Roan Mountain depicts this history of this small and diverse appalachian community. Roan Mountain, a 6,286-foot-high peak, straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina state line in the Appalachian Mountains. Home to world-famous rhododendron gardens, the Appalachian Trail, the site of Gen. John T. Wilder's historic Cloudland Hotel, and record-breaking lofty balds, thousands of visitors, including explorer John Muir and Vice Pres. Richard Nixon, have ascended Roan Mountain over the last two centuries. Biologists, botanists, and tourists have enjoyed its unique natural setting. At the mountain's base and on its slopes, rural communities have endearing histories. Decades ago, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad passed through the village at the foot of "the Roan." The railroad brought wealthy passengers to the mountain-top Cloudland Hotel. It also allowed local industrialists the opportunity to export the area's natural resources. The people of Roan Mountain are proud of their history and have displayed it annually for more than a half-century during the Rhododendron Festival.

From Andre Michaux, John Muir, and other early explorers, to General John T. Wilder and the developers, from the Roan’s inexplicable “balds” to the lush forests of its “Canadian zone,” here is the story of one of the best-loved places in the Southern Appalachians. This new edition contains over 30 historical photographs not previously published. New chapters added to the book tell of intriguing new biological discoveries, notable historical visitors, and the findings of the author’s research conducted since the first edition was published in 1991.

Roan Mountain's remarkable ecosystem has enchanted people for centuries, beginning with the first native inhabitants. Then came pioneering settlers, celebrated naturalists like John Muir, hardworking miners and loggers eager to make a living from the land and ambitious businessmen such as John T. Wilder, whose Cloudland Hotel helped make Roan a tourist destination in the late 1870s. Today, conservationists, researchers and nature lovers of all kinds flock here to experience flora and fauna unique to this region of the Appalachians. Preserving Roan's ecological heritage has proven both a challenge and a triumph for the mountain's dedicated supporters. In this newly revised and expanded edition, featuring previously unpublished color photography, former Roan Mountain park interpretive specialist Jennifer A. Bauer recounts the fascinating natural and social history of this marvelous highland landscape.

Full-color photographs. Information for visitors.

This lighthearted, personal guide to all the attractions of Western North Carolina include local crafts, recipes, waterfalls, parks, camps and best hiking and biking spots. 1 map. 128 illustrations.

Part armchair travelogue, part guide book, this projected three-volume series—divided into the western, central, and eastern United States—will introduce readers to all 155 national forests across the country. This Land is the only comprehensive field guide that describes the natural features, wildernesses, scenic drives, campgrounds, and hiking trails of our national forests, many of which—while little known and sparsely visited—boast features as spectacular as those found in our national parks and monuments. Each entry includes logistical information about size and location, facilities, attractions, and associated wilderness areas. For about half of the forests, Robert H. Mohlenbrock has provided sidebars on the biological or geological highlights, drawn from the "This Land" column that he has written for Natural History magazine since 1984. Superbly illustrated with color photographs, botanical drawings, and maps, this book is loaded with information, clearly written, and easy to use. This volume covers national forests in: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Details the attractions, historic sites, accommodations, restaurants, and outdoor activities of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.

Through the Garden Gate is a collection of 144 of the popular weekly articles that Elizabeth Lawrence wrote for The Charlotte Observer from 1957 to 1971. With those columns, a delightful blend of gardening lore, horticultural expertise, and personal adventures, Lawrence inspired thousands of southern gardeners. "[A] fine contribution to the green-thumb genre.--Publishers Weekly