Capturing the Moment

  The Jackson Building is North Carolina's tallest skyscraper, at least it was when built in 1924. It is 13 stories high, but only based on a 27 X 60 foot lot.    Holy smokes. I really didn't have any idea what to expect from downtown Asheville, North Carolina. What I found was a wonderful mix of historical architecture, dimly lit entrances to speakeasy bars, a thriving food scene, rolling hills, misty mornings, and beautiful surrounding mountains. I only had one night here, but now I'm already looking forward to coming back some time in the future.    Mom and I had a hotel right in the downtown area, so everything was in easy walking reach. Something I always like to look into, when I visit a new city, is if there are any speakeasys, or bars with hidden entrances. I actually found the existence of several in the downtown Asheville area, so we decided to go for a pre-dinner drink at one, called the Crow and Quill. The entrance looked like a run down, boarded up ...

  Exploring the Tuskegee River and the Charming Mountain Town of Sylva, North Carolina    Nestled deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Sylva, North Carolina, offers a refreshing escape into nature, history, and small-town charm. Just a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, this picturesque town is often overlooked by travelers heading to the larger Great Smoky Mountains National Park — but that’s exactly what makes it such a hidden gem. "The most photographed court house in North Carolina." This building sits at the head of downtown Sylva. It is common for locals and visitors to climb the stairs to get a view of the town and the distant Smokey Mountains.     One of the lesser-known yet captivating features of the region is the Tuskegee River — a meandering, crystal-clear mountain stream that snakes its way through the rolling hills and wooded valleys of western North Carolina. While smaller and more secluded than its cousin, the Tuckasegee River (often c...