• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 626 0

Store. The first of a band of general stores in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the original store sells much the same products as it did when it first opened in 1883. Still a gathering spot for locals and now visitors, the mercantile shop sells a dozen types of bacon, traditional handmade hard candy, games of pick-up sticks and paddle ball, signs that read “Hippies Use Side Door,” and a complete selection of women’s bonnets.

* * *

SECRET SITES

Those with sturdy boots might want to skip the drive up to the parking lot (and the accompanying fee) for a more adventurous climb to Grandfather Mountain. Park at the Boone Fork parking lot at Milepost 299.9 and take either the Profile Trail or, better yet, the Daniel Boone Scout Trail, where locals will be able to point out the way to the secret site of a small plane crash, hidden in the thick vegetation.

* * *

Head down Hwy 184 to Hwy 105 to reach Grandfather Mountain, a Unesco biosphere reserve worthy of a day trip. On the grounds, there is a wildlife habitat with black bear, river otter and bald eagles, plus a nature preserve with miles of hiking trails, but most people come here to walk the famous mile-high swinging bridge. The 228ft bridge stretches over a precipitous chasm that exposes visitors (safely) to the full force of mountain winds and a panoramic mountain vista. On a particularly gusty day, you can hear the bridge’s steel girders sing.

Follow the Parkway south to reach Linville Falls. These river gorges and waterfalls are accessed by a crisscross network of trails. During the week and in the off-season months, you can find secluded spots suitable for meditating on the sheer awesomeness of a multifaceted waterfall.

Alex Leviton

* * *

TRIP INFORMATION

GETTING THERE

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles, from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to the edge of the Great Smokies in far western North Carolina. To reach the start of the trip from Raleigh, head west on I-40 past Mount Airy to Hwy 21, about a three-hour drive.

DO

Foggy Mountain Gem Mine

Semiprecious stones guaranteed in each bucket; a gemologist on site. 828-963-4367; www.foggymountaingems.com; 4416 Hwy 105 S, Boone; buckets $15-100; 10am-6pm;

Grandfather Mountain

A Unesco biosphere reserve with hiking trails and a swinging bridge. 800-468-7325; www.grandfather.com; 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy at Hwy 221 (Milepost 305), Linville; adult/child $14/6; 8am-1hr before dusk, 9am-5pm winter;

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Take an unexpected detour to see Italian-inspired frescoes. 336-982-3076; www.churchofthefrescoes.com, www.benlongfrescotrail.com; 120 Glendale School Rd, Glendale Springs; admission free; 9am-5pm

Linville Falls

Hike down to a series of multilevel waterfalls. www.ncwaterfalls.com/lin1.htm; Milepost 316.3, Linville Falls; admission free; dawn-dusk;

Original Mast General Store

More than 130 years of selling everything from cradles to caskets. 828-963-6511; www.mastgeneralstore.com; Hwy 194, Valle Crucis; 7am-6:30pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun;

Tweetsie Railroad

A theme park based around an historic steam train. 828-264-9061; www.tweetsie.com; 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock; adult/child $30/22; 9am-6pm Fri-Sun Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9am-6pm daily Jun-Aug;

EAT

Bluff’s Lodge Restaurant

Biscuits and fried chicken worthy of a road trip by themselves. 336-372-4499; Milepost 241, Doughton Park; mains $3-18; 8am-8pm;

Daniel Boone Inn

Family-style dining for the very, very hungry since the 1960s. 828-264-8657; www.danielbooneinn.com; 130 Hardin St, Boone; mains adult $9-16, child $4-9; 11:30am-9pm Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm Sat & Sun, closed lunch Mon-Fri winter;

SLEEP

Bluff’s Lodge

Be sure to ask for a room with a view. 336-372-4499; www.blueridgeresort.com; Milepost 241.1, Doughton Park; r $85-105; late Apr-Nov;

Mast Farm Inn & Simplicity Restaurant

Inn, cabins and restaurant in buildings dating back to the late 1700s. The restaurant is open from 6pm to 8:30pm, Thursday to Saturday and for holidays. 828-963-5857; www.mastfarminn.com;