There is a special satisfaction in ending a summer ride at an old inn on a real main street. Not a franchise exit, not a concrete box beside a truck stop, but a place with a porch, tall windows and the quiet confidence of a building that has already seen a hundred summers come and go. The Inn at Wise has been doing exactly that since 1910, and by the time I rolled Rose to the … [Read more...] about Where the Day Settles
mountains
Saddle Up: Cataloochee Ranch Rides Again
Meandering up Fie Top Road in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, just as it seems you may eventually ride off the edge of the earth, you emerge atop a mountain ridge, a large rustic lodge appearing in the distance — the Cataloochee Ranch. “The ranch has an amazing history and it’s always had this unique identity,” said Annie Colquitt. “It’s this special place in Haywood County and … [Read more...] about Saddle Up: Cataloochee Ranch Rides Again
Exploring Elkin: From Mill Town to Motorcycling Mecca
Nestled on the banks of the serene Yadkin River, the town of Elkin resembles many small North Carolina towns: a main street lined with older buildings, a movie theater, a bank, various shops. One of the joys of motorcycling is discovering these time-capsule towns. It’s even more joyous to see them thriving in the 21st century. “About eight years ago, we were stagnant. The mill … [Read more...] about Exploring Elkin: From Mill Town to Motorcycling Mecca
Historic Switzerland Inn Reopens
Beloved Swiss-Inspired Western North Carolina Hotel Welcomes Guests Back for an Extended Season “Each new season at Switzerland Inn is special, but this one carries even more meaning,” commented Switzerland Inn General Manager Whitney Ledford. “Our team has worked hard to prepare this year, knowing that we’re not just reopening our doors—we’re helping revive the tourism … [Read more...] about Historic Switzerland Inn Reopens
Touring the two Virginias: Seeing new life in the Bluefields
A few days earlier, a buxom, wet and nasty bitch named Helene came our way up from Florida, uninvited and unwelcomed, and for many people in many places throughout our divine mid-Atlantic mountains, life would never be the same. The hurricane absolutely devastated several communities, large and small, mostly in North Carolina and Tennessee, but also in far southwest Virginia. … [Read more...] about Touring the two Virginias: Seeing new life in the Bluefields
