By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — One of the most popular special events in Blowing Rock every year is actually a series of monthly events, Art in the Park. I try to visit the artists and artisans every month and, for the most part have been successful in that endeavor.
As I have journeyed through the exhibits since the May event a couple of months ago, it occurs to me that on every trip around the venue there is SOMETHING that really catches my eye, for one reason or another. The artist may not have won the day’s juried awards as “Best of Show,” etc., but for me stirred a particular interest.
So with the July 13 show, I have decided to showcase what “caught my eye” — and this month it was the Appalachian Mapping Company’s exhibit, owned by cartographer Katie Blair of Elizabethton, Tenn.
Ever since I can remember I have been enamored with maps. Well before my pre-teen years, I would hog the road atlas, keeping it from my three siblings as we drove from California to Oklahoma and Texas to see Dad’s parents and siblings in “The OK State” and Mom’s cousins in “The Longhorn State.” It fascinates me to pour over a map, looking at all the places I might like to go and experience, or just wonder what they might be like.
To this day, my fascination with maps continues. As I was driving cross-country in 2019, from Blowing Rock to Bakersfield, Calif., for my 50-year high school reunion, I remember stopping at Four Corners, New Mexico and pouring over some maps they had in the curio shop.
What really caught my eye on July 13 was Blair’s hand-drawn map of the Appalachian Trail as it winds its way through the mountains, hills and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains. Other maps included several different looks at Watauga Lake.
On the company’s Facebook page, Ben Durrance, a customer who represents himself as a manufacturing planner with Blue Origin, a U.S. aerospace company, had high praise for Appalachian Mapping:
“If you’re looking for high-quality maps of the Appalachian region, look no further than Appalachian Mapping Co. Their maps are a stunning combination of accuracy, detail, and beauty. I recently purchased one of their maps for a hiking trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it was an absolute pleasure to use. The map was incredibly clear and easy to read, with all the information I needed to navigate the trails with confidence.
“But it’s not just the quality of the maps that sets Appalachian Mapping Co. apart.” Dorrance adds. “It’s also their commitment to customer service and environmental sustainability. They use high-quality, eco-friendly materials in their production process, and they are always available to answer questions or provide guidance on which map is best for your needs.
“In short, I cannot recommend Appalachian Mapping Co. highly enough,” he concludes. “Their maps are top-notch, their customer service is exceptional, and their commitment to sustainability is inspiring. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just someone who loves beautiful, informative maps, Appalachian Mapping Co. is the company to trust.”
