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Best of the Outdoors

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Cara Ellen Modisett

The Winners

Moses Cone Manor

Scenic Overlook

Platinum: Linn Cove Viaduct , Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 304 in North Carolina
Platinum: Peaks of Otter, Va., Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 86 in Virginia
Gold: Brasstown Bald, Ga.

Blue Ridge Parkway Stop

Platinum: Mabry Mill, Va. (MP 176.2)
Gold: Peaks of Otter, Va.
(MP 86) Silver: Moses H. Cone Manor, N.C. (MP 294) (right)

Skyline Drive Stop
Platinum: Big Meadows
Gold: Skyland Lodge

Davidson River Fishing River
Platinum: The New River
Gold: The James River
Silver: The Davidson River (right)
Fishing Lake
Platinum: Smith Mountain Lake, Va.
Gold: Price Lake, N.C.
Silver: Lake Hartwell, S.C.

Biking Trail
Platinum: Virginia Creeper Trail, Va.
Gold: New River Trail, Va.
Silver: Greenbrier River Trail, W.Va.

Hiking Trail (Non-AT)
Platinum (tie): Panther Creek
Virginia Creeper Trail
Gold(tie): The Foothills Trail
Peaks of Otter
Silver: New River Trail

Stretch of the Appalachian Trail
Platinum: Roan Mountain
Gold: Catawba's "Triple Crown"

Family Getaway
Platinum: Pigeon Forge
Gold: Gatlinburg

Snowshoe Ski Resort Ski Resort
Platinum: Snowshoe Mountain Resort (right)
Gold: Ski Beech
Silver:Wintergreen Resort


Golf Resort
Platinum: Brasstown Valley Resort
Gold: Greenbrier Resort
Silver: The Homestead

Whitewater River
Platinum: The Nantahala River
Gold: The New River
Silver: The Gauley River
Silver:The Ocoee River

Canoeing River
Platinum: The New River
Gold: The James River
Silver: The Hiawassee River
Silver: The Nantahala River

Sunrise/Sunset Spot
Platinum: Mt. LeConte
Gold: Brasstown Bald
Silver: Waterrock Knob

Campground
Platinum: Cades Cove
Gold: Doughton Park

Country Drive
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Gold: Cades Cove
Click here for more country drives recommended by our readers..

Birding Area
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Platinum: Cades Cove

Wildlife Viewing Area
Platinum: Cades Cove
Gold: Grandfather Mountain
Silver: Great Smoky Mountains

Motorcycle Ride
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Gold: Tail of the Dragon

Biltmore EstateRegional Garden
Platinum: Biltmore (right)
Gold: North Carolina Arboretum

National Park
Platinum: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gold: Shenandoah National Park
Silver: Blue Ridge Parkway

Fall Foliage
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Gold: Great Smoky Mountains National Park