“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
We love the hills and mountains of Appalachia. We live, work, play, and raise our families here. We love the land and the people. We want you to experience Appalachia the way we do – listening to the trees, hearing the wind, studying the forests, getting to know and understand the local people and culture, learning the rich history, following the rivers flow, hiking the trails, breathing the clean, crisp air, enjoying the silence, eating good Appalachian food, slowing down because it’s a better way to live, playing and laughing with children, watching the colors change from grey to green to orange, red, yellow, and brown.
We don’t just talk about it, we do it,, and share our experiences with you and invite you to share your experiences with us and help others experience Appalachia – a unique culture and environment!
On a crisp fall day in October of last year, I visited one of the spookiest places I have ever been in my entire life. This town played an incredibly important role in the creation of the state of West Virginia. Weston was once of the most important towns in the region, yet is hardly remembered in the scheme of the history of our great United States.
In the late 1990’s, the government of Fiji began turning toward sustainable tourism as a way to promote rural economic development. In 1999, the country’s Ministry of Tourism created a National Ecotourism Policy which called for an emphasis on cultural and village-based tourism, and for the integration of traditional arts and crafts into the tourism industry.
When we talk about sustainable destinations we can draw inspiration from Asheville, N.C. Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and known for its natural beauty. Cool stuff abounds and you won’t have trouble finding it. On most street corners you can find a Green Building Directory and Local Food Guide.
Driving through Grafton, I became overwhelmed by a feeling that important things had once transpired on the land around me. I could sense the rich history as I stared out of the car at railroad homes etched with the mark “Good luck. 1860,” and at the ornate bank and courthouse- all seemingly forgotten by the hands of time.
Carl and I were hanging out in Shennanigan’s bar in Dahlonega, GA when we saw the shirt hanging on the wall that said “Save the Hooch” with the SweetWater Brewing Company logo. Of course, we were drinking some SweetWater and had to inquire about the shirt.
Though I had never heard of the term “ecotourism” before, I knew I liked traveling and I was very environmentally minded so I decided to click on it. Little did I know that split second decision to click on a random link would change my life forever- and ultimately lead me to find the one thing I feel I may have been born to do.
Fortunately the supply of green products and services is growing so making decisions that are good for the environment and us is getting easier. Just wanted to share a few decisions I’ve made recently that I feel good about.
upon crossing the WV line the word’s of the late John Denver in West Virginia’s state anthem rang true. While it would always be nice to be closer to our families here’s a few reasons we’re glad to be living in and helping to preserve the Mountain State, the only state entirely within Appalachia:
For every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the local economy through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays in the local economy. Spend it online and nothing comes home.
If you want to travel green then one thing you can do is to buy a reusable coffee mug and water bottle and use them when you travel. Here’s why:
