Perhaps now you'll understand my new-found addiction to this place. There aren't too many towns where Main Street shares the Appalachian Trail, after crossing an excellent whitewater river where a 103-degree natural hot spring bubbles-up into 12 open-air jacuzzi tubs tucked discretely into a forest.

Oh yeah, it's on the Tennessee border, so there are two national forests (Pisgah and Cherokee) and a few good muddin' roads. For those not interested in slopping-up their ride, SR 209 is one of NC's most scenic rural roads. A 30 minute drive south on 209 and you'll lose count of the hairpins as you ascend through classic Appalachia to Max Patch, a grassy-bald - with a 360 degree view of the Smokies and Blue Ridge Mountains - where zepplins once brought socialites to visit the spas in Hot Springs on their way to the Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate in Asheville.

No, I don't even work for the Chamber of Commerce!

Except that there is only one gas station and one DIY car-wash bay, I swear, it's THE perfect place for a southeastern states meet

Oh, and I have word there might be a secluded cabin available on Deer Park Mountain that sleeps up to 3 couples for $125 per night for the first couple, and $25 for each additional person.