The Height of Happiness

Issue: July - 2022

As temperatures rise, people seek the coolness of higher ground, and Highlands – perched at 4,118 feet above sea level – is the perfect place for summer refuge. Our beloved mountain town is even named for its location. Whether you are summering, visiting, or hosting, in Highlands, you can comfortably spend time outdoors this season, taking in and sharing its magic and wonder. Our local merchants stand ready to meet your needs for outdoor ventures, whether it’s hiking attire, patio furniture, a picnic lunch, hats, fishing gear, or a good bottle of vino to enjoy while you take in the splendor. To help you appreciate our special part of the world, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC compiled a list of impressive facts – some perhaps widely known, some not. Here are just a few.1. This landscape is old. Really old.The Appalachian Mountains are some of the oldest in the entire world, the remnants of a geological sequence of events that began 480 million years ago during the formation of the supercontinent of Pangaea. 2. A gem of a location – literally.Millions of years of volcanic activity and tectonic pressure resulted in a jeweler’s dream of gold and gemstones, such as sapphire. Until the California Gold Rush of 1849, this part of N.C. was the largest gold-producing territory in the country. 3. When it rains, it pours.Highlands is at the center of one of two temperate rainforests in the continental U.S. (The other is the rich woodlands of Oregon and Washington). This means, we enjoy four distinct seasons and get lots of rain – typically more than 120 inches each year. The rainfall contributes to our spectacular waterfalls and biologically rich flora and fauna. 4. We’re for the birds.Highlands is home to a thriving popula-tion of avifauna – about 47 species at the last Christmas Bird Count (a nation-wide event) in which the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society participated. The endangered Peregrine Falcon was reintroduced to the area, and they now nest on the cliffs of iconic Whiteside Mountain. 5. Salamanders are a specialty.In fact, biologists travel from all over the world to study our rich pool of these shy amphib-ians, thus the nickname, “Salamander Capital of the World.” Their presence indicates the purity of our air, water, and soil, so we’re delighted to live among them. For more about the natural wonders of Highlands, stop by our Welcome Center at 108 Main Street and pick up a copy of our brochure, “15 Magical Facts” or go to visithighlandsnc.com.

by Kara Addy, Communications Manager, Highlands Chamber of Commerce