AVL Sherpa

05/28/2026

If you can, please put your political feelings aside and get your brain around this. More importantly, share with every parent, grandparent and child advocate you know. Every. Single. One.

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

Trump Accounts provide eligible American children with tax-advantaged investment accounts courtesy of President Donald J. Trump.

05/13/2026

Today's lunch spot. Craggy Pinnacle 🏔️.

Look at the mountain scars on that one photo. Those were landslides from Helene. The storm stalled just south of here and produced massive amounts of rain on top of four days of heavy nonstop rain. In addition to the rain this storm spawned hundred of 🌪️ that ripped through these valleys.

Grateful to be back up here.

One last observation. Note the new buds coming out on the mountain laurels. This is a close cousin of the rhododendron and this area will be a blaze with 🩷 flowers in another two to three weeks. If you get a chance to come up it is well worth the 🚗.

05/10/2026

New hike for me. MST from Black Balsam Trailhead to Silvermine Bald. Trail takes you through a beautiful spruce forest that covers this ridge. Super nice. 👌🌲 🥾 👊

04/29/2026

👍 🥾 💦 🌲 👊

Glen Falls Trail, Lookout Mountain, TN

04/29/2026

Standing ovation for and her band at The Woodshop Listening Room in Chattanooga 👍 🎸 👊

04/21/2026

You gotta work to get here but, man, is it worth it 👍

🫢 💦 🥾 🌲

04/17/2026

Normally, folks don't get so excited about a freight train but this is pretty cool...

Nestled in the rugged terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Old Fort Loops stand as one of the most remarkable feats of railroad engineering in the southeastern United States. Originally constructed in the late 19th century, these winding tracks were designed to navigate steep elevation changes with precision and ingenuity. For generations, they have served as a crucial transportation link, carrying goods and fueling economic growth throughout the region.

Their restoration preserves both a historic landmark and an essential artery of commerce.

gsocial.media/a-historic-milestone-rail-service-returns-through-the-restored-old-fort-loops/

WNC celebrating a significant achievement: Norfolk Southern successfully sends its first track geometry train through restored Old Fort Loop

04/14/2026

Tomorrow night at the Asheville Music Hall 👍👍👍

https://ashevillemusichall.com/event/jackie-venson/asheville-music-hall-live-music/

04/14/2026

If you're up for a little road trip, Leilani Kilgore and her band will be performing in Chattanooga on April 28, at The Woodshop in St. Elmo.

From the album The Devil You Know

04/10/2026

This is a lose-lose-lose situation. The city loses due to reputational damage. It's impossible to quantify because most people do not say anything. They simply choose not to return to AVL. I have heard this repeatedly from friends and family who came to visit. Businsses lose because many customers choose not to partonize downtown shops and restos. I am one of them. Lastly, and most importantly...

>>> Those who need mental health counseling and addiction treatment lose because they are not getting the care they desperately need.

Asheville police are rolling out a major crime enforcement and quality-of-life action plan in the city’s downtown corridor.