Mountain Mysteries with Liz Z Pardue

Ghosts of the Blue Ridge: A Journey Through America’s Most Haunted Mountains

Join esteemed storyteller and North Carolina native Liz Z Pardue for an intimate, immersive road trip deep into the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains. This isn't just a tour; it's a descent into the state's most chilling folklore, guided by a regional expert and captivating teller of tales. Liz will weave together authentic mountain legends and atmospheric ghost stories, painting a vivid picture of the spirits, restless ghosts, and mysterious, lingering energy that clings to the region.  We begin our haunting storytelling adventure with a brief stop at Lydia's Bridge, infamous for decades of truly disturbing encounters, where travelers have reported picking up or seeing spectral ghostly figures.  While en route, Liz will share shocking tales like the shadowy legend of Tom Dooley and the foreboding Demon Dog of Valle Crucis. Our scenic route continues to the picturesque mountain village of Blowing Rock, where we stop for a breathtaking view from the dramatic, famous rock formation. Along the way, Liz shares timeless Native American folklore, including the haunting Cherokee/Chickasaw love story that is tied to the mountain's strange, ethereal upward-blowing winds. The journey continues as we wind deeper into the ancient mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway to majestic Linville Falls.  Here, the imposing, jagged gorge offers stunning, shadow-draped views, as Liz shares fascinating tales of the wild, untamed landscape's local legends and lore, including the chilling tale of The Mourner of Linville Gorge and the rural, eerie legend of the Boojum and the Wampus Cat of the WNC Mountains. We’ll take a walk and discuss the intriguing legend of the phantom hiker, while we conduct a live paranormal equipment demonstration near the falls. Here, for those brave and curious enough to seek a connection beyond the veil, we invite intrepid investigators to deploy their own specialized equipment, hoping to capture a brief, fleeting communication with the enigmatic past. As we go, be sure to watch for native wildlife such as flocks of wild turkey, white-tailed deer, or the elusive, powerful black bear.Our final, unforgettable stop is a remote, secluded overlook to seek out the ultimate Appalachian mystery: the Brown Mountain Lights. This unexplained, baffling phenomenon has been observed for centuries, dating back to ancient pre-Colonial Native American folklore and documented in official scientific reports since the early 1900s. If you're ready to seek out genuine Appalachian mystery and true exhilarating terror, book your seat and prepare for a journey you won't soon forget! Returning home at approximately 10:30 pm. 

Special Notice: Balance is due 30 days prior to departure. Cancellation within 30 days of departure will result in payment forfeiture.

Liz Z Pardue is an award-winning storyteller, writer, and director from North Carolina where she has spent almost 40 years collecting and sharing Southern history through its lore. Her body of work has reached audiences through WSJS radio, the Carolina Haints podcast, Strange Carolinas, and her production “Moonlight Frights: Campfire Stories of the Carolinas.” She has also served as a story scout for KQED’s “Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked.” Recently, Pardue published her first book and won both the Linda Goodman New Voices and People’s Choice Awards at the Stone Soup Storytelling Festival. She is currently touring North Carolina with her “Keep NC Weird” and “Tarheel Terrors” speaking series.