Roughest Winter of the Decade in Boone and Blowing Rock, NC

The Blue Ridge "High Country" of North Carolina was hit hard this year after being pummeled by snow storm after snow storm and then a brutal ice storm on Christmas Day.

More then half of Watauga County was left without power and many more with frozen pipes and snowed in vehicles and fallen limbs.

Though we were given fair warning, I think most of us didn't really believe that we were going to actually get the 2 feet of snow that the forecasters were calling for.

This sort of weather which used to be synonymous with winter in the North Carolina mountains is now much more of an exception than a rule. The main roads have stayed pretty clear throughout but some back roads are still dicey. My driveway being included in that as we can still not get our cars to our house a month later.

Here are some pictures around town of the Winter Wonderland.

One of a Kind English Country Style Home in Blowing Rock

Let me start by stating that I don't write blogs about listings very often (and this one isn't even mine). In this case I felt compelled to at least post a few pictures of this "cute as a button" home for sale just outside of Blowing Rock.

"Winterhaven" has been featured in Southern Living Magazine four times and it's easy to see why.

No stone is left unturned when it comes to the architectural design or the aesthetic details. Entering through the stone columns and down the short driveway you will be amazed by the beautifully detailed white brick home with matching garden cottage set around a landscaped circular drive.

When you walk through the door, you feel like you've stepped back in time and yet the home still has all of the modern finishes that you would expect from a home of this caliber.

This home has so many quaint features: from the arched windows, slipper claw foot tubs and glass knobs on all of the doors, to the detailed nooks and crannies and gourmet kitchen. The home sits on a level estate lot of 7.75 acres looking out over Grandfather Mountain.

Winterhaven evokes a feeling of romance that is hard to describe. A place where the past and present are seamlessly fused to create into one feeling of home.

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The High Country of North Carolina – Finding Your Way

If you are thinking of buying property in the Boone and Blowing Rock areas of Watauga County but are confused about all the different areas, and their relationship to one another …. you are not alone. The High Country and the greater Boone area is broken down into many smaller unique communities that can be confusing to anyone not familiar with the area. I spent the better part of my first year here just trying to get a real feel for the lay of the land.

This is just an overview describing a little bit about each pocket. Let me also issue a disclaimer...this is not scientific data, just my personal take of what I know from living and working in real estate in the area. It is by no means a scientific account. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me directly.

Deep Gap - Referring to the area along 421 going from Boone towards Wilkesboro roughly from the light at Old 421 to the Parkway Bridge. Deep Gap I believe is mostly in the Parkway School District. Approximate elevation is 3200’.

Fleetwood - Borders Deep gap and refers to the area between Boone and Ashe County on Hwy 221. As a general rule, home prices drop some once you start going out that way but Boone is still 15-25 minutes away depending on where you are. West Jefferson is within 20-30 as well. Elevation drops a little below 3000’ in most places. Primarily in the Ashe County school district.

Green Valley - Is the general area from Boone out 194 to Todd. (Meat Camp is another community about half way in between the two towns.) Pretty pastoral views and lots of open spaces. Green Valley has it's own school district. Elevation varies but is usually over 3000’.

Valle Crucis - Switching to the other side of town, Valle Crucis is the area tucked in Between 105 on the far side of Boone towards Banner Elk. Really really pretty pastoral setting, lots of creeks and rivers, sort of joins with the Vilas area as you get closer to the 421 side. Valle Crucis is definitely prime real estate and the home prices reflect that. Lower elevation than most of the areas because (as if you can't tell by the name) it's in the Valley. Valle Crucis has it's own school district.

Vilas - This one is a real grey area. If your going out 421 towards Tennessee, Vilas loosely refers to the area from the edge of Boone to where 321 and 421 split off at Skateworld. It also follows 194 out and blends with Valle Crucis. School districts include Valle Crucis and Cove Creek. Elevation varies.

Sugar Grove - At the Skateworld (it's a weird landmark I know) 321 and 421 split off. Take 321 and the Sugar Grove area is the last stop before you get to Tennessee. Bethel is another community out that way. Lots of wide open spaces. Elevation is generally higher than Boone, 3500’ and above. Bethel and Cove Creek School Districts depending on where your at. 35-45 minutes from Boone.

Zionville - Take the 421 split at Skateworld to get to Zionville and it's the last stop before you get to Tennessee. Mabel is another community out there and is also the name of the School District. It is a beautiful, beautiful area, one of my favorites, and there are some great buys there because its remoteness. The same can also be said for Sugar Grove and Bethel, all 35-45 minutes from Boone and average of 3500’ in elevation.

I hope this helps demystify the "High Country" a little for those of you who are looking at buying property or just vacationing in the area.

Feel free to check out my Blowing Rock NC page on Facebook for lots of pictures and fun things to do when you come to visit!

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Fall is here again in the High Country

It's always surprising when the first leaves start to fall in the beginning of September. The summer isn't hot enough here in the Blue Ridge Mountains for it to be much of a reprieve but still, that first breath or cool crisp fall air brings with it a deep sense of nostalgia. A time to reflect on what's been accomplished in the past year and focus on what's left to be done before battening down the hatches for the winter ahead.

September has become my favorite month of the year. Though weather patterns are still a little unpredictable because of the tropics, the temperature is that perfect 71 degrees with a little bit of breeze and just enough chill in the air to make you want to make a cup of tea and sit outside. Another thing about September is that it's actually one of the slower months here in the High Country. After the kids go back to school, tourism hits a standstill until the leaves start turning in October.

Fall in the Boone/Blowing Rock area is bustling with things to do. First, and perhaps most notably to some is Appalachian State Football kicking off. The first game of the season is today actually. The mountaineers didn't take home the title last year, but prior to that, they were the National Champs three years in a row! Can't wait to see what this season holds.

The third weekend in October brings the annual Wooly Worm Festival in Banner Elk. Historically according to local folklore, woolly worms have been used to forecast the winter weather. In a nutshell, the length and severity of the winner depends on the coloration of the worm that wins the Wooly Worm Race. It's like our very own groundhog. In addition to worm race, there is also a 5k run and tons of great local food and craft vendors and activities for the kids. I can't wait till mine is old enough to go and enjoy the festivities.

The Boone Art Crawl is a fun event that happens year round on the first Friday of each month. It's a great opportunity to walk around down town Boone and browse local galleries and shops. Some restaurants like Vidalia on King Street offer a wine tasting and specials on bottles. The Turchin Center on ASU's campus will also be open to the public and have local art on display.

The Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad takes place October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and November 1st. Gates open each evening at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the Ghost Train and regular Tweetsie attractions, there is trick or treating for the kids, a 3D maze, a black hole and scary shows at the Tweetsie Saloon. Fun for kids of all ages.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as fun fall activities in the High Country. There is so much to do and see in general in this area but something about this time of year makes you want to get out there and take advantage of every day whether you're a local or just passing through. Feel free to contact me with any questions if you're in the area.

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Blowing Rock living...one of a kind home in Greystone.

Greystone...one of Blowing Rock's premier gated communities. Tucked away off of the Blue Ride Parkway between Boone and Blowing Rock, Greystone is synonymous with mountain luxury. The community boasts big gorge views and pristine craftsmanship while still maintaining a laid back, natural feel.

The location is hard to beat. It's far enough out that you are away from the hustle and bustle of town but still close to all of the great amenities that this area has to offer. In ten minutes you can be shopping at Shoppes on the Parkway or sipping a glass of wine watching the sunset on the deck of Canyon's or seeing a show or movie at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock. In 15 minutes you can be downtown Boone browsing through Mast General Store, eating at one of the many great restaurants or checking out a football game at Appalachian State University. There are also tons of exciting outdoor activities available in the area: hiking, rafting, trout fishing, skiing/snowboarding and climbing to name a few.

It is my privilege to have recently taken a very unique listing in  Greystone. I won't go on and on about it but I would like to highlight a few features and post up some pictures. If you have any additional interest, here's a link to the MLS sheet and you can contact me directly for more information.

This home is great for entertaining. It features an open floor plan with cathedral ceilings, state of the art kitchen, formal dining room and 2 levels of wrap around decks. The wooded double lot gives the feeling of living in a tree house but there is the potential for view with some trimming off of the back deck.

The architecture in the great room is stunning. This home definitely has the "wow factor", but the thing I like most about it is that it's a true blank canvas just waiting for you to put your mark on it. The floor plan is so light and airy that anything is possible. A more rustic look would be easy to create with little effort. In fact, the seller is an interior designer and is offering 10 hours of consultation at no charge to the buyer in order to help create your mountain dream. The home is yours for the taking, don't let this amazing opportunity pass you by!

 

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May 2009 Market Report for Watauga County

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers...I've never been a math person but the more I run the numbers for different aspects of the market the more I actually find it addictive. There is so much value in analyzing the facts now when most people are wading in a sea of vast generalities pertaining to the real estate market. Now that I'm really looking at the stats I don't know how I ever spoke intelligently about the market before now.

Last month in my Market Report I predicted that this years May would start to break away from May 2009. Up until now, the early part of 2009 has followed in early 2008's footsteps across the board. It's looking like this is still very much the case. That isn't the end of the world since Boone and Blowing Rock are resort areas and therefore our market hasn't taken as big of a hit as other areas. We've slowed but stayed relatively steady through out the whole downturn.

May 2008 saw 54 home sales while this May saw only 33. I was surprised by these numbers because to me it feels like there is a lot more buyer traffic this year but I think we're just going to have to see how the rest of the summer plays out. I am still very optimistic. We only saw a slight increase in days on the market when comparing the two years and also only a slight bump this year in the percentage of list price that homes sold for (93% May 08 and 92% May 09)

I decided to focus mainly on what price ranges were selling as seen in the charts below. The under 300k range overwhelmingly takes the lead on both, followed by the 300k-600k range. I'm sure that this comes as no surprise but it puts things into perspective when you see the percentages mapped out.

 

I hope that this helps demystify the current real estate market in the "High Country". Please feel free to contact me directly for more detailed information. Also, if you're on Facebook, I've created a Blowing Rock Real Estate page where I add market updates and things going on in the area if you become a "fan".

Thanks for reading!

 

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Market Report for the Boone/Blowing Rock Area

Well I finally sat down and put together a market report. This is something I plan on getting in the habit of doing quarterly. You can say whatever you want about the market: whether you think it's improving, going down hill, staying the same etc. but until you really look at the numbers it's hard to speak in absolutes.

There are so many things that you can look at to see where the real estate market has been and where it's going; but being that this is my first foray into the wide world of numbers, I kept it short and sweet and focused on 3 things: Average sold price, the percentage of what properties sold for as opposed to what they were listed for and average days on the market. This is a report on single family homes/condos/townhouses in Watauga county only. I compared the first four months of 2008 to 2009.

The thing that stands out to me is that (aside from January 08' to 09') the percentage of list price that properties sold for was pretty close from year to year and quite honestly is pretty high (I think) compared to other markets. Even the lowest percentage in January of this year was still 91% of list price which doesn't seem that low...which brings me to my next statement...

Let me go ahead and say that while I try my best to stay up on current events I am in no way an expert on the real estate market in other areas. We have a very unique market up here in the mountains of North Carolina so it's hard to not have different view of things.

The things that have been selling the past few months are the under 350k range. The reason that this information is on the high side is that in this resort market we have a lot of luxury properties still selling and that that bumps up the average.

I'm not sure how to account for the big jump in days on the market April of this year. My only explanation would be that that's when the market started to pick up therefore cleaning out the homes that had been on the market all winter long. If anyone else has other ideas please feel free to comment. I'd love to hear what you have to say on this or anything else going on in your community.

It's going to be a very interesting summer. I think that's where we'll start to see 2009 break away from 2008 at least in the Blowing Rock and Boone area. Already if you compare the first 12 days in May: this year 36 homes have gone under contract as opposed to 24 last year. That's a big jump. I can't wait to see what happens next.

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67 Things to do in Boone and Blowing Rock, NC

1. Have a tall margarita on the deck at Canyons and watch the sunset - best view in the "High Country".

2. Walk downtown Blowing Rock and check out all of the unique shops. While you're there spring for some ice cream at Kilwin's.

3. Catch a play by the Blowing Rock Stage Company at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. Many times they have traveling acts as well (music, comedy, dance etc.) Always worthwhile and the venue is beautiful.

4. Go fishing at Grandfather Trout Farm. Rods are provided and bait and tackle are free! You only pay for what you catch... and they'll even clean 'em for ya. Can't beat that!

5. Go tubing. There are several local outfitters that will set you up, drop you off and pick you up. It's a great way to relax on a sunny day. We always put in on the New River in Todd but there are several other runs as well...depending on how high the water is.

6. Hike around Bass Lake. There's a nice flat walking loop around the lake that's .8 miles. There are also other trails to take once you get there.

7. If you want to make it a nice half day trip. Hike from Bass lake up to Moses Cone Manor. You can tour the 13,000 square foot estate and check out the Parkway Craft Center that has found its home there. (Moses Cone was a "prosperous textile entrepreneur, conservationist, and philanthropist"...in a nutshell). If you want to drive up to the home instead of walking it's mile post 194.1 off of the Parkway.

8. Go to the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.

9. Grab lunch at the Ham Shoppe on the way there or back on the corner of 105 and Broadstone Road. Great sandwich shop with no frills overlooking the Watauga River.

10. Tweetsie Railroad - If you have kids it's a no brainer. What's more fun than a "wild west" theme park. Tweetsie is open May-October.

11. After that, you'll want someone to watch the kids while you go out to eat at the Gamekeeper, a local and visitor favorite tucked away between Boone and Blowing Rock on Shulls Mill road. The eclectic mountain cuisine on their seasonal menu has just about any kind of wild game you can think of. There are vegetarian selections as well. It's sure to be a dining experience that you will remember.

12. Scream Time Zip Line in Vilas...this one speaks for itself?

13. Go gem mining.

14. Check out Mystery Hill if you have kids...it's hard to explain so just go and see for yourself what the mystery is.

15. "The Blowing Rock" is definitely worth seeing. You pay six dollars for adults and one dollar for kids. They have trails and an observation deck...the view is really something to behold; I don't know where a better one is except maybe the top of Mt. Mitchell (highest peak east of the Mississippi).

16. The Dragonfly Theatre has movies for cheap, it's laid back seating, and you can order beer and food. They sometimes have kids movies during the day.

17. If you're really getting desperate and it's a rainy day, we do have a TJ Maxx in Boone now (behind the mall). You could browse around there for deals or hit up Shoppes on the Parkway outlet mall located on 321 as you're coming into Blowing Rock (from Boone).

18. On the other hand if it's a nice day just cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are plenty of places to pull off and have a picnic. Go to the Blowing Rock Market for a deli sandwich and a bottle of wine.

19. Take the Parkway North towards Sparta and tour the Omni Cattle farm located between mile markers 264 and 265. I don't particularly love cows but these Highland Cattle are so awesome. Go to their site and click on their pictures. They would be more than happy to give you a tour if you call ahead.

20. Another no brainer is Grandfather Mountain. The famous Mile High Bridge, Hiking Trails, and small zoo make this a perfect way to spend a day. If you go in April (with someone who lives here) it's only one dollar.

21. Walk dogs at the Watauga County Humane Society. Fun for the kids, fun for the dogs.

22. Buy a cheep fishing rod and go throw a line in one of our many streams. You can also plan a guided tour. Make sure you check the regulations on the NC Wildlife Website and have a current fishing license.

23. Appalachian State always has cultural events going on as well from student concerts and plays to acts that they bring in like symphony's and dance concerts.

24. If it's football season, definitely go see a football game. ASU fell short this past season the 3 years before, they were the National champs!

25. If you want to play golf, the Boone Golf Club is open to the public.

26. Boone Bowling

27. Bo's right down the mountain in Lenoir has food, an arcade, bowling, pool...and drinks. Brand new nice clean facility, I highly recommend it. (20 or 25 minutes from Blowing Rock).

28. The Library and the Children's Playhouse in Boone always have fun things to do with kids.

29. Art in the Park in the summers is always fun in Blowing Rock if you don't mind the crowd.

30. I know I'm writing a lot about food and drinks, but my absolute favorite place to eat in Blowing Rock is Bistro Roca. It's tucked away on a side street...get directions, but you can't beat the atmosphere. They have a unique menu with a wide range of selections and pricing. You can go all out with their unique entrees or just get a personal wood fired oven pizza and a salad. Whatever is on special is always good.

31. There's a disc golf course in West Jefferson. If you don't have discs of your own, you really just need a putter, mid-range and driver to get started. Get them new or used at Play it Again Sports in Boone off of Howard Street.

32. In the winter go skiing or snowboarding at Sugar, Beech or Appalachian Ski Mountain. If you're clumsy like me you might be better off snow tubing at Hawksnest snow tubing park in Seven Devils.

33. Go horseback riding.

34. If you aren't scared of heights climb the Footsloggers Tower  outside of their store in Boone. If you don't like heights, get some coffee at Espresso News next door and watch your friends climb...best coffee in town in my opinion.

35. My favorite place for lunch in Boone - Reid's Cafe. It's a small, intimate gourmet deli with local/organic fare. It's reasonably priced with great cappuccino's and an even better beer and wine selections. I'm not much of a desert person but their home made deserts are to die for! The historic building formerly known as the "Old Jailhouse" is located on Water Street downtown.

36. Watauga Lake is located about 40 minutes from Boone just over the Tennessee line. There are a wide range of water activities to choose from at one of their many marinas.

37. In the summer's there's free music on the lawn of the Jones House downtown Boone.

38. Horn in the West - (an outdoor drama put on by locals and equity talent in the summer).

39. Daniel Boone Inn... It's like dinner at your Grandma's house on a Sunday. I'm not going to say any more about it, just go eat there!

40. Woodlands BBQ. Picnic tables, live music, good BBQ also a kids menu. Try the house wings! For an entree I never get anything other than the chop pork plate with double slaw, fries and fried okra. (Full bar as well).

41. I hear the Tapas bar (Zudza's) in Banner Elk is absolutely amazing but I can't get my husband to go with me. He's just not a mini servings kind of guy.

42. Another fine dining option in Banner Elk is the Louisiana Purchase. Cajun/Americana theme dishes and one of the largest wine lists in North Carolina. Seasonal menu and lots of local food included in the dishes (at least the last time I went).

43. The Lee's McRae Performing Arts Department does fantastic summer stock musicals. Check their site to see what's coming up.

44. Canoeing or Kayaking is a great way to spend a day in the summer. Wahoo's does guided tours for this as well as white water rafting.

45. Boone Saloon and Canyons are great places to see live music on the weekends. Stick to Canyons if you want a slightly older crowd.

46. Can't forget to mention "Taco Tuesdays" at Boone Saloon. $1.25 beef, chicken or veggie burger taco's and a great beer selection.

47. Go caving. I'm too scared to so let me know how it is.

48. Westglow spa if you want to relax and get a facial/massage etc.

49. Drive up to Howard's Knob in Boone. (If you go past Earthfare on King Street make a right onto Cherry Street and you should see signs. Amazing view of the city.

50. Browse around at the local Subaru dealership on 105 extension to find your mountain dream car...everybody has one... lol.

51. The general store in Todd (out hwy 194 from Boone) has live Bluegrass music on Saturdays in the summer.

52. On a hot day, jump in a swimming hole. There are two good ones, the first is down from the 105 Dam and the other is called "Snake Pit" out towards Tennessee. Click on this link for directions to both.

53. I almost forgot, my favorite place for gifts and fun home accessories is Neaco's in Downtown Blowing Rock.

54. The Glen Burney Fall's trail is definitely a moderate to strenuous but there's a big payoff at the end. The trail starts downtown Blowing Rock.

55. Jimmy Smith Park in Boone...watch this video on it.

56. For a night in, you can get movies for a dollar at any of the Red Boxes in town. (Lowe's Food, Ingle's and Harris Teeter all have them).

57. Julian Price Park has trails, camping and canoeing and it's just outside of Blowing Rock down hwy 221.

58. Linville Gorge has mountain biking, camping, hiking and backpacking trails and waterfalls.

60. Grandfather mountain profile trail. From what I understand if you do the whole trail it's moderate to strenuous and takes about 5 hours but you can also just do the beginning section if you want a more leisurely hike.

61. If you don't mind getting really far off the beaten path there's a state off roading park in Collettesville.

62. Fun N' Wheels off of 105 in Boone has go carts, bumper cars and an arcade.

63. Boone has several different city parks each with different amenities.

64. See a concert at the Convocation Center at ASU. They bring in big names such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson and Charlie Daniels.

65.The park in downtown Blowing Rock also has tennis and basketball courts and a mini rock wall, jungle gym and swing sets for the kids.

66. Paint your own pottery at Paint Your Wings in Boone at New Market Center.

67. Finally, if you're thinking about moving here or buying a second home, give me a call or check out my website and email me. I'd love to show you around the area!

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Tour of Green Homes in Boone - Part 1

Boone has a wonderful NAHB Green Building Committee. I'm so thrilled to see people in this area coming together to make something happen. I'm just trying to keep up with everything that they're doing. Now, more than ever, it's relevant to the real estate industry. They have a great website with a blog, local resources, and upcoming events. A fun event to check out if you're in the area is Green Drinks at Boone Saloon every first and third Thursdays at 5:30. It's an informal laid back gathering for anyone interested to network and brainstorm.

Often times before Green Drinks, the group will hold walk through's of homes that are built in the area with "green" elements. I finished my EcoBroker designation recently and am currently facing the "now what stage" of my green journey. Seeing actual elements discussed in class put into practice really helped solidify some otherwise abstract concepts.

The beautiful home located just outside of Boone features in floor radiant heating throughout. When the home is finished, the heat will be tied into solar hot water collectors. One thing that I think is really unique is that both the floor and trim were salvaged from trees that were cleared off of the lot. Some of the furniture, if it wasn't already second hand, was also made from reclaimed wood. Other aspects were dual flush toilets, energy star appliances, rain gardens and no V.O.C paint. These are just a few highlights. Next time I'm at a walk through I'll be sure to take better notes so that I can elaborate.

The project is working on getting classified as a NC Healthy Built Home. If you're not familiar with that certification it is a unique program. The way it works is that there is an extensive checklist made up of all different building practices and you can pick and choose which ones you want to use. The final product is scored by a point system. There are 4 different levels of certification: certified, bronze, silver and gold. (I hope I've explained that right. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

" A Healthy Built Home is a comfortable, healthy and affordable home that reduces energy and water usage and protects the environment. Building materials and processes are selected to reduce pollution and the waste of natural resources both during the manufacturing and construction phases and throughout the life of the home." -NC Healthy Built Homes Website

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Blue Ridge Food and Wine Festival

You guessed it, it's that time again. The Blue Ridge Food and Wine Festival will be held Downtown Blowing Rock this year. The festival starts Thursday, April 16th with "Uncork" the festival at the Meadowbrook Inn.

Friday is full of fun activities. A Downtown Scavenger Hunt will  go on all day. Also, there will be different cooking and wine seminars throughout the day such as "pairing cheese and wine" and "wine making 101". See the schedule for exact

times, locations and pricing. Friday evening, John McEwen (of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame) will be gracing the halls of the Hayes Performing Arts Center. There's also a downtown Gallery Stroll and a VIP Wine Gala. Another highlight is the Late Night Pastry Party with Carla Lyons Hall (Top Chef Finalist) at Crippen’s Restaurant.

Saturday is always the big day of the festival starting with the preliminary rounds of the Fire on the Rock Chef's Challenge. This is an exciting event featuring local chef's competing for the title. The "Grand Tasting" also takes place on Saturday. There  will be tons of North Carolina wines featured as well as others from around the world. I'm hoping for a nice weekend with all of the outdoor activities that are planned. The Grand Tasting  will be held on the corner of Main and Maple and is 45 dollars at the door. The Downtown Scavenger Hunt continues Saturday as well.

As if the weekend isn't action packed enough, Sunday is the final round of the Fire on the Rock Chef's Challenge. There will also be Champagne Brunches at local restaurants (the list of locations will come out later).

Trying to park downtown will be crazy so there will be a shuttle running from Shoppes on the Parkway to the Arts Center to Downtown. I would highly recommend it.

As you can see, there's definitely something for everyone whether you just want to come for tasting, food, classes and meet and greet or great entertainment. I'm looking forward to the tasting on Saturday myself. Cross your fingers for beautiful weather.

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Old Man Winter Strikes Again in the High Country

After a long gorgeous weekend to start off the month of April, Old Man Winter is about to strike again. That's what April is all about up here in the High Country. We go from 70 degrees and sunny to 25 degrees with a blizzard and winds howling in 24 hours time. The spring teaser is a cycle that takes some getting used to. On one hand,it brings a much needed reprieve from the long winter months. On the other, it strikes back again so hard that it's depressing because you realize there's at least a month till it's time to pack up the parkas and open up the house for good. Usually you can count on being safe by the 2nd week in May.

Trout fishing opened this past Saturday. Blowing Rock marked the event with the annual Trout Derby. We had some friends and family over to cast out a few lines in the creek and grill out some dogs. It was a perfect day to enjoy the outdoors. I'm glad we enjoyed it while we could because as we speak, not even a whole day later, I'm starting to see flurries out of my office window.

The forecast on Ray's Weather says that we're supposed to get 1-3 inches by Wednesday morning with 3-7 inches in the higher elevations towards Tennessee. The temperatures will be in the 20's to 30's until Thursday and then warming just a touch. Easter Weekend looks like it's going to be pretty messy and rainy but possibly looking up on Easter Sunday. You'll still have to bundle the kids up for Egg Hunting but hopefully the rain will hold off.

The sky was ominous this morning so I snapped a few pictures. Here are two taken in the same spot but 180 degrees difference. The first is the last little patch of blue sky disappearing. The second one is the dark front moving in. I'll post up some more pictures once I can get out and get some of the snow. Cross your fingers it's the last one but that's probably just wishful thinking for this beach girl.

 

 

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Sonny's Grill in Blowing Rock Closes its Doors

Well I'm sad to report that after more than 50 years of business in downtown Blowing Rock, the historic Sonny's Grill shuts down for good today. Sonny's has been a treasure for locals and visitors alike.

Though famous for its ham biscuits and sweet potato pancakes, Sonny's had a small but savory down home menu to satisfy even the most complex palate. With the friendly laid-back atmosphere and good coffee, it was easy to come for breakfast and stay for lunch. The restaurant, located on Main Street in the heart of Blowing Rock, was a step back to a simpler time. With only eight barstools and a handful of tables, the atmosphere had an uncanny way of making both locals and visitors feel at home.

As for the reason it's closing, we're seeing it across the country. The economy is making it hard for small business owners to compete, even in a town that is known and loved for it's quaint small town charm. No news yet as to what will take it's place, but we can only hope that it will add to the unique flavor of Downtown Blowing Rock that we've come to know and love over the years.

I hope that something might come along and take it's place or at least be a decent substitute but sadly, I don't really think anything could. Sonny's Grill will be greatly missed by those who call Blowing Rock home, as well as those who have made Sonny's a part of every visit to the mountains.

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Winterfest in Blowing Rock

Well, I was planning on doing this blog before Winterfest to provide some much needed information on the event but time escaped me like it so often does so here is my post-Winterfest blog. And now I have pictures to show.

The skies were gray this past Saturday in picturesque downtown Blowing Rock but the temperatures weren't cold enough to keep people inside or out of the Chetola Lake for the annual Polar Plunge for that matter. Those people are crazy! They're a special breed.

My husband and I loaded up the baby and the dog and joined the hundreds of ramblers, meandering through the town on a crisp winter's day. We drank hot chocolate, strolled through the park and enjoyed all of the sightseeing that our hometown has to offer. I guess I can't technically call it my hometown since I grew up on the other side of North Carolina in Southport, but hopefully baby Harrison will proudly call it his.

Other fun activities of the day were ice carving, free hay rides, kids activities, and a chili cook off. The Meadowbrook Inn took home the trophy this year for best chili in the High Country. Canyons (where my husband and I work part-time) is foiled again.

I was lucky enough to enjoy a rare night out and was able to catch the John Cowan Band at the Performing Arts Center. They were well received by the sold out crowd as they have been for the past 3 years. I have great memories from my younger years listening to these guys while goofing off and cooking breakfast on lazy Sundays with my family. Needless to say, it's always nostalgic to see them when they come to town. John has a loyal following from his years with Sam Bush, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn, as the groundbreaking New Grass Revival. The set was a great mix of new and classic songs. The guys even walked down from the stage into the crowd and John sang an unplugged version of "A Good Woman's Love" in his soulful tenor. We hope to see them back next Winterfest.

All and all, a storybook day. It makes me remember how lucky I am to live in this remarkable little corner of the world. If you come to visit, I promise there are no shortages of things to see and do, to occupy your time no matter what season it is. Come and enjoy.

The Ridge at Watauga Lake

The Ridge at Watauga Lake is a hidden gem nestled in the countryside high above the lake's shores. As the area's newest gated subdivision, "The Ridge" combines the pristine pastoral beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains with the laid back community atmosphere that his part of the world is famous for.

Watauga Lake sits 1,959 feet above sea level and covers 34,000 acres although only 47 miles of shoreline are privately owned as the shoreline is very steep in most places. The winding mountain roads that you must take in order to get to the lake keep it a well kept local secret. While the lake is located in Tennessee, it is only 3 miles from the North Carolina border. Watauga Lake is 15 miles from Mountain City, Tennessee and only 22 miles from Boone, NC.

"The Ridge" is only minutes from the Pioneer Landing Marina, the easternmost marina on Watauga Lake. There activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and water skiing can be enjoyed. They also offer a campground and boat slips available to rent.

While still in the development phases, "The Ridge" will boast a clubhouse with pool and tennis courts, hiking trails and a community area with rustic turn-key cabins. There are 73 lots in all. Lot sizes range from half and acre to 3 acres and the views range from pastoral to long range and lake views.

All roads will be paved and each lot will be hooked into city water and have DSL capability and underground utilities.

Watauga Lake is the ultimate escape away from your daily and weekly toils and The Ridge offers this great escape along with laid back mountain living at it's finest. Come and see for yourself!

Blowing Rock Snow...Pictures and Activities

It's been a pretty eventful winter so far here in the Boone and Blowing Rock areas. We've had 3 snows so far that actually accumulated from 1-3 inches and even a little bit more in the higher elevations.

I have an extremely steep driveway so I'm effectively snowed in unless I want to park my car at the bottom of the hill and hike down in yak trax with a 3 month old baby. My husband teaches down the mountain and definitely has to park at the bottom in order to get out. I don't envy him at all. That's a long cold hike at 5:30 in the morning. Anyway, I'm not really complaining. Looking out of the window of our cozy one bedroom house at the snow covered mountains is enough to make up for a lot of the hassle.

Here are a few pictures. I find that taking snow pictures is a little like taking pictures of fireworks, it's hard to really capture, but that won't stop me from trying.

The ski mountains are most definitely glad that the winter is off to a good start. I haven't been able to get out and test the waters with my snowboard yet but I'm itching to go. Appalachian Ski Mountain opened a few weeks ago and has just opened up for night skiing in addition to day. Sugar is up and moving as well. Sugarfest is coming up December 13th and 14th. Activities include fireworks, music, ice sculpting, a snowball eating contest, ski clinic's with Olympic medallists and the Burton Rail Jam Expression session.

Another interesting highlight is that Hawksnest Ski Resort in Seven Devils has recently changed to a snow tubing only facility. Honestly I think it's a great idea for them to cover that niche. With 4 ski resorts in a small radius I think it's smart to do something different with one of them. I'll give a full report after I go there and check it out for myself...I can't wait!

There's plenty going on this time of year and it's a great time to visit. Choose and Cut is really big in the High Country. It's a great way to spend a day or weekend with the family. Come up, get a tree, have lunch at one of our eclectic restaurants and check out downtown Blowing Rock or the Shoppes on the Parkway outlets for some unique Christmas gifts. It's such a beautiful time of year here. Come and take advantage of it.

Boone Area Hiking Trails - Glen Burney Falls

If you're in the Blowing Rock area and want a great half day moderate hike with a big pay off at the end, the Glen Burney trail is a great choice. Having lived in Blowing Rock for a few years, I knew about the trail but had never made the hike until recently. Depending on what kind of shape you're in, the trail is moderate to a little more than moderate. For me, hiking 3 weeks after I had a baby, the trail was a bit much on the way back up, but I made it! The trail starts out fairly level, but the last third of it you're definitely hiking straight down towards the falls. The trail is 1.2 miles down to the Glen Burney Falls and then another .4 miles to the Glen Marie Falls. You end up descending about 800 feet below the town of Blowing Rock. There are several great places to have a picnic lunch and sit for a while to break up the trip.

The view really is breathtaking at the bottom but the thing that I like about this trail is that it's interesting the whole way not just at the end. There's a lot of history in this ancient trail that was used by the Indians as a hunting trail and then later for turn of the century loggers. The town of Blowing Rock restored the trail in 1989 making it the only remaining portion preserved in usable condition. The hike takes around 2 hours round trip and is definitely a worthwhile trek.

If you're hungry after the trip, you're in luck because you're only a stones throw away from some great Blowing Rock restaurants. Check out Sonny's Grill if you're in the mood for a great hot dog or hamburger. You won't feel under dressed in your scrubby hiking clothes.

In peak season there is never any parking at the trail head but it is just as easy to park close by downtown. For directions click here.

As far as what's happening in the Boone and Blowing Rock real estate markets, we've had a great summer and early fall. Much of the market has held up fairly well across the board, slower of course than in year's past. The under 300K range for homes is still quite strong, and there's a ton of inventory, making it a great time to buy. In the past month or so, prices have started to soften. I'm hopeful now that the election is behind us, the current issues with the credit market will become the focus again, and the economy will make a turn-around. Let's all think positive!

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Mount Mitchell...Highest Point East of the Mississippi.

So when you live in a vacation destination such as Blowing Rock where people come to "get away from it all" where do you go to "get away from it all"? Well, the answer to that question this year was about 30 minutes outside of Burnsville, NC for my family. When I asked my Mom, "why Burnsville", she candidly replied..."well, none of us have ever been there before". Well, I guess that was good enough for me and the other 14 or so members of my extended family, all of who trekked from the far reaches of North Carolina and Virginia to the off the beaten path "cabin" that was big enough to house our rambunctious clan for a whole week.

My husband and I woke up with a burst of motivation one morning and decided to load up and drive the hour to Mt. Mitchell state park. Living in North Carolina and coming to various nooks and crannies of the mountains all my life, I just assumed that I had been there at some point. Turns out I hadn't, nor had my husband who grew up in nearby Morganton. We ended up having a wonderful day trip pretending to be tourists an hour and a half from home. We stopped at all of the overlooks on the parkway and took pictures of trees and butterflies. We set the camera to a timer so that we could have a pictures with both of us. We even bought the touristy blackberry jam at the little concession stand at the top of the mountain. It was a wonderful sunny day with the temperature at least 7 degrees cooler than when we set out at the base of the mountain.

The views were exceptional from all angles. The only downfall was that the observation deck at the top is currently closed for construction as it has been since March of 07'. Right now it's about 60% complete so it shouldn't be too much longer but I doubt they'll have it open before next spring. The good news is that you don't have to fight the crowds. The bad news is that, while you can drive up and have nice views from the main parking area and wilderness trails, you're not going to experience that huge unobstructed panoramic vista from the tip top.

All in all, definitely a worthwhile day trip even without the pinnacle. It's a pretty wild feeling to be up there, knowing that you're higher up than anyone on the eastern half of the United States. Getting there is a bit out of the way but the drive up is half the fun. Just don't pick a day where it's going to be cloudy or stormy . If you do you'll end up like the rest of my family when they decided to make the trip a day after we did!

Shoppes on the Parkway in Blowing Rock

I know that shopping isn't necessarily the thing that you think of when you come to Blowing Rock or Boone. If you do happen to find yourself up this way, here's a quick index of information about the Tanger Outlets at Shoppes on the Parkway. Hours of operation are 10-9 Monday-Saturday and 11-6 on Sunday. It's an easy way to spend an afternoon or wait out a thunderstorm.

Claire's
Coach Factory
Dressbarn
Liz Claiborne

PacSun
Sunglass Hut
Banana Republic Factory Store
Bass

Gap
Geoffrey Beene
Hanes Brands, Inc.

Izod
J.Crew
Jockey
Kasper
Nautica
Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store
Van Heusen

Kilwin's Chocolate & Ice Cream
Parkway Cafe

Rack Room Shoes
Corningware Corelle Revere Factory Store
Kitchen Collection
Vitamin World

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Summer in Blowing Rock - A Time for Rest, Rambling, and Rhododendron

Summer is in full swing here in the Boone-Blowing Rock area. Spring seemed to be but a fleeting thought that came late and quickly disappeared when we weren't looking. Temperatures have been in the 90's all week and everything is in full bloom especially our native gem, the Rhododendron.

Area schools finally let out this past week. Doesn't it seem later and later each year? I know the kids feel that way. All of these signs point to the fact that the summer tourist season is in full swing.

If you're in the area, the Blowing Rock Stage Company is presenting The Immigrant "It is a beautiful play that truly captures the American experience of assimilation, tolerance and understanding. I think our audiences will see much of their own history in this play.” Says director Kenneth Kay of the play which is second in the company's summer season. Performances start June 13 and run through the 22nd. Call the box office at the Miriam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center for specific times and rates (828) 295-9627.

"Art in the Park" kicks off June 14th in Blowing Rock. The festival features local artists and vendors and it's right near the playground and shops. It's a wonderful way to spend a Saturday with the kids mulling around downtown. Everything starts around 10. I'd come early to avoid the mid-day heat and traffic.

This is the peak time of year if you're an outdoor enthusiast or just enjoy being outside. Try your hand at trout fishing in one of our many stocked streams. There are plenty of opportunities to go canoeing, kayaking or tubing. For guided tours check out Wahoo's for a range of activities and rates. Of course there are plenty of hiking trails all over the area for every skill level but that deserves a blog all to itself. More to come on that at a later date. There's also horseback riding, canopy tours or if you want to sit back soak it all in, grab an ice cream cone at Kilwin's downtown Blowing Rock and just watch the world go by.

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Blowing Rock and Boone NC - Warm Weather Adventures

I think it's finally safe to say that the warm weather is here to stay. After a relatively mild yet long winter I really appreciate every day as a gift. The trees are finally getting green as you look across the John's River Gorge, chirping birds wake you up in the morning, the air is warm but has just enough crispness to it to make you feel like you're really in the mountains. Everyone seems to breathe easier and relax into the beautiful six months of weather that we have ahead of us.

Appalachian State graduation was last weekend. That's right, the kids are out for the summer. I'm always surprised at how early the college kids get out of school, when the other schools in the area still have another month. Boone is hardly a ghost town though. In addition to the students that decide to stay through the summer, it's the time of year where we trade out students for out- of-towners. The normal congestion in the Downtown area in Boone and Blowing Rock does a little repreve in the few transition weeks before the real "summer season" hits. So....the next month is one of the very best times to plan a visit to the High Country.

There is so much going on in the next few months, I'll touch on a few key activities now and then come back and post some more later.

The Watauga County farmers market is heating up. While it's not at full force yet there are still some local vendors with pre-season goods. Stock up on potted plants, herbs and seeds. Now's the time to plant them yourself and enjoy them for the rest of the summer. You can check out the market every Saturday morning at Horn in the West off of 105 ext. in Boone.

Load up the kids, Tweetsie is finally open. The wild west theme park opens full time on May 23rd and is open on weekends up until then. Younger children will be excited about a "Day Out With Thomas". If you're not familiar, Thomas is a train engine first made famous in children's books and later in an animated series. The event takes place May 30th-June 8th and features storytelling, a 25 minute long ride with Thomas and getting to meet Sir. Topham Hatt in person. Who could ask for anything more?

The last quick thing I'll touch on is Boone's own Scream Time Zipline! I'm really excited about this. It's probably not a great idea seeing that I'm "expecting," but believe you me, come late Fall, I'll write a first hand account. I don't know of a better way to bag a thrill ride and a beautiful tour of the area in one punch. The check-in is out 421 towards Vilas. Click on the site for more specific directions. There are a variety of packages to choose from. The regular tour is 2 1/2 hours of zipline fun. Go to this link and check out the video to see what all of this is about.

That about wraps up my little teaser about some High Country happenings. There's so much more heating up that I'll have to get back to in later posts.

On a quick real estate note: The Boone - Blowing Rock real estate market held steady through the winter and is really starting to warm up as the sap rises. It's a great time to look whether you're looking for a vacation home, something for your child who's at school at ASU, or looking to relocate permanently to this amazing part of the world. There is so much on the market right now. Check out the Watauga, Avery, and Ashe County MLS SEARCH on my web site or contact me directly. I'd love to show you what's out there.

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Dollar Days at Grandfather Mountain

Come and visit Grandfather Mountain for one dollar a head through April. There's only one catch... you have to be a resident of Mitchell, Avery, Watauga, Wilkes, Alleghany or Ashe counties. If you're not just be in the car with someone who is. As long as someone in the car has proof of residency, you're in. April is the month that Grandfather Mountain reaches out to the locals who might not get there any other time of year without an incentive. So come on out! If you're not a local, make friends with someone who is. It's a great opportunity to check out the park.

Spend a day exploring the hiking trails.

Check out the animals like bears, cougars, deer, river otters and bald eagles in their natural habitat.

If you're brave enough...walk across the mile high swinging bridge.

April is a great time to go. Many of the animals are starting to poke their heads out, and you don't have to fight the crowds like you would later on in the season. Give a call before you go 828-773-4337. The hours change a few times through April so it's best to call ahead and check. They can give you an idea of what the weather is like as well. It's always a great day for the whole family and you sure can't beat the price!

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Blowing Rock Trout Derby

Spring snuck up on me this year. Growing up in the coastal region of North Carolina I never had too much winter to complain about until I moved to Blowing Rock. Now I know that in comparison to other areas in the north, even at our high elevation, the winters here really aren't that bad. Still for me I'm nearing the end of my third winter and it's taking some adjustment. Usually come February, I'm chomping at the bit and staring longingly out the window for any sign of a Robyn or daffodil, but this year I didn't really have time to think about it before it was well on it's way. Not to say that we won't have some more chilly days or a freak snowstorm through April but it seems as though the temperature it's starting to heat up for good.

There's no better way to kick off the spring season than with the annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby. The event kicks off at 6am on Saturday April 5th and continues on Sunday from 12-4. Registration is free!It's a great event for the kids and gives everyone a good excuse to get out and shake off the winter blues.

Prizes are anything from cash to trophy's, fishing gear and tickets to local events. Take your fish to the American Legion building on Wallingford Street in Blowing Rock to see if it measures up. I think a warm day outside on the lake is prize enough for me...assuming our beautiful streak of weather keeps up.

Keep in mind that North Carolina law now requires everyone to have a fishing licence and believe me, they mean it. Almost every time I've been out fishing they've showed up and checked licenses. Pretty sure they won't miss the Trout Derby. You can purchase an yearly licence from your local bait shop. I believe Walmart sells them too. You can also purchase one online.

Get out there and enjoy the laid back pace of winter mixed with the gorgeous spring sunshine. Make it a day to remember.

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Blowing Rock Ice Storm - Some Pretty Pictures

To my delight, Friday morning the Boone/Blowing Rock area was greeted by the beautiful remains of a brutal ice storm. Many were left with fallen trees and power outages. Most people I talked to were unaffected though ASU did cancel classes. These are just a few pictures that I happened to snap before all of the ice melted mid-day. It finally warmed up a little today but not enough to forget that there's a decent 2-3 good months of winter yet to come. Skiers and Snowboarders eat your heart out, looks like you've got a pretty good season ahead of you! As For the rest of us, bundle up, relax, put on a pot of chili and enjoy the slow pace of this laid back time of year. It will be gone before we know it!

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Christmas in the High Country - Boone and Blowing Rock Traditions

It finally feels like Winter up here in the mountains. It's turned cold, the last of the Fall leaves have blown away, and we've had a little snow. And now the Christmas Season is upon us. If you plan on visiting the Boone- Blowing Rock area over the holiday, there are plenty of fun events to make this year a memorable one.

The choose and cut Christmas tree farms in this neck of the woods are still booming despite the recent drought. There are plenty of family-owned and operated establishments to carry out your own family tradition. The White House is particularly fond of Allegheny and Ashe County Christmas trees. And more often than not, their tree hails from a North Carolina Christmas tree farm.. This year the Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Tree Farm in Laurel Springs was the proud purveyor of the 18 1/2 foot Fraser Fur that was shipped to the Capitol a few days before Thanksgiving. Cutting your own Christmas tree is a great excuse to come up this way and enjoy some of the many seasonal family events that this area has to offer.

If you're into extreme winter sports, the ski slopes are just now kicking off their seasons. Most of them have been making snow since Thanksgiving, and at least have a few runs open. Appalachian Ski Mountain has it's big run open and hoping to open the rest within the next month. I was able to go out snowboarding a couple of weeks ago when they first opened up part of the mountain. There's something so funny about being out there in all of your winter gear in 60 degree weather, along with everyone else "jumping the gun," and only part of the ground covered. Just sort of a fun teaser to get your feet wet.

Sugar Mountain is about to have it's big kick off weekend with SugarFest December 15th and 16th. They're hoping to have the whole mountain open by then. There are lots of fun events including a snowball-eating contest, ice skating, the Burton/Edge of the World Rail Jam, fire works, ice sculpting and live music by Boss Hawg. It's a great way to officially start the ski season.

If you're in the Blowing Rock area during the evening, the Chetola Festival of lights continues through the end of January. The resort is open for the public to drive through and view the multitude of lights. Load up the family put on some Christmas music and make some memories. Looking at Christmas lights is somehow always more exciting than you anticipate it being and you're always glad you put the effort into going.

After taking in the lights, mosey on over to the Miriam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center to catch a performance of Robert Inman's original musical "The Christmas Bus". Robert Inman is local novel/play write that has composed such local favorites as Dairy Queen Days and the adaptation of Jan Karon's A Journey to Mitford that was such a big hit this past fall. The show features 15 original songs and a mixed cast of equity actors and local players. Nothing like a bunch of rowdy enthusiastic young'uns to really get you into the Christmas spirit.

There are certainly no shortage of festive things to do this time of year. We're all just hoping to get snow sometime soon to make it really feel like the season. If you're a snow monkey, Winter is a great time to visit Boone and Blowing Rock. Let me know if you have been dreaming of a mountain getaway. There are some great buys out there right now! Come and see for yourself and please..... cross your fingers for a White Christmas! Have a joyous and happy holiday season.

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Blowing Rock NC - Let the Winter Fun Begin

In Blowing Rock NC, the last of the fall leaves are starting to turn brown and be swept away. And with them, the last moments of this crisp, wondrous, and yet brief portion of the year. Everyone's settling in for the long winter season. I think that we're all ready for the first snow, but with the unusually mild winters that we've had in the High Country the past few years, it's harder and harder to know just what to expect as far as the winter weather forecast. Everyone from locals, to meteorologists, to the Woolly Worms are stumped. Regardless of how extreme conditions get, the winter is more than a change of seasons, it's a change in attitude and lifestyle. With the area boasting so many exciting outdoor activities, it's hard to figure out just what to do when being inside isn't an option.

The obvious outdoor winter activities in the Boone, Banner Elk, and Blowing Rock areas are skiing and snowboarding. There are a variety of slopes in the area to fit every enthusiast's taste. For Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, Hawksnest and Appalachian Ski Mountain the snow- blowing started this weekend with projected openings for the weekend after Thanksgiving. Appalachian Ski Mountain, the smaller of the four resorts reports that they could possibly open on November 15th. They also have an ice skating rink, if you're not great on the slopes. This will be my second winter snowboarding. I'm hoping that it's like riding a bike because the first year was pretty painful, but then again I'm clumsier than most. Maybe I'll check out snow tubing. That seems pretty harmless.

Some seasonal highlights to look forward to in the upcoming months are the Festival of Lights on November 23rd at Chetola Resort. Chetola is beautiful, family oriented resort on the outskirts of Blowing Rock that has become the area's best in terms of amenities and offerings. During the Christmas season, starting Nov. 15, Chetola offers a "Choose and Cut Package". I imagine they get booked up quickly so don't wait if you're thinking of coming up. Also, Watauga County Christmas tree growers put on its own "Choose and Cut Festival." I can tell you, there's nothing like the freshness you get by cutting your own. Plus it's a great family tradition and just a fun thing to do together.

The weekend after Thanksgiving is the annual Blowing Rock Christmas Parade in downtown Blowing Rock. There's visiting with Santa, hay rides, free hot cider and hot chocolate, caroling, and the lighting of the town. There's marching bands, vintage autos, home-crafted floats, horses, firetrucks, clogging groups and more. The festival is a great way to welcome the Christmas season. It's almost too quaint to believe. You sort of have to blink and rub your eyes to make sure that it's all real.

After all of the Christmas shenanigans when you're really starting to feel in a rut, Blowing Rock Winterfest is there to shake things up a little bit and give a hearty dose of mid-winter cheer. The dates are January 24-27. Some of the activities include a chili cook off, ice sculpture carving, a polar plunge in Chetola lake, a wine tasting, downtown hay rides and tons of games and fun for the kids. It's a really great weekend and the timing couldn't be better.

Aside from seasonal activities, The calendar at the Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center is full to the brim. For a fun weekly tradition, check out the movie night that they have once a week. The day of the week varies but they feature a wide array of vintage movies from Kiss Me Kate to Jaws and everything in between.

In addition to the plays put on by the Blowing Rock Stage Company, a professional theatre company whose home is in Hayes Performing Arts Center, there are also an assortment of cultural events. On deck musically for the winter months are The Kruger Brothers an amazing Bluegrass band from Switzerland who actually moved right next door in Wilkes County a few years ago. Take a listen. They'll be playing at the Theatre on December 11th.

Former New Grass Revival lead singer and bassist John Cowan and his band of renegade virtuosos will be back again this year by popular demand. I made it to the show last year and it was a great crowd. They packed the house. This is definitely a show to go ahead and get tickets early for. That weekend is also Winterfest in Blowing Rock so people will already be planning their trips up here. The show is January 23rd.

One of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founders John McEuen will hit on February 23rd on the stage. Sometimes called "The String Wizard" because of his command of the guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin, he still tours with the band but will do a "solo" gig at the Hayes Center. He's known to bring surprise performers with him on these solo tours so we might be surprised who shows up with him!

You don't have to travel far in Blowing Rock to see great live music. Canyons has music typically on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There's as a wide range of music from Leon Russell to Jeff Coffin to John Cowan to the Waybacks. Canyons does a great job of hitting on almost every genre. It is a great laid aback venue for the area. Definitely my favorite place to see music up here. The restaurant/bar boasts an amazing gorge view with the most amazing sunsets in the area. Winter is the best time to really take in the view. Often times in the spring and summer it's more hazy because of the humidity in the air. You really don't get the full effect like you do in the winter.

Aside from going out for dinner and cultural events, what else is there to do in the Winter to stay warm yet active? Well, there's always Bowling. Bo's new family entertainment center in Lenoir has bowling, arcades, pool tables and a nice bar area. It's an easy 15/20 minute drive from Blowing Rock and it's not too expensive. Good fun for the whole family.

If you just can't bring yourself to leave the house, try building a camp fire, bundling up and cooking hot dogs and marshmallows outside. Sure your hands will be cold but that's half the fun. If that's too adventurous for you, just build one inside turn off the TV and play cards. Better yet, Invite the neighbors over for a potluck and game night.

It's hard not to just sort of go into hibernation mode and feel trapped when it's cold out, but hey, I'm pretty sure there's worse things than having a cup of hot cocoa and snuggling up with a warm fuzzy friend and watching a movie.

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