A Moment to Appreciate
Blue Ridge Parkway / Boyd Mountain Cabins
Hospitality Meets History at Boyd Mountain Log Cabins
I live in a turn-of-the-century white farmhouse that creaks and moans, and to me, every creak is an “I love you” and every moan is “Thanks for choosing me”. Old homes just speak to me! So, when I vacation the thought of staying in a cookie-cutter hotel chain goes against the core of my being. When I found a 200-year-old, fully restored log cabin I knew this was my kind of place. Boyd Mountain Log Cabins, just outside of Maggie Valley, offers seven authentic hand-hewn log cabins nestled on a 150-acre cove overlooking the Smoky Mountains.
We stayed in the Meadow Fork Cabin, built in the 1790s, a cabin that the Smithsonian tried to buy due to its excellent condition and its standing as the oldest log cabin in Western North Carolina (lucky for us the owners said no!). When you step in the door it’s not hard to tell that this home was built with love and amazing craftsmanship and restored to perfect comfort and tranquility. From our lofted room we had a view of an undisturbed pond and fields of Fraser Firs—did I mention the property is also a Christmas tree farm and the scent of Frasier Firs wafts through the cabin? It simply doesn’t get more idyllic than that.
Amazing Views At Blue Ridge Parkway
Outstanding scenery and recreational opportunities make the Blue Ridge Parkway one of the most visited sections of the National Park System. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads, mountain meadows and scenic overlooks with endless vistas make the Blue Ridge Parkway a popular attraction. The Parkway incorporates numerous campgrounds, picnic areas and trails. With 469 miles connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with ample recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities and natural beauty featuring America’s diverse flora and fauna. Tip: the view from the top is stunning anywhere you stop along the Great Balsams, the ancient range that borders the southern side of Haywood County. Tranquil and scenic, most campgrounds offer ready access to miles of hiking trails for those who want to explore on foot. Be sure to ask about Ranger talks and campfire programs that are offered most weekends and occasionally during the week.