Like most folks, I didnât travel much in 2020 because of the pandemic. It was the first year in a while that I didnât hop on a plane to visit a national park. It was also the first time in years that I didnât go on a multi-day backpacking trip on a long- distance trail. I stayed closer to home, within a dayâs drive, and I found new places to explore. At the end of 2020, my year of outdoor adventures felt no less complete. I gained an even greater appreciation for the Southern Appalachian Mountains here in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. There is jaw- dropping scenery in our backyards, with countless places to discover. We are very fortunate to live where we do.