Magazine

She’s a mother and nature advocate, too. In 2011, Jennifer Pharr Davis became the fastest person (man or woman) to through-hike the Appalachian Trail (AT). By averaging 47 miles a day — which, at three miles an hour, is more than 15 hours a day — she completed the 2,180-mile journey in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes. For that accomplishment, she was named a 2012 National Geographic Top Adventurer of the Year, one of 10 to be so named worldwide.
Rainbows, browns and brookies… oh my! Mountain areas are typically great for fishing — not necessarily because of the fish, but because of the diversity. The Blue Ridge Highlands of Southwestern Virginia (fishblueridge.com) is such a place.
No matter how easy it may have become, its origins grew out of concern for the family’s health and well-being. Back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Appalachian families kept their log cabins and brick abodes locked up tight during the winter to keep out the elements. Homes were heated primarily with wood stoves, fireplaces and potbelly ovens. Oil lamps and candles chased shadows from the corners of every room, providing light for the long nights of winter.
They came from the Andes to conquer the Appalachians. It’s no surprise that you can find llamas and alpacas in the Appalachians. These are mountain animals, after all, accustomed to cold weather and rugged conditions. Both species originated in the high mountainous plains of South America: in Chile, Bolivia and Peru. Domesticated by the Incas, they have been bred for gentleness.

If you have ever wanted to hunt quail, grouse, deer, wild boar or even black bear, find your way to the mountains of eastern Tennessee. If you’re an experienced hunter looking for new challenges, Appalachia Adventures is for you.

The Irish were among the first settlers of Central Appalachia; celebrate their culture! Rock City — just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee — is a fun place to visit any time of the year. It features natural rock formations, gardens, a waterfall, animal shows, exhibits, and panoramic views from on top of Lookout Mountain.

Farmers going back to the future for natural planting techniques.

Some Seedy History

Agriculture in the early American reaches of Appalachia kept families alive. They grew what they could, hunted when they could and gathered whatever they could find. No matter what they planted — tomatoes, corn, beans or beets — they always saved some seeds for replanting the following year. It was the only way to maintain a crop year after year.

“Arsh potatoes” is what you might hear an old-timer in the Appalachians refer to when talking about Irish, or white, potatoes. Arsh potatoes are different from sweet potatoes, which also are quite fondly eaten in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Roots of Ancestry