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Even near-neighbors have been known to have trouble finding us. Here's a bit of driving
advice, as well as a few maps.
If you're coming from far away, check Map 1 first for a rough
idea of where we are. Ashe County is a fairly remote area in the Blue Ridge Mountains of
North Carolina, bordering both Tennessee and Virginia. Those of you traveling by air should
note that the nearest major airports are in Greensboro and Charlotte, each some 2 to 2.5
hours away by car (Greensboro being slightly closer).
Here in Jefferson we are about an hour away from the nearest interstate highway. Good
"access points" are Wytheville, VA; Bristol, TN/VA; and Charlotte and Winston-Salem, NC.
Maps 1 and 2 show the
best roads to use from these and a few other cities. In the winter our roads are frequently
slick, so we recommend checking on conditions a day ahead of time. We may be able recommend a
different route if the weather is iffy. Under ordinary circumstances, the routes listed
below are best.
From Tennessee
Via either Bristol (on US 421) or Johnson City (on I-181, US 321 and TN 67), get to Mountain
City, TN. From US 421 South, take a left onto TN 167 and proceed until it intersects in North
Carolina (now under the name Big Laurel Road) with NC 88. Take a left onto 88 East and follow
it to McFarland. Be alert as you enter the Smethport community; 88 forks left (don't miss the
turn!). McFarland's main office is on the left, about .65 miles farther.
From Virginia
At Wytheville, VA (a handy access point because two interstates, 81 and 77, meet here), take US
21 South to Independence and turn right onto US 58 West. Proceed to the crossroads of Mouth of
Wilson and turn left onto Hwy 16, which goes straight to Jefferson, NC. At the intersection of
16/221 and NC 88, turn right onto 88 West/221 South. Follow 88 when after .9 miles it
veers right at a large shopping center featuring a Food Lion, a Roses store and a Hardee's.
Afterward go through one stoplight, then proceed .9 miles on 88 to McFarland. The main office
is on the right.
From South and East
Get to the intersection of Interstate 77 and US 421. Follow 421 North through Wilkesboro. After
eventually cresting a mountain and passing beneath the Blue Ridge Parkway, turn right (at a
stoplight) onto US 221 North. About 13 miles later, at the third stoplight you will have
encountered on 221, turn left onto Long Street, which will end after a block with a Shell
gas station on your right. Turn right, then take the first left at the stoplight onto NC 88 West
(don't be confused by a green street sign referring to "Old Hwy 16"). Go .9 miles to McFarland.
The main office is on the right.
The Building
Our smallish white sign at the road is easy to miss, so watch carefully. Parking is tight, but there
are two designated visitor spaces at the near end of the building. The main entrance, marked
by a large stone sculpture, is on the downhill side of the building. Come right on in. If we don't
notice you right away, just ring the bell in the lobby.
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