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 your boots have met a muddy trail—then, friend, pull up a chair. You’re in good company.

For the past three years, I’ve been chronicling life in these storied hills where the Blue Ridge Mountains shake hands with the Great Smoky Mountains, and together they whisper their timeless secrets to anyone willing to listen. My name’s Bernie Gilchrist, and for over two decades I’ve called this wild, wonderful corner of Western North Carolina home.

Some folks call me a real estate broker. Others might say I’m a full-time explorer with a Broker’s license. Truth be told, I’m a little of both—because out here, it’s not just about finding a place to live, it’s about Living Blue Ridge.

The Blog That Became a Guidebook

Over the last few years, I’ve published more than 36 monthly blogs, each one a breadcrumb leading you deeper into the heart of these old mountains. Think of my website, www.berniegilchrist.com, as your personal field guide to all things wild, wonderful, and worth discovering in the Blue Ridge and Smokies.

You’ll find stories about:

The finest trout streams this side of heaven:

The best craft breweries to wet your whistle after a long hike

Kayaking, rafting, and tubing the rivers that carve through these mountains like liquid poetry

The most scenic train rides that rattle through tunnels and time 

And yes, the secret spots where the Blue Ghost fireflies cast their otherworldly glow 

If there’s an adventure to be had, a meal worth remembering, or a hidden nook that feels like it belongs in a storybook, odds are I’ve written about it.

From Snowcaps to Craft Taps

One month, I’ll take you to the snowy slopes of Cataloochee for a bit of winter mischief. 

The next, we’ll be wading knee-deep in the Tuckasegee River, where the trout rise like silver spirits and the air smells like freedom. I’ll guide you through the best farm-to-table restaurants, introduce you to mountain folks who still believe in handshakes and front-porch wisdom, and tell you exactly where to find the perfect Blue Ridge sunset—the kind that makes you forget what day it is. 

Because It’s Another World Up Here—a place where time takes the scenic route, and adventure is just another word for Saturday.

Explore the Explore Page

My Explore Page is where curiosity meets convenience. It’s a one-stop treasure map filled with everything from day trips and hiking trails to entertainment, seasonal sports, and good old-fashioned Southern fun.

Whether you’re planning your next visit, plotting a big move, or just daydreaming about mountain life from afar, you’ll find what you’re looking for right there.

Why I Do It

You see, these mountains aren’t just my workplace—they’re my classroom, my playground, and my sanctuary. Every trail I’ve hiked, every trout I’ve caught, every story I’ve written comes from a place of deep love for the land and the people who call it home.

So, if you’re yearning to discover the real Western North Carolina—the hidden waterfalls, the secret swimming holes, the festivals that feel like family reunions—let me be your guide.

Visit www.berniegilchrist.com, and together we’ll keep Living Blue Ridge. Because once you experience it, you’ll understand what I mean when I say—
“It’s Another World Up Here.”

And when the mountains start whispering your name — as they surely will — come see for yourself why so many have traded the noise of the ordinary for the quiet wonder of this place. Let me help you find your own corner of paradise here among the ridgelines and rivers, where the air feels cleaner and life moves at just the right pace. I’ve been blessed to help folks just like you turn daydreams into addresses — finding not just a home, but a whole new way of living. Because up here… it truly is Another World.