Country Roads
Recent Stories
Smokies Plates: 20 Years, $15 Million
Drivers in North Carolina and Tennessee who buy the “Friends of the Smokies” specialty license plate have raised more than $15 million since the program started 20 years ago Read more
Efficiency Eliminates Gas-Fired Plant Need
Thanks to a community-driven effort in Buncombe County, North Carolina to reduce energy use, Duke Energy said in April it would shelve a proposed new natural gas fired power plant at Lake Julian. Read more
Open Every Day (For 35 Years Straight)
Poor Farmer’s Market is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway Read more
Bats Protected in North Carolina
Prompted by somewhat unusual circumstances, the Blue Ridge Conservancy has protected 174 acres in Watauga County that include key habitat for the federally endangered Virginia long-eared bat. Read more
World’s Only Ramp Farmer Ramps Down
Glen Facemire, the “Ramp Man” of Richwood, West Virginia, says it’s time for him to sell what may be the world’s only ramp farm. Read more
Gatlinburg Skylift Reopens (And It's Longer Than Ever!)
The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America is open in the Smokies. Read more
‘Fortnite’ Creator Works to Preserve North Carolina Lands
“Fortnite” creator Tim Sweeney is helping create a different kind of landscape in the North Carolina mountains. Read more
Blue Ridge Parkway’s Orchard at Altapass Celebrates 25 Years at Milepost 328.3
The Orchard at Altapass has expanded its offerings significantly over the past 25 years as a Blue Ridge Parkway landmark. Read more
New Trails in Virginia’s New River Valley
The walker-friendly Huckleberry Trail will fill in its last gap. Read more
Pipestem Resort Zips it Up
Pipestem’s new zip opportunities include travel over the Bluestone River. Read more