Technology is a wonderful thing, but everyone has been on that one vacation or weekend when you tried to get away from it all and “it all” somehow still found its way to you.
Unplugging from the internet and demands of work contacts can be difficult, but it’s definitely worth it—here are a few activities to help you put down the electronics and get outside in the mountains.
Hiking
What’s a trip to the mountains without a hike? If you’re not an experienced hiker, don’t worry—not everyone is cut out for the Appalachian Trail, and there are plenty of smaller trails that just about anyone can manage.
For a mile loop with several waterfalls, check out the Rufus Morgan Trail! Any history buffs or castle lovers will fall for the spectacular views and old fire tower at Wayah Bald.
Gem Mining
If you want to get down to the root of the mountains and don’t mind getting a little muddy, gem mining is the way to go! Franklin has several placer mines where sapphires and rubies abound—you can choose to sift through unaltered buckets of stones and dirt for treasure, or you can always get an enriched bucket that has small gems added for a guaranteed find.
Parks
Macon County has several spectacular parks all over town, so there’s plenty to choose from depending on what your family enjoys doing. Frisbee, hammocking, batting cages, playgrounds, creek, and walking trails abound—check out the Parker Meadows Complex for starters and plan a fun day outdoors!
The Little Tennessee River Greenway
For anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors a little closer to town, the Little Tennessee River Greenway is a lovely place to walk, bike, or run. The entire Greenway is around six miles, but there are plenty of entry and exit points with pavilions and parking lots if you’d rather not walk the entire way.
Putting away your internet access and phone contacts for a few days may seem daunting at first, but when you realize how much there is to do outdoors in the mountains, you’ll find it’s not too hard at all! We hope you enjoy your time to unplug and wind down—we can’t wait to host you in Franklin!
