Autumn is in Full Bloom at the Top

We're not out of the woods yet, but the woods sure are beautiful in the mountains this time of the year. 

Gas prices are coming down each day, it is a great time to turn off the news and take a journey to the mountains.  Breathe fresh air, experience the beautiful colors, go on a hike, enjoy a scenic drive, go to one of the many festivals, and talk to friendly people. 

John C. Campbell had their fall festival last weekend, and it was wonderful, at least while there you didn't feel the pressure the world is trying to put on us at this time.  Isn't that what we all need.

Don't think I take the current economic situation lightly, it has effected us all, but I am not putting my faith in Wall Street or any politician, I place all my faith in God and the American people to bring us into a better place and time, better than before, more stable, more real.

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival starts this weekend, and many other festivals in all areas of the mountains.  

There are some great scenic drives you can go on in the mountains.  We just put up a new feature on Autumn on the Blue Ridge Parkway, take a look at the great views, and tell me that wouldn't be a great place to renew your hope.

There is no place better to lift your spirits than a trip to your favorite spot in the mountains, join us in God's Country and go back home with a renewed spirit.

God Bless...Mrs. Highlander

Fall Festivals and Butterflies

We just got back from a great mountain road trip to Chimney Rock and we had a wonderful time. We always meet so many interesting people. We have a lot of great new features coming up in the Highlander, so be sure to sign up to be notified of new additions, new communities, adventures, festivals and events.

In the meanwhile now is the time for Festivals and Butterflies, join us in the mountains to enjoy the Best the Mountains Have to Offer. If you haven't already, take time to read our feature story on the Migration of the Monarch, it will lift your spirits and start you planning a mountain journey of your own. Nature's Pilgrimage...the Migration of the Monarch... The autumn season begins their celebration of life as they pursue a natural innate spiritual sense that drives them along a pilgrimage that will eventually carry them across a continent. 

Coming up this weekend, on Saturday September 27, 2008 you won't want to miss the Foxfire Heritage Festival at Dillard City Hall.  Come join Foxfire for old fashioned fun, food, crafts and music.  You will see basket making, woodworking, broom making, coppersmithing, blacksmithing, Native American jewelry, stained glass, canoe carving and so much more.

Admission is only $4.00 and the proceeds go to benefit the Foxfire's Local Education Programs.  For more information call 706-746-5828 or email giftshop@foxfire.org

October 4th & 5th John C. Campbell Folk School is holding their 35th Annual Fall Festival.  This wonderful and true mountain festival features over 200 crafters, continuous music and dance performances on two stages including, blue grass, folk and gospel music.  More than 40 craft-making demonstrations including a Mountain life area, great food, kid's activities and much more.

For more information call 1-800-Folk-Sch (800-365-5724) or info@folkschool.org

For those of you that want to plan a little further in the autumn, mark your calendars for October 10th through October 19th for the 

Fall Festival at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.  

This 10 day event features exciting musical performances, education demonstrations, arts and craft sales, a flower show and the popular Georgia's Official State Fiddlers' Convention.

For more information call 706-896-4191 or gamtfair@alltel.net

If you are looking for events in other parts of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, check our event calendar that covers most of the counties throughout the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.

It is a great time of the year for an scenic road trip, it will lift your spirits.  While we were at Chimney Rock, we met a young man with a great attitude, he had just lost his job.  He had saved for his vacation all year and decided to go anyway to lift his spirits and go back home with a renewed frame of mind, trusting God to get him through and find him a new job.  We commend him for knowing where his true source of support comes from.

Our philosophy for the future is to have faith, not in what we hear on the news, but in God, in ourselves, we can get back on track, but it will take all of us.  If we let the news get us in such a depressive state of thinking, God can't get through to us to inspire us to think creatively and find ways to get back to a productive future.  It is attitudes like the young man we ran into that will keep the ball rolling.  Fear stops progress, I don't mean you should be irresponsible, I don't say that this country is not having serious problems, but there is a solution and it will take creative thinking on the part of all of us to make a difference.

Keep the Faith....Think Creatively....Always Believe God has the Answer

God Bless.....the Highlander