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Planning a Trip to Blue Ridge

Any birder planning to spend more than a few hours in Transylvania County -- or anywhere in the Blue Ridge, for that matter -- should definitely have a copy of Mark Simpson's excellent guide Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains (University of North Carolina Press, 1992). Covering the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to Tennessee, this work describes in detail the birds you can expect at every stop, nearby birding sites, hiking trails of every degree of difficulty, the geology of the mountain chain, its botany, history, and wildlife, and nearly everything else a visiting birder could want to know. It comes in both hardback and softcover editions and is available at booksellers nationwide, or on the Internet at sites such as www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. Mark has also published a monograph titled "Bird Life of North Carolina's Shining Rock Wilderness Area" (Occasional Papers of the NC Biological Survey and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 1994), which can be purchased by mail for $5 from the museum www.naturalsciences.org at P.O. Box 29555, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626.

In addition to the Pisgah Inn www.pisgahinn.com, Pisgah Campground www.gorp.com/dow/southern/pisg.htm, and Davidson River Campgrounds http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Pisgah/sycmrflt.html#davidsonCG mentioned in the feature article, "Birding the Blue Ridge" by Norma Siebenheller, in the May/June 2000 issue of BWD, other accomodations are plentiful in Transylvania County and include motels, private campgrounds, and rental homes. Inquire at the Chamber of Commerce, Brevard, North Carolina 28712 for details, or call (828) 883-3700 or browse www.visitwaterfalls.com and www.brevardnc.com for more details. This area also boasts numerous restaurants (which are detailed on the Brevard websites) from fast food to fine dining, most located in or near the town of Brevard.

Other attractions that will interest nonbirding spouses and children include:

Waterfalls Transylvania County is known as The Land of Waterfalls, and many of the finest are easily viewable. Don't miss Looking Glass Falls, visible from Route 276 between the Parkway and Brevard. Inquire at the Chamber of Commerce for maps and information about others you can see.

Sliding Rock A must for young children, this natural slide located on Route 276 in the National Forest is a great way to cool off on a hot afternoon. If you go down with your kids, as many parents do, you'll never forget it. The small entrance fee includes parking and the use of dressing rooms.

The Brevard Music Center If you're here between late June and early August, don't miss the concerts in an open-air auditorium right in the town of Brevard. Students perform during the week while big-name stars highlight the weekend events. Phone (828) 884-2011 or visit www.brevardmusic.org.

The Biltmore House America's largest privately owned home, built a century ago by George William Vanderbilt (who owned much of the land that now comprises Pisgah National Forest) is located in Asheville and is a must-see for history and architecture buffs. It's less than an hour's drive from Brevard and boasts many birds in its vast gardens. Phone 800-543-2961 or visit www.biltmore.com. While in Asheville, there are plenty of other sights to see, including the Thomas Wolfe Home http://library.uncwil.edu/wolfe/wolfe.html and an historic downtown lined with antique shops and eateries. Visit the Asheville Area Chamber Commerce's website for a full tour of all this beautiful city has to offer www.ashevillechamber.org

Cerulean Warblers Okay, we don't have these in Transylvania County except as surprise migrants. But only an hour away, at Bull Gap Overlook just north of Asheville at MP 375.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, there is a small breeding population that is pretty easy to find in May and June. It's worth making a side trip, and you probably won't find this species unless you do. -- Norma Seibenheller

More Sights to See While in the Area:

Appalachian Cultural Museum
www.museum.appstate.edu

The Birthplace of Forestry in America
www.cradleofforestry.com

North Carolina National Forests
http://NCNatural.com/NCUSFS/index.html

Tour Operators

Ventures, Inc.
828-859-0382
www.birdventures.com

Field Guides
800-728-4953
www.fieldguides.com

Bird Treks
www.birdtreks.com