Jim Hargan – författare

With visitation levels that rival Orlando and New York City, the southern Appalachians draw a huge array of weekenders, adventurers, and long-term visitors. This book offers historical insight, outdoor adventure, and all the information most travelers need to plan and enjoy their journey. This guide also serves as an insider's handbook to the nine national parks, offering active travelers the best access points and trailheads for kayaking, biking, and hiking excursions. In addition, this comprehensive guide to the region includes opinionated listings of inns, B&Bs, hotels, and vacation cabins; hundreds of dining reviews, from barbecue to four-star cuisine; up-to-date maps; an alphabetical "What's Where" subject guide to aid in trip planning; and handy icons that point out family-friendly establishments, wheelchair access, places of special value, and lodgings that accept pets.

From America’s most popular national parks to the sands of the Outer Banks to the cool peaks of the tallest mountains in the East, writer/photographer Jim Hargan covers everything worth seeing and doing in his home state. Explore wilderness areas on bicycle or by kayak, visit sleepy hamlets or lively downtowns, enjoy fine dining or country cooking on your quest for the authentic Tarheel experience.

On the border between North Carolina and Tennessee lie the forests and mountains of America’s mostvisited national park, Great Smoky MountainsNational Park. Renowned for the diversity of its plantand animal life—the most biological diversity of anyarea in the world’s temperate zone—this beautifulplace also boasts some of the last remaining pocketsof Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Thepark offers countless opportunities to capture itsbeauty and diversity on film, and in this book professional photographer and writer Jim Hargan leadsyou to some of the best photo sites throughout this800-square-mile wonderland.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s most popular scenic roadway and national park, offers 469 miles of spectacular views, wildflowers, forests, waterfalls, and more. Appalachian photographer and writer Jim Hargan guides you to its best spots, with details on where to find your favorite photo subjects, as well as a wealth of information about when to shoot, how to create the best compositions—even where to park.