Where in Carolina Country is This?

The March “Where Is This” photo by Carolina Country’s Senior Associate Editor Renee Gannon features a blue bear statue with the Cherokee alphabet emblazoned on its body. This Cherokee Alphabet Black Bear is located on Highway 143 at the intersection of Snowbird Road, just outside of Robbinsville in Graham County. The spot is along the Cherohala Skyway, a 43-mile National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway (and named for two national forests in the area, the Cherokee and Nantahala). The bear is part of the Cherokee Bears Project, which showcases the works of artists living within the Qualla Boundary. Bears play a large part within the Cherokee culture. Many readers thought this blue bear was part of the bear pack found in the town of Cherokee, but this guy, though related, lives further to the west. The winning entry chosen at random from all correct submissions came from William Ryan of Havelock, a Carteret-Craven Electric member.