Tweetsie Country can be roughly defined as being bound on the north by the Great Depression, on the east by the state of North Carolina, on the west by Tennessee, and on the south by hope and determination. Here is all the color and charm of the Tweetsie, with its broad gauge aspirations on a narrow gauge budget. It is the story of a unique little railroad that traveled the Blue Ridge country and won the hearts of those who lived there. This handsome pictorial history includes 250 outstanding photographs, plus maps, scale drawings, and three full-color paintings by Mike Pearsall and Casey Holtzinger.
John Muir is considered to be the supreme icon of western wilderness and preservation. His counterpart in the east is Harlan P. Kelsey, an often obscure and forgotten figure. In Beautiful Land of the Sky, author Loren M. Wood chronicles Kelsey's journey from the humblest of beginnings to national prominence in horticulture and the establishment of national parks in the eastern United States. In this biography, Wood tells how, a century ago, Kelsey was the first to pioneer native plants for the American landscape and a leader in that process; how he was a leading participant in bringing all of America to our native plants in their finest original setting; and how he helped make a reality of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a zenith of horticultural biomass and diversity in America. In addition, this biography explores the parallels in the odysseys of Muir and Kelsey. Though primarily a biography of Kelsey, Wood compares the similarities, differences, and accomplishments of the two men. Including details gathered from more than fifty thousand items in Kelsey's personal files, Beautiful Land of the Sky narrates the inspiring and entertaining story of how the idea of national parks was implemented east of the Mississippi.
Beyond the Mountains explores the ways in which Appalachia often served as a laboratory for the exploration and practice of American conceptions of nature. The region operated alternately as frontier, wilderness, rural hinterland, region of subsistence agriculture, bastion of yeoman farmers, and place to experiment with modernization. In these various takes on the southern mountains, scattered across time and space, both mountain residents and outsiders consistently believed that the region's environment made Appalachia distinctive, for better or worse. With chapters dedicated to microhistories focused on particular commodities, Drew A. Swanson builds upon recent Appalachian studies scholarship, emphasizing the diversity of a region so long considered a homogenous backwater. While Appalachia has a recognizable and real coherence rooted in folkways, agriculture, and politics (among other things), it is also a region of varied environments, people, and histories. These discrete stories are, however, linked through the power of conceptualizing nature and work together to reveal the ways in which ideas and uses of nature often created a sense of identity in Appalachia. Delving into the environmental history of the region reveals that Appalachian environments, rather than separating the mountains from the broader world, often served to connect the region to outside places.
Telling the story of Tweetsie Railroad and the East Tennessee Railway, this book documents the history of the standard gauge ET & WNC after the narrow gauge was gone and is illustrated with many maps and photographs.
Robert F. Hoke was the youngest Southern general in the Civil War, rumored to be Lee's successor, but once he returned home, "he declined every honor offered him by North Carolinians, including the governorship."--Jacket.
Lonely Planets Georgia & the Carolinas is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the region has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Take a thoughtful trip around Atlanta's Center for Civil & Human Rights, hike in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, admire Charleston's antebellum architecture and feast on low-country fare; all with your trusted travel companion. Inside Lonely Planets Georgia & the Carolinas Travel Guide: Whats NEW in this edition? Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020s COVID-19 outbreak NEW top experiences feature - a visually inspiring collection of Georgia and the Carolinas best experiences and where to have them What's NEW feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas NEW Accommodations feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Eating & drinking in Georgia & the Carolinas - we reveal the dishes and drinks you have to try Georgia & the Carolinas beaches - whether youre looking for relaxation or activities, we break down the best beaches to visit and provide safety information Color maps and images throughout Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics Over 70 maps Covers Atlanta, Savannah & Coastal Georgia, Charleston & South Carolina, Charlotte & the Triangle, Coastal North Carolina, North Carolina Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planets Georgia & the Carolinas, our most comprehensive guide to the region, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. Visiting the region for a week or less? Lonely Planets Pocket Charleston & Savannah guide is a handy-sized guide focused on the Charleston and Savannahs cant-miss experiences. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' Fairfax Media (Australia)
Following the Old Buffalo and Nickajack Trails, Native Americans and early settlers were the first citizens of present-day Watauga County. In 1752, Bishop August Spangenberg, the earliest documented explorer, traveled through this steep terrain and noted the necessity of crawling on hands and knees to stay balanced. Located among the Blue Ridge Mountains, Watauga County grew slowly with few settlers until after the Civil War. The Boone and Blowing Rock Turnpike began to open up the area to commerce and tourists in the 1880s. The establishment of the Watauga Academy in 1899, several ski resorts, and upscale residential developments has changed the landscape. The towns of Boone and Blowing Rock have been listed as some of the best small towns in America and continue to attract new residents and visitors.
