After 6 months of hard work, we are proud to announce the "New Highlander", ready to unveil...

The first thing you will notice if you haven't been to the site this month is the new design.   It isn't a superficial change, every page was redone, every map, every graphic, in other words, everything on all 1,333 pages. And we have plans for it to continue to grow and change. 

We will be adding 22 counties within the next year, more scenic drives, special getaways for couples as well as families with kids.   We will also be constantly adding another waterfall, river or a lake, as well as improving and adding more information in all of the sections almost daily.  We welcome you to watch the evolution as time goes on.

The Blue Ridge Highlander is a family project, a labor of love, one that will take more than one lifetime to evolve to it's full potential.  Our first goal is to share the beauty of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains that we all love.  After a few trips through the Highlander, you will be ready to take to the road the first chance you get.  Be sure to check for any Special Offers our advertisers might have to offer and check our events and festivals to help you plan your trip.

I would like to thank all of you that signed up for the mailing list, I have read you comments on new things you would like to see, and as time goes on we will try to add everything you are looking for as we can.   In the meanwhile, enjoy what we presently have to offer and continue to let us know what you want at suggestions@theblueridgehighlander.com...we want you to run away to the mountains first through the Highlander to make you decisions and plans and then run to the mountains for real.

Several new sections within the Highlander.... Highlander Recommended Scenic Drives We have just added 9 new scenic drives, and will be adding new ones throughout the year.   Take a look at our first additions and take them for a spin.  The weather is beautiful and each drive has a different personality.  We just took a trip to the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway last week and although most trees are still bare, the wildflowers are incredible.

Highlander Kid Club Tara and Madeleine have started a new Highlander Kid's Club.  You can find Nature Crafts, Coloring Pages, Book Reviews, Animal Tracks, Wildflower Photos, and fun mountain places to check out if you have kids. One of the most ambitious new sections in the Highlander Kid's Club is Madeleine's Organic Garden, Madeleine has now progress to the point that she is planting her starts in the ground.  Although Madeleine is in the spot light, this is a family project so Mom and Dad have done a lot of work to help. Take a look and be inspired, by this healthy family project.

Mountain Birding One thing I have always noticed in life, when you add a concept to your mind, all of a sudden you start seeing evidence of that concept appearing.  By request from our friend and saleslady Kay Lake, we added a mountain birding section to the Highlander.  Within 2 days of launching the New Highlander with our new Mountain Bird Section, we took a hike up the mountains behind our house and met, Mr Who, which was happy to pose as our first star of the Birding section.  Since then, everywhere we go, we notice incredible birds, I can see how this could be a very addicting hobby.  Last week on the Blue Ridge Mountains we ran into two beautiful grey birds, one feeding the other, we will be adding them soon.

Hope you all are having a great Spring, we are really enjoying our exploration, all of which you will hear about in future newsletters.  Be sure to bookmark the Highlander and come back often to see all of the great new things we will be adding. 

God Bless....the Highlander

All photography, design, artwork, writing, digital images, etc are the Copyright © of the Blue Ridge Highlander, Inc. 1997 - 2006, except where otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, downloading, and/or duplication of any sort is strictly prohibited without written consent and will be prosecuted. If you have any questions, or comments, regarding this site, e-mail highlander@theblueridgehighlander.com