The Wandering Disciple

Tucked just outside Bryson City, North Carolina, the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers one of the most rewarding short hikes in the region. The Deep Creek Waterfall Loop is a perfect introduction to the Smokies—an easy-to-moderate trail that delivers lush forest scenery, peaceful streams, and not one, but three beautiful waterfalls in just a couple of miles. A Perfect Short Hike in the Smokies At approximately 2.4 miles round trip, this hike is ideal if you’re looking for a scenic adventure without committing to a full day on the trail. You’ll start near the Deep Creek Campground and quickly find yourself surrounded by towering trees and the constant sound of rushing water. While the trail is mostly easy, there are a few moderate sections—especially near the beginning—but nothing too strenuous for most hikers. Stop One: Juney Whank Falls The first stop is Juney Whank Falls, reached via a short spur trail with stairs and a footbridge. This two-ti...

Downtown Bryson City is a quintessential small mountain town nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, known for its relaxed pace, walkable streets, and authentic local character. Centered along Everett Street and the banks of the Tuckasegee River, the downtown area blends scenic beauty with a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere.  At the heart of downtown is the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot, where visitors can hop aboard scenic train excursions that wind through mountain valleys and river gorges. The train’s presence adds a nostalgic charm, with the whistle echoing through town and drawing visitors into its laid-back rhythm.  What sets downtown Bryson City apart is its small-town authenticity. Unlike more crowded Smoky Mountain destinations, it offers a quieter, more personal experience. Streets are lined with locally owned boutiques, artisan galleries, cafés, and restaurants, all within easy walking distance. Shop owners and locals contribute to a...

The Swain County Heritage Museum offers an engaging look into the history and culture of western North Carolina. Housed inside the historic 1908 county courthouse in downtown Bryson City, the museum brings to life the stories of Swain County’s people through photographs, artifacts, and interactive exhibits.  Visitors can explore displays that highlight early Appalachian settler life, regional industries like logging and railroads, and major changes brought by the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the construction of Fontana Dam. The museum also features recreated spaces such as a one-room schoolhouse and a log cabin porch, along with unique artifacts like an 1887 church organ and tools from early residents.  Free to visit, the museum doubles as a visitor center, making it an ideal first stop for travelers looking to understand the heritage of the Smoky Mountains region while planning their visit.

The Pisgah Covered Bridge stands as a testament to the classic American engineering of the 19th century . The bridge features the distinctive Burr Arch Truss design , a structural system patented by Theodore Burr that utilizes a large wooden arch combined with a series of vertical and diagonal king posts and braces , providing exceptional strength and stability. The covering, which gives the bridge its name, serves the practical purpose of protecting the massive wooden trusses and decking from the elements, significantly extending the bridge's lifespan The bridge has been meticulously maintained to preserve its historical authenticity. It continues to stand as a proud symbol of the area's past and an enduring example of American architecture . Visitors today can still drive or walk across its historic span, stepping back in time to appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering ingenuity of a bygone era.  You can see more photos from the Pisgah Covered Bridge here .  Taken...

Embark on an unforgettable journey that begins with a scenic drive through rolling hills and verdant landscapes, gradually ascending towards the majestic embrace of the Smoky Mountains. As you navigate winding roads, anticipation builds for the physical challenge that awaits – a short but undeniably strenuous hike promising breathtaking rewards. The trail, though brief, demands effort and determination, testing your endurance as you climb towards your ultimate destination. Finally, your perseverance is rewarded as you emerge onto the summit of Kuwohi. Here, standing tall as the highest peak within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and proudly claiming the title of the second highest peak east of the Mississippi River, a panorama of unparalleled beauty unfolds before your eyes. The sprawling vista of the Smoky Mountains, a seemingly endless tapestry of peaks and valleys cloaked in a characteristic hazy blue, stretches out in every direction. The sheer magnitude of the landscape i...

A short but challenging hike takes you to the stop of the smokies, Kuwohi. Formerly known as Clingmans Dome, the observation tower at the top of Kuwohi sits at an elevation of 6,643 feet making it the highest peak in park and the seventeenth highest peak in the country.  Kuwohi is located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Spanning Tennessee and North Carolina, the park spans 522,419 acres making it one of the largest protected lands in the country. It is the most visited national park, with millions of visitors trek to the park for hiking, wildlife watching and more outdoor adventures.  You can see this photos and more photos from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by visiting the gallery here .  Taken: June 8, 2016 at Great Smoky Mountain National Park (Bryson City, NC)

When Jeff Gordon took the checkered flag in the 1997 Southern 500 at Darlington, he not only secured the winning purse but also a million dollar bonus by winning the Winston Million. The Winston Million was a bonus given to the driver who could win three of the four NASCAR crown jewel events. With wins at Daytona, Charlotte and Darlington; Jeff Gordon became only the second driver to win the Winston Million.  The winning car is on display along with the Winston Million check and victory circle props at the Winston Cup Museum in Winston-Salem. The museum tells the story if the Winston Cup era of NASCAR and includes iconic cars and memorabilia.  Taken: November 24, 2023 at The Winston Cup Museum (Winston-Salem, NC)

Despite having a storied history dating back to the American Revolution, it was the railroad that helped put Greensboro on the map. By the late 1800's the train tracks of Greensboro provided a gateway to the East and West. This helped give the city it's nickname, the Gate City. This is the historic Greensboro Depot, built by Southern Railway in 1927 and later reopened in 2005 which still serves travelers to and from Greensboro. (Photo: November 3, 2021)

On July 4, 1984 Richard Petty edged Cale Yarborough by a bumper to win the Firecracker 400 at the Daytona International Speedway. A packed house including President Ronald Reagan witnessed history as the King recorded his record breaking 200th win. Today his 1984 Pontiac is on display at the Petty Museum located on the grounds of his boyhood home and birthplace of Petty Enterprises in Randleman, North Carolina. (Photo: November 1, 2021)

As the British and American troops descended on a skirmish at Guilford County Courthouse, the British came upon the Hoskins Plantation. The 150 acre plantation purchased by Joseph and Hannah Hoskins in 1778 became in the middle of the chaos as the Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place in March of 1781. Today replicas of the original structures stand as part of the Tannenbaum Historic Park. (Photo: November 2, 2021))

A battery of canons protects the third line during the Battle of Guilford Courthouse during the Revolutionary War. The fire power of the canons was a critical defense weapon for the troops during this pivotal skirmish in which the British defeated the Americans at this battleground. While the Brits may have won the battle, the casualties suffered here would result in them losing the war and the Americans gaining independence. (Photo: November 2, 2021))

A sand cat grooms itself at the Greensboro Science Center. This small solitary cat can be found in the deserts of Asia and Africa, far away from water sources. It has adaptations like long fur to protect it from heat and light coloring to help it blend in with its surroundings to avoid predators. (Photo: November 2, 2021)

 At the segregated lunch counter of this Woolworth's in downtown Greensboro, four brave men from A&T collided head on with segregation with a non-violent sit-in that would fuel the civil rights battle.  From this lunch counter in Greensboro, the sit-ins expanded to 55 cities in just a few months and would eventually lead to the desegregation of lunch counters in Greensboro.   (Photo: November 2, 2021) 

  A playful Chimpanzee poses for a picture and interacts with guests at the North Carolina Zoo.  Chimps use facial expressions, body postures and vocal sounds to help them communicate with other chimps in the troop.  The North Carolina Zoo has a large troop of chimpanzees and as you can see from this one they are not shy.  (Photo: November 1, 2021)

Greensboro, North Carolina:  As we wake up from sleep, we enter into the final day of our Fall road trip.  This is mainly a travel day, but we had a few things planned on the day as well as that daunting 11 hour drive home.   We packed up the car and checked out of the hotel and began our day. It was a chilly 41 degrees this morning, the coldest day of the trip.  The remaining two items we had on our list of things to do were outside attractions.  Based on the drive before us, the fact that one of them did not open for another two hours and we didn't have time to let it warm up a bit before going hiking.  We decided to pass on them and conduct a quick driving tour of downtown before hitting the road south. Greensboro was a great city.  For being the third largest city in North Carolina, it never felt like it.  You were not overwhelmed with people or traffic, felt out of place as a tourist and there was tons of things to do.  We filled o...

  When the sun sets on the Gate City, the paranormal activity picks up over the Gate City.  Home to activity in two wars, Greensboro has quite a haunted history.  We got to listen to stories of the ghostly haunts during our recent ghost tour hosted by Carolina History and Haunts.  The 90-minute Nightmares Around Elm Street brings the haunted history to life on the night streets of Greensboro.  (Photo: October 31, 2021)  

Greensboro, North Carolina : Hello and welcome to day three of our Fall road trip to North Carolina.  This is our final full day in NC before heading home to the Sunshine State in the morning.  We still have a bunch of stuff to do on our to-do list however we are running out of time.  Today's day of exploration will take us to the International Civil Rights Museum, the Greensboro Science Center and Gilford Courthouse National Military Park.   The day got started with a hearty breakfast at Carolina's Diner.  We had dinner here last night and vowed to return so we decided to head there for breakfast this morning.  The breakfast was just as good as the dinner.  My wife had her usual ham and cheese omelet, I had the Diner Sausage Skillet and our son had French Toast.  Just like dinner last night, the food was delicious and you got a lot of food for a good price. Our first stop of the day is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, but we...

Modern day fire engines are so technologically advanced it can be hard to imagine a simpler time.  But thanks to the Greensboro History Museum, we got to take a glimpse into the early days of firefighting via The General Greene.  Built by American LaFrance in 1886, the horse powered pumper was capable of pumping 375 gallons of water onto a fire.  While its a far cry from the 1,500 gallons per minute capacities of modern day pumpers, it was light-years ahead of the bucket brigades that were the norm during this time.  (Photo: October 31, 2021) 

 Ashboro, North Carolina:  Good morning from the Piedmont.  Welcome to the second day of our fall foliage road trip to the Piedmont region of North Carolina.  After grabbing a quick grab and go breakfast from Chick-fil-a, we hit the road for our day of exploration.  Today we are visiting the North Carolina Zoo as well as the Richard Petty Museum. Our day kicked off with a short drive south to Ashboro and a visit to the North Carolina Zoo.  For those of you who follow the site, you know our family's love of the zoo and our mission to visit as many as we can.  We learned about the North Carolina Zoo thanks to the Nat Geo show Secrets of the Zoo.  From watching that show we instantly knew we had to visit the zoo and today was the day. The zoo was absolutely huge!  The drive into the zoo showed just how much land the zoo owned, it was pretty much a city all to itself with a great network of roads in and out of the zoo.  We got to the zoo sh...

Greensboro, North Carolina: We have been planning a fall road trip to the Smoky Mountains for a couple months, however in the past few weeks our plans have taken a turn.  While we are still headed north to check out the fall foliage, our plans have migrated from Tennessee to neighboring North Carolina.  While don't get me wrong we love the Smokies, we decided to focus on some new towns and chose to visit central North Carolina. We planned on hitting the road at zero dark thirty, however with the excitement of the trip no one got much sleep so we ended up leaving even earlier.  We pulled out of the drive way at 1:30 am and headed north to North Carolina.  We drove under the cover of darkness until we stopped for breakfast outside Savannah, Georgia.  On road trips, we typically skip chain restaurants with the exception of travel days.  Since it was Sunday, our usual favorite of Chick-fil-a was not an option, so we settled on Huddle House in Savannah.  M...