Magazine

One of the best things about summer is the freedom to kick back and be lazy once in a while. In the Appalachians, that doesn’t mean sipping sweet tea in your backyard or on your porch. That’s an activity better suited to the rest of the South. In the mountains, people like to get out into nature — even when all they want to do is relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding countryside without a lot of effort.

Appalachian Herbal Infused Butters and Oils Appalachian locals have long had a reputation for being thrifty and industrious -- and for good reason. Although the region is home to a wide variety of native plants and wildlife, the rocky soil and unpredictable seasons can make farming and gardening challenging. Determined to stay, people in these mountains learned to make do with what they had. They truly lived off the land, using as many native herbs and plants as they could.

A hard-worker with a wagging tail

See, Share, Savor, Shop and Stay

Welcome to a new series at Simply Appalachian. Each month, we’ll choose a destination ideal for family fun. We hope that the guidance you find within each piece will help you plan an entire trip. Each month, we’ll feature a spot to see, share, savor, shop and stay with your family. Happy Trails!

Virginia Creeper Trail

From mines to “Mule Day” Mules are domesticated hybrid animals, the product of a male donkey and a female horse. Used as pack animals and draft animals, mules are infertile but strong. They are more durable and require less food than a similarly sized horse or donkey. In some respects, a mule is the superior animal for working.
The most common deviled eggs that you find at most Southern Appalachian picnic tables is the classic, best portrayed by Betty Crocker, a source many Southern cooks still use today.
How to get the most from them It’s the time of year to bring out the flowers. Whether you plan to display fresh-cut flowers in your home or office or regal your garden with a blooming array of color, professional florists at the flower markets throughout the Appalachians are ready to give you a hand.
Whether you’re planning to attend the Kentucky Derby on May 1 or the Blockhouse Steeplechase on May 2, you don’t have much time to get your hat ready. And don’t even think about attending either race without one. For women, it’s a major fashion faux pas, and for men, well, it’s just not done. The South still has certain traditions that should not be broken.