It took me a while to break out of the weekend coma that Jackson County had put me in. After writing this blog post, I was put into a serious state of self-inflicted FOMO. I wish I was still there riding horses, drinking coffee on the large porch listening to the rain, exploring the local shops, and eating the most delicious meals.
I was invited by Jackson County Tourism to explore their breathtaking and adventurous county. They even let me bring my best friend! I mean, what’s a weekend getaway without your partner in crime? The weekend was unbelievable! I’m so excited to share my photos with you!
Grab some tea and coffee, and enjoy! Have a great Friday, everyone! (P.S. there is an impromptu video with a collage of our insta stories/snap chats included)
Becca and I drove up to Sylva, NC and arrived at the Balsam Mountain Inn. This is where we stayed for the weekend, and it was like something out of a movie! The drive from Charlotte only took two and a half hours, so it’s an ideal weekend getaway. Coat Details ♥
We arrived at a perfect time. All of the fall foliage was in full force, and it couldn’t have been any more inviting.
We walked around exploring the inn and our room. It was adorable! I fell in love with the decor, and I plan on decorating my room with some of the inspiration I pulled. After our little exploring adventure, we headed down to the hotel lobby to meet the group we’d be hanging out with all weekend.
We all introduced ourselves, and I instantly knew this was going to be a fun trip! We left the Inn around noon and headed out to grab lunch at Lee’s at the Depot.
Lee’s at the Depot is a great spot for lunch or dinner in downtown Dillsboro, N.C. It’s located right on the railroad tracks. When the weather is nice, you can sit outside on their outdoor patio, or find plenty of space in their dining room, or around the bar. This was a great place to start my Jackson County trip. Our waiter set the bar high for friendliness. I’ve never been to a place with kinder people. Jackson County left me in a good mood.
They had so much on the menu! I thought their hummus wrap sounded so good, so I went with that and a side of quinoa. The hummus wrap had mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, red onion, tomato & a spicy dipping sauce.
After lunch, we made our way to the Smokemont Riding Stables! It was kind of funny because we were sitting around the table talking about how you had no excuse to be late in the mountains because there is never any traffic, but on the way to the stables, we got caught in a traffic jam. The traffic was caused by the field of elk. Everyone was stopping to take photos! Not going to lie, the elk were very beautiful.
Left: Melissa (Pineapple PR) Emily-Sarah Lineback (Writer & a beautiful person with the sweetest soul!), Jeff Barganier (retired lawyer & writer), Becca (Best friend, Photographer, and annoyingly cool), ME!!, and Haley (Pineapple PR)
We all instantly became friends!
We had a two hour horseback ride on the trails. We passed beautiful creeks, experienced the changing of the leaves, and enjoyed the gorgeous waterfall views. Becca and I took about a billion photos.
The stables impressed me. Our guides took a lot of photos, filled us with facts about the trails, and totally took all of my “dad jokes.” It was a really fun environment, and I highly recommend visiting their stables.
Outfit Details: •Steve Madden Boots (I bought them last year for $120 & now they are $29.99)• H&M Sweater• AE Dark Wash Jeans/Jeggings • My coat is out of stock everywhere, but I found a similar one that I may end up buying because it’s so cute. Here is a similar one.
On our way back from the stables, we decided to stop and take photos of the beautiful elk. It was perfect with the moon shining above them in the field. Everywhere you go in Jackson County is picture-perfect, and I can see why a lot of movies are filmed in the area.
We headed to the cute little town in Sylva, N.C. for dinner. This quaint downtown area was like a dream. Families were walking around eating ice cream cones, sipping coffees, and browsing shops. This is the type of town you dream about, but think they only exist in movies.
We stopped into Lulu’s Cafe for dinner. It was the cutest little place with a ton of fall decor. I always appreciate good fall decor. Everyone was very welcoming, and we were seated right away. We were in for a real treat…
I was not expecting our food to come out the way it did. I’ve been to high-end restaurants in Charlotte, and they don’t stand a chance against the food at Lulu’s. There was so much on the menu to choose from and food for almost any lifestyle/diet. Lulu’s Cafe is known for fresh seafood, hormone-free, humanely raised proteins, farm-to-table and fresh local foods. There is one talented chef in that kitchen.
We decided to share some appetizers.
First up, the portabello mushrooms! You all know I don’t eat mushrooms, but these were tasty, and I had no problem downing one. They are grilled and marinated in citrus and served with crispy bread, gorgonzola dressing and lemon oil.
Our waitress recommended fried green tomatoes for our next starter, and who in their right mind says no to a fried green tomato? These were out of this world! The fried green tomatoes were topped with crab meat creole remoulade. How fancy and unique is that!?
I want to drive back to Sylva just to have dinner with my boyfriend here. I know he’d love it. I know anyone would love it!
And the grand finale, my entre. I ordered the cedar plank salmon! This was one of the best tasting salmons I have ever had. It’s way up there on my salmon scale. The grilled Atlantic salmon was topped with grilled strawberries, onions, basil compote, and served with rice pilaf and buttery brussels sprouts. I thought I’d only eat half and take the rest back with me, but after the first bite, I knew it didn’t stand a chance. GONE! All of it. Becca ordered their grilled chicken Greek salad, and she said it was probably one of the best Greek salads she has ever eaten.
Please write this place down and make it a MUST on your places to eat. I wish I would have had room for dessert because I bet that is out of this world too.
We were all zonked, so we headed back to the Inn for a good night’s sleep. Of course, Becca and I stayed up late reading up on the history of the inn and trying to figure out if it was haunted or not. We are both obsessed with that kind of stuff, and we do it everywhere we go.
I fell asleep around midnight and slept like a baby throughout the night. I was excited for Saturday’s adventures.
We woke up at 6 am to have coffee and get ready before we headed out to go fly fishing! The Inn offered fresh coffee in the library for the early risers. We sat in the library for a while chatting with some visitors, who had been coming to the inn for years. I talked with a man named, Russ. He was also an early riser who loved free coffee. He was a jokester and I appreciated that. He gave me tons of tips on what to do in the area, and some fly fishing tips! He said it was OK to fly fish in the rain because the fish and the water were already wet. So I felt better about that 🙂 He has been coming to the Inn for the past thirty years for his anniversary with his wife.
jeans // nail polish // coat (ON SALE)// undershirt (they only have solid colors now)
I was in for another treat, The Coffee Shop.
I wasn’t expecting this place when we pulled up. When I think of a “coffee shop,” I think of espresso machines, wifi, and scones sitting in a glass case on the counter. When I heard we were going to The Coffee Shop for breakfast, I didn’t think any differently.
We pulled up to a diner-like restaurant that had the aroma of fresh coffee and cooked bacon floating up through their vents into the sky. You could wake up an entire county with smells like that. The cozy decor, the staff, and the comforting vibe made us feel so welcomed. All of the meals on the menu are homecooked and less than $10. That’s hard to find nowadays. I think one of the coolest parts of this place is that they opened in 1926 and the menu hasn’t changed much since. I’m just going to say this again “1926.” Just wow, but I’m not surprised at its success. It was cool seeing the locals enjoy coffee and breakfast in the early hours on Saturday morning. You can tell these are the people that have been coming every Saturday since they were little. Even though they knew we weren’t from around there, they were quick to say “hello” and offer us a friendly conversation. Who needs wifi when you can have real people to chat with?
I ordered bacon, two over-easy eggs, and oats! All fantastic! I can see why people return there and why they are still thriving after all of these years. This breakfast experience couldn’t have been any better. What a great way to start the day! Oh, and before I forget…They get five stars on their coffee!
I was excited to go fly fishing. I had been talking about it for weeks before the trip. I had never been before, but it looked like so much fun. And what better place to go fly fishing than in the home of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail!
The Western North Carolina fly fishing trail maps out fifteen prime spots in the crystal clear streams of the Smoky Mountains to catch brown, rainbow, and brook trout! (You can find more about the fishing scene on the Discover Jackson County Website!)
We went fishing with the Tuckaseegee Fly Shop! They were so fun, and we had the best guide ever!
When we got there, they geared us up, we headed out with our guide, and we got straight to the fishing. They wasted no time getting us out there.
We weren’t blessed with great weather on Saturday, but I think that made the adventure even more fun! The rain had been pouring all day, and the creek was high, but I loved the rush. I was also surprised at how comfortable the fly fishing suit (is that what you call them?) was. I would have been fine wearing it all day.
When you get out to the trail, you hop down into the water and walk to your perfect fishing spot. Fly fishing is incredibly relaxing. Listening to the rush of the water, being outdoors close to nature, and just “being” was really nice. If I lived closer, I’d be fly fishing weekly. I enjoyed myself so much that I forgot that it was pouring down rain and barely fifty degrees.
Even though I didn’t catch anything (other than my pant leg a couple of times and four big leaves), it was an amazing experience.
This was the road we fly fished off of. How beautiful! Everywhere we went in Jackson County was beautiful. Fall does it right there. We headed back to Tuckaseegee Fly Shop three hours later with zero fish, but with experience, we’d never forget.
We hopped into the bookstore next door to the Tuckaseegee Fly shop. We couldn’t help ourselves as we walked by the window. You know that feeling you get when you’re a kid, and you walk by a candy shop that you just really want to go into? That’s how we felt. The owner was very helpful. He knew exactly what Becca was looking for and had so much knowledge of different authors. Becca found several books she had been searching for for a while now. I couldn’t stop staring at the owner because he looked just like Josh Groban. He probably thought I was a weirdo(well, I kind of am.) Oh, and the name of the bookstore is Harry Alter Books!
After our fly fishing adventure, we headed to an adorable spot for lunch, The Well House!
The Well House has been open and serving gourmet deli sandwiches and delicious meals since 1977! When a place is open for that long, it’s because you know it’s good! The Well House makes homemade soups, wraps, and they even smoke their BBQ! And if you’re looking for a tasty prime rib dinner, Thursdays and Friday evenings are the time to go! It’s also a great spot if you want a quick grab and go meal! I know I keep repeating myself but…THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY ARE SO STINKING NICE!! I ordered a chicken salad and split some chili with Becca.
Sweater /// Love Your Melon Hat (for an amazing cause)
After lunch, we had some extra time to get cleaned up at the Inn and relax for a bit before heading out again around two.
But, you know how Becca and I roll. We roll on coffee, cameras, and little sleep when we are in exploration mode. We decided to hop in the jeep and explore the back roads until we were lost. And when you are lost, you’re literally lost. GPS isn’t a thing unless you have phone service, which we did not.
After getting lost four about forty-five minutes, we found a coffee shop! We stopped at Smokey Mountain Coffee Roasters for soy lattes and americanos. Hello, caffeine!
We enjoyed our coffee drinks and drove around a bit longer to take photos of all the fall foliage.
We may have stopped for a donut along the way…:)
We finally got back to the main road that we recognized and made our way back to the Inn. It was pouring outside, but the perfect weather for drinking coffee on the giant porch at the inn. We had about fifteen minutes to throw on dry clothes, brush our hair, teeth, and head downstairs to meet up for another adventure! I’m all for the non-stop activities.
Our first afternoon stop, Jackson County Green Energy Park. The Green Energy Park sits on top of an old landfill. They use the methane from the landfill to create energy. They use the energy from the methane to create beautiful art. The park has a studio for glassblowing, blacksmith forges, and pottery kilns. It’s so neat to see because they are one of the only art studios powered by renewable energy in the entire world. How incredible is that? The park also has a breathtaking art gallery that displays pieces by the talented artist that make magic at the Green Energy Park. We watched Emily, the girl above, make a gorgeous glass vase with glass flower details. You can see her gallery here! She was so sweet and explained the whole process to us. I highly recommend taking a tour of the GEP! Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and we learned so much. We visited some local pottery shops after leaving the Green Energy Park.
We headed to the Treehouse Pottery shop first. You can check out the map of pottery shops in Jackson County here. We met one of the owners and artist that works in the shop. Meet, Joe Frank! He is a very talented artist that holds a fine arts degree, is a member of Southern Highlands craft guild, and co-founded the Western North Carolina Pottery Festival. It’s held in Dillsboro each fall, and it’s a pretty big deal!
We had the opportunity to watch him create this piece with feathers and horsehair. It was really neat to watch, and it smelled like toasted marshmallows 🙂
Our next stop was the wonderful Riverwood Pottery Shop & Studio. This family has been creating gorgeous art for years, and we were lucky enough to watch them in action. Their fire glazed stoneware and wood-fired salt ware were breathtaking. I’d love to fill my coffee mug collection with their work.
Brant Barnes and his wife, Karen, showed us just how they create their masterpieces. What I loved about watching them is how happy they were. You can tell how much they genuinely love what they do. They didn’t settle for the 9-5, they chose the lifestyle and job that made them happy. Their eyes lit up as they told us their story. You can tell they’ve told their life story many times, but I loved the pride that radiated from their faces as they were telling it. They were talented but even more inspirational.
We headed to Innovation Brewing for some afternoon beer flights, and to learn all about their brewery scene.
I’ve never been one to look at a brewery as impressive. I’m a coffee shop and the occasional wine bar type of girl. But, Innovation Brewing changed my entire perception of the brewery scene. It’s truly a craft. No pun intended.
We had the opportunity to tour Innovation brewing with the owner, Chip Owen. You can tell he had his hands full, literally. He was working an impressively packed brewery on a rainy Saturday while keeping an eye on his adorable one year old. Yup, that’s him crawling in my photo. Chip told us that he was once so broke after getting his engineering degree that he started brewing his beers at home. His passion turned into a living dream when he opened up Innovation Brewing. Opening up the brewery wasn’t easy. He did most of the building himself with the help of friends and family. He built all the tables, put together the design, and remained hands-on the entire time. All of that hard work paid off because the brewery is a huge success. It sits on the river and has beautiful views from the outdoor patio. Innovation Brewing was such a success that he’s turning the spot next door into a pizzeria. He walked us over to show us the progress and the brick oven sitting in the middle of the future restaurant was breathtaking. It was crafted with tile art. I can’t wait to visit once it’s open and have a slice of pizza from the giant oven!
And then the fun began! It was beer time!
We all had our own flight. I went with some fruity and hoppy choices. It was hard to choose flavors because they had so many on their menu. I went with the hoppy camper, cherry sour, peach apricot, mango guava, and noble apple cider. My favorite was the noble apple cider and hoppy camper! I liked them all though.
We walked in the pouring rain all the way (1 minute) to Balsams Falls Brewing. I sorta forgot it was Halloween weekend until we walked through the doors and the entire staff was decked out in costumes from head to toe. I think one of the guys working there was dressed up as a carrot. We aren’t for sure though! He had green spiked hair, an orange shirt, and orange pants. What else could he have been?
As soon as you walk in, you are blown away by the amazing aroma of fresh popcorn. We were also excited to see Jenga sitting on one of the tables. Get this. Sorry, Jeff, but I have to call you out. Jeff is a retired lawyer/book author and writer, who has never heard of Jenga. WHAT? We ordered a flight of Balsam Falls Brewing crafts and instantly turned this into a competitive Jenga drinking game. As a way to sample the beer, you took a sip and then pulled a block from the tower. We got around to almost every single beer flavor before the tour came toppling down on Jeff on the 26th turn. I guess beginners luck wasn’t in Jeff’s favor 😉
Of course, my favorite was the pumpkin beer!
Next stop, dinner at Soul Infusion. I declare that this county should officially be king of the casual restaurant atmospheres with five-star restaurant food. Seriously. The food at Soul Infusion was NO JOKE.
Soul Infusion is nestled within the Appalachian mountain in Sylva N.C. It’s surrounded by the Blue Ridge Parkway! It’s a friendly and adorable tea house that specializes in organic loose-leaf premium teas. What a perfect place to warm up in the winter.
The menu went on forever and personalizing your food; there is no problem because everything is made in-house. Soul Infusion offers vegan, vegetarian, and pretty much anything for any diet/lifestyle. There is a reason that this cute little gem has almost five stars on Yelp, and that is difficult to do when you’ve been open for so long.
The food was so so so fresh and colorful. I’ve been vocal on my blog about my non-existence love for blue cheese and buffalo sauce. I had one bite of their buffalo-style nachos, and then another, and another. It was THAT good. It just about converted me.
I ordered their cobb salad, and it ended up being massive. My salad had bacon, turkey, chicken, avocado, onion, tomatoes, hardboiled eggs, and spring mix lettuce with a side of their herbed vinaigrette. I planned on only eating half. HA! Those plans were a joke. That salad stood no chance of survival.
They also had a coconut curry soup as a special that the group was raving about.
Stop at Soul Infusion if you can. It’s something you’ll want to experience. The owner was so friendly to us, and I’m not kidding when I say that. She hugged each one of us before leaving and sent us back with homemade chocolate cake. I’m about to put a for sale sign up in my yard and just move there already.
Becca and I woke up at 6 AM to grab a coffee and get dressed before having breakfast and going out on a morning hike. It was cold, and the first snowfall of the year! It was breathtaking though.
The Sunday morning at the Inn was so cozy and quiet. It’s a great place to have coffee and read a good book. Or, a great spot for Wifi access 😉 I don’t understand non-morning people. This is what you’re missing out on. I’m not a night person, so you could say the same about me.
I slept for about an hour or two on Saturday night. The storm and winds were loud, and our window kept slamming. I refused to get up because I was convinced it was a ghost and some weird haunted stuff was going on. The room was FREEZING! When I went to see what was slamming the window (when the sun came up obviously), I saw that we left it open the night before. That’s why it was so cold and why it kept slamming. It turns out it wasn’t a ghost at all. Becca somehow slept through the entire thing. She also slept through the part where I put my ice-cold feet on her back to warm up. Haha! This makes up for me bragging to her about how well I slept on Friday night when she had trouble sleeping.
Even though I had no sleep, I smiled through the bags under my eyes because I was so happy to be living in that moment. Coffee on the porch while watching the snowfall over the beautiful colored trees.
We headed down to the dining room at the Basalm Mountain Inn for a delicious breakfast.
The breakfast buffet was impressive. They had french toast, all kinds of cereals, bacon, biscuits and gravy, eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt, and more! I had about four cups of coffee to drink life back into me.
After breakfast, we sadly packed up our things, checked out, and headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to do the Richland Balsam Hike. When we got to the trailhead, a ranger told us that the trail was closed because of the snowy weather. I will make sure to do this hike next time!
We hit up the plan b. the Bridge Loop Trail in Sylva.
Jackson County is filled with places to raft, fish, see waterfalls, swim, hike, ziplining, horseback ride, and so much more! Check out the website for details on outdoor adventures! Ziplining and rafting are on my to-do list for the summer!
The hike was so beautiful. I think the snowfall made it even better.
Leggings // Asics // Hat <<–Dick’s Sporting Goods has the hat in like twenty different colors for $11.99
This was an incredible ending to the weekend together. It’s amazing what is out there waiting to be discovered right next to your backyard. I was so inspired by this trip to get out more. I am so grateful that Discover Jackson County and the wonderful ladies at Pineapple PR included me on this trip! They were such a fun group, and it just felt like a fun weekend away with friends.
After saying our goodbyes, Becca and I took off for Charlotte. We decided to make a few quick stops first.
We had to take photos at their awesome courthouse! I look ridiculous in the right photo and I love it! Thats a face of no sleep and happiness. Their courthouse overlooks the beautiful town of Sylva.
We agreed we’d be back as soon as we left.
We stopped at Dillsboro Chocolate Factory for coffee, fudge, and chocolates to take back with us! I also bought a bag of dog treats for the pups. Another great place for chocolates is Baxley’s Chocolates in Sylva.
Jackson County now holds a place dear to my heart. I loved every moment, and I can’t wait to bring my family back here to make memories all over again. To the people that live in Jackson County, you are incredibly lucky to be living in such a beautiful place. Your hospitality and love for your county will never be forgotten!
If you have any questions about our trip, please feel free to ask away! I’d be glad to answer any of them 🙂
Questions for you!
- What part of this trip looked like fun to you?
- Have you ever been fly fishing or horseback riding?
Disclosure! Some of the outfit links are affiliate! Thanks for keeping this blog alive. This post is not sponsored by Jackson County, but they did cover my cost for the trip!
Lisa says
Your style of writing is exceptional. You make everything sound tasty, fun and beautiful. I’ve probably commented this under tons of your Instagram posts, but I just have to again: Your positive outlook on the simple things in life is inspiring!! That’s why I love you blog!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Lisa!!
I believe in making each little moment the best moment. I do appreciate the small things more than the larger ones! It’s all about the adventure! 🙂
xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I’m so envious of you, Taralynn, the horses look so sweet! I did horseriding for over 8 years when I was a kid but had to stop because lessons here in Hong Kong were too expensive. 🙁 I wish I could get on a horse again!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Charmaine!
Funny because I feel that way towards you as well. I would LOVE to be able to explore beautiful Hong Kong. 🙂 Hopefully, you get the chance to visit the U.S. and go horseback riding here! xo You should try to do an internship here, I think you’d love it.
Melissa Webb says
What an incredible post! I had a blast exploring Jackson County with you and am so glad that you felt the area is as special of a place as we do! I just relived the awesome weekend by reading this. Thanks for coming Taralynn!
Taralynn McNitt says
I had so much fun with you as well, Melissa!! xo
Kailey says
Looks like someplace right out of a Hallmark movie!
Taralynn McNitt says
For real though!
N. Sav says
The whole trip looks really fun – I love that the one year old just chills as dad works, adorable.
Is that you singing? If so, I’m impressed – you’ve got a really nice singing voice.
Taralynn McNitt says
Yes! The trip was super fun!
Lol it was me singing, but just goofing around. haha
Yes, his son was so cute and LOVED to crawl!
Brooklyn says
Oh man, this town looks so perfect! I’ve always dreamed of moving to a cute, quaint town where everyone knows each other and are friendly. This looks like the one!
I’ve been dying to try glassblowing for years! It is such a talent!
Your weekend away looks like it was incredible! And all that food – yum 🙂
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
This was the quaint town I’ve always dreamed of!
You would have loved the energy park! I had never seen glass blowing, so I was amazed!
Kyla Woelfle says
Wow! I am so impressed at what an awesome place Jackson County is! It’s actually only about 2 hours away from me, so it sounds like I’ll have to be taking my hubby with me there sometime soon!!
Your entire trip looked like an incredible time! Exploring the shops, hiking, the pottery, all of it looks like a blast!
So glad you had an amazing time!
I have never been horse back riding or fly fishing, but they are both on my bucket list! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Kyla!
It really was. It’s that close to you? You have no excuse. You must go!!!!
Such a blast for sure. And don’t forget to add both of those activities to the list!
Maximiliane says
Those are some beautiful and stunning pictures! I love your plaid red coat! It’s sooo fall-esque!
The trip looked like a blast, and as always I’m loving all of the food pics.
1. My favorite part of your retelling of the trip was probably all the eateries you went to or descriptions of your mornings. Mornings are the most calm part of the day and really make a difference in the rest of the day, depending on how you start.
2. I’ve never been fly-fishing or horseback riding before! (Or at least not the latter by myself) I’ve been horseback riding at zoos and such, but that was ages ago and literally for five minutes, so I feel like it doesn’t count. I’ve always wanted to take lessons though, since it’s huge in Germany, and especially where my family comes from. It’s on my bucket list to take lessons so I’m hoping to tick that off my bucket list soon!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Maximiliane!
Thank you so much! 🙂 It was a wonderful trip 🙂
You get me! I feel that way about mornings too, and no matter what time I wake up or go to bed, I love to get my morning routine right!
No, you need the real deal experience! I think you would fall in love with it.
Danielle says
That video was so cute and all of your photography is breathtaking! Jackson County looks like a great place.
Taralynn McNitt says
Yes! it really is a great place 🙂 & thank you so much!
Lindsey says
It’s lovely seeing all of the fall photos. I live in AZ so I miss out on it all. Maybe I should pack up and move to Jackson County?
Taralynn McNitt says
Hahaha yes yes you should!
Jessica says
OMG! this place is AMAZING! I am 100% going here. I am so excited to tell my husband. Our Anniversary is Oct and this would be perfect for our 5 year next year! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
You have to go!!!!!
Evan says
Just gorgeous!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Evan!
Sam says
Wow this post was…breath taking. All of your photos, meals, activities, everything looks amazing. You are seriously such a beautiful person inside & out and I loved seeing how happy you were the entire weekend. That trip sounds amazing!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you so much, Sam!!! That is the sweetest!!!
Rachel @ Better LIVIN says
Looks like the PERFECT weekend getaway!
Taralynn McNitt says
It really was!
Ashley says
This blog was incredible. It really shows how much time and work you put into your blogs. I hope you never stop blogging.
Taralynn McNitt says
I honestly enjoy it so much! Thank you for the kind words, Ashley!!!!
Linda @ the Fitty says
What a beautiful Adventure you went on! The best part look like that even though you had no sleep, the place put you in such a great mood. I know that without good sleep, I would have been in tirely cranky!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hahaha I never get cranky! lol Even when I’m tired, but yes all of it was amazing!!!
Susie @ Mile High Dreamers says
This looks like SUCH a fun trip! And especially fun because it was a girl’s trip (what a perfect location for that). My girls and I have been tossing the idea around, but this made me remember how fun and GOOD for us it is to take a girls only trip sometimes!
I LOVE the horseback riding. When I was little, my dad would take us camping every year and we’d go horseback riding. I’ve been dying to take Ben sometime because he’s never gone.
You guys were too cute in that fly fishing gear too! And those colors… Holy moly!
So much good food too. I’m officially convinced that we need to visit haha.
Have a great weekend!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Susie!
The trip was inredible! You have to get and go when you can! 🙂 It’s important for sure.
You must visit in the fall or summer! That place was a treasure for sure. I’m excited to go back!!!
Becky Holbrook says
Wonderful Blog my daughter and her partner own Soul Infusion Bistro and Tea House thank you for your kind words. It’s a wonderful community.
Taralynn McNitt says
They were amazing! You have a lovely daughter! And how lucky you get to eat there whenever you want 🙂 What an amazing place! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Kelsey Weissner says
Taralynn! I love this post! I’m big into exploring new areas and I’m a sucker for more rural retreats. I’ve stayed in a few haunted b&bs and the way those places keep their history and decor intact really create an awesome vibe! The haunted b&bs I’ve stayed at include Cashtown Inn (Gettysburg, PA), Lizzie Borden B&B (Fall River, MA) and Old Talbott Tavern (Bardstown, KY). I like the feeling of being a little scared, especially when I can’t explain a noise I hear for example haha!
Jackson County seems amazing. I hope I get the opportunity to add it to my travel list soon! It really makes huge impact when the locals are so nice. I feel the same way whenever I’m traveling in the south. My boyfriend and I live and are from Baltimore, so when we drive to South Carolina to visit his parents, we are completely flabbergasted by how genuinely nice everyone is! The part of your trip that looked fun to me was definitely fly fishing. I grew up fishing with my dad and I absolutely love it. I’ve never tried that before, so it’d be fun to take it to the next level!
Have an awesome weekend! -Kelsey
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Kelsey
Then you would have LOVED the Jackson County area for sure. Becca has been trying to get me to stay at the Lizzie Borden B&B forever! Might have to do a little surprise stay sometime.
These locals were more than just nice. No words describe how friendly they were. They really treated you like family! Omg…Fly fishing was so fun!!!!! You feel like you’re really in it because you’re literally IN THE WATER! haha
xo
Jessie says
I love to go fishing and horseback riding myself .
I definitely would love to take this trip with my bestie your pictures are beautiful I have to check this place out. It looks like you and Becca had such a great time you girls look like so much fun to hang with. I know me and mh best friend would of been up looking up the haunting history of the Inn also ( I thought we were the only crazy ones like that 😜)
Also you have such a beautiful voice !!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Jessie!
We really did have a blast, and maybe it’s because I’m biased but I think we are pretty fun too lol I mean, we have so much fun together! 🙂 Sounds like you and your bestie are the same! Anything haunted gets us super excited!!! Maybe we are all the crazy ones.
xo xo xo thanks for the kind words!!
Haylie says
I’m so mad at myself! I totally thought I saw you and I was like there is no way she is in Sylva it must be a college kid that looks like her. I can’t believe I didn’t say anything. Glad you enjoyed your trip! Wish I had said hi. Next time you’re here check out Sazon. It’s Mexican but they use really fresh ingredients and are amazing! Still can’t believe it was really you in our little town.
Taralynn McNitt says
Haha that is too funny!
First off, thank you for thinking I look like a college kid 😉
I’ll let you know next time I’m back around, and maybe we can grab a coffee ;)! You are so lucky that you go to school in that area. Such a lovely spot! And thank you for the recommendations! I’ll definitely try out Sazon next time. I love Mexican food!
xoxo
Em says
That salmon from Lulu’s looks incredible! Is it true that the inn used to be boarded up? Were you scared?
Taralynn McNitt says
It was AMAZING!!
That is what we read!:):) Also, no way!! WE LOVE SCARY STUFF!!!!
Lucia says
Wow! These photos are breathtaking.
I have always been in love with your style!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you so much!!!
Suzi says
You and Beca sound like me and my best friend! We are always looking for adventure, coffee, and ghosts! haha
Taralynn McNitt says
I think we’d all get along! 🙂
Ashton Jury says
Even though I’m born and raised a California girl, you’re really making me reconsider about the south! I am blown away with the beauty of Jackson, and I loved that post you did a while ago too in the Smoky Mountains with Kyle! Keep it up, also curious if you have thought about doing a Thanksgiving foods post? I need some help with side ideas!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Ashton!
It’s a different lifestyle than California, and I love it! You may want to plan a trip 🙂
I loved the smoky mountains with Kyle as well!!
I may if I have time, but I have a ton of Thanksgiving recipes on the blog that are my go-tos! 🙂
Anonymous says
Funn you brought like four coats
Taralynn McNitt says
I had to lol. But only three! My winter coat, my dressier coat, and my raincoat!
Rachel says
I’ve been to Lulu’s on Maine! I can’t believe you were in Sylva! My grandmother lives there and I visit her every year.
Taralynn McNitt says
That is awesome!!! You’re lucky to get to go there yearly!! I may have to do the same!
kelli says
I love how happy you look and what a great weekend you had! We’ve missed seeing Becca!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Kelli!!
I know SO HAVE I!! lol but in all fairness her schedule this year has been insane! She’s a go-getter!
Rayna says
I love hauntings too! haha
Taralynn McNitt says
How can you not?
Andy says
Your plaid coat is adorable!
Taralynn McNitt says
Well thank you!
Jessie says
I’m about to go book myself a vacation to Jackson County now! My boyfriend and I also live in Charlotte!
Taralynn McNitt says
Oh, that is awesome! YOU Won’t be disappointed!
Elda says
Great job with the post! That Inn looked so cozy.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Elda! xo
nicole @ bento momentos says
Everything looked fun!! Now I want to fly all the way there. Great post!
Taralynn McNitt says
Definitely worth it!!
Claudia says
Loved everything about this post. I bet the Inn is great at Christmas time.
Taralynn McNitt says
IT IS!
Katie says
Wow looks like SUCH A FUN TIME!! You girls look like you really enjoyed yourselves. Beautiful place to visit!
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!!! Such a great time!!
Jenna says
I’ve been horseback riding but never fly-fishing. Since following your blog, I want to take a trip to Charlotte, and now Jackson County.
I loved the fall foliage, and all the cute little shops
Taralynn McNitt says
Lol add them both to your list!!:)
Sophie says
Definitely putting that spot on my “to visit”-list. What an aforable place you stayed at! 😍 Y’all look like you had a great time. I canmt get over Becca’s gorgeous smile. She’s so beautiful!
Taralynn McNitt says
She is!! 🙂
& yes a very fun and affordable trip to make!
Tess says
Fly fishing looks so fun! You have a great voice.
Taralynn McNitt says
It was a blast!!
& thank you i was kind of just joking around with the singing though haha
Taylor says
Can you come make my city sound fun? haha
Taralynn McNitt says
Ha! Whats funny is we never appreciate the city we are living in. You just have to be a tourist in your own town ever so often!
Jessica says
This whole trip looks like an absolute dream! Definitely putting it on my list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing!
Taralynn McNitt says
YES DO!
Barb says
Beautiful post!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!
Amy says
I love your green coat!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!!
Tiffany says
This an amazing post! I am always looking for 4 day trip ideas and Jackson County seems perfect! Or least your pictures make it look perfect 🙂 Can’t wait to check these places out!
Taralynn McNitt says
yes! let me know how you like them !
Annie & Markie says
I visited here after reading your blog and it was everything you said it was going to be! I also ordered the salmon at Lulu’s. Thank you for this post and I hope you continue to do more travel blogs.
Annie & Markie
Taralynn McNitt says
That makes me so happy!!
stephanie says
wow it looks beautiful and like a good trip..I am a newbie in Charlotte,NC..would love to take a trip there
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s a lovely place!
Taylor says
Taralynn,
I found your blog when browsing pinterest for Disney tips (your 7 day itinerary). I saved your post and then came back later to check out your blog. I found this blog post and was completely thrilled; Sylva is my home town. I thought it was quite humorous how the stars align sometimes, and I just wanted to share my story with you to see if you got a kick out of it like I did. Thanks for your awesome posts!
Taylor
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Taylor!
How crazy is that?! I think it’s so cool that you’re from Sylva! I really loved walking around that quaint town!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! 😃
Kyle says
That looked like an amazing trip! The foliage there looked beautiful. We didn’t have a good year for foliage. I’m a photographer, so I️ was pretty bummed about this season. Maybe I️ should have come down there to get my foliage shots this year