What is the name of the NC mountain chain where I am at?

[Belgique]

I'm so confused. I'm a flat lander now living in Hickory NC, east of Asheville and SE of Boone. Would a local please explain the name of the beautiful mountains I see. I hear Great Smokey's; Appalachian's; Blue Ridge; etc. They all seem to be used interchangeably. Thanks in advance.

[tatest]

Sets and subsets of geographic names. Great Smoky Mountains at the south end of the Blue Ridge are part of the Appalachian Mountains which extend from Georgia into Maritime Canada.

Like wondering whether you are from Cedar Island, or North Carolina, or the United States of America, or North America. The answer is yes.

[Terryallan]

Belgique wrote:
OP here. The earlier suggestions to go peep at leaves this week was spot on. We started the climb out of Morganton and ended up in Blowing Rock. Beauty around every turn. We did notice that it depended on which side of the mountain as to the degree of color. Our guess is that there will be a great show for another 2 weeks (unless a storm comes through). Thanks for all the comments on the names of the ranges.

IF you like apples. You should go up 16 to Sugarloaf out past Taylorsville. The BEST Winesap apples you will ever taste. tart, and fresh this time of year. They also have cider, and locally made jellies, Jams, Preserves, Apple butter, AND sugar Free apple butter, jellies, and preserves. Also have all kinds of candy and such. Well worth the trip.

[Belgique]

OP here. The earlier suggestions to go peep at leaves this week was spot on. We started the climb out of Morganton and ended up in Blowing Rock. Beauty around every turn. We did notice that it depended on which side of the mountain as to the degree of color. Our guess is that there will be a great show for another 2 weeks (unless a storm comes through). Thanks for all the comments on the names of the ranges.

[tragusa3]

Guess I say it wrong...can't argue with that logic.

[Terryallan]

Well since I was born it has been Appa-latch-an. And when DD graduated from App. The Chancellor pronounced it Appa-latch-an, and since there is not a y in it, or any thing that even looks, or sounds like a y. And since the Indians named them, and a Hatchet is called a hatchet, and not a lay chet. I'm going with Appa-latch-an

[RedRocket204]

Terryallan wrote:
Can't understand why any one would travel overseas before they have done the US, and that will take years. This has got to be the prettiest Land in the world.

I have traveled to almost all 50 states and for scenery Alaska has got to be my favorite. I have also been fortunate enough to travel to a number of international locations. So to answer why one would travel overseas... to experience the vast cultural differences and see how others live in this diverse world.

But you are right, the US has amazing natural beauty all over the place and is very diverse... one of the reasons the US is very high on a lot of foreign tourist's lists. Something I hear a lot when visiting other countries.

[NanciL]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Now that we have determined they are the Appalachian chain of mountains, how do you pronounce the name?

Up here in Ohio I often here it pronounced appa-lay-shun

During my time in the Southern Appalachians I learned to pronounce it appa-latch-un

Up north it is pronounced Appalay--
Down south it is pronounced Appalatch--

jack L

[Pawz4me]

Appa-latch-un

[beemerphile1]

Now that we have determined they are the Appalachian chain of mountains, how do you pronounce the name?

Up here in Ohio I often here it pronounced appa-lay-shun

During my time in the Southern Appalachians I learned to pronounce it appa-latch-un

[Terryallan]

ken56 wrote:
For those who of us have been fortunate enough to be able to travel from one coast to the other, the stunning beauty of this land we live in is so diverse its hard to find words to do it justice. Nuff said.

I have been lucky enough to drive coats to coast. I have sat with my toes in the Atlantic, and sat on a cliff 1000' over the Pacific. I have seen it snow on a mountain beside of us from above. Looks like God shaking salt. I have looked down roads that are straight as a stick until they fade out of sight. America has EVERYTHING to offer. Can't understand why any one would travel overseas before they have done the US, and that will take years. This has got to be the prettiest Land in the world. God has truly blessed US.

[dodge_guy]

I wish I was RV'ing and forgot where in the country I was LOL!

It is a beautiful area! He Appalachians are truly beautiful, especially this time of year!

[tragusa3]

This is an interesting conversation. We envied those with access to the Rockies for all of our lives. Two years ago, we finally went on our trip out west. It WAS amazing. However, our hearts skipped a beat when coming back east and driving through our Appalachia. We realized at that moment that beauty is in all forms...not better or worse.

We're no longer envious, but do still want to get back to the Rockies every chance we get.

[ken56]

For those who of us have been fortunate enough to be able to travel from one coast to the other, the stunning beauty of this land we live in is so diverse its hard to find words to do it justice. Nuff said.

[NanciL]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
The DW and I are from the other side and we found the Appalachian Range absolutely unbelievable. We have entirely different type of fauna and different mountains, the BRP was an unforgettable experience. While our ranges are taller, I found that the detour we were forced on to was the steepest, windiest road I have ever been on. Yes you have mountains, beautiful but different from ours in the West. Come visit ours but don't expect them to be the same.

We have been to all the mountain ranges. East, West and Alaska.

We describe our eastern ones as "friendly" and the western ones as "sharp".
We love them all and feel blessed to live in this beautiful country

Jack L