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CURRENT Travel

Blue Ridge Parkway: A Loving Lament

Elizabeth Hunter, who began contributing to this magazine with its first issue and served as its award-winning columnist until her retirement at the end of 2014, also wrote dozens of articles, with care, awe and love, about the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Our Blue Ridge Towns: Riding the Art Train in Clifton Forge, Virginia

How does an out-of-the-way mountain town—pretty much left for dead a few decades back— make a comeback? It’s a long story that finally comes down to this: creativity and courage.

Eye in the Sky: Observatory Offers More Than View

West Virginia’s Hanging Rock is a great place to watch migratory hawks and other birds.

7 Fall Leaf-Color Stops

With surprises ranging from ghosts and spirits to delicious dining destinations and more, each stop is pure pleasure.

Brown Mountain Lights: The Mystery Continues (and Maybe Even Deepens)

Since we last explored the Brown Mountain Lights (March/April 1995), new scientific research teams were formed, the Burke County Tourism Authority offered sold-out symposia, the lights were featured in a National Geographic show and more.

Current Issue

This view, looking south from Bluff Mountain, is of the North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Alligator Rocks.

Blue Ridge Parkway: A Loving Lament

Elizabeth Hunter, who began contributing to this magazine with its first issue and served as its award-winning columnist until her retirement at the end of 2014, also wrote dozens of articles, with care, awe and love, about the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It’s a full house on Main Street at the beautiful Historic Masonic Theatre.

Our Blue Ridge Towns: Riding the Art Train in Clifton Forge, Virginia

How does an out-of-the-way mountain town—pretty much left for dead a few decades back— make a comeback? It’s a long story that finally comes down to this: creativity and courage.
The Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory sits atop the sloping rocks of Peters Mountain in Monroe County, West Virginia.

Eye in the Sky: Observatory Offers More Than View

West Virginia’s Hanging Rock is a great place to watch migratory hawks and other birds.
This view of the formation is only one of the lures of North Carolina’s Chimney Rock State Park and the village below.

7 Fall Leaf-Color Stops

With surprises ranging from ghosts and spirits to delicious dining destinations and more, each stop is pure pleasure.
Ed Phillips took this shot of the lights at night.

Brown Mountain Lights: The Mystery Continues (and Maybe Even Deepens)

Since we last explored the Brown Mountain Lights (March/April 1995), new scientific research teams were formed, the Burke County Tourism Authority offered sold-out symposia, the lights were featured in a National Geographic show and more.
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Departments

Smith Mountain Lake Virginia is a hidden gem within the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful area features boating, sailing, hiking, shopping, fishing, and much more.
From The Editor

Sarah Smiles: The Lake Effect

Growing up, many of my weekends were spent at my late step-grandmother’s house on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

June 26, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS