Blog | Bernie Gilchrist

02/04/2026 • Bernie Gilchrist

A Cat, a Curiosity, and a Man Who Refused to Cage a Dream

I’ll go ahead and confess this upfront—I was never what you’d call a Cat Person.
Not by upbringing. Not by reputation.

Except...

01/06/2026 • Bernie Gilchrist

Winter Wonderland Playgrounds in Western North Carolina

Happy New Year, friends!

One of my very favorite things about calling Western North Carolina home is that these old...

12/08/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

The Most Magical Time of the Year… Is Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains

One thing you can say about Americans—we don’t merely celebrate Christmas. We embrace it with the full enthusiasm of a...

11/05/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

Living Blue Ridge: It’s Another World Up Here

If you’re the kind of soul who measures happiness by the miles of mountain road you’ve explored—or by how often...

10/02/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

It’s Another World Up Here!

Escape the grind. Ride the legend. Live the story.

There are folks who ride because it’s transportation. Then there are those...

09/12/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

Storybook Mountain Towns in Autumn

There’s a certain spell that falls over Sylva when September rolls in and the Blue Ridge Mountains start whispering their...

08/07/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

The Town that “Little Mae Named” – The History of Sylva, NC

I wasn’t born here in Sylva, but I got here as fast as I could, and I’m not going anywhere....

07/14/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

My Favorite Secret Swimming Holes for Summer: A Cool Escape into the Magic of the Mountains

Now I don’t know about you, but somewhere around mid-June, I began to question whether I’d accidentally booked a vacation...

06/06/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

A Hole-in-One Kind of Life: Golfing the Blue Ridge with Bernie Gilchrist

Let’s set the scene: a golden afternoon in May, the kind of day that feels like it was handpicked by...

05/09/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

Jackson County Ale Trail: Where Craft Brews Meet Carolina Views

Now I don’t mean to brag—well, maybe just a little—but when it comes to craft beer and mountain beauty, Jackson...

04/04/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

5 Best Hiking Trails Near Sylva, North Carolina – My Hometown

There’s an old saying around these parts: the best way to understand a place is to put your boots on...

03/10/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

Bernie’s Fishing Tales: A Blue Ridge Escape

Now, if you know me, you know I work like a mule in planting season—day,
night, and weekends. It ain’t that...

03/06/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

Why Zillow Can’t Climb These Mountains: The Case for a Local Real Estate Broker in Western NC

I remember the first time I drove through Sylva, North Carolina. It wasn’t just the beauty of these old mountains...

01/13/2025 • Bernie Gilchrist

Winter Wonderland in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Let me tell y’all a little story about what makes winter in Western North Carolina feel like a magical escape....

12/02/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

All Aboard the Christmas Train: The Polar Express Adventure!

Ho, ho, ho! Gather ‘round, dear friends, for a tale straight from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Santa...

11/15/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

A Christmas Invitation to the Heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Ah, Western North Carolina, where mountain air is crisp, the people are proud, and the spirit of Christmas feels a...

10/11/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Rising from the Storm: The Heart and Resilience of Western North Carolina

It was a Thursday like any other in Western North Carolina. The rain began to fall in soft, rhythmic drops,...

09/23/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

The Return of the King: The Elk's Majestic Homecoming to the Smoky Mountains

Let me share with you a story about one of the most magnificent creatures to ever roam these ancient hills—the...

08/22/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Chasing Butterflies

Ladies and gents, gather 'round for the grandest spectacle the Southern skies have to offer! Pack your bags, fill up...

07/05/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Experience the Magic of Folkmoot: Celebration of Global Cultures in the Heart of The Blue Ridge!

Every July, the folks of Waynesville, North Carolina, open their arms wide and welcome the world to their doorstep for...

06/04/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Enchanted Nights- Witness the Magical Firefly Spectacle in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains

Well, it’s that time of year again when the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains become the stage...

05/02/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Unveiling Western North Carolina's Museums: A Journey of Discovery

Embark on an adventure through Western North Carolina, where the mountains echo with the tales of centuries past and the...

04/16/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Spring's Splendor: Unveiling Nature's Masterpiece in Western North Carolina

Ah, Spring, the time when nature awakens from its slumber, and the world transforms into a kaleidoscope of colors and...

03/20/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Rejuvenate Your Spirit in Jackson County: The Tranquil Haven for Fly Fishing Enthusiasts

In a world where the hustle and bustle can weigh heavy on the soul, finding a little magic and serenity...

02/12/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Don’t miss this year’s Outhouse Race in Sapphire, NC!

Embark on a whimsical journey to the enchanting mountain town of Sapphire, NC, where families gather from all corners to...

01/15/2024 • Bernie Gilchrist

Discover Winter Sports in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

Embark on a journey with me as we unveil the enchanting winter wonderland concealed within the embrace of the Blue...

Blog post cover image Step into a winter wonderland of enchantment and experience the sheer magic of Christmas in the Mountains of North Carolina!

12/11/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Step into a winter wonderland of enchantment and experience the sheer magic of Christmas in the Mountains of North Carolina!

It's that time of the year again – Christmas is here, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are ready to weave...

09/19/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Embracing the Spirit of Autumn: Celebrating Festivals in Western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains

Amidst a symphony of rustling leaves and a gentle breeze that carries the scent of nostalgia, a new chapter unfurls...

09/01/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Building a Mountain Home in the Blue Ridge

Close your eyes and imagine, for a moment, the allure of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. A...

08/02/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Sylva, NC - Part 2

Welcome back to the thrilling world of adventure in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains near Sylva, North Carolina! In our...

06/23/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Sylva, NC- Part One

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, Sylva, North Carolina, offers an array of exhilarating activities for...

06/02/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in my backyard!

Hey there, I'm Bernie and let me tell you about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! This place is truly...

04/06/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Bernie's Fishing Tales

Greetings fellow fly-fishing enthusiasts! Spring has finally arrived and for me, it's the best time of the year. The rivers,...

03/02/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Bernie's Beer Run - A Guide to Sylva NC's Breweries Scene

I have been a connoisseur of beer since my Pirate Days at Eastern Carolina University… back in the day! In...

03/02/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

Great Restaurants in the Blue Ridge Mountains

If I am known for anything… it’s the fact that I love to eat! LOL! I love it so much...

01/20/2023 • Bernie Gilchrist

The Best Snow Skiing and Snow Boarding in the Southwest corner of The Blue Ridge Mountains

I have always loved the snow and particularly, snow skiing all my life! One of my favorite photos is of...

12/21/2022 • Bernie Gilchrist

Mountain Holiday Traditions

Like the song says, ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the Year!” The holidays are magical in Western North Carolina and...

10/17/2022 • Bernie Gilchrist

Apples, Pumpkins, and Trains Oh My

I always think about picking my own Apples and drinking Pumpkin Spiced coffee this time of year. It seems to...

09/27/2022 • Bernie Gilchrist

Top 6 things when buying in the mountains

There are a few things you’ll need to know about buying a home or property in Western North Carolina before...

08/13/2022 • Bernie Gilchrist

Consider Building in the Mountains

If you’re looking for your Mountain Dream Home here in Western North Carolina and you just can’t find the right...

08/28/2022 • Bernie Gilchrist

Ready to buy your first home?

Buying your first home can be challenging and scary. Knowing how and when to get preapproval for your mortgage can...

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