High Vistas: New release from George Ellison

High Vistas: New release from George Ellison

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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Local and prolific writer, George Ellison, released his newest book today, High Vistas: An Anthology of Nature Writing from Western North Carolina & the Great Smoky Mountains.

This new release is actually the second and final volume covering nature writings from the region. His latest book focuses on writings from 1900 to 2009, and includes well-known names such as Donald Culross Peattie, Roger Tory Peterson, James Fisher, Edwin Way Teale, Edward Abbey and Scott Weidensaul. The descriptions from these writers, and others, provide specific insights into the region's landscapes, flora and fauna, as well as a sense of wonder at its diversity and beauty.

High Vistas, Volume I, released in 2008, covers writings from the region from 1674 to 1900, and includes essays from celebrated naturalists such as John Muir and William Bartram, as well as lesser-known writers, who describe how they went about exploring and depicting the region.

The two High Vistas volumes are the first anthologies devoted to nature and descriptive writing from Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Both books include original illustrations from George's wife, Elizabeth.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Fall Color Predictions for Western North Carolina

Fall Color Predictions for Western North Carolina

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

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As she has for the last several years, Kathy Mathews, an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University, has issued her predictions today on what the fall leaf season could look like this year.

Compared to last year, the news is much better. Ms. Mathews is predicting that visitors to the mountains of Western North Carolina can look forward to a vibrant display of color this fall.

“I predict this fall color change will be variable throughout the Southern mountains, but on the whole we should expect to see rich and attractive color change this season.,” she is quoted as saying in WCUs the Reporter.

“It’s been a hot year in North Carolina, with above-average temperatures this summer. Rainfall has been slightly less than average during the spring and summer. These are two factors I look at when thinking about the timing and quality of fall leaf color change in the mountains,” she said.

Mathews also said that peak colors may arrive a bit later than normal this year as a result of the warm temperatures over the summer. She told the Reporter that she doesn't expect peak to arrive until perhaps the end of October - about a week or so later than normal.

You can read the full article by clicking here.


Jeff
Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins

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New map for Western North Carolina waterfalls

New map for Western North Carolina waterfalls

Friday, October 16, 2009

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Waterfalls of North Carolina is the very first map available that features over 300 waterfalls in the western North Carolina region. To create the map, photographer Kevin Adams partnered with Larry Odoski of Outdoor Paths Publishing and two of the best cartographers in the business, Jack Mohr and Pete Kennedy. The four of them devoted more than a year of painstaking work to complete this comprehensive source of information.

The falls are color coded and rated: Blue for higher beauty rating and ease of access or Red for lower beauty rating and more difficult access. On the back is a chart with detailed information and directions to 128 falls.

Features of the Waterfalls of North Carolina Map:
* Map measures approximately 26 x 38 inches and folds to 4 x 9 inches
* Printed on waterproof and tearproof paper
* Includes 301 waterfalls
* Detailed information for 128 falls
* 44 waterfall photographs
* GPS coordinates for the waterfalls and the waterfall trailheads

Detailed inset maps for:
* Looking Glass Rock region of Pisgah National Forest
* Wilson Creek Region of Pisgah National Forest
* Standing Indian region of Nantahala National Forest
* Snowbird Creek region of Nantahala National Forest
* DuPont State Forest
* Lake Jocassee Gorges region
* Great Smoky Mountains National Park (including falls on the Tennessee side of the Smokies)

You can purchase the map through Amazon by clicking here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

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