June 9, 2018 Stone Mountain S.P. is located in the middle of nowhere. Nestled in between Alleghany and Wilkes counties in the northwestern portion of North Carolina, it took us nearly an hour and a half of back roads driving to find it. I remember going to the park about 15 years ago, but that … More Stone Mountain State Park
June 7, 2018 When I first graduated law school, it was the height of the Great Recession. I was lucky enough to be one of the few that got a job right after graduating, a 1-year fellowship with Legal Aid in a town way off in the western portion of North Carolina. I moved to … More South Mountains State Park
May 20, 2017 Nestled above West Jefferson and Jefferson (two different, adjacent towns) is Mount Jefferson. “Area residents gave the mountain other names until 1952 when Mount Jefferson received its official name.” (*1) Legend has it that slaves would hide in the caves of the mountain as they fled along the Underground Railroad. Thus, as … More Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
May 13, 2018 I disdain mountaintop development. Many times I have told my wife that if I was a billionaire, I would buy the eyesore known as the Sugar Mountain Resort and tear it down. There is nothing worse than climbing a peak and gazing upon the horizon to see a gaudy mountain chalet’s window … More Elk Knob State Park
After my visit to the E.R. after the Benton Mackaye Trail, the doctor very sternly told me to “not hike for 4 weeks.” Even though I am as stubborn as they come, I followed her orders and have not hiked. That’s very hard for me to do, especially when springtime is upon us. As of … More North Carolina State Park Challenge
sweetwilder 