Mountain Love Song Shannon Whitworth and Woody Platt offer up their Valentine’s Day Tips If you’re looking for a sweet spot to spend your Valentine’s Day, then Transylvania County is the natural choice. The waterfalls. The high peaks. The windy paths, which can transition from thick evergreen foliage, even in winter, to quiet forest glades are about as close to fairytale romance as you’re going to get, absent animated bluebirds and a friendly unicorn. It’s pretty easy to fall in love in Transylvania County; it’s maybe even easier to fall in love with Transylvania County. Just ask the locals. Wife and husband Shannon Whitworth and Woody Platt are widely known for their impressive multi-hyphenate artistic careers (she is a singer-songwriter as well as a celebrated visual artist; he is Grammy®-winning bluegrass musician, professional fly fisherman, and was a founding member of the Steep Canyon Rangers). But at home in Brevard, they are also dedicated parents and passionate advocates for what makes the place they live so special. As they gear up for a very special dual concert at Brevard Music Center’s Parker Concert Hall on February 28th, we asked them about what makes Valentine’s Day in Transylvania County worth singing about: Q&A Q&A: With Valentine’s Day approaching, what are your favorite romantic spots around Transylvania County? Shannon: My idea of the perfect Valentine’s Day is heading into the woods or hitting a trail that leads to some wonderful water. Woody: I love the waterfalls and rivers, both the obvious and the more tucked... Read More
Land of Waterfalls for All 9 Super Attractions for Everyone! If you have limited mobility, it’s still possible to experience many of Brevard and Transylvania County’s most magical natural attractions. Here is a list of nine don’t-miss attractions and activities that are easily accessible if you use a wheelchair, a walker, or need other physical assistance. 1 1 Looking Glass Falls One of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, picturesque Looking Glass Falls is situated just off US 276 in Pisgah National Forest. There is limited parking along a strip leading up to the falls, but the area experiences fairly rapid turnover. While there is no designated accessible parking, there are curb ramps that make it easy for wheelchairs to reach an excellent viewing platform adjacent to the falls. Directions 2 2 Whitewater Falls At 411 feet, Whitewater Falls is the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains and one of the most accessible. There are two designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot at the south end of the trail. Both are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is paved asphalt and smooth. It is wheelchair-friendly to the first observation deck, which affords a nice, long-range view of this spectacular waterfall. Directions 3 3 Sliding Rock Welcome to Mother Nature’s very own Slip n’ Slide. The Sliding Rock Recreation Area includes four designated spaces that are van-accessible with striped access aisles and curb ramps. A paved trail surface takes you to the... Read More
Four Extraordinary Things About Toxaway – Sapphire Toxaway and Sapphire, in Transylvania county’s high-altitude southwest edge, are A+ destinations whether you want to catch a stunning view at the end of a hike or relax in a place long-celebrated for its beauty and history. Here are a few things to know about what makes this place so very special: 1 1 A GEOLOGICAL MARVEL Toxaway and Sapphire are located along the Blue Ridge escarpment. Called the “Blue Wall” by the Cherokee, the escarpment is the line at which the Blue Ridge Mountains plunge into the rolling foothills of upstate South Carolina. This dramatic drop, created by the movement of tectonic plates and eons of water erosion, is site to some of the most spectacular views around. 2 2 REMARKABLE BIODIVERSITY The unusual topography of the escarpment made Toxaway-Sapphire a rich and unique microbiome, with its own climate (temperate rainforest) and diverse flora and fauna. Many rare species of plant life still grow in, around and along the escarpment. While botanists and conservationists alike have stressed the importance of caring for and preserving what grows in this very special place, there is ample opportunity to observe the wildflowers, the towering trees and the many kinds of living things that make the area home. Toxaway’s Southern Highlands Reserve is always an excellent resource. 3 3 GRAND OLD HISTORY Toxaway and Sapphire have been a storied vacation destination for more than a century. The end of the 19th century brought the railroad... Read More
Join us for a romantic getaway anytime during the month of February. Take a night to escape into the warm embrace of The Greystone Inn. Connect and celebrate your time together in the luxury of your room or suite and enjoy the signature touches that define The Greystone experience. Enjoy a two-night stay Bottle of Champagne upon arrival $50 food and beverage credit Early check-in and late check-out (when available) Complimentary Wi-Fi Book... Read More
Four Ways To Be “One” With Our White Squirrels You don’t have to spend much time in Brevard before you catch sight of the four paws and fluffy white tail of Transylvania County’s most beloved local mascot, the white squirrel. From shops on Main Street with countless souvenirs to the official White Squirrel Institute to the actual critters themselves, scampering across lawns and into the tree branches surrounding Brevard, white squirrels are everywhere. 1 1 LEARN THEIR HISTORY The story of how white squirrels came to reside in Transylvania County has a whiff of legend about it. A longstanding theory has it that a carnival animal truck in Florida overturned in the 1940s, “freeing” a pair of white squirrels. The squirrels were corralled by a gentleman who gifted them to a friend in Brevard who in turn gave them to his niece. Over time, one of the squirrels escaped and the other was set free. The rest is (extremely cute) history. 2 2 ADOPT A WHITE SQUIRREL Brevard’s white squirrels are not albinos, in fact, they’re actually a color variation within the same species as the common gray squirrel. The White Squirrel Institute supports programs that keep track of the local population with an annual count, as well as rescue and rehabilitation. Their popular Adopt-A-Squirrel Program allows humans to support their cause with a donation. 3 3 MEET A CELEBRITY WHITE SQUIRREL Pisgah Penny, a rescue squirrel turned local celebrity, sometimes puts in an appearance at Brevard events. Notably,... Read More
How To Float Your Boat (or Inner Tube): Jump in From the 3rd oldest river in the world to numerous tributaries and streams, there are multiple ways to get on the water in Transylvania County. Here are two great ways to go with the flow on our storied waterways. 1 1 Tubing on the Davidson River Pisgah National Forest The Davidson River parallels US-276 as it journeys through Pisgah National Forest, giving you lots of convenient put-in and take-out options. But if you’ve never tubed the Davidson and don’t own tubes, we recommend this trip: Rent your tubes from Davidson River Rafting at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest. Drive up US-276 and park your car at the Davidson River Campground. Put in at the bridge (commonly referred to as the Job Corp bridge). From here you’ll have an hour-long float down the Davidson. When you’re done, you can retrieve the car by walking the Eastatoe Trail (on the opposite side of the river from US-276) back to the Davidson River Campground– just a 10 minute walk. X 2 2 Explore the French Broad River The French Broad River and its many tributaries offer boundless opportunities for paddlers, from exciting class 4 and 5 rapids to placid flat water. But if you want a fun, low-key introduction to the river’s many charms, we recommend a half or full day excursion offered by outfitters such as Headwaters Outfitters and Pura Vida Adventures. Each company offers trips that take care of the equipment, portaging and... Read More
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