Just 100 miles from Charlotte is the most visited national park in America and one of the most spectacular drives in the world – the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fall color makes its panoramic mountain views, hikes and waterfalls even more beautiful. According to RomanticAsheville.com, the foliage change got off to an early start this year. However, the last two weeks of summer-like temperatures slowed the change. Cooler weather is arriving for the next week, so brilliant hues should develop quickly in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

Right now, most of the Parkway is still mostly green with spots of color. The best colors now are found on the highest ridges in the Grandfather Mountain area.

During the next few weeks, color will spread down the highest peaks to the valleys that include Asheville and Biltmore. The first two weeks of November will have the most areas of peak color. Even after the ridges peak, their kaleidoscope views down into the foothills could continue until the middle of November.

Since the Blue Ridge Parkway is a part of the National Park Service, you won’t find billboards, roadside businesses or many directional signs. You’ll need to go old-school to find the best places on the Blue Ridge Parkway, since there are no street addresses for your GPS. Mile posts along the road marks your location.

Take along this list of must-stops in the greater Asheville area:

• Milepost 302.8: Be amazed at the views from boardwalks and boulders along the Rough Ridge trail with the first colors of the season, peaking this week.
• Milepost 316.3: See Linville Falls from five vantage points along two hiking trails.
• Milepost 328.3: Get a dose of mountain life at Orchard at Altapass! Pick apples, take a hayride and learn some mountain dances with live Appalachian music.
• Milepost 339.5: Hike to Crabtree Falls, a gorgeous setting deep in the forest.
• Milepost 355.4: Drive to the top of Mt Mitchell, the highest mountain in the eastern USA! See the 360-degree views from the observation deck. Heads up: ice and snow is possible in October.
• Milepost 382: Exploring the Folk Art Center is more fascinating than many big city art museums, and it’s free. See creations from hundreds of top artists and start your holiday shopping.
• Milepost 384: Stop at the Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville for up-to-date info, nature exhibits and a HD film.
• Milepost 407.6: Pisgah Inn: Dine at 5,000 feet elevation with amazing views.
• Milepost 422.4: Climb the short-but-steep trail to the top of Devil’s Courthouse for some of the best views on the east coast.

• Milepost 431.4: Take a selfie by the sign at Richland Balsam, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,053 feet elevation.

Richland Balsam overlook is the highest elevation that the Blue Ridge Parkway reaches. Have you been? pc: @carson_andrew_h

A post shared by Visit NC Smokies (@visitncsmokies) on Oct 3, 2017 at 7:10am PDT

Other tips before you explore the Blue Ridge Parkway include filling your gas tank ahead, taking snacks or picnic and packing a jacket since temperatures will be as much as 20 degrees cooler than Charlotte!

For more info, go to the Asheville Fall Color Guide and the Blue Ridge Parkway Top 20 Fall Stops on RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide.

With the labor force participation rate rising to 62.8% in September (just 0.5% below where we were at the end of 2019), WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring.

In order to see where employers are struggling the most in hiring, the site compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the rate of job openings for both the latest month and the last 12 months.

South Carolina was found to be the 3rd worst state in America when it comes to hiring, and North Carolina wasn’t far behind, coming in at #10.

States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has reported two cases of mpox in the last six weeks, marking the first occurrences since April 2023. Additionally, the mpox virus was found in one of 12 monitored wastewater sites across different counties, indicating a wider spread in the state. NCDHHS is collaborating with local health entities to raise awareness, promote testing, and enhance vaccine accessibility, especially for high-risk individuals. Resources include the Mpox Equity Report, Communications Toolkit, and the Take Pride Now campaign.

“If you are at higher risk for mpox and haven’t yet gotten the vaccine, now is a good time to do so,” said NC State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore in a press release. “Numbers of cases have been low recently thanks to vaccinations and engagement of partners in the LGBTQ+ community, but this is a reminder that mpox is still with us.”

Mpox symptoms resemble the flu, such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, followed by a rash. The rash’s appearance can vary in timing. The disease is contagious until all sores are healed. It spreads through direct contact, body fluids, or respiratory secretions, often during intimate interactions. The current outbreak predominantly affects men who have sex with men, with over half of the cases involving individuals with HIV.

Those suspecting they have mpox or have been in contact with an infected person should consult a healthcare provider. It’s also advisable to get tested for other STDs, including HIV and syphilis, which are increasing in North Carolina.

For prevention, NCDHHS and the CDC recommend five specific steps:

• Get vaccinated. Vaccines, including the JYNNEOS vaccine, are free and available, regardless of immigration status. Vaccination can protect against mpox infection or reduce disease severity if infection does occur. NCDHHS recommends vaccination for —
  • Anyone who has or may have multiple or anonymous sex partners; or
  • Anyone whose sex partners are eligible per the criteria above; or
  • People who know or suspect they have been exposed to mpox in the last 14 days; or
  • Anyone else who considers themselves to be at risk for mpox through sex or other intimate contact.
  • Use the mpox vaccine locator to find nearby healthcare locations in your area that provide mpox vaccinations.
• Take steps to lower your risk during sex or at social gatherings, like using a condom correctly every time you have sex.
• Avoid close contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials a person with mpox has used.
• Wash your hands often.