With the mountain terrain comes an abundance of mountain top springs that fill the slopes with cascading crystal waters. Take a hike or a quick stroll to see one as soon as possible. Talk about a way to cool off!

Bridal Veil Falls: Two-and-a-half miles east of Highlands on U.S. 64. The 120-foot falls are visible from the highway.

Cullasaja Falls: On U.S. 64, 11 miles east of Franklin, the 250-foot falls are visible from the road.

Dry Falls: Located near U.S. 64, 3.5 miles west of Highlands, 16.5 miles from Franklin. Paved walkway leads to falls from parking area. Walk underneath the 75-foot falls.

Graveyard Fields: Trailhead located at parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 418. The Yellowstone Prong of the Pigeon River feeds three waterfalls-Yellowstone Falls, Lower Falls and Upper Falls-that are definitely worth the hike.

Looking Glass Falls: From Waynesville, take U.S. 276 South, about 22 miles. Parking area is well marked on the east side of the highway. The 85-foot falls are visible from the road. It is only a short walk to the falls. Walkways with handrails.

Moore Cove Falls: Travel 1 mile north of Looking Glass Falls on US 276. You'll find a small wooden footbridge just off the highway, the trail starts at the bridge and leads to the falls. An easy 1 mile round trip walk to the 50ft waterfall.

Sliding Rock Falls: Travel 7 miles north on US 276 from the Ranger Station, 2 miles north of Looking Glass Falls. Propelled by 11,000 gallons of cold mountain water per minute into a 6ft deep pool below.

Soco Falls: From Maggie Valley head up US 19 south to the Blue Ridge Parkway. cross under the Parkway and continue downhill towards Cherokee. From the Parkway, it's 1.5 miles to a marked pull-off on the left side of the orad. There's a small blue sign indicating Soco Falls .5 miles ahead. The trail begins at the break in the guardrail. The short, steep trail ends at a viewing deck overlooking the falls.

Toxaway Falls: U.S. 64 passes right over the 125-foot falls. From Sapphire drive north on US 64 for two miles. Look for a large masonry bridge at the base of a hill and the dam to the left. Cross the bridge and park in the graveled area on the left side. carefully cross US 64 to glimpse the falls on the south side.

Whitewater Falls: Take U.S. 64 east to Whitewater Road. The falls are located 10 miles south on Whitewater Road, near the North Carolina-South Carolina state line. At 411 feet, Whitewater Falls are the tallest falls in Eastern America. Drift, Horse Pasture and Rainbow falls are also accessible from Whitewater Road.

Family Fun in the Smokies: A day out with Thomas on the Great Smoky Mtn Railroad!!!

The Great Smoky Mountains are often viewed as a wonderful place for adults to relax, take in the scenery, and explore. However, the home of Campbell Construction is also home to many family oriented activities.

One of the favorite family spots is the Great Smoky Mountain Railway located in Bryson City. Adults and children alike get a rush out of scooting down the track in either an indoor or outdoor train car while admiring the lush green landscape. This July the fun gets even more tempting as a child's favorite character comes to the track...Thomas the Train. Join the GSMR and Thomas in a day of fun and experience the whole family will never forget, and remind yourself once again why Western NC is such a fabulous location to live!

Celebration Includes

• 25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank Engine™
• Meeting Sir Topham Hatt
• Storytelling, Live Music,
• Build with Mega Bloks© and Much More!

Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country.

Since Thomas left the station 65 years ago, this Really Useful Engine and his Island of Sodor friends have chugged their way into the hearts of preschoolers and grownups worldwide.

Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father for his son, Thomas & Friends™ is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching positive life lessons of friendship, discovery and cooperation.

Through Day Out With Thomas™, parents, grandparents and siblings will join preschoolers on this journey. The experience will engineer miles of smiles for the whole family and introduce a new generation to railroading.

Discover Thomas the Tank Engine™!


Great Smoky Mountains RR

225 Everette St., Bryson City, NC

July 23-27 & July 29 - Aug. 1

Family Fun in the Smokies: A day out with Thomas on the Great Smoky Mtn Railroad!!!

Folkmoot's Comes to Town in July!

Folkmoot USA, North Carolina's Official International Festival, is a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance. Held each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot features performances, a parade and workshops by up to 350 performers from ten to twelve countries.

Performers demonstrate cultural heritage through colorful, authentic and original reproduction costumes, lively dance and traditional music. During its 26-year history, over 200 folk groups from more than 100 countries have shared their heritage and culture at Folkmoot USA.

Countries invited to perform in the 2010 Festival include: Russia, Latvia, UK (Irish step dancers), France, Switzerland, Peru, Jordan, Portugal and Poland.* The Folkmoot Festival features public performances at venues throughout Western North Carolina in the towns of Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Canton, Clyde, Highlands, Bryson City, Cullowhee, Asheville, Columbus, Burnsville, Marion, Mars Hill, Flat Rock, Stecoah and Franklin.

Other events held during the Festival include: Parade of Nations on July 23 and Folkmoot 5K Run/Walk and Kid's Fun Run on July 31. International Festival Day is also July 31--for information and vendor applications call Haywood County Arts Council, 828-452-9494 or see their website: www.haywoodarts.org. All take place in Waynesville, NC.

Folkmoot's Comes to Town in July!