Best Main Street

Main, St Greenville was just voted one of the top main streets in the country by the American Planning Association. From their website:

Main Street in downtown Greenville attracts residents and visitors alike with bustling foot traffic seven days a week, day and night. Once lined with numerous vacant buildings, Greenville's long-term commitment to planning and plan implementation during the past 30 years has turned Main Street into a magnet of commerce and social activity that is now expanding into neighboring areas. From its storefront displays to historic buildings, dozens of restaurants and Falls Park, Main Street offers a nexus of opportunities in a unique and remarkable setting.

This just after the AARP ranked Greenville, the second best place "to live the simple life."

In addition Relocate American ranks it as the the fourth best place to live.

The Swag Country Inn

If you like to drink your first cup of coffee while watching the sunrise at a 5000' perch, there's no better place to do it than from Gooseberry Knob located on the property of The Swag Country Inn. The Swag was recently featured in three articles in the Asheville Citizen-Times (1) (2) (3) and voted the number two small inn in the US by Conde Nast Traveler (and number 72 in the world for all hotels).

The inn caters to hikers and lovers of seclusion. After passing through the gate, visitors drive two and a half miles through private undeveloped property to the top of the mountain. The inn offers 15 upscale, yet rustic rooms with wood burning fire places, outdoor hot tubs and amazing views.  The rooms are literally a stone's throw from the most popular national park in the nation, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Meals are an event all unto themselves.  Served family style and featuring food grown either on the property or nearby, Chef Brian Kimmet, keeps the guests well fed with creations matched only in the finest restaurants.

The good news for Greenvillians is that this sanctuary is less than two hours away.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 93 miles. 


View Larger Map

John Tynan

First Snow

Twas a good day to be in the woods.

 

Twas also a good day to be above tree line.

The End.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 87 miles
Location: 35°20'25.57"N 82°52'4.05"W

Halloween Bible Burning

This is just weird enough I may have to attend.  I just read on the the Ashevegas blog that a church in Canton is planning to burn books on Halloween. Many of them include various non-KJV versions of the Bible.

http://amazinggracebaptistchurchkjv.com/Download99.html


Distance from downtown Greenville: 77 miles



View Larger Map

Lake Lure, NC

Lake Lure is a quiet mountain lake where the mountains drop down to the water. It's deceptively large due to it's shape. The lake contains a variety of coves so it appears small and quaint. Several movies have been filmed at Lake Lure including Dirty Dancing, My Fellow Americans and Firestarter.


The town of Lake Lure contains several nice restaurants and is located next to the tourist town of Chimney Rock.  Cabins, hotels, motels and campgrounds are all located nearby.

Distance from downtown Greenville: 64 miles.



View Larger Map

Help the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

You can help the Great Smoky Mountain National Park earn a grant for renovation of park resources. Vote here.