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Burke County's Funky Fun
View from the bank at Lake James.
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Burke County's Funky Fun
Michael Lowther, owner of Overmountain Cycles in downtown Morganton.
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Burke County's Funky Fun
SML writer Susanna Shetley harnesses up with Thermal Valley Hang Gliding owner and instructor Craig Pearson for a tandem experience.
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Burke County's Funky Fun
High Shoals Falls at South Mountains State Park.
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Burke County's Funky Fun
Etta Baker statue outside the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium.
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Burke County's Funky Fun
Fonta Flora Covered Bridge near the Linville Access Area of Lake James.
Blessed with urban amenities and a scenic mountain backdrop, Burke County is located in the central west part of North Carolina. As the county seat, Morganton is quickly becoming a sought-after mecca for art, entertainment and cuisine.
Along with a fun and funky vibe, the town and surrounding areas offer a plethora of outdoor adventuring options. Within 515 square miles are opportunities for hiking, canoeing, waterfall viewing, cycling, mountain biking, fly fishing, rock climbing, hang gliding and boating. I recently enjoyed several of these activities firsthand.
Tandem Hang Gliding
When asked if I wanted to try tandem hang gliding, I was admittedly nervous. I’m not a fan of heights, especially when soaring over an open field. After some thought, I decided to try it. Thermal Valley Hang Gliding is an instruction-based hang gliding experience based at Foothills Regional Airport between Morganton and Lenoir.
Owners Craig and Laura Pearson have operated the business since 2011 with the goal of re-igniting a sport that was widely popular through the late 1970s and 1980s. Craig, a USHPA certified aerotow tandem hang glider instructor with 28 years of experience shares each flight with patrons and teaches them to control the glider after releasing from the tow plane.
Once I was attached to Craig in the glider, I felt more confident about my decision. His jovial personality and optimism served as solid antidotes for the anxiety, and throughout the flight he explained each maneuver. So, hang gliding was simultaneously nerve-wracking and exhilarating, and the view was stunning.
Thermal Valley is one of few aerotow hang gliding venues in the region, with a location at the Outer Banks and one at Lookout Mountain in Tennessee being the others.
Bike Riding
Road and mountain biking are both popular in Burke County. Overmountain Cycles in downtown Morganton offers a variety of group bike rides, including town rides and more rustic dirt rides. I enjoyed a group ride through downtown Morganton with owner Michael Lowther as our guide. Via two wheels, you can truly experience the history and architecture of the town. The rugged group rides are more intense, and it’s suggested that participants possess at least an intermediate level of skill to ensure safety.
For avid bike riders who may not need a guide or the safety net of a group, there are plenty of mountain biking trails in the area. Some of the well-liked trails include Upper Falls, Table Rock, Thorps Creek and Upper Wilson’s Ridge, though there are many others from which to choose. The terrain and elevation of Burke County are well-suited for this popular sport.
Hiking and Waterfalls
Lake James State Park and South Mountains State Park are two of the biggest tourism draws for Burke County. Nature enthusiasts from around the globe enjoy these two jewels, and together they attract nearly 900,000 visitors per year. Also extremely popular is the Linville Gorge, located in the mountainous northern region of the county. The gorge is the deepest in the eastern United States and home to the beautiful Linville Falls.
South Mountains State Park is North Carolina’s largest state park, with more than 40 miles of trails, an 18-mile mountain bike loop, and 24 backpacking campsites at seven locations. Elevations up to 3,000 feet and an 80-foot waterfall offer spectacular views. The park is also a hot spot for fly fishing and horseback riding.
During my visit, we hiked a moderate trail and made our way to High Shoals Falls, a must-see if you’re visiting the area. It’s a quintessential waterfall, cascading elegantly and spraying faint mist on the faces of onlookers.
Authorized in 2015, the Fonta Flora State Trail is a relatively recent attraction to Burke County. The earthen trail will be approximately 100 miles long and connect Morganton to Asheville via hiking and biking. It will traverse Lake James State Park, part of Pisgah National Forest, and Fonta Flora County Park in Burke County. It will also connect to the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail.
Burke County’s tourism tagline is “Nature’s Playground,” and I could not agree more. As the entryway to the mountains from the eastern part of the state, it’s a welcoming place with kind people and adventurous opportunities for visitors of all ages.