Your Gateway to Adventure: Welcome to Franklin and Nantahala, North Carolina
Franklinand Nantahala are towns born from gem mining and agriculture that continue tohonor that history every year at the annual Folk Heritage Festival, celebratingAppalachian culture and its influence on the area. With nine active gem minesin the area, you can sit down with a bucket of dirt and sift for precious gemsand minerals that are still abundant to this day in the “Gem Capitol of theWorld.” Over the years, Franklin & Nantahala have transformed from those smallrural areas into outdoor adventure meccas, luring explorers of all ages to setout into the mountains and valleys of the Nantahala National Forest. Locatedin the southern Appalachian Mountains the communities of Franklin and Nantahalaare surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, the largest of the NationalForests in North Carolina. Franklin and Nantahala offer easy access to the GreatSmoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway and is an area brimming with outdooradventure opportunities for all ages. Hike to stunning waterfalls, search forsecluded paddling spots, and dig deep into the rich history of gem mining allin Western North Carolina. 
Franklinand Nantahala are home to some of the oldest mountains in world. Cuttingthrough the middle of the Nantahala Mountains, you’ll find the popularAppalachian and Bartram Trails. Gear up at one of our two local outfitters andhike to Siler and Wesser Bald for 360-degree views of the area’s most iconic landscapes. Experiencedpaddlers seeking rapids will find the whitewater of the Nantahala and CullasajaRivers to test your skills. Boaters looking for a quieter experience can enjoythe pristine waters of Nantahala Lake with its nearly 30 miles of undevelopedshoreline, you’re sure to find a quiet spot to enjoy. Cast a line in the world-classfly-fishing waters of the Nantahala River, or seek out a secluded spot alongthe Little Tennessee or Cullasaja Rivers. 
Settlein for the evening at one of Franklin’s two craft breweries where you’ll findlocal entertainment, friendly atmosphere, and locally crafted beer of course!If you’re looking for dinner and a show, check out the schedule at the SmokyMountain Center for the Performing Arts, where you’ll enjoy world classentertainment from genres of music including country, bluegrass, gospel, pop,contemporary Christian, and more. With the main focus on family entertainment,the SMCPA is a place to enjoy a good time with all that Franklin has to offer. 
Ifyou want the view of the mountains without the hike, take the scenic drive toWayah Bald. Sitting at nearly one-mile high in elevation, the short walk up thepaved path leads you to a captivating view in every direction from one of themost iconic structures in the Nantahala National Forest, the Wayah Bald LookoutTower. On a clear day, you can see the mountains from Tennessee to Georgia. Drivethe Mountain Waters Scenic Byway to visit the waterfalls of the Cullasaja Riverand Nantahala Gorges as you wind through hardwood forests. Take a walk underthe most popular waterfall in the area, Dry Falls, where you can stand beneaththe 60-foot waterfall and in many places, not get wet! Enjoya walk down Main Street in Franklin and follow the Women’s History Trail, theonly one of its kind in North Carolina and learn about influential women inpublishing, public service, and business at various stops along the way. Stopin at the Scottish Tartans Museum, the only one of its kind in the UnitedStates, the Gem & Mineral Museum and the Macon County Historical Museum,all within walking distance of one another. Stop in to the many shops andstores along the way and discover local artisans carrying on the traditions ofarts and crafts. Ifdry land adventure is your focus, grab your mountain bike and head to the TsaliRecreation Area for miles of singletrack trails with views of Fontana Lake whilesurrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. Younger and less experienced riderswill enjoy the Little Tennessee River Greenway, a 5-mile paved path that windsalong the Little Tennessee River in the heart of downtown Franklin. Whetheryou’re looking for an action-packed experience or you want to disconnect fromthe hustle of everyday life, the Franklin and Nantahala area is a perfect blendof adventure and relaxation. Get to know your mountain side in Nature’sParadise! 
Niger Prime Minister Brigi Rafini Authorities in Niger have ordered all schools around the capital Niamey to be closed until Monday in its fight against Meningitis which has killed at least 85 people.Niger’s prime minister Brigi Rafini ordered the vaccination of all children aged 2 up to 15 years against the disease which kills.More than 900 cases of the disease have been diagnosed since January, resulting in 85 deaths.The government says its in need of more than 1 million doses of meningitis vaccine but only about half of that is available.He appealed to Niger’s allies and the World Health Organization to help make up the shortage.The meningitis virus attacks the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It could lead to deafness and severe brain damage. About half the cases are fatal.
Firefighters work at the site of a building leveled by a gas explosion in Szczyrk, Poland on Dec. 4. AGENCJA GAZETA/GRZEGORZ CELEJEWSKI/VIA REUTERS Around 100 firemen and 50 policeofficers were on the scene, a state broadcaster said.(Reuters) The bodies of three adults and twochildren have been found in the rubble so far, they added. Poland – Five people died after a three-story building in the southernPolish ski resort of Szczyrk collapsed on Wednesday following a gas explosion,local authorities said. Up to eight people could have been inthe building and firemen are continuing to search for other victims, accordingto authorities. 
Barca: we’ll win the UCLUEFA: beat Bayern firstBarca: pic.twitter.com/GeRoAVOUlD— 29.07 (@nineteen29_) August 15, 2020 Many others honed in on the reactions of Barca star Lionel Messi who got progressively frustrated as the match wore on, culminating in a look of devastation in the dressing room after the match. More from Citi Sports Some were even looking ahead to the semis where Bayern are set to take on either Man City or Lyon. Following last night’s nightmarish loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, Barcelona fans might want to avoid social media for a while.The loss, Barca’s worst in a competitive fixture was the latest in a series of terrible performances in crucial UCL knockout matches in the last few seasons.Following their relinquishing of the La Liga crown to Real Madrid, fans were hoping for some European glory.Bayern Munich, the world’s most in-form team at the moment stood in their way.The match started equally enough with Barcelona quickly cancelling out Bayern’s early lead.What followed was a lesson in football taught to a team that regularly used to be the one doing the teaching.The 8-2 loss did not only knock Barca out of the Champions League, it also resulted in the club being subjected to its worst bout of trolling arguably in the club’s history.After the match, social media was awash with memes, tweets, pictures and videos mocking the side that once used to be Europe’s best.Bayern had already established themselves to be the tournament’s prime gunners, blowing top-tier teams like Tottenham and Chelsea away en route to the Catalans.Some joked that perhaps the Bavarians mistook Barcelona for another London side. Why you go cook food for Barca fan around 8 con dey serve am for 2 o wrong nau. 😂😂Sane| setien| GOAT| Chelsea| Countinho. pic.twitter.com/GCvCimanlT— O L U W A D A M I L A R E (@opa_dam) August 14, 2020 I feel sorry for De Jong. Kid came to Barça with the dream of playing with Messi, little did he know it was a nightmare playing with the rest.— De Ara Torres (@dearatorres) August 14, 2020Even some Bundesliga teams got in on the actOur last 4 games (360 minutes) against Bayern:Goals Scored: 5Goals Against: 8 https://t.co/e4lCyxRpjm— FC Augsburg (@FCA_World) August 14, 2020 RIP Barcelona pic.twitter.com/BrLhcPmviY— Goal (@goal) August 15, 2020 ASU Nyame! Bayern and friends yeda wa’ase ooooo pic.twitter.com/EiwYnUv7kT— Victor Atsu Tamakloe (@AtsuTamakloe) August 15, 2020 Rt to annoy Barcelona fans…. #GetALife 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NxCkqszufm— Afransi Sub Zero💯🔥 (@clementarthur21) August 15, 2020 You saw Manchester United and still decided to be a Barca fan. No wonder you’ve lost your appetite 🙄🙄— Red_fox (@Snr_Cweiku) August 15, 2020 Star striker, Luiz Suarez’s performance was a particular lowlight for Barcelona, despite his goal in the second half. The people still talking about Barca’s match are the kind of people who can’t let go of the past. Avoid them😌🙏— Nungua Cardi B💕 (@elly_serwaaa) August 15, 2020 You 8-2 hear this, but please check up on your Barca friends and ensure they all good, life isn’t that hard or is it? pic.twitter.com/PVj4XyvhJH— Joseph Friks (@JFriks) August 15, 2020 As seen in Ikeja today. Bayern Munich, are you happy now? pic.twitter.com/k6aYGBOHtW— Yomi Kazeem (@TheYomiKazeem) August 15, 2020 Barca is not a spanish club …it is a catalan club pls be guided in your arguments 😂😂…Council of Elders how dem no go score You 8-2 pic.twitter.com/EOQR2Y3Sxk— Twilight (@obiaabaeny3) August 15, 2020 Karma dealing with Barca’ barbaric transfer tactics pic.twitter.com/P9FWylPZE3— Kay–v–n (@kev_saf) August 15, 2020 Fans of Chelsea who had been thrashed 4-1 (7-1 on aggregate) by Bayern days earlier took solace in the fact that their aggregate score was accumulated in two games, unlike Barca who ate all their eight goals in just one. what barca lacked yesterday pic.twitter.com/dnGue2acnK— Hamza Zuberi//asta/pal/ayeshaa stan account (@hamzazuberi19) August 15, 2020 * Bayern fans sneezing today*Bayern fans : 8-2Barca fans: pic.twitter.com/8t0ORLtm8b— newman (@wwwbigblackhead) August 15, 2020 Chelsea lost 4-1 in 90 minutes, Barca are 4-1 down in 30 mins.Chelsea > Barcelona pic.twitter.com/0KUvd2gkPB— Liam (@_CFCLiam) August 14, 2020A number of people were just content to have some fun at the expense of the Catalans.Ronaldo after checking Livescores* pic.twitter.com/oXFHOpVPHz— Tekkz. 🔴 (@KwameTekkz) August 14, 2020