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
scenery
Star City of the South: Roanoke, Virginia
Surrounded by the ancient peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and buffering the hustle of Interstate 81, Roanoke, Virginia (pop: 100,011) is a cultural and outdoor gem in Southern Appalachia. Once a large-scale railroad hub, the city itself remains an economic beacon for much of the bucolic, rural landscape in Southwestern Virginia. Nowadays, the metro-area has transformed into … [Read more...] about Star City of the South: Roanoke, Virginia
Blue Ridge Parkway: Touring the region’s most famous scenic byline
I wasn’t always a motorcycle enthusiast, but I’ve always been intrigued. Maybe I can blame Marlon Brando in “The Wild One” or Steve McQueen in “The Great Escape” for starting the itch that needed scratching. My first foray was in Kauai, Hawaii, as a marine on a Kawasaki Ninja 1990 ZX-11. That bike was stupid fast, and I was just stupid. I had some gateway bikes afterward, … [Read more...] about Blue Ridge Parkway: Touring the region’s most famous scenic byline
Notes from the road: Adventure is a just an unpaved mountain road away
Some days, tarmac just doesn’t suffice when you’re an adventure rider. On a quiet Monday with nothing on the calendar, I headed into the lush wilderness of the Pisgah National Forest to escape the heat of summer and find that connection between earth, motorcycle and man that often gets lost navigating through heavy urban traffic. I needed the tonic of the wilderness, to borrow … [Read more...] about Notes from the road: Adventure is a just an unpaved mountain road away
Escarpment escape: Two-wheeled heaven along The Blue Wall
Ancient and weathered it stands like a sentinel at the gates of another realm. Seen from the foothills of the piedmont, the Blue Ridge Escarpment rises suddenly to divide the land, allowing passage through only a handful of mountain roads. Savvy motorcyclists gather along these roads to experience the sudden 2,000-plus climb over the Eastern Continental Divide into Western … [Read more...] about Escarpment escape: Two-wheeled heaven along The Blue Wall
