Recreation

Appalachian Fly-Fishing

Becky Rogers — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 09:11:37 +0000

Fly-fishing for mountain trout is a sport at which the fish sometimes win, and the fishermen don’t mind. In the Southern Appalachian Mountains, fly-fishing has a rich and active history. There’s even a Fly-Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Jump into Fall Colors

Ray Access — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:04:45 +0000

Leaf season never looked like this.

Fall in the Appalachians provides a spectacular show as the leaves turn bright shades of gold, orange, and crimson. The colors deepen into richer shades during a short season before turning brown and falling to the earth. In the mountains, valleys, towns or hiking trails throughout the region, the views provide a show that people will travel for miles to see.

American Football & Family Fun

Becky Rogers — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:15:07 +0000

As the sport gained popularity, it inspired families to celebrate.

Part of the U.S. landscape for more than 100 years, football has gained more than a toehold in American culture at large and in Appalachian cities and towns. Appalachians cheer for teams from youth leagues, like the Tri-State Football League based in West Virginia, to the professional level, like the Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans or Atlanta Falcons.

Mountain Biking Trails in South Carolina

Ray Access — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 21:03:40 +0000

The Upstate has the trails to challenge you. The challenge of mountain biking involves following a rugged path up inclines and down hills — which is why they call it mountain biking. No one goes to Charleston, South Carolina, on a mountain biking adventure. That would be like traveling all the way to Kansas City for lobster. But Upstate South Carolina offers trails and tribulations for even the most thrill-crazy mountain biker. At the edge of the Appalachian Mountains, the Upstate often gets overlooked in favor of the better-known trails in nearby North Carolina. To keep that from happening to you, presented here are some of the best rides in South Carolina.

The Best Swimming Holes in Appalachia

Ray Access — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 05:54:07 +0000

Swimming holes dot the Appalachian Mountain chain. There are hundreds if not thousands of swimming holes, in every Appalachian state. Some of these swimming spots are popular, while others are inaccessible to anyone but a dedicated backpacker. Some maybe haven’t even been discovered yet.

What’s SUP? Stand Up Paddleboard!

Ray Access — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:10:00 +0000

Stand up paddleboard (or SUP, for short) is a new recreational activity that’s sweeping across the globe. A fun new way to get around on calm water, SUP is safe for adults and kids who are at least nine years old. Life jackets are recommended and the ability to swim is required. If you’ve never heard of SUP, let us enlighten you. Although different paddleboards are available, they are usually between nine to 12 feet long and 28 to 36 inches wide. They resemble surfboards on steroids. A fin on the submerged side makes the board very stable as you glide across the water.

Zen Tubing

Ray Access — Fri, 01 May 2015 18:00:08 +0000

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.

Virginia’s Fly-Fishing Trail

Ray Access — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 19:12:53 +0000

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.

Appalachia Adventures: Take part in a Southern tradition

Ray Access — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 17:05:51 +0000

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.

Snow Tubing the Appalachians

Ray Access — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 22:36:45 +0000

Find your nearest opportunity for snow tubing in the Southern Appalachians

Appalachian Ski Lodge Roundup

Ray Access — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:10:34 +0000

Curious about ski options around central Appalachian? Look no further!

Tennessee Ice Skating

Ray Access — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:23:45 +0000

A new winter tradition looks like it is there to stay in Tennessee!

Appalachian Trail Day Hikes

Ray Access — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:49:26 +0000

Claim a little piece of the Trail for yourself

The Appalachian Trail stretches from Mount Katahdin, Maine, in the north to Springer Mountain, Georgia, in the south. Along the way, the Trail passes through fourteen states. Its 2,186 miles makes it the longest marked trail in the world, and it has drawn thousands of hard-core hikers throughout the world seeking to hike its entire length in one go. Only 25 percent of them actually finish.

Scuba Diving in the Appalachians

Becky Rogers — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:48:12 +0000

Typical sports that you consider of when you think of the mountains may include: hiking, mountain biking and white water rafting. But scuba diving? No, really. Although the Appalachian Mountains are miles from any deep seas, there is one place in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountain range where you can learn the sport and even enjoy a day of scuba diving.

Surprises Beneath a South Carolina Lake

Affordable White Water Rafting

Becky Rogers — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 20:52:38 +0000

When the weather is hot, a ride down the river — where you continually get splashed — is refreshing and welcomed. In the fall and winter, many whitewater rafting companies still provide runs, but they are best reserved for the hearty outdoor types who don’t mind the elements.