My familiarity with the region you have based this story in caught my attention, and wouldn’t let it go. Still shaking off the goosebumps...will have my wife read this when she gets home.
I drove around the three-state NC/SC/GA region on two road trips to get the flavor. Hiked some of the trail in snow exactly like in the story with my daughter last March. Bridal Veil Falls outside of Highland NC was frozen solid, most impressive. Sky Valley GA, what can I say?
That entire area of western NC is amazing, and down into GA too. Who knew that northern GA has 4,000’ mountains? I didn’t.
I had to go a little hazy on the specific geographical details, to not get pinned into inconsistencies, but I think it’s pretty true to the region.