Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / June 24, 2004, edition 1 / Page 9
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TRAVEL Swain County i is a cool mountain town to spend some summer days i in Swain County is swell. That's a good way to describe the many amuse- ments and spectacular mountain scenery that awaits visitors to that west- ern North Carolina destina- tion. First, a bit of history. Swain County was formed from Jackson and Macon counties in 1871. It was named for David L. Swain (1806-1868), a governor of North Carolina and presi- dent of the University of North Carolina. Swain County has 533 square miles of area, 85 per- cent of which is owned by the federal government. About 200,000 acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Swain County. Also, 21,000 acres within the Nantahala National Forest and several thousand acres of Tennessee Valley Authority land are also in Swain. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians hold another 30,000 acres of property in the county. If you're looking for some peace and quiet, Swain County is a good place to start. The county’s year round population is just 12,300 folks. The county was also picked by “Outdoor Magazine” among its choic- es as “best places to live.” Cool weather is the norm in Swain County. The aver- age year-round temperature is.74 degrees. Of course the winter temps are really cool with an average of 40 degrees. Swain’s ‘elevation and location in the Smoky Mountains means rainfall is usually abundant. The aver- age yearly amount is 60 inches. On the higher slopes, that figure an approach 90 inches per year. Highway access to and from Swain County is excel- lent. Highways 19, 23, and 74 offer quick access to 1-40. Highway 441 goes over the mountains to Gatlinburg in Tennessee and southward to Georgia. Travel time to the point of a huge tunnel, and then abandoned. The drive is a twisting mountain road that’s bor- dered by lush vegetation and in places offers a look at Fontana Lake below. Near the tunnel, there’s a place to park your car and walk. One trail follows Noland Creek ~ and another actually lets you walk the length of the famous tunnel. Horseback riding is a popular activity in this area and it’s not unusual to see a number of folks and their steeds along the way. Swain County is home to the tallest dam in Eastern North America. Built during World War II, Fontana Dam was a project of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Standing over 400 feet tall, Fontana Dam is 376 feet wide at its base and contains J1571 2004 JEEP WRANGLER R BICON 2.8 million cubic yards of concrete. Fontana Lake is 10,640 acres in size with 240 miles of shoreline. Visitors to Fontana Dam can walk across the top and peer over at the Little Tennessee River far, far below. A welcome center has information about the dam as well as a snack bar and restrooms. Fontana Lake offer several places to rent boats as well as Fontana Village with lodging and other amenities. The Cherokee people have been a part of the Swain County landscape for centuries, so it’s little won- der their story past an pres- ent is still being played out there. A well-known tourist - town for decades, Cherokee is a conglomeration of gift ships, eateries, the site of the ERE C4095 2004 TOWN & COUNTRY LIMITED te rt th 4 0 Et HCE ll 0 1 on Rs 1 Se UE te The Kings Mountain Herald Swain County is available at www.greatsmokies.com or Bryson City at by calling the Swain County 3681. outdoor drama “Horn in he West,” and more. More information on AT Ll a CLT ag agi? A gl Sh or iil i A Ju? Thursday, June 24, 2004 Chamber of Commerce in 1-828-488- Photo courtesy NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development Sommer Sala © FAY Bh J1535 2004 JEEP LIBERTY SPORT raves: ee 923,084 2005 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE CONVERTIBLE rs Disc. ........ ig oe MSRP.........0.... $39,479 yr Disc. ........61,871 Rebate ........ $2, 000 Shelby DiC... $10,000 Rebate ................. $3,000 NOW IN. SOO A700 S18 921 2*F | £3.,% 19 Oy AD - STOCK! Ev A | J1521 C4119 a i a = ee Swain County from either Gaston or Cleveland coun- ties is under three hours. 2004 CHRYSLER © : 2004 JEEP GRAND PACIFICA 2004 CHRYSLER CHERO KEE SEBRING Sr Co ry EAMSRELL $35,194 300M wsre... 9,104 MSRP...........$21,604 | | good place to take in a vari- 5} Shelby Disc. ene $92,794 MSRP.........coeee. ..$33, 28% Shelby Disc. aresvees ye 153 Shelby Disc. $1,804 < ety of activities there or to FA Rebatef........ $4,500 Shelby Disc. .......$7,000 Rebate ............$4,500 Rebate .............$8) 500 use as a jumping off spot of : i Pw, : i nO se = - : my 3 | ional attractions. SHY ON * 9 : hE SEH TH REA * So Le « 2 iis Ratt fronigh the Zi 3 “ J U L ud oD yg Wy © ’ fs d 8 : 45 - N : . 16 OU J 4 | middle of town, the Great Smoky Mountain Railway is perhaps Bryson City’s most popular draw. Each year sees thousands of folks come to Bryson, board the train, and take a tour of the sur- rounding mountains. Another neat thing to do in Bryson City is riding inner tubes down Deep Creek. The creek is an icy cold stream about two miles outside of town at the entrance to the Deep Creek campground and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Tubes with seats (a must) rent for just a few dollars per id day. Several vendors offer the circles of rubber and there are also places to change your clothes. In addi- tion to tubing, Deep Creek HUGE deiscrion OF QUALITY PRE: OWNED JosariEmn. 10 chodsE FROM! 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA || 2003 JEEP LIBERTY ARDED] : P2955 *17,.888 P2926 $16,888 £19,995 = | 2000 HONDA Xp 8 ‘15,88 2001 FORD ESCORT N17 SO, 888 || 257: 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2003 NISSAN MURANO “4° MUST SEE! [22 UST SEE! Silver Cloth Opti ions, 2003 JEEP LIBERTY RENEGADE | 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1150A 19,995 J15738 ‘9,988 2002 TOWN & COUNTRY Site 16,995 ! has a series of hiking trails, | i trout fishing areas, picnic ] ara || D a : Eu | | | 3 || tables and places fo pitch 04 NISSAN QUEST 04 PONTIAC GRAND AM | 2003 DUN i 2001 BMW 23 $16, chuses’ t. A this i dg ye fi pr WEL MUST SEE! : 6000 mils $13,888 eM $18,995" Like xd °23,495| {ne Wes 1 ,888| > tain forest. 5 — About 20 minutes from JCERTIFIED .. PRO CERTIFIED Bryson City, the Nantahala Lo JITED WARRANTY : : TiN ngine, transmission, River Is olis of fhe mila ALL CERTIFIED USED VEHICLES INCLUDE: : *3 Months/3000 Mile Limited Warranty top whitewater rafting areas. - Drive Axle, Brakes, *Major Component Coverage There are plenty of compa- Electrical, Front Suspension, : : ; Air Conditioning and Steerin ies Pink offofntiing exons *12 Months Worry-Free, 24 Hr. Roadside Assist. 9 9 sions on the river, so just ride 24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE | i * 12 Full Months of Coverage | = Flat Tire Service i BY » Towing Assistance lo : * Dead Battery ¢ Out of Gas i iB x. * Keys Locked In | BH i * Toll Free 800 Number Access | | 1 along Highway 19 and take your pick. A float down the Nantahala is an adventure you will never forget, though at times it’s crowded. About 400,000 folks each year give ita try. For a quieter time, take fs the Road to Nowhere out of 5 Bryson City to its terminus SALES HOURS: about hone ples om fe Sh | me Mon.-Fri. 9am-Tpm ar Be aoe 13 10 E. Dixon Bivd., Shelby, NC Saturday 9am-5pm from a highway that was started in 1943, finished to *$1,000 rebate if financed through Chrysler Financial included in price, plus tax, tag and DOC fee of $299.50 OAC. Offer ends 6-30-04. 7 ww. shelbvmoto Om www.shelbvmotor.com www.shelbvmotor.com www.shelbvmof IR tre lo i Te fe dele ERIN Www.snhelbymotor.com ® Www.Shi
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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June 24, 2004, edition 1
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