At The Swag.

The Swag is a beautiful country inn located at five thousand feet just outside my home town of Waynesville, North Carolina.  The property backs up against the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the whole surrounding area was my childhood and teenage hiking and camping world.

Standing under a Cherokee Trail Marker Tree.

The Swag was just selected by Conde Naste as the summer one resort in all of the southeast and as number nine nationally.  It has fourteen rooms and beautiful surroundings with magnificent views that change every day.

Each year for the past fourteen years they have brought me here as part of their Event Leader program.  Each day I lead a hike into the park exploring different directions on trails I have known since I was a child.  Each evening I tell stories following dinner at the Swag House.

Hiking at The Swag.

Last week was a busy week.  When I added it all up, between being Teller in Residence at the International Storytelling Center, a Featured Teller at the National Festival, playing with the Jonesborough Novelty Band, and preaching at the Methodist Church, the total came up to twenty-four events.  After that, coming to The Swag is a rest and renewal time for me and for Trish.

Yesterday was her birthday and it was our good fortune to be here!  We led a morning hike, had a wonderful dinner, and then I told birthday stories to all the guests as we were not the only ones celebrating birthdays.

If you need to celebrate a special event or just need to get away from it all for a rest, check out The Swag!