Small Group Adventure in North Carolina’s Northwest Highlands

Exploring Bluff Mountain

and the Upper New River

Kayaking ▪ Hiking/walking

Backroads History ▪ Wildflowers

Explore the Southeastern U.S. with

explorer/historian, Chumley Cope, and

Explore Up Close, LLC. We’ll discover the

prettiest backroads drives in the region, and

the secret stories and sites they hold.

North Carolina’s New River Valley will be our

base as we explore the natural world around

us, along with the history, arts, and culture of

the region. We’ll enjoy outstanding dining, stories and insights from local experts, and

the quaint and inviting ambiance of pretty mountain towns, peaks, and valleys.

Explore Up Close strives to create the perfect blend of “relaxed pace travel” – combining

group excursions with time for you to rest, relax, or explore on your own.

____________________

Trip Highlights:

small group travel by comfortable van (easy step-up) – explore where the buses can’t go

excellent accommodations and dining

all-inclusive price

the Blue Ridge Parkway (including the Northwest Trading Post crafts outlet)

kayaking adventure on the upper New River; hiking on/around Bluff Mountain, NC

the Ashe County Cheese Factory

Ashe County Fresco Churches (featuring acclaimed fresco art by Ben Long)

drives along North Carolina Scenic Byways; winery visit

itinerary:

Day 1

We’ll enter western North Carolina and drive

through rolling Piedmont and along the gentle

slopes of Brushy Mountain. We’ll ascend the

escarpment into Ashe County, NC – home of the

beautiful New River. In the mid-afternoon, we’ll

enjoy a two-hour kayaking trip on the gentle

South Fork of the New – gliding past lovely

farmland and forest. Afterwards, we’ll check into

the comfortable Eldreth Inn in Jefferson, NC.

Enjoy a shower and a rocking chair. We’ll have a

delicious supper nearby. Overnight, Jefferson.

Day 2

After a cooked breakfast at the Eldreth Inn, we’ll

explore more of Ashe County – North Carolina’s

northwest corner, and the Christmas tree-growing

capital of the world. We’ll visit two of the

Southeast’s most famous works of art: lovely fresco paintings adorning two rustic mission

churches. We’ll break up our fresco visits by exploring downtown West Jefferson, home of the

Ashe County Cheese Factory. In the afternoon, we’ll climb Bluff Mountain – a peak known for

its rare mountain bog plant species. A local guide will interpret the late spring wildflower

bloom, and tell stories about the mountain’s history and geology. We’ll return to Jefferson for

dinner and the overnight.

Day 3

This morning, we’ll drive pretty backroads to North Carolina’s Stone Mountain. We’ll choose a

hiking route that offers good views of the mountain, and pretty waterfalls. After lunch in the

area, we’ll begin our drive home.

Trip price:

$699 / person (single supplement, $100); price is all-inclusive*

*except for alcohol, optional trip insurance, and personal expenditures

Explore Up Close, LLC, is an exploration travel company founded by Chumley Cope, a native of

the “western Carolinas” and a regional historian. Chumley offers regional trips of historical and

cultural exploration, typified by backroads travel, stops at off-the-map points of interest, and

frequent audiences with local historians, who share their insights and detailed stories.

“It’s a dream experience for people who really want to explore, enjoy meeting fellow

adventurers, and like for someone else to do the driving, take responsibility for getting lost, and

figure out the best places to eat.”

“These trips are such great fun . . . . I’m amazed by the stories we come across – including the

ones shared by our fellow travelers. Please join me!”

Chumley Cope

Explore Up Close, LLC © 2016

Contact Explore Up Close:

Tel. (864) 431-7567

chumley@exploreupclose.com

www.exploreupclose.com

Trip Registration – Bluff Mountain / New River, June 6 – 8 Please print and mail this registration form, along with your $250 deposit (check, payable to Explore Up Close), to:

Explore Up Close, LLC 613 Poplar St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

Your Name: _______________________________________

Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________

Telephone: _________________________ Email: ____________________________________

Name of person(s) traveling with you (if applicable):

________________________________ ; __________________________________

Contact information (if different from yours):

Telephone: __________________________ Email: ___________________________________

Lodging specifics (requests will be honored to the degree possible):

_____ room with two (2) beds _____ room with one (1) bed

Enclosed is my check, payable to “Explore Up Close,” in the amount of ___________.

www.exploreupclose.com • (864) 431-7567 • chumley@exploreupclose.com