Blue Ridge Country July/August 2021 - 23

multiple locations to access an amazing
network of greenways, blueways and
trails in the area-400 miles of them! Be
sure to visit the 89-foot illuminated Mill
Mountain Star at the city's highest elevation,
with views of McAfee Knob and other
surrounding mountains.
The park: Bring your gear to this
20,600-acre freshwater lake to fish for
stripers, smallmouth and largemouth
bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill. Swim at
the 500-foot beach; explore 500 miles of
shoreline; hike 13 miles of trails; picnic in
a secluded cove; and stay overnight at a
cabin, bunkhouse or tent and RV campground.
Join a night hike, canoe trip, hay
rides or other programs with the park's
Friends group.
3. Johnson City, Tennessee/Roan
Mountain State Park
The city: Start with a tour of human history,
nature and cave geology at the 45-acre
Tipton-Hayes place in a city that was later
" put on the map " by the railroad. And,
there are ghost tours! Walk the former
corridor affectionately known as Tweetsie
Trail (for the sound of a train's whistle)-
a 10-mile rail-trail through hardwoods,
pastures and overlooks with interpretive
signs. For birdwatching, the town's
Winged Deer Park is the destination.
The park: For an authentic Appalachian
mountain ridges and " hollers " experience,
start at this destination at the base of the
LOWER LEFT: Chimney Rock State Park's signature formation is a
nice match for the charming downtowns of Hendersonville and Black
Mountain, North Carolina.
LOWER RIGHT: A visit to Greenville, South Carolina's Reedy Falls is
the perfect complement to a day at Table Rock State Park.
6,285-foot peak. The 2,000-acre park has
rugged ridges, quiet hollows and the Doe
River winding through the middle. Fish
for native brook, rainbow and brown
trout. The Miller Farmstead, an example
of secluded mountain subsistence lifestyle,
is preserved here. Bundle up in winter
for some scenic cross-country skiing.
4. Greenville, South Carolina/Table
Rock State Park.
The city: Walk the town's original 1768
grist mill and trading post location beside
the 28-foot Reedy River Falls. Once
almost hidden by a highway overpass,
this stunning waterfall is the park's centerpiece
where nature trails, gardens and a
singularly unique curved suspension footbridge
await. Take the kids by the public
art installation/scavenger hunt, Mice on
Main. Wondering if Shoeless Joe Jackson
was actually involved in the 1919 Black
Sox scandal? Visit his hometown museum
to look for answers.
The park: You'll quickly see why the
trails are the stars at this CCC-built, 3,083acre
park containing the imposing granite
dome of the state's tallest mountain. Plan
several days to hike amongst and to rocky
outcrops, waterfalls, oak/hickory/pine and
hemlock forests, rhododendron thickets, a
dam and spillway, historic lodge and old
stone boat landing. Watch for black bears,
deer, foxes, turkeys and a variety of flora.
POPULATION 10,000-49,000: THE TOP 10
1. Hendersonville, North Carolina/
Chimney Rock State Park
The town: Choose historic downtown
as your launch point for a variety of family
fun activities. Rich with restored National
Register buildings, this area beckons with
restaurants, galleries and museums based
on the city's roots including the Mineral
and Lapidary Museum and the Pisgah Forest
Gem Mine (where you can pan for your
own treasures). Add a literary element to
your trip with a tour of the 267-acre home
of Carl Sandburg - " Poet of the People. "
The park: If you see rocks and want to
climb them, this is your park! Certified
guides will lead the way through worldJULY/AUGUST
2021 23
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country July/August 2021
