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The quaint Mountain Village of Cashiers was founded as a gold mine back in 1820. Legend has it that local miners came to exchange their gold for cash from one of the original settlers Barak Norton, and the rest is history.

Blog post cover image 5 Best Hiking Trails Near Sylva, North Carolina – My Hometown
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...

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Blog post cover image Bernie’s Fishing Tales: A Blue Ridge Escape
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...

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

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Blog post cover image Winter Wonderland in the Blue Ridge 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....

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Blog post cover image All Aboard the Christmas Train: The Polar Express Adventure!
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...

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Blog post cover image A Christmas Invitation to the Heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image Rising from the Storm: The Heart and Resilience of Western North Carolina
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,...

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Blog post cover image The Return of the King: The Elk's Majestic Homecoming to the Smoky Mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image Chasing Butterflies
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...

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Blog post cover image Experience the Magic of Folkmoot: Celebration of Global Cultures in the Heart of The Blue Ridge!
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...

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Blog post cover image Enchanted Nights- Witness the Magical Firefly Spectacle in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image Unveiling Western North Carolina's Museums: A Journey of Discovery
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...

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Blog post cover image Spring's Splendor: Unveiling Nature's Masterpiece in Western North Carolina
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...

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Blog post cover image Rejuvenate Your Spirit in Jackson County: The Tranquil Haven for Fly Fishing Enthusiasts
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...

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Blog post cover image Don’t miss this year’s Outhouse Race in Sapphire, NC!
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...

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Blog post cover image Discover Winter Sports in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
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...

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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...

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Blog post cover image Embracing the Spirit of Autumn: Celebrating Festivals in Western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image Building a Mountain Home in the Blue Ridge
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...

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Blog post cover image Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Sylva, NC - Part 2
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...

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Blog post cover image Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Sylva, NC- Part One
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...

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Blog post cover image The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in my backyard!
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...

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Blog post cover image Bernie's Fishing Tales
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,...

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Blog post cover image Bernie's Beer Run - A Guide to Sylva NC's Breweries Scene
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...

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Blog post cover image Great Restaurants in the Blue Ridge Mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image The Best Snow Skiing and Snow Boarding in the Southwest corner of The Blue Ridge Mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image Mountain Holiday Traditions
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...

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Blog post cover image Apples, Pumpkins, and Trains Oh My
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...

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Blog post cover image Top 6 things when buying in the mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image Consider Building in the Mountains
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...

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Blog post cover image Ready to buy your first home?
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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Bernie Gilchrist and team can assist and help you with your Real Estate needs anywhere in Western North Carolina.

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