Ryan

Two easily reached waterfalls in one hike is what you get with this destination. Northeast of the visitors center at Hanging Rock State Park are two beautiful waterfalls that are a short and easy hike from the visitors center parking lot.  Using a brief section of the Mountains-to-Sea trail, the 6/10’s of a mile hike…

Hike to the top of a mountain and view the impressive Hanging Rock. Located near the center of Hanging Rock State Park is the namesake hiking destination of the park – Hanging Rock.  This 2.6 round-trip hiking trail takes you up to the summit of the beautiful rocky peak that is so strikingly visible as…

The beautiful Upper Cascade Falls which is a very short hike from the visitor center at Hanging Rock State Park. Just outside the visitor center in Hanging Rock State Park is the beautiful and easily accessed Upper Cascade Falls.  At a modest 25ft, this picturesque destination doesn’t disappoint and is well worth 3/10’s of a…

You can visit the historic location where Pepsi-Cola was created in 1898 by Caleb Bradham. Located in the historic town of New Bern North Carolina is the site where Pepsi-Cola was invented by Caleb Bradham, a local pharmacist, who formulated the iconic taste of this uniquely American beverage in his pharmacy in 1898. This important…

Quite possibly the best overlook in the Linville Gorge area. A great spot for early morning sunrises since it faces East. Off the beaten path in the Linville Gorge area is the remote treasure of Wiseman’s View.  This handicapped accessible vista, that is only 2/10’s of a mile from the parking lot, has to be…

A South Carolina wonderland with 4,000 acres of protected land supporting hiking, camping, and fishing. In the upstate of South Carolina in the 11,000+ acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is the 4,000 acre Jones Gap State Park. This South Carolina jewel of a state park built around the gorgeous Middle Saluda River contains pristine mountain…

A 50ft waterfall in the beautiful Jones Gap State Park that is easily reached. Located in the Upstate of South Carolina in the 4,000 acre pristine woodlands of Jones Gap State Park, is the namesake waterfall of the park – Jones Gap Falls.  This 50ft beauty is an easy waterfall to visit as the trail…

While the trail to this 100ft waterfall is rightly rated strenuous, it is a must see South Carolina waterfall. High up on a ridge in Jones Gap State park is the stunning  Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls plummets Camp Creek 100ft over a free fall rock face making this falls a spectacular sight.  It is a…

A short hike to one of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hidden just off the Blue Ridge Parkway is perhaps one of the best views from the parkway, Chestoa View.  This fabulous overlook and short loop trail offer  stunning views of the Linville Gorge area of the Pisgah National Forest.  The overlook…

One of the most popular waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway is easily reached via a short trail. One of the more popular and accessible waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the beautiful Linville Falls.  It is a spectacular multi-tiered waterfall that plunges down into the Linville Gorge  – “Grand Canyon of the Appalachians”.…