – 828.456.3040 • Sauced American/Mexican – 828.246.9585 • Smoky Mountain Sub Shop American – 828.456.3400 • The Scotsman Celtic/Southern – 828.246.6292 • Suwana Asian/Fusion – 828.246.0155 • The Sweet Onion Southern/Farm-to-Table – 828.456.5559 • Water’n Hole Bar & Grill American/Southern – 828.456.4750 • Waynesville Pizza Company American/Italian – 828.246.0927 • Watami Sushi & Noodles Asian/Fusion – 828.246.6888

Waynesville • Amici’s Italian/Seafood – 828.246.6475 • Ammon’s Drive-In & Dairy Bar American/Southern – 828.926.0734 • Angelo’s Family Pizza American/Southern – 828.452.1886 • Balsam Café American/Southern – 828.456.2299 • Beach Mountain Diner American/Café – 828.246.6800

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AREAS BEST BURGER

34 CHURCH ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6505 MON.-SAT. 11AM–8PM

twitter.com/ChurchStDepot

facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot

Special Occasions and everyday fashions

Check Isis Restaurant & Music Hall website for live music schedule & latest happenings 743 HAYWOOD ROAD ISISASHEVILLE.COM 828.575.2737

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15,000 SQUARE FEET of Antiques and Collectibles

OVER 100 BOOTHS FEATURING JEWELRY, FURNITURE, GLASSWARE, FIGURINES & MORE!

Hwy. 23/74 at Balsam Ridge Rd. Waynesville, NC ————————————————————————

828.452.7070 GPS: 10 Balsam Ridge Rd.

Celebrating

26 Years

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affairsoftheheartnc.com www.WNCTravel.com

OPEN LATE NIGHT 7 DAYS A WEEK! @thescotsmanwaynesville

Victuals A savory comfort food-forward menu featuring 'world pub-fare' classics thoughtfully prepared and served in a uniquely American Scots-Irish warm and inviting traditional pub setting.

Fish & Chips – Shepherd’s Pie – Scotch Egg - Smash Burgers!

Libations A carefully curated menu featuring an extensive selection of spirits, cocktails, wine and a diverse selection of imported and regional ales & lagers in both bottle and draught.

Entertainment Stay a bit, eat, drink, shoot pool, play shuffleboard or throw a round of darts. Best old-school juke in town so something fun is always playing. Live music and special events on select dates.

Good Eats • Craft Cocktails • Beer • Top Spirits • Wine • Happiness 828-246-6292 • ScotsmanPublic.com • 37 Church Street • Downtown Waynesville WNCTravel

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Arts+Culture Craft beer catalyst: Mountain Layers Brewing celebrates five years

It’s early Thursday afternoon, and the two-story taproom of Mountain Layers Brewing in downtown Bryson City is buzzing.

Mountain Layers Brewing is a popular spot for craft ales and conversation in the heart of downtown Bryson City. (photo: Sean Paul).

WNC BREWERIES Andrews • Hoppy Trout Brewing Company 828.835.2111 • www.hoppytroutbrewing.com • Snowbird Mountains Brewery 678.419.3035 www.snowbirdmountainsbrewery.com

Bryson City • Mountain Layers Brewing 828.538.0115 • www.mtnlayersbeer.com • Nantahala Brewing 828.488.2337 www.nantahalabrewing.com

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“We feel very blessed to be here and live in this part of the country,” said Mark Pettit.

“What we love about this brewery is seeing our regulars every day, and also the people from all over who visit Bryson City once or twice a year, where they always make it a priority to stop in.”

Co-owner of Mountain Layers alongside his wife, Kim, the Pettits have become a staple of the craft beer and tourism culture in the small mountain town since the Minnesota couple permanently relocated to Western North Carolina and opened the establishment five years ago.

Situated on Everett Street next to the Tuckasegee River in the heart of Bryson City, the seven-barrel system brewery itself is cradled by two taprooms and a large rooftop patio. On any given sunny day, the property is a beehive of friendly faces and hearty banter, all swirling around pint after pint of craft beer being slid across the bar counter.

The initial seed for Mountain Layers was planted when the Pettits were contemplating what to do and where to go once Mark was ready to retire. They’d already been roaming around the Great Smoky Mountains for over 15 years at that point and bought a cabin not long after their first visit.

But, what next?

Canton

Franklin

• BearWaters Brewing 828.246.0602 • www.bwbrewing.com

Cashiers

• Currahee Brewing 828.634.0078 • www.curraheebrew.com • Lazy Hiker Brewing 828.342.5133 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com

• Whiteside Brewing 828.743.6000 • www.whitesidebrewing.com

Hayesville

Cherokee • Native Brews Tap & Grill 828.497.2739 • www.native-brews.com

• Hayesville Brewing 828.835.6010 • Nocturnal Brewing 828.305.7337 • www.nocturnalbrewing.com

Dillsboro • Innovation Brewing 828.586.9678 • www.innovation-brewing.com

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“Back then, Southwestern Community College in Sylva had a craft beer program, where you could learn how to brew beer, sell beer, and work in the industry,” Mark said.

“So, I took a chance and jumped on the course. I loved what I was doing and started interning with breweries around the region.”

By early 2017, Mountain Layers was putting the finishing touches on its brewery,

Cynthia Womble.

opening on March 31. From there, it’s been a continuous and ongoing process of updating equipment, tweaking recipes and expanding upon the ultimate vision of the company.

And, like any good brewery worth its weight in salt (or in this case, hops), the Pettits make great strides in being a place of positive change and growth in a community where they’ve put down deep roots. One of those initiatives at Mountain Layers is its popular “Community Giving Program.”

For each “Beer of the Month” selected, Mountain Layers gives the customer a “coin” worth 50 cents to one of six local nonprofits.

There’s six Plexiglas containers in the brewery where customers drop the coins in for the nonprofit of their choice, to which the brewery then counts up the coins at the end of the month and makes a separate donation to each of the organizations.

“We’re grateful and glad the community has embraced the brewery, where we now have 11 employees, and not only us, but our customers also care about our employees and their well-being,” Mark said. “It can be hard for a small business to try to give as much as you can. But, we believe that if you take care of the community, then the community will take care of you.”

With its fifth anniversary now in the rearview mirror, the Pettits can’t believe it’s already been half a decade. And yet, the movement of time is apparent and heartfelt, especially when your walk up the stairwell to the patio, which is now covered in police and fire department patches giving by visitors from across the country and around the world — this large structural wall that was merely blank and empty on day one of this operation.

“It’s a very special thing to have this place where people feel comfortable, a place to come and relax,” said Mark Pettit. “Folks walk in and come to enjoy each other’s company. You hear the sounds of the people, of the conversation, of live music in the background — it’s exact what we had hoped for.”

Highlands

Sylva

• Satulah Mountain Brewing 828.482.9794 • www.satulahmountainbrewing.com

• Balsam Falls Brewing 828.631.1987 • www.fb.com/balsamfallsbrewing • Innovation Brewing 828.586.9678 • www.innovation-brewing.com • Lazy Hiker Brewing 828.349.2337 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com • Nantahala Brewing (Outpost) 828.641.9797 • www.nantahalabrewing.com

Maggie Valley • BearWaters Brewing (Outpost) 828.944.0009 • bearwatersbrewing.com

Murphy • Valley River Brewery 828.837.2337 • www.valleyriverbreweries.com

Sapphire • Sapphire Valley Brewing 828.743.0220 • www.sapphirebrewingcompany.com

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Waynesville • 7 Clans Brewing 828.454.5664 • www.7clansbrewing.com • Boojum Brewing 828.944.0888 • www.boojumbrewing.com • Frog Level Brewing 828.454.5664 • www.froglevelbrewing.com

RETAIL AND DRAFT

For Hours, Events & Online Shopping:

BLUERIDGEBEERHUB.COM 21 East St · Waynesville · 828−246−9320

@BRBEERHUB

Specializing in Regional Cuisine

39 Miller Street Downtown Waynesville

828.456.5559

Tuesday-Saturday 11:30-9 Reservations accepted. | Walk-ins welcome.

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Arts+Culture Haywood artisan combines love of horses, jewelry

Growing up on a family farm just outside of Greensboro, Jean Osborne was surrounded by hundreds of cows and thousands of acres — a place where she roamed freely and in her own time on her horse.

“I grew up riding horses and working on the farm, and that’s where not only my love of horses comes from, but also my work ethic, something I learned from my father,” Osborne said. “Being on a horse is something so natural and peaceful for me, that unbreakable bond between you and the animal — you treat horses like you treat people, and you treat people like you treat horses.”

Following high school, Osborne went to Brevard College and studied sculpture. After a while, she realized that medium wasn’t her true artistic passion. That, and she missed being on horses. Soon, Osborne left college and headed west, working on dude ranches, all while diving into other creative realms on the side.

“I’ve always been creative and dabbling in all different kinds of art,” Osborne said.

“But, when I was on those dude ranches, I realized that I wanted to combine my love of the ranching lifestyle with my love of silversmithing — there’s just so much art in that type of living and that type of work with horses.”

Osborne decided she wanted to make personalized pieces for horses and riders alike, from custom bits to spurs, but also earrings and necklaces with a western feel and equestrian flare. Making her way back east, she entered the famed metalsmithing program at Haywood Community College in Clyde.

“It’s funny, I grew up around horses and art, but it never clicked that this is obviously my path in life — to create and to ride, and to combine both,” Osborne said. “I’ve always worn jewelry and collected rocks and crystals. There’s something so unique about jewelry. It’s the first thing you notice on someone, where you can immediately tell so much about that person’s style and attitude, and it usually breaks the ice and sparks conversation.”

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Jean Osborne.

The pieces of her life and her art were falling into place, literally and figuratively, especially when her inspiration emerged from the “vaquero lifestyle” (aka: horsemounted livestock herder), something at the heart of Osborne and her work — in the studio or on the saddle.

“The vaquero lifestyle isn’t just a way of training horses, you’re starting a relationship.

You’re starting an unspoken communication with them, one where you both equally have to learn,” Osborne said. “In this process —

this vaquero way — your end game is to make a ‘finished’ horse, with the steps to do this involving different gear.”

That gear includes a snaffle bit (very mild The Maker & The Mare: www.themakerandthemare.com

on the horses’ mouth), hackamore (rawhide braided nose piece and a leather hanger around the ears, no bit involved), two reins with a spade bit, then finally ending the

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training process with a spade bit alone. It’s a process Osborne immerses herself in throughout the year as a burgeoning horse trainer, one until the tutelage and guidance of storied instructor Robbie Potter.

“It’s a long journey to get a horse into a spade. But, when it happens, it’s like a ceremony. It’s pure harmony between you and the horse, and the way you work and ride together,” Osborne said. “And that’s why I want to be a silversmith, to be able to start a horse in a snaffle bit I made myself, then to

finally adorn them in a spade bit once they’re finished — my ultimate goal is a true fusion of my two crafts.”

With her home studio in Clyde, Osborne and her work (with the business now dubbed, “The Maker & The Mare”) is in high-demand these days as online orders and commissions constantly roll in. Her waitlist can extend out for month, with each piece hammered and shaped with precision, passion, grace and grit — something at the core of all timeless, mesmerizing art.

“It’s crazy and humbling to see people wearing my pieces. It makes you feel so good, there’s no other feeling like it,” Osborne said. “You spend your life looking for something that you love, and you want to be able to do it without angst, to look forward to getting up and going to work. I wake up, make a cup of coffee, walk into my studio, open the windows, open the doors, and create — life is good.”

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Arts+Culture Bringing history, culture and lore to life: Smoky Mountain Heritage Center In an effort to preserve and perpetuate the heritage arts and lore of the Great Smoky Mountains and greater Southern Appalachia, the Smoky Mountain Heritage Center has now come to fruition at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley.

“This place is about a passion for the heritage of this region — art, music, storytelling, the outdoors,” said Bob Plott, general manager of the SMHC and a well-known Appalachian historian/author. “The hope is to start with these initial programs and then move towards building a permanent building to house our events.”

Kicking off last summer with a PlottFest reunion, upcoming indoor/outdoor events include bluegrass concerts with local/regional musical legends, fly fishing workshops, and storyteller sessions. All events will take place in the “Back Porch Pavillon” on the property, an elaborate structure that will serve at the temporary headquarters of the center.

“We’re walking distance from pretty much everything in Maggie Valley, and we hope to serve as a home base for visitors who stay at the motel. Explore our beautiful backyard that is the Smokies, only to then take in a program at the center,” Plott said.

The idea for the center came about when

What lies beneath: WNC Museums Although the rich history and culture of Western North Carolina is alive and thriving through the hands of our local artisans and performers, there are also numerous museums here preserving and perpetuating the heritage of Southern Appalachia. These buildings each pay homage to the crafts, sounds, and deeply held traditions of these ancient mountains and its people.

• American Museum of The House Cat Over 5,000 items dedicated to entire history of the house cat, here and abroad.

5063 U.S. 441, Sylva 828.421.0275 or 828.506.1236 www.facebook.com/americanmuseumofthehousecat

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Plott was a guest on the “Gateway to the Smokies” podcast earlier this year, which is hosted by the longtime owner of the motel, Joseph Franklyn McElroy. Kindred spirits and aficionados on all things Southern Appalachia, the duo put into motion the initial plans for the center.

“We also want to use this place to pro-

mote other things, too. We want this to be a collaborative effort, not just for Maggie Valley, but for the surrounding communities, as well,” Plott said. “Whenever there is an event, concert or festival in our area, we want to work with everyone who’s also passionate about the history and art of this region.”

• Andrews Art Museum Exhibits and galleries featuring local and regional artists.

Corner of Chestnut and Third streets, Andrews 828.360.5071 www.andrewsvalleyarts.com

• Cherokee County Historical Museum Artifacts and exhibits showcasing the Cherokee Indians, local history and artisans.

87 Peachtree Street, Murphy 828.837.6792 www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov

• Appalachian Rivers Aquarium Exhibits regional species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and hellbenders.

117 Island Street 828-488-7857 flyfishingmuseum.org/aquarium

• Clay County Historical & Arts Council Museum Displays exhibiting the history, art and people of the area.

21 Davis Loop, Hayesville 828.389.6814 www.clayhistoryarts.org

• Canton Area Historical Museum Displays focusing on the cultural history of Canton and Haywood County.

36 Park Street, Canton 828.646.3412 www.cantonnc.com

• Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians Showcasing the history of fly fishing in the Southeast.

210 Main Street, Bryson City 828.488.3681 www.flyfishingmuseum.org

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• Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum Extensive exhibits on the region’s gems and minerals.

25 Phillips Street, Franklin 828.369.7831 www.fgmm.org • Glenville Historical Museum Showcasing the history and culture of Glenville and greater Western North Carolina with exhibits and displays.

4735 N.C. 107 North, Glenville 828.743.1658 • Graham County Museum of Prehistoric Relics A collection of prehistoric artifacts from North, South and Central America.

3204 Fontana Road, Fontana Dam 828.479.3677 www.thehikeinn.com • Highlands Museum & Historical Village A village composed of several restored buildings, with historical exhibits in the museum.

524 North 4th Street, Highlands 828.787.1050 www.highlandshistory.com • John W. Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center Local and regional art, with historical exhibits.

199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee 828.227.2787 www.wcu.edu/bardo-arts-center • Junaluska Memorial & Museum Displays dedicated to preserving Cherokee Indian history and culture.

1 Junaluska Drive, Robbinsville 828.479.4727 • Macon County Historical Society & Museum Antiques and artifacts showcasing the history of Macon and Western North Carolina.

36 West Main Street, Franklin 828.524.9758 www.maconnchistorical.org • Mountain Farm Museum Collection of historical log buildings and artifacts.

150 U.S. 441 North, Oconaluftee Visitor Center 423.436.1200 www.nps.gov/grsm • Mountain Heritage Center Extensive displays of Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachian history.

150 H.F. Robinson Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee 828.227.7129 www.wcu.edu

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Wheels Through Time Museum.

• Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass Exhibits presenting one of the finest collections of its kind in the world.

472 Chestnut Street, Highlands 828.526.3415 www.ashevilleguidebook.com

• Scottish Tartans Museum Exhibit on Scottish history and culture abroad and in Western North Carolina.

86 East Main Street, Franklin 828.524.7472 www.scottishtartans.org

• Museum of the Cherokee Indian Large exhibits showcasing the extensive and intricate tribe history.

589 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee 828.497.3481 www.cherokeemuseum.org

• Smoky Mountain Trains Museum Collection of 7,000 Lionel engines, cars, accessories, plus large operating layout.

100 Greenlee Street, Bryson City 800.872.4681, x215 gsmr.com

• Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts Featuring unique works from some of the state’s most acclaimed artisans.

49 Shelton Street, Waynesville 828.452.1551 www.sheltonhouse.org

• Wheels Through Time Museum Rare and extensive collection of vintage motorcycles and classic automobiles.

62 Vintage Lane, Maggie Valley 828.926.6266 www.wheelsthroughtime.com

• Ruby City Gems Museum Thousands of gem and mineral specimens on display.

131 East Main Street, Franklin 828.524.3967 www.rubycity.com

• World Methodist Museum Artifacts and memorabilia celebrating founder John Wesley and the worldwide religion.

575 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska 828.456.9432 www.worldmethodistcouncil.org

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Arts+Culture Ode to the traditions, past and present: A conversation with John Duncan

Amid the evening whirlwind of friendly faces and hearty banter at Boojum Brewing in downtown Waynesville, John Duncan sips a craft ale, pauses momentarily, and ponders just what it means to be a conduit for the sacred traditions of Southern Appalachian music in the 21st Century — it’s preservation and, ultimately, it’s perpetuation.

“You know, the big thing that pulls me in all comes back to the rhythm — this sort of captivating sense of rhythm,” Duncan said.

“Whether you’re talking about bluegrass or old-time music, or Scottish and Irish tunes, I think it all comes together around the idea of ‘the dance,’ which is so primal.

Rhythm is so primal, and that’s a big thing for me — making that ancient connection between human beings in this inclusive nature that is music.”

At 35, Duncan, a Macon County native raised by musical parents who were folklorists, has risen through the ranks, to where nowadays he’s regarded as one of the finest fiddlers and multi-instrumentalist talents in the vast bastion of melodic talent and artis-

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John Duncan.

tic depth that is Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia.

In the early days of the 2020 shutdown and ongoing pandemic, Duncan, alongside his West Asheville roommates and friends (other renowned regional musicians), sat in front of each other (and several microphones) within the humble abode to jam an array of traditional tunes (and one cover by Gary Harrison during a 4:30 a.m. pickin’-n-grinnin’ session), with Duncan casually hitting the record button to mark each occasion.

What has resulted from those impromptu gatherings is Duncan’s latest album, “Asheville Fiddler,” an acoustic time capsule if you will, this poignant, more so beautifully captured, snapshot of paths crossing at a particular time and place, and juncture of lifelong friendships between fellow musicians in our backyard — this ode to the musical traditions of Appalachia, past and present.

And at the center of this record is Duncan himself, this enthusiastic, vibrant beehive of creative juice and fervor, whose mind is constantly mulling over ideas for songs and in-

strumentals — the wheels of hard work cranking along like a factory wall clock, the bounty of his pursuits always plentiful and pure of heart in its ever-evolving intent.

WNC Travel Guide: You were exposed to Appalachian music and culture from a very early age. But, where does your love of that sound and craft begin for you?

John Duncan: When I was younger, I wasn’t really into it at all. It was my parents’ thing, you know? When I was five, they tried to force me into Suzuki violin lessons. So, I did that on and off for a little while, but it was intense.

And then, I remember seeing [the late guitar icon] Doc Watson at Western Carolina University when I was eight or nine years old. I remember it feeling like this big event that everyone was excited for, where our whole family was going — this thing that felt very special.

But, everything changed when I was 17 and went to the Swannanoa Gathering [at Warren Wilson College]. It’s this huge gath-

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ering of all these great acoustic players, where everyone knows the traditional ballads and dance numbers. And at the time, I was starting to really get into [the “Father of Bluegrass”] Bill Monroe.

At the Gathering, I met these teenagers my age, who all knew and could play these traditional songs. And I so wanted to be able to play along with them, to hang out and make that connection. So, I got the bug — I went home to practice and learn all of these songs on my own, to be able to play with others.

WNCTG: Tell about the Dryman Mountain house, the place where you recorded the “Asheville Fiddler.”

JD: Even though I was born in Asheville, the music community there has had such a huge impact on my musicianship. I recorded the album during the shutdown in 2020. At that time, I was living in West Asheville, in this home known as Dryman Mountain.

Everybody that lived in the house was a musician and everyone that would come through was a musician. So many great players, like Sarah Gwendolyn, Jackson Grimm, Daniel Ullom, Bridger Dunnagan, and others.

When the shutdown happened, I was supposed to be heading out on a 30-day Euro-

Where the

Stay is Part of Your Adventure... pean tour with [Australian bluegrass star] Kristy Cox. Everything was cancelled, and I just found myself sitting in at home, wanting to play music.

And we’d all be at the house just jamming out together for hours, all while I’m recording what we’re doing. We’re surrounding by a community of such creative people, and that was a very special time in my life — in all of our lives — where it was just us together playing for the sake of playing.

With this music, you just keep going down this rabbit hole where, this many years later, I’m constantly uncovering songs to learn and things I love about it — it’s a lifetime journey of discovery.

WNCTravel

2022

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Arts+Culture Play me that mountain music

Live music is an important part of the heritage of Western North Carolina. Here’s a listing of venues that regularly have bands in the region.

Dillsboro • Innovation Station 828.226.0262 • www.innovation-brewing.com

Franklin • Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center 828.369.4080 • www.coweeschool.org • Currahee Brewing 828.634.0078 • www.curraheebrew.com • Lazy Hiker Brewing 828.342.5133 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com • Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub 828.369.6796 • www.rathskellerfranklin.com • Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts 828.524.1598 • www.greatmountainmusic.com

Hayesville • Hayesville Brewing 828.835.6010 www.hayesvillebrewingcompany.com • Peacock Performing Arts Center 828.389.2787 • www.peacockplayhouse.org

Highlands

Andrews

Canton

• Hoppy Trout Brewing 828.835.2111 • www.hoppytroutbrewing.com • Jimmy’s Pick-N-Grin www.jimmyspickngrin.com

• BearWaters Brewing 828.246.0602 • www.bwbrewing.com • Colonial Theatre 828.235.2760 • www.cantonnc.com • Southern Porch 828.492.8009 • www.southern-porch.com

Brasstown • John C. Campbell Folk School 800.365.5724 or 828.837.2775 • www.folkschool.org

Bryson City • Mountain Layers Brewing 828.538.0115 • www.mtnlayersbeer.com • Nantahala Brewing 828.488.2337 • www.nantahalabrewing.com • Nantahala Outdoor Center 888.905.7238 • www.noc.com • Unplugged Pub 828.538.2488

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Cashiers • The Ugly Dog Pub 828.743.3000 • www.theuglydogpub.com • Whiteside Brewing 828.743.6000 • www.whitesidebrewing.com

Cherokee • Harrah’s Cherokee 828.497.7777 • www.harrahscherokee.com

• Lost Hiker 828.526.8232 • www.thelosthikerbar.com • Highlands Performing Arts Center 828.526.9047 • www.highlandspac.info • Satulah Mountain Brewing 828.482.9794 www.satulahmountainbrewing.com • The Ugly Dog Pub 828.526.8364 • www.theuglydogpub.com

Maggie Valley • BearWaters Brewing (Creekside) 828.944.0009 www.bearwatersbrewing.com • Elevated Mountain Distilling 828.734.1084 • www.elevatedmountain.com • Maggie Valley Festival Grounds 828.926.0866 www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.org • Salty Dog’s Seafood and Grill 828.926.9105 • Stompin’ Ground 828.926.1288 • Valley Tavern 828.944.0703 www.facebook.com/valleytavern

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ly Fami ed Own

Murphy • Chevelle’s 828.389.6069 • www.chevellerestaurants.com

Robbinsville • Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center 828.479.3364 • www.stecoahvalleycenter.com

Sylva • Balsam Falls Brewing 828.631.1987 • www.balsamfallsbrewing.com • City Lights Café 828.587.2233 • www.citylightscafe.com • Cut Cocktail Lounge 828.631.4795 www.facebook.com/thecutcocktaillounge • Guadalupe Café 828.586.9877 • www.guadalupecafe.com • Innovation Brewing 828.586.9678 • www.innovation-brewing.com • Lazy Hiker 828.349.2337 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com • O’Malley’s Pub & Grill 828.631.0554 • Nantahala Brewing (Outpost) 828.641.9797 www.nantahalabrewingsylvaoutpost.com

Whether it’s a Single Serve, Whole Pie or our Famous Mooster Boxes, our handcrafted French Style Cheesecake is sure to make any day Sweeter!

THECHEESECAKEMOUSSE.COM 828-283-0156 40 Delicious Ridge • Waynesville • Monday-Saturday 11-6

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Rentals

Waynesville • Blue Ridge Beer Hub 828.246.9320 • www.blueridgebeerhub.com • Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern 828.452.1313 • www.bogartswaynesville.com • The Gem at Boojum Brewing 828.944.0888 • www.boojumbrewing.com • Classic Wineseller 828.452.6000 • www.classicwineseller.com • Frog Level Brewing 828.454.5664 • www.froglevelbrewing.com • The Scotsman 828.246.6292 • www.scotsmanpublic.com • Water’n Hole Bar & Grill 828.456.4750 www.facebook.com/waternhole.bar

WNCTravel

2022

in the Smokies

3388 Soco Rd. • Maggie Valley

828-926-3079

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SLINGINGINTHESMOKIES.COM

828-506-3079 3388 Soco Rd • Maggie Valley

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Cowee School ARTS & HERITAGE CENTER

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Kicks off May 21st with Mountain Heart

Franklin Area Folk Festival SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 June 18 July 16 September 17 October 15

Slocan Ramblers Chatham Rabbits The BorderCollies Unspoken Tradition

This project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. NCArts.org

WNCTravel

2022

Cowee Christmas SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Alarka Expeditions Cowee Textiles Cowee Pottery School Cynthia Kinard Portrait Legacies The Dance Arts Co-Op Down Memory Lane Toy Museum Mountaineer Handcrafted Jon Houglum Painting & Fine Art Studio

51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin CoweeSchool.org | 828.369.4080 35

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WNCTravel

2022

37

Outdoors+Recreation Cashiers: worth the winding drive

I recently spent the day frolicking around Cashiers alongside Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning, executive director of The Village Green, and Thomas Taulbee with the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce.

The quaint atmosphere, friendly people and proximity to beautiful outdoor amenities makes it the perfect destination for a day trip, weekend getaway or an even more extensive vacation.

We began our time together eating lunch at Cornucopia, a staple in the village of Cashiers. The restaurant has been a favorite with visitors and locals since 1979, and not only is the food delicious, but the ambiance is warm and energetic. I ordered a housemade black bean burger on sourdough bread, and it was incredible. Cornucopia is by no means the only restaurant in town.

There are a slew of bistros, diners, coffee shops, high-end restaurants, pizza places and other establishments.

Ashlie and Thomas then took me on a tour de Cashiers. We stopped into several places, including two relatively new businesses, Native Prime Provisions and Crossroads Custard & Cold Brew. No matter where we went, everyone had a smile on their face and knew one another. While Cashiers is known as a vacation town, the locals are what make the village special year-round.

Our next stop was Hotel Cashiers, which is a beautiful boutique inn. While the grounds have been in existence for decades, the site was recently renovated to offer a more upscale vibe and modern amenities. In 2020, Hotel Cashiers was awarded the Village Heritage Award, presented by the historical society. This accolade recognizes older buildings that have been adapted for use as an active business and that contribute to the vitality of the community.

Along with delicious food, luxury mountain lodging and friendly people, Cashiers is known worldwide for its trout fishing and waterfalls. Brookings is a fly-fishing outfitter that has become a destination for anglers to experience what WNC fly fishing is all about. In terms of waterfalls, Cashiers is a

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The Village Green.

haven of cascades with some of the more well-known being Cullasaja Falls, Glen Fall, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Gorges State Park and the Panthertown Valley backcountry area are two highly popular attractions.

We finished the day at The Village Green, which is another lively hotspot for both locals and visitors. This popular gathering place boasts 13.2 acres of land located within the heart of Cashier’s downtown district with programming and events for every season.

If you live close enough, Cashiers is a great option for a day trip. It’s also a perfect destination for a romantic getaway, or a girls weekend or a guys. There is plenty to do for folks of all ages.

Cashiers is sometimes perceived as a highend locale but for me, it felt very accessible.

This stunning, historic village displays kindness, integrity and high-quality products and services. Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time venturing to Cashiers, there is plenty to enjoy for everyone.

— Susanna Shetley

WNCTravel

2022

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Outdoors+Recreation

Launching a legacy: Chestnut Mountain

As Earth Day 2022 bloomed under one of spring’s sunniest skies yet, more than 150 people gathered on a concrete bridge spanning Hominy Creek just outside Canton to celebrate what Mayor Zeb Smathers termed a “gift of genesis” — the long-awaited opening of Chestnut Mountain Nature Park.

“Now on one of our main corridors, the entrances to the town and to the west, we are making a statement what our priority is,” Smathers told the crowd. “We are embracing outdoor recreation and tourism and the idea that our natural resources should be preserved and can be used.”

Creating the park — 450 acres of land set aside for hiking, biking, picnics, water quality and wildlife habitat — at first seemed an impossible dream for the tiny town of fewer than 5,000 people.

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Following the speaking program this past April, an array of elected officials, conservation workers and philanthropists cut the ribbon on Chestnut Mountain, marking the official opening of the project’s first phase.

This includes the mountain biking skills course at Berm Park and a 0.6-mile hiking/biking trail that climbs 350 feet to connect the gateway and pedestrian bridge to what will become the park’s main trailhead. While hikers and bikers will use the same path to ascend the mountain, a dedi-

cated descent trail for bikers aims to prevent conflicts and accidents.

Featuring five trails of varying difficulties, Berm Park is the brainchild of Asheville resident Seth Alvo, whose YouTube channel Berm Peak has 2.4 million subscribers. He raised $250,000 to design and build the park, with Asheville-based Elevated Trail Design completing the project. Analogous to runs at a downhill ski resort, the short trails at Berm Park provide a variety of obstacles and trick opportunities, with riders doing multiple loops of the course on each visit.

When Alvo set out to build a free public bike park, he didn’t picture doing it in Canton. But, Pisgah Area SORBA suggested he contact the town, and an enthusiastic reception from then Assistant Town Manager Nick Scheuer, who has since been promoted to town manager, made it clear that Canton was the right place.

While Alvo’s supporters paid for Berm Park’s development, SAHC paid for the land — a total project cost of $3.52 million.

The land trust had to Seth Alvo take out a loan to complete the transaction, but as of last week, it had finished raising the money to pay it off and transferred the deed to the Town of Canton.

Large contributions from Brad and Shelli Stanback and the N.C. Land and Water Fund, along with funding from the Pigeon River Fund, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Justice, the Town of Canton and individual donors made that possible.

Once complete, Chestnut Mountain will be much more than a mountain biking park and ascent trail. The project has, to date, landed $860,000 in grants for creek restoration, trails, signage and other recreation amenities. With that money, said Scheuer, the town will build trails, treehouse-style overlooks, a picnic pavilion, a kids’ bicycle playground, creek access and more.

The project’s biggest award so far was $500,000 from the N.C. Parks and Recre-

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ation Trust Fund, which will go toward trails, overlooks, the pavilion and ADA parking, and the town has also received $100,000 from the N.C. Recreational Trails Program.

The master plan calls for 15-18 miles of trails — three hiking-only trails, two shared-use trails and five single-direction mountain bike trails.

So far, the town has funding for about 75% of the proposed trail network and plans to continue pursuing funding for the rest.

Other money secured so far include $47,000 in Haywood County Tourism Development Authority grants for the gateway sign, marketing and activation; $15,000 in grant writing assistance from the Dogwood Trust Leverage Fund; and $205,000 for Hominy Creek restoration, of which $30,000 is from the Pigeon River Fund and $175,000 from the N.C. Land and Water Fund.

As one of the largest privately owned tracts left in Haywood County, Chestnut Mountain represented a massive opportunity — not only for people, but also for wildlife.

“It sits in an important area for wildlife and wildlife movement ,” said Hanni Muerdter, conservation director for the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. “Locals know this well, and every time I’m on this property, the amount of tracks I see are amazing.”

The lower portion of the property where Berm Park is and where the frontcountry recreational amenities will go had been heavily disturbed by previous landowners, meaning that it’s not too significant for plant and animal species. But the far eastern portion, where Muerdter has most often come across wildlife, will remain mostly untouched under the project plan.

Now that the town holds the deed, Chestnut Mountain is officially a Canton project — but in reality, it’s a partnership project. The 150 people present for the opening ceremony represented the dozens of organizations, officials and individuals who donated, lobbied, sweated or otherwise worked to see the project through.

“When I was trying to think about how to sum up this day and what Chestnut Mountain means for conservation and for recreation, for people, it’s that it’s a big thing,” said Scheuer. “It’s a big thing for our land. It’s a big thing to protect the wildlife that we love. It’s a big thing for our community. We’re building a legacy park — it’s going to be here forever and be enjoyed by future generations.”

WNCTravel

2022

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The Smokies contain some of the best bike trails anywhere.

Here are the popular spots: Cherokee’s Fire Mountain Trails

cated near the softball field and picnic area on WCU main campus, east of N.C.107. Trail users then travel through the pedestrian tunnel under N.C. 107 and access the trail on NCCAT property. The second trailhead is located at the parking lot of the Health and Human Sciences building.

Bent Creek, Asheville Located near where N.C. 191 intersects the Blue Ridge Parkway and I-26, this favorite among Asheville locals because of its proximity to this outdoors-loving city. Lots of hardpacked singletrack with very few technical sections, great place for beginner to intermediate riders and for children. www.mtbikewnc.com.

Dupont State Park

Twelve-mile system with wide variety of terrain from beginners to relatively serious downhill sections. This is one of the best-maintained trail systems in the Smokies region. Trailhead is in downtown Cherokee at the Oconaluftee Indian Village.

Located near Brevard, this has become one of the premier destinations in the region. 10,000 acres of trails, waterfalls, and rivers. Great spot with numerous trailheads. www.dupontforest.com.

Tsali Recreation Area

Pisgah National Forest near Brevard

This is the granddaddy of Western North Carolina mountain biking, boasting 40 miles of trails on four loops. Rated as one of top 10 places to ride in the U.S. Fast, hard-packed singletrack, and you can’t go wrong with any of the loops. Off N.C. 28 past Bryson City, or if coming from Robbinsville N.C. 143 until you reach N.C. 28, go east. Entrance on north side of N.C. 28, well-marked.

Santeetlah Lake Trail A 15-mile trail open to mountain bikes, horses, and hikers. The trail follows a number of open and gated Forest Service roads with a short portion of single-track. Large sections of the trail hug the shoreline of Lake Santeetlah offering beautiful mountain lake views. The primary trailhead is located at the intersection of N.C. 143 (NC1127) and Snowbird Road.

Jackrabbit Mountain Located next to the huge Jackrabbit Campground at Lake Chatuge, this 14-mile trail system is gaining popularity fast. Mostly flat with rolling dips and berms and just a few technical areas. At Lake Chatuge get on N.C. 175, turn onto Jackrabbit Road, signed parking area on left.

Western Carolina University Trail More than 7 miles of singletrack across the street from main WCU campus in Cullowhee.

The trail system has two trailheads. One is lo-

Hundreds of miles of trails for bikers, some of it among the most technical in the region. For information on specific trails and trailheads, visit www.mtbikewnc.com.

Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City The Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Nantahala Gorge has its own trail, which allows riders to try their hand at some technical maneuvering. The 4.5-mile Flint Ridge Trail system was designed specifically for mountain bikers. It features technical riding as well as some rolling single-track. Directions: From Bryson City, go south on U.S. 74 for 12 miles and the NOC campus will be on the right. The highway will narrow to two lanes after about 8 miles. www.noc.com.

Fontana Village, Robbinsville Fontana Village has closed due to COVID-19, but trail system is reportedly still open and website is still up. The trails are labeled and fairly well blazed. Mix and match from numerous options to make your own loop. You can get a good bit of climbing and long descents, plus technical rock gardens, stream crossings and log crossings on the 20-mile trail system that is among the best in the region. Directions: From Bryson City, take U.S. 74 southbound 8 miles past Bryson City. Turn right on N.C. 28. Go about 25 miles. www.fontanavillage.com/hiking.

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Outdoors+Recreation Smoky Mountain Sk8way & Fun Zone: Offering Memories for a Lifetime

Whizzing around a rink on wheels conjures feelings of nostalgia for many people. This favorite American pastime has been enjoyed since 1902 when the first public skating rink opened its doors in Chicago to a whopping crowd of 7,000 patrons. Even before that, rinks were popular in Europe.

Fast forward many generations to Waynesville, N.C. where Smoky Mountain Sk8way and Fun Zone offers the same excitement and sense of community as its predecessors from many moons ago. In its 12th year of operation, Sk8Way continues to grow and evolve with the times.

“Roller skating rinks are like no other form of entertainment,” said JoLynn Bryant, owner of Sk8way. “Our customers stay for hours, engage with other skaters and return frequently. A large majority of them have grown up at the rink. A favorite part of our job is watching kids grow up to

become adults and then bring their own children to skate.”

Roller skating rinks have a long history of being community centers and neutral zones where all people are welcome. Even in large, high-crime cities, skating rinks are often places where individuals feel safe.

“Roller skating rinks serve a very diverse group of people,” said Bryant. “It doesn’t matter your age, gender, race, religion or political affiliation, we all share a love of skating and when we’re on the rink, we’re all together.”

Bryant is proud to say that Sk8way is a female-owned business and that they offer numerous events and activities aside from regular roller skating admission. Some of these include birthday parties, private rentals, weddings, inflatables, an arcade, pool tables, an 18-hole mini golf course, 18+ night on Thursdays, adult lessons, kid lessons, family reunions and church or school trips. They also offer a STEM program, sum-

Smoky Mountain Sk8way & FunZone.

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Now Open in Beautiful Downtown Dillsboro mer camp and a full afterschool program called Rink Link where a Sk8way bus picks up students from four area schools.

“We are doing cool stuff all the time,” said Bryant. “Along with our programming, we host other events such as an Easter Egg Scramble, New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop, and a Sensory Skate for kids on the spectrum.”

Sk8way is often used as a supervised visitation location for custodial cases. Bryant told one story about a little girl who came to Sk8way with her guardian ad litem throughout an entire summer. When she was eventually adopted by a forever family, the Sk8way staff said their good-byes, unsure if they would ever see her again. Several months later, the little girl walked through the front door of Sk8way with her new family. The mom told Bryant that her daughter lit up when she talked of the skating rink so they packed up the entire family and drove nine hours to visit for themselves.

“This is an unbelievably rewarding job, but it’s also a big responsibility,” said Bryant.

“Safety is our number one concern, not just physical safety in terms of skating, but also social safety with our younger clientele. We implement and enforce aggressive policies such as dress codes, no public displays of affection, no ins and outs and no loitering. Fun is our number two job after safety.”

When asked why roller skating has stood the test of time when other hobbies have fallen to the wayside, Bryant said, “Skating is a multifaceted activity that nurtures the mind, body and soul. It’s not only great exercise but also a confidence builder, social outlet and an artistic outlet. Most importantly, it’s a non-judgmental place where people can be themselves while having fun and making memories.”

WNCTravel

2022

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Outdoors+Recreation Blue Ridge Parkway serves up the best of the mountains he Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road that winds for 469 miles from the southern end of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive in Virginia to U.S. 441 at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee.

It’s hard to get lost on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It only goes in two directions — north or south. Short, wooden posts along the edge of the road mark off each mile — the entire 469-mile length of the Parkway — making it easy to know exactly where you are. The milemarker is listed for the recommended stops on the Parkway below, and should be easy to find by watching the mileposts. Hint: the numbers get bigger as you go south, so the end of the Parkway in Cherokee is mile 469.

The Parkway boasts more than 200 overlooks and more than 100 trails. The local section of the Parkway runs from the southern end in Oconaluftee to the Pisgah Inn on the Haywood, Transylvania County line. Along this stretch of scenic road you’ll find highlights such as the Parkway’s highest elevation overlook at Richland Balsam (6,053 feet), views of Cold Mountain made famous by author Charles Frazier, Waterrock Knob and Oconaluftee Visitors Centers, and Devil’s Courthouse Trail.

The Parkway is made for exploring. Here are few suggested highlights in our region, but feel free to ignore them. It’s all about the journey, not the destination.

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SELECTED STOPS Waterrock Knob Visitors Center, milemarker 451 A must for Parkway travelers. Stop here to get recommendations from park rangers on things to do and see, plus pick up a free Parkway map and browse the bookstore. Views are fabulous if you are looking for a picnic spot. Also, there is a one-mile hike to the summit of Waterrock Knob. Interesting fact: the visitor center is powered by solar panels.

Richland Balsam, milemarker 432 The views are great all along the Parkway, but there’s even a milestone achievement available for those don’t want to hike but prefer just getting out of their car to take a picture, enjoy the view, or have a picnic. Just about halfway between the Balsam Gap (U.S. 23-74) and N.C. 215 entrance to the Parkway, near milepost 432, is the Parkway’s highest point (6,053 feet), which is marked with a large sign and a great overlook. Just a mile away at milepost

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431 is the Richland-Balsam Self-Guiding Trail, which is just one mile long and meanders through a spruce-fir forest. You’ll top out at an elevation of 6,410 feet, the 10th highest peak in the Eastern U.S. Devil’s Courthouse, milemarker 422 This one-mile round-trip trail leads to the top of stunning rock formation, a giant pedestal that seems to rise up magically from the mountains around it and makes you feel like you’re on top of the world looking out. Despite the sheer drop off all around you, rock walls provide a sense of safety — just don’t hop over them or let kids climb on the edge. Ecologically, visitors should stay off the cliff face, which is home to peregrine falcons and endangered rock-clinging lichens and plant life. The trail is steep but paved, making it accessible to anyone if you take it slow and steady.

Sam’s Knob, milemarker 420 Stellar hiking trails lead into the Shining Rock Wilderness, passing over grassy balds, rock outcrops, high elevation streams and fir forests. The

area is riddled with trails, some of which extend for miles into the Shining Rock Wilderness, so if you don’t have a map, watch the way you came carefully.

To reach the parking area, turn down a gravel forest service road.

Upper Falls at Graveyard Fields, milemarker 419 A high-elevation bowl home to two waterfalls, a swimming hole and crystal clear rocky stream. Unlike the dense forests that engulf most hiking trails in the Smokies, this area is defined by open meadows.

Mt. Pisgah (5,749 feet) Located near milepost 408, this mountain with the Biblical name used to be part of the George Vanderbilt Estate (he’s the man who built Biltmore Estate).

A parking area is well marked, and the hike is only about a mile but it is relatively strenuous to the platform atop the mountain. Once there, however, the 360-degree views are fabulous. Nearby campground and one of the only restaurants on the Parkway at the Pisgah Inn.

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PARK HIGHLIGHTS Oconaluftee Visitor Center Along with knowledgeable rangers who can help you plan your time in the park, fabulous exhibits will take you back in time among the early settlers and Cherokee who called these mountains home. The visitor center chronicles the culture and history of the Smokies, from exhibits on the Civil War in the Smokies to moonshine making. Located on U.S. 441 at the North Carolina entrance to the park, north of Cherokee and near the terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Mountain Farm Museum This stroll through an historic Appalachian farm offers a window on the ingenuity and self-reliance of early mountain people and Cherokee. A blacksmith shop to make everything from barn door hinges to horseshoes, a spring house to keep milk and butter cool, and sundry buildings for storing the food they raised, from corn cribs to apple houses to smoke houses. The outhouse is a guaranteed eye-opener for kids. Located at the entrance to the park on U.S. 441 just north of Cherokee.

Deep Creek Enjoy a little of everything at Deep Creek. Hiking to waterfalls, picnicking, mountain biking, camping and what Deep Creek is famous for: tubing. Several outfitters rent inner tubes to float all day in the creek. This is a fantastic place to visit for a few hours because you can do so many different activities without having to go to different places. If you are in the Bryson City area, treat yourself to a visit.

Mingus Mill The rumble of mill stones, the whistle of corn meal sliding down the wooden shoot, the slap-slap-slap of water falling over the giant paddle wheel. Explore this historic site just one mile from the park entrance on U.S. 441 north of Cherokee.

Clingmans Dome A paved half-mile trail leads to a soaring lookout tower atop the highest peak in the Smokies. At 6,643 feet, the panoramic view offers spectacular scenery and is one of the best examples of the region’s famed blue mountain ridges marching endlessly across the horizon.

The tower features a spiraling 375-foot ramp to the top.

Mingus Mill. Swain TDA photo

Western North Carolina’s national treasure he Great Smoky Mountains National Park has an amazing array of mini-ecosystems — from peaks over 6,000 feet to low valleys, from moist densely forested coves to dry meadows. A walk from mountain base to peak compares with traveling 1,250 miles north. Several resident plants and animals live only in the Smokies.

The park has more than 100 species of trees and 4,000 species of plants. Some people say if you throw a rock and then trace its path, you’re likely to walk by at least 30 different kinds of trees.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses more than 500,00 acres and straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, making it the largest national park in the East.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park photos

Cataloochee Valley History and nature intersect in this picturesque meadow, a long, narrow valley cradled by mountains on all sides. An elk herd has been reintroduced into the park and calls the valley home. Cataloochee Valley is also home to a former mountain settlement, with intact farm houses, churches, schoolhouse and cemeteries that can be toured by car and short walks. Pick up an interpretive brochure at the campground on the left after you get down to the valley floor that describes the historic buildings.

Big Creek This relatively isolated area is a favorite of locals, with a campground, bathroom, picnic area and jumping off point for some great hikes into the Smokies, including the all-day hike up to Mount Cammerer lookout tower. One of the coldest, clearest swimming holes in the Smokies — aptly named Midnight Hole — is a short one-mile-hike up the wide Big Creek Trail.

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Outdoors+Recreation Cullasaja Gorge. Visitors can walk behind the falls and to the other side. The powerful waterfall is about 65 feet tall.

Dry Falls is in between Quarry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls about three miles west of Highlands on U.S. 64. There’s a small parking area on the left if you are headed west. Signs mark the falls on both sides of the road. A Saturday during peak tourist season, a parking space will be hard to come by.

The trail to the falls is short with some steps.

Cullasaja Falls Cullasaja Falls is the final waterfall on the Cullasaja River before leaving the Gorge. The falls, a 200-foot cascade, is powerful and beautiful. You can get a good view of it from the road, but it would be difficult to get to the base. The downside to Cullasaja Falls is that the pull off is small and is a dangerous place for traffic to stop.

Cullasaja Falls is about two and a half miles west of Quarry Falls on U.S. 64. The pull off is small and at a sharp curve. The small pull off fills up quickly during peak tourism days. Heading west, the pull off is on the left side of the road.

Mingo Falls

The spiritual appeal of waterfalls

SELECT WATERFALLS

hether one is an avid outdoorsman or an occasional hiker, there is something special about making a gorgeous waterfall the destination for a hike.

Among the Cherokee Indians, rivers were known as “The Long Man” and special ceremonies were often held at waterfalls.

There are hundreds of waterfalls in Western North Carolina, and we’ve compiled a fairly extensive list and an interactive map on our newspaper website www.smokymountainnews.com (navigate to the Outdoors section).

Bridal Veil Falls

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Bridal Veil Falls is fairly easy to get to and impossible to miss. If you are headed west from Highlands through the Cullasaja Gorge on U.S. 64, the falls will go over a small pull off road on the right. Cars use to be able to drive behind the falls, but now it is only accessible by foot and people are still able to walk behind the falls.

Bridal Veil Falls is 2.3 miles west of Highlands on U.S. 64. You’ll see a pull off road on the right side of U.S. 64 under the falls. From Franklin, it’s a 14.5-mile drive toward Highlands on U.S. 64.

Dry Falls Dry Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Western North Carolina and an easy stop if you are seeing the other falls on U.S. 64 through the

On the Qualla Indian Reservation in Cherokee, you’ll find the popular Mingo Falls. A small creek falls about 150 feet over mossy rocks. Access to the falls is good – if you can handle lots of steps.

A small bridge goes across the creek, giving hikers a face on view of the falls.

Coming from Cherokee, head north on U.S. 441.

You’ll turn right onto Acquoni Road. There will be signs telling you to turn there for Big Cove Road.

In about 0.1 mile, turn left on to Big Cove Road.

Again you’ll see signs pointing to Big Cove Road.

Drive about 5 miles and turn right into Mingo Falls Campground. The parking area is straight ahead. The trail starts there, goes up a lot of stairs, levels out and comes to a bridge overlooking the falls. The trail is about 265 yards.

Soco Falls Soco Falls is one of the closest large falls to Waynesville. Two creeks flow over steep rock cascades at a right angle from each other. There’s a wooden platform that faces the higher of the two falls. The other falls is nearly impossible to see face on without going down to the base of the falls. There's a really steep dirt incline that goes down there without a lot to hold on to.

From Waynesville, drive north on U.S. 19. You’ll pass under the Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing the Blue Ridge Parkway, drive 1.4 miles to a pull off on the left. At the corner before the pull off you want, you’ll see a large gravel pull off. This

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is actually a private driveway and not the way to Soco Falls. A sign on the right side of the road will tell you to go another half mile. Find a pull off with a guardrail.

A short, steep path goes down between the guardrails. Follow the trail, which leads to a wooden platform. The trail beyond the platform is steeper and more difficult but will take you to the top of one of the falls. A dirt incline leads to the bottom of the falls that you’d have to slide down. It looks like it would be a challenge to get back up.

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If you’re looking for a good place to jump in the water, this is it. Midnight Hole is very popular and crowded at times. There’s a rope that goes up one of the boulders so swimmers can jump off the rocks into the pool. The water is cold and crystal clear and feels wonderful after a hike on a hot, muggy afternoon.

Take I-40 Exit 451 in Tennessee. It will be the first exit after you cross the state line. Stay left after crossing the Pigeon River and follow the road 2 miles. You’ll drive by a power plant and community park. You’ll come to a stop sign at an intersection.

Go straight through the intersection and enter the Big Creek section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Follow the gravel road 0.8 miles to a picnic area and campground entrance.

From the parking area, walk back up the road.

You’ll see a sign on the left for the trailhead. The hike to Midnight Hole is about 1.5 miles. Stay on the main path and the hole is on the left. The hike is easy. Horses and their riders also frequent the trail.

Waterfall on West Fork Pigeon River

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The waterfall on West Fork Pigeon River runs under an old stone bridge on N.C. 215. Although this waterfall isn’t one to plan a trip around, if you’re driving to the other falls on N.C. 215, it’s worth a stop. You can take shots from the road and the bridge but watch out for traffic.

The waterfall is under a bridge on N.C. 215, 4.2 miles from where N.C. 215 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s 13.6 miles south of where N.C. 215 intersects with U.S. 276.

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Outdoors+Recreation The view from Mt. LeConte.

Courtesy Swain TDA

Higher calling: Viewpoints in WNC

Why do we seek the high places? The easiest explanation for going to the mountains is for the scenery. Even so, there must be something ingrained in the human experience that draws us to lofty summits and places where we can look out over the landscape. The reasons vary from the practical to the spiritual.

High places represent safety and security.

Elevated vantage points have been used throughout history for human survival. From the heights, an approaching enemy can be detected from a long distance, or an attack more easily fended off. A path through unknown territory might be scouted out as waterways and passes can all be seen better from a high perch. Hunters are better able spot herds of animals from an overlook. Migratory animals often use mountain ridges to travel long distances. Surely the Cherokee utilized ridge tops in their network of trails connecting villages and hunting grounds.

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There is something about the Appalachians that evokes a deep emotional response in most folks. When you are able to get an encompassing view of your surroundings, you automatically know more about your place in the world. For many, this serves to stimulate the curiosity to learn about nature or to seek wilderness. Others find the experience to be humbling, revealing the relative insignificance of the individual in the vastness of creation.

The religious and spiritual connection with natural heights is easily explained in the context of being closer to Heaven, the

gods and spirits. On Mount Sinai, God presented Moses with the Ten Commandments and on Mount Pisgah, Moses got a glimpse of the Promised Land. Native Americans attached sacred significance to high places.

The Incas performed human sacrifice on sacred peaks in the Andes. Monks of various Eastern religions have built almost inaccessible monasteries on high precipices.

At times, mountain travel involves personal challenge and extraordinary risk.

When asked why he wanted to climb Mount.

Everest, George Mallory replied, “Because it is there.” Whether Mallory reached the sum-

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Max Patch.

hala National Forest. Go west on U.S. 74 and turn right on N.C. 28. Tsali is about five minutes down the road. Once there, the Mouse Branch, Right and Left loops all have great overlooks. According Timm Muth, author Mountain Biking North Carolina, the Mouse Branch overlook 4.5 miles into that loop is the most stunning. On the Right it’s Windy Gap Overlook and the overlook on the Left trail isn’t named. All are fabulous.

Mount LeConte (6,643 feet)

mit in 1924 is still in question, but the same adventurous spirit still drives many to climb the most difficult mountains. Even in Western North Carolina, the most remote peaks require no small amount of effort to reach.

“Peakbagging” is the sport of getting to the top of as many peaks as possible. Hiking up a mountain is great exercise. The air is less dense and flows easily in and out of your lungs, but the lower concentration of oxygen means greater oxygen debt during physical activity. Eventually, the body becomes more efficient and compensates. Unfortunately, summer hikers in the Smokies may have difficulty with respiration due to the low oxy-

gen density combined with high ozone levels caused by pollution from autos and power plants.

Visiting the high places can even be a social event. In Japan, large numbers of hikers may crowd a summit trail. The camaraderie of sharing the journey and the view with good friends or a loved one is definitely a bonding experience and often requires cooperation to get there. On the other hand, the sense of solitude one experiences when standing alone on a lofty wilderness summit is difficult to describe or explain.

(Ed Kelley is a photographer, musician and outdoorsman who lives in Waynesville.)

The vistas are endless in the Smokies, but getting to the top of this mountain has the added advantage of being to check out LeConte Lodge, the only commercial lodging facility in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are five trails to the lodge, the shortest and steepest being Alum Cave Trail at 5.5 miles, which a hiker in good condition can do in approximately four hours. None of these trails can be considered a stroll and you occasionally encounter ice and snow as late as May or as early as October.

The other trails are Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap, each 6.5 miles, a hike of about five hours; Bullhead at 7.2 miles and about five hours; and Boulevard, 8 miles and about 5.5 hours. Parking is available at the start of each trail. Once at the top signs lead to the best overlooks.

Wayah Bald (5,342 feet) The Nantahala Mountains are not as tall as the Smokies, but the views are every bit as stunning.

This is a land of 4,000- and 5,000-foot mountains in one of the region’s wildest areas. Follow State Route 1310 out of Franklin until you pass Wayah Crest, where there is a camping area. A forest service road, with signs, leads to the parking area at Wayah Bald, where there is an old Civilian Conservation Corps firetower made of stone. Views from the platform are wonderful, and the Appalachian Trail passes right by.

Max Patch (4,629 feet) SELECT PEAKS Mount Pisgah (5,749 feet) Located near milepost 408, this mountain with the Biblical name used to be part of the George Vanderbilt Estate (who created the Biltmore Estate). A parking area is well marked, and the hike is only about a mile but it is relatively strenuous to the platform atop the mountain. Once there, however, the 360-degree views are fabulous.

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Tsali’s Fontana Lake overlooks (2,000 feet plus) If you’re a mountain biker, too often you are in the trees or too dog tired after a climb to enjoy the views, but there are several in Tsali that are worth getting off your bike and using as a rest break, photo-op or both. All of these are just above 2,000 feet in elevation, but because of the lake’s backdrop they make for stunning views. Tsali Recreation Area is located 12 miles west of Bryson City in the Nanta-

This may be the most scenic bald in the Smokies as well as one of the most accessible. From the top, the 360-degree views, the sheer vastness of the bald (which is mowed by the Forest Service) and the beauty is well worth the trip. Since the trail to the parking area is about 0.25 miles max, it’s a great place to picnic and watch the sunset. Take Exit 7, the Harmon Den Exit, off Interstate 40 and turn right off the exit onto Cold Springs Creek Road. The dirt road goes into Pisgah National Forest. Stay on the main road for several miles until you come to a sign for Max Patch. It is a left-hand turn. Stay on the road until you come to a parking area with an unobstructed view of the bald. Follow the trail to the top of the bald and it intersects with the Appalachian Trail.

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Upcoming Events • First/Third Thursdays — Community music jam, Bryson City www.fontanalib.org • Fridays, Memorial Day to Labor Day — Concerts on the Creek, Sylva www.mountainlovers.com • Fridays, Memorial Day to September — Groovin’ on the Green, Cashiers www.visitcashiersvalley.com • Fridays, Memorial Day to Early September — Concerts on the Square, Hayesville www.cccra-nc.org • Fridays, Memorial Day to Late October — Movies on Everett, Bryson City www.greatsmokies.com • First Friday of the Month — Art After Dark, Waynesville. Evening stroll of galleries, restaurants and breweries in downtown. www.downtownwaynesville.com • First Friday of the Month — Art Walk, Murphy.

Stroll downtown art galleries, restaurants and shops. www.cherokeecountychamber.com

• Friday-Saturday, Memorial Day to Late October — Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling www.visitcherokeenc.com • Friday-Saturday, Memorial Day to Late October — Street Tunes, Bryson City www.greatsmokies.com • Saturdays, Memorial Day to Mid-October — Pickin’ on the Square, Franklin www.franklin-chamber.com • Monday-Saturday, Late May to Mid-August — Unto These Hills outdoor drama, Cherokee www.cherokeehistorical.org • Friday-Saturday, Late May to Labor Day — Music on the River, Cherokee www.visitcherokeenc.com • Fridays, Early June to Labor Day — Pickin’ in the Park, Canton www.cantonnc.com • June to October — Friday Night Live, Highlands www.highlandschamber.org • Late June to Labor Day — Saturdays on Pine concert series, Highlands www.highlandschamber.org

Concerts on the Creek in Sylva.

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Independence Day in the Smokies • Canton Fourth of July Celebration www.cantonnc.com • Stars & Strips Celebration, Waynesville www.downtownwaynesville.com • Red White & Boom, Maggie Valley www.maggievalley.org • Fourth of July Celebration, Sylva www.mountainlovers.com • Freedom Fest, Bryson City www.greatsmokies.com • 4th of July Parade/Fireworks Celebration, Franklin www.franklin-chamber.com • 4th of July Fireworks Show, Cherokee www.nc-cherokee.com • Fourth of July Celebration, Cashiers www.cashiers411.com • Fourth of July Celebration, Andrews www.visitcherokeecountync.com • Independence Day Celebration, Highlands www.highlandsinfo.com • Independence Day Fireworks, Murphy www.visitcherokeecountync.com • Independence Day Parade/Celebration, Hayesville www.ncmtnchamber.com • Sapphire Valley Yankee Doodle Dandy Day www.sapphirevalley.com • Fourth of July Celebration, Fontana Village www.fontanavillage.com

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