Chimney Rock, Lake Lure and Golden Valley

One of the benefits of publishing the Highlander is that we travel throughout the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains and have the privilege to share what we find with you.

In traveling to Rutherford County, we found 6 distinctly unique towns and villages all extremely friendly, the beautiful Lake Lure and Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park a National Treasure that recently became a North Carolina State Park, a definite "Must See."

Rutherford County is known for several major films, "Fire starter," "Dirty Dancing," and our favorite "Last of the Mohicans."

When we first arrived, we stopped to get lunch and upon opening the door of the restaurant, "The Time of My Life," the theme song for Dirty Dancing began to play. I honestly started to chuckle, it was like they knew to cue the song upon our arrival to set a tone to our trip. We brought the sound track from "Last of the Mohican's" which we played on our road trip to set our own personal tone.

We also found 3 great scenic drives in Rutherford County that we know you will enjoy. There is s wealth of history, recreation, small town shopping and plenty of relaxation waiting for you in Rutherford County, much more than I can put in this blog, so be sure to go on line to read the complete story, then plan your visit.

Spring is just around the corner....

Although it is quite chilly this morning, there are signs of Spring everywhere.  Not only are we seeing the early Spring flowers peaking out of the ground everywhere we look, our neighbor which gets more sunlight than we do, has flowers on his daffodils.  

This morning, I heard the most beautiful song bird right outside my kitchen.  I looked outside trying to see what type of bird it was, but couldn't find it.  We have a large variety of birds on our property, often we have a wonderful nature produced concert going on.  

This past winter was colder than any we have experienced in the last few years, but it is almost over and we are looking forward to Spring.  We live in Cherokee County and this winter has brought us a lot of rain which we are very thankful for.  It  should do wonders for the watershed of North Carolina bringing great photo opportunities throughout this coming year.  We would love to hear from others throughout the mountains about what is happening in your part of the mountains.

We are in the process of updating the 2009 Events and Festivals on the Highlander, take a look at the ones we have on line and plan a trip to the mountains.  If you know of any other events or festivals that should be listed on the Highlander for all our readers to learn about, please take the time to let us know at publishers@theblueridgehighlander.com.  Thousands of readers come to the Highlander every day looking for things to do in the mountains and we would like to help them find what they are looking for.

We will be posting our latest community profile this week on Rutherford County North Carolina, home of Chimney Rock  at Chimney Rock State Park.  We found a lot of great places to explore in Rutherford County and wonderfully friendly people which made our trips there very special.  So keep in touch to read about all the great things we found in our visit.  

We have our 2009 Easter trip planned.   We are excited to be going to the Sunrise Easter Service on the top of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.    We are excited and really looking forward to experiencing this one of a kind event.  We are told that seeing the sun rise at the conclusion of the ceremony is awe-inspiring. We can't wait, come join the Highlander for this very special event.

Write to us publishers@theblueridgehighlander.com and let us know what you would like for us to cover this year in the Highlander, we want to be your source of the "Best the Mountains Have to Offer.

The Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains...what a great place to be....

As we all know...the catchword for 2009 is CHANGE, so as a creative and innovative site we are working on change as well.

Take a look at our opening page, we have a new slide show and will be changing it every two weeks, BlueRidgeHighlander.com bookmark and come back to see an great display and presentation of the mountains, it won't be long until you are planning your next trip.

 We also made a change on our main editorial library page, you will find our archive of the Highlander tales and road trips all on one page, take a look, I know you will find stories or road trips that are new to you, all about the mountains.  By this time, I know you will be planning a trip.

What we love so much about the Internet as a creative communication medium, is its ability to change, to grow, to evolve as the technology evolves.  There will be many new happenings at the Highlander this coming year, keep in touch and watch the Highlander evolve into the "Best of the Mountains" Internet guide.

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