My in-laws come from the Appalachia foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and since 2007 I have taken full advantage of our regular visits to the region. It is very much a quiet community with traditional values, and regardless of the appeal of such quiet surroundings, the scenery is just fantastic. The foothills, in this area, are around 40 minutes below the Blue Ridge Parkway, but still close enough that the rolling hills and valleys define the landscape. Through in some winding highways, rural Americana architecture and artefacts, and the seasonal fall colour, and you have the recipe for some fantastic photographic opportunities.