Appalachian Stories

If you grew up in the mountains, you’ve probably heard someone talk about “witching a well.” Before water lines reached the high ridges, families leaned on neighbors who claimed they could read the ground with a forked branch. Whether folks believed every detail or not, the practice shaped everyday decisions. Water witching folklore grew from…

The Parkway Looks Natural, But It Isn’t Most travelers pull off at a Blue Ridge overlook, believing the scene has always looked that way. They take in the ridgeline, the sweep of open meadow, the clean line where the forest breaks, and they assume the mountains arranged themselves for the camera. The view feels ancient….