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Our Favorite Songs in May
Every month our editors curate a playlist of new music, mainly focusing on independent artists from the South. In May we’re highlighting new tunes from the Avett Brothers and Adrianne Lenker. Waxahatchee. “Right Back to It”. Katie Crutchfield continues moving in a country direction on her new album, “Tigers...
Returning Champ East Tennessee State University Wins Top Adventure College Contest
For the second year in a row, East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has been voted our region’s Top Adventure College in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ annual competition. The contest puts 32 colleges and universities from the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic head-to-head in bracket-style voting rounds. Note only were votes counted towards the schools, they also entered participants to win two pairs of Ultra Light Merino Performance Crew hiking socks from this year’s sponsor Bridgedale.
Bed Down in Bedford County, VA
View from Sharp Top, Peaks of Otter – Bedford, VA – Photo Credit Savanah Graham. Nestled along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford County boasts the longest stretch of this scenic roadway in Virginia. From the majestic Peaks of Otter to the tranquil shores of Smith Mountain Lake, iconic landmarks await your exploration. With a wealth of activities and accommodations, Bedford offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation for every traveler.
A Day In… Hardy County, WV
Hardy County strikes the perfect balance, inviting you for a day trip yet tempting you to linger overnight. Amidst the breathtaking Lost River Valley, a plethora of adventures awaits, enticing you to extend your stay and make countless return visits. Morning. Enjoy a made-to-order breakfast and coffee at Drifters Café...
Paddling along the Jackson & Cowpasture Rivers
In the Alleghany Highlands, June is always an exciting month – you have several festivals & events, kick-offs to the summer season, fireworks, and live music can be found just about anywhere. But what many who are familiar with the region know, is that June is the start of summer paddling season!
Welcome to Burnsville, NC
Welcome to Burnsville, NC, where the air is fresh, the temperature is ideal, and the people are friendly. Established in 1834, Burnsville is the perfect small-town mountain getaway, just 40 minutes northeast of Asheville. Burnsville is home to expansive mountain views, a walkable Main Street, colorful street murals, and quaint art galleries. Our friendly, locally-owned brewery, eateries, and restaurants bring quality, one-of-a-kind dining experiences to locals and visitors. Wander historic downtown for the perfect gift, antique, or the latest in home décor, jewelry, and more. No matter where you go in Yancey County, you’ll feel our warm hospitality.
Fish Hooks Found in Dog Treats Scattered Along Appalachian Trail
If you have a dog, you know the joy of bringing them along on an adventure. You also probably know the stress of furry friends gobbling up something that smells tasty and looks edible. Unfortunately, that fear has become even more serious for dog owners after the Pennsylvania Game Commission issued a warning after sabotaged treats were found along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) this week.
May 2024: Find Your Festival
On the cover: 4848 Festival at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia. Photo by Itamar Gat, Eyes of the World Photography. A climber looks back on learning at Manchester Wall, Richmond’s beloved urban crag. When teenagers push back on outdoor adventures. Great gear for festival season. New tunes from...
Show Time: Festival Gear
Festival season requires gear that will both look the part and survive those long days of dancing, swaying, walking, and playing. Here’s the stuff to up your game. The ability to carry the party—or even just a picnic—anywhere you go is essential for the festival scene, where you usually have no idea how far you might have to walk before you can spread out. Problem solved with this roomy backpack cooler that will hold up to 36 cold ones. $325; yeti.com.
The World’s Greatest Runners Are Coming to the Blue Ridge
Meet the indigenous Tarahumara in Asheville this month. Mickey Mahaffey should be dead. A few years ago, he was hiking in Mexico’s Copper Canyons—four river-carved chasms each deeper than the Grand Canyon. This is wild, lawless terrain. Narco mafias with AK-47s prowl the canyons guarding their opium plantations and forcing indigenous Tarahumara into indentured servitude. Many in the canyons have been killed or disappeared, and recently, an elected leader was beheaded and two Jesuit priests were executed.
Mutiny: Navigating Teenage Resistance to the Outdoors
The captain is no longer in command of his ship. There has been a mutiny on board. The deckhands are in control and making decisions. I’m talking about my family here, and in this particular metaphor I would be the captain and my kids would be the deckhands. Is it troubling that I’m referring to my children as barely paid labor? Perhaps. They can work that out in therapy later in life. Right now I need to get across the notion that I have lost control of the situation. Is the metaphor a bit tenuous to begin with because I am in no way the boss, or captain of my family? Yes. My wife is the boss, but she allows me to occasionally address the kids like I have a certain amount of authority. She’s definitely pulling the strings from behind the scenes, but I’m the front man. Consider me the dictator of a puppet state.
Scratching the Surface at Mammoth Cave
With miles of hiking, biking, and paddling, the Kentucky national park has much more than cave tours. We were towing our camper along a winding rural road when a horsedrawn wagon appeared in the opposite lane. I waved at an Amish family riding in the sun. Three friendly generations—five kids, two parents, and one grandmother—waved back. A perfect start for our first trip to an unfamiliar region.
Seven Scenic Music Venues in the Mountains
The Blue Ridge has been a hotbed for cultivating innovative music since the early 19th century, acting as a melting pot for cross-cultural pollinations that brought previously unthinkable sonic combos like traditional Scottish fiddle tunes spliced with African rhythms, German Alpine folk, and Lutheran-style chorale harmonies. Today that spirit remains...
Mountain Town Watering Holes
Where to Grab a Post-Adventure Drink off the Beaten Path. Finding booze in a major metropolitan area is easy. Throw a rock, and you’ll surely hit a craft cocktail lounge or bougie brewery. But finding a quality alcoholic beverage in a small town? That’s a whole different story. Determined to quench your thirst, we’ve rounded up five watering holes in the rural reaches of the Blue Ridge.
Pitch at a Park in Newport News, VA
From winding hiking trails to scenic waterways, Newport News offers a diverse array of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Whether you’re paddling along the tranquil waters of the James River or discovering the rich history of the area’s parks and gardens, Newport News Park promises an unforgettable camping experience against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty.
Reconnect with nature in Boxerwood
Nestled amidst the serene beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a tiny verdant sanctuary known to locals simply as Boxerwood. This 15-acre Nature Center and Woodland Garden lies just outside the city limits of historic Lexington, Virginia, beckoning to nature lovers and adventurers of all ages. Open daily from dawn to dusk and free to the public, the privately owned garden is run by an environmental education nonprofit, Boxerwood Education Association. A true gem in Rockbridge County, the garden relies on the generosity of donations and memberships to safeguard its natural splendor.
Bad News Bears: Video Captures Cubs Being Yanked from Tree
Two weeks ago, a video recorded by a concerned bystander captured a group of people at an apartment complex in Asheville, N.C., attempting to pull bear cubs out of a tree. In the video, the people can be seen yanking the bear cubs and taking pictures with them, until one woman drops a cub after seemingly being bit. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) was contacted and responded to the incident.
A Day In… Staunton, VA
What could be better than a quaint downtown within close proximity to a National Park and endless outdoor adventure? Ideally nestled between the scenic Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Staunton is the perfect base for exploring Virginia’s great outdoors. Morning:. Treat...
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Blue Ridge Outdoors is your guide to fly fishing in the Southeast, moutain biking in the Blue Ridge and adventure travel from the Highlands to the Piedmont.
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