Our Town: River Dance

Stop for a moment. At the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the most soul-stirring areas of the country, count your good fortune among the summer night’s brilliant, lucky stars.

This time of year is typically aswirl with vacation planning, lazy pool days, and beach reading. But it is equally satisfying to recognize your surroundings. Take a closer look. Beyond the familiar, hometown view, this sacred Carolina land offers wonder after natural wonder.

And what better way to appreciate nature than to be smack-dab in the middle of it all? Hiking is a challenging and rewarding option, but—instead of the high-and-dry view (albeit scenic)—Headwaters Outfitters, of Rosman, North Carolina, offers an alternate point of reference.

The store, just northwest of Greenville between Brevard and Highlands, North Carolina, beckons the Audubon-curious to don their life preservers for self-guided canoeing, kayaking, and tubing along the lush and lovely French Broad River. Specializing in outdoor gear for boating, hiking, and fishing, it also offers fly-fishing tours on the French Broad and Davidson rivers in Western North Carolina.

Packages range from three-hour canoeing, kayaking, and tubing, to two-day camping trips on the French Broad, where you can set camp before heading down river for glimpses of Great Blue Herons, sycamore trees, deer, and abounding flora and fauna. Prices include canoe, kayak, life jacket, transportation to and from the river, orientation and map, free parking and use of facilities at Hannah Ford, the first take-out point.

And on specific dates through September, Headwaters will host evening canoe trips along the dusky waters of the French Broad. Romantic to be sure, these languid trips are only about an hour from Greenville. So put the travel planner away—turns out your getaway is right where you started.

Headwaters Outfitters
25 Parkway Road, Rosman, N.C.
(828) 877-3106
www.headwatersoutfitters.com for fees & more info