Timothy Burkhardt is a journalist and blogger from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. His writing interests include local history, science, technology, entertainment and the arts. Check out more of his online work at gravatar.com/burkhardttd

Greg Chaffins grew up on the banks of the Tug River, in a place gently nestled between the Kentucky and West Virginia border. His grandparents raised their own food and lived off the land, and this is where he gets a lot of his Appalachian knowledge. If you talk to Greg, you’ll find that he believes growing up in the Appalachians gave him an unfair advantage when it comes to problem-solving.

Greg is a nerd at heart, having played with electronics since an early age and writing software since personal computers came along. You will often find him writing on his own nerd and financial blogs, but the older he gets, the more he appreciates his roots and likes to share his wonderful Appalachian heritage.

David grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a tobacco farm. His ancestors originally came as indentured servants to the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. He first became interested in writing in high school and later became an editor at a publishing company in Texas. He likes to write about Appalachian mountain culture, history, music, art, and travel.

Jerry was born in a holler in rural Whitesburg Kentucky and is now living with his wife Jennifer, in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee.  Through the years, Jerry has lived in ten states and worked at dozens of different trades.

While living in South Carolina he became friends with a newspaper columnist who suggested that since he was such a good storyteller, he try his hand at writing. The paper bought the first story, asked for more and, as they say, the rest is history.   Since then he has written for magazines, newsletters, web pages, and many newspapers.  Jerry’s primary writing subject is the great outdoors and all that encompasses.  His outdoor articles are sometimes attributed to his alter ego,   ‘Buck Thorn’.

Who is AJ? 

Appalachia Jack, or AJ, is a traveler, a true mountain man who has beaten a path from one end of the Appalachian Trail to the other. He was born in the foothills of West Virginia but has been in every nook and cranny of the mountains he calls home. Never weary and always looking for a new adventure, AJ has found more hidden gems than a mountain prospector. From artisans and handcrafters to scenic views and rich history, he’s seen it all, and he’s ready to share it with you! AJ believes that the Appalachian region holds some of the most beautiful views, the most colorful histories, and the richest cultures the world has to offer. He’s always open to new exploits and experiences; that’s what’s brought him so far! All AJ needs is what he can carry in his pack and a sense of adventure, but he loves finding new things along the way. 

 Things to Do 

 AJ loves the traditional arts and crafts of the Appalachian region. An artisan himself, he truly appreciates the beautiful woodwork, pottery, paintings, and other artwork that the mountain artists produce. He’s always out at shows, festivals, and exhibitions looking for new work! (Find out where AJ will be next here!) 

 If there’s one thing AJ really loves, it’s food. He believes that food is one of the few truly common human experiences that goes beyond any other differences; everyone is the same height when they’re sitting around a dinner table. It also helps that AJ’s found so many great restaurants in his travels! He’s not such a bad cook himself, either… he loves to share recipes he’s picked up along the way. (If you have a recipe you want to share, submit it here!)  

As a mountain man, AJ’s not afraid to spend a night under the gorgeous mountain night sky… but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate a comfy bed. Of course, AJ’s seen it all, so no run of the mill chain hotel will do; he doesn’t think you should settle either! That’s why he reviews the most unique lodging, including mountain cabins, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and inns!