Secret Appalachian Highlands: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

The Appalachian Highlands, a rural region consisting of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, is world-famous for its country music treasures, fast cars, early pioneer history, and breathtaking natural scenery. It is centered on the tri-cities of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, and is surrounded by smaller communities and rural wonderlands. Secret Appalachian Highlands: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure digs deeper and uncovers some of the region’s lesser-known places, mysterious stories, and creative oddities. Each community in the Appalachian Highlands has its share of secret attractions, such as Jonesborough, Tennessee’s, pillory; dinosaur creations in Bluff City, Tennessee; and the wolves of Abingdon, Virginia. A few famous faces, including President Andrew Johnson, NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt Jr., and pop-culture icons Tennessee Ernie Ford and Hank Williams Sr. have all made their unique mark on the Appalachian Highlands. The region also features some of the nation’s most spectacular natural features, including one known as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Local author Robert Sorrell will introduce you to the secret side of the Appalachian Highlands, a treasure trove of intriguing peculiarities and hidden history just waiting to be explored.