January 20th, 2012
 Winterfest 2012 is about to begin. This year’s festivities include more events than ever. Added this year is Little Miss and Master of Winterfest pageant. Children from birth to 18 will participate to be crowned the 1st Little Miss and Master of Winterfest.
For those more interested in food than fashion Winterfeast will start on Thursday the 26th. “A fabulous array of culinary delights as the best restaurants in the Blowing Rock area come together at Chetola Resort (in the Evergreen Room on the 2nd Floor). Join us for this annual dinner that will kick off Blowing Rock WinterFest 2012! Participating restaurants include: Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort, Rowlands, The Table at Crestwood, The Gamekeeper, The Best Cellar, Sixpence, Canyons, Foggy Rock, The Green Park Inn, Bistro Roca, Woodlands, The Meadowbrook, Kojay’s, and Ooh La’ La’ Cupcakes.” I can tell you from experience these restaurants put out some pretty fabulous food. I’ll be there!
My favorite event of the festival is the polar plunge. Not that I would consider doing it, I’m not into extreme sports, but plenty of local folks look forward to this all year. For a small entry fee of $25, which goes to local charities, you have the privilege to dress in your costume of choice and jump into a freezing lake. Sounds like fun. More fun to watch. Located at Chetola Lake in Chetola Resort, starting at 10:00 am. With the relatively warm winter we’ve had this year, I might need to give it a try. The water’s, what? 32 degrees, I’m told there’s a light layer of ice on the top of the lake that melts during the day, and then refreezes at night. Hopefully the 50 + degree temps they are calling for will help the jumpers. Good luck to all!
Tags: Blowing Rock, polar plunge, Winterfeast, Winterfest
Posted in High Country Attractions, Winter | No Comments »
November 16th, 2011
So will the Woolly Worms prediction hold strong? With the worm, the farmer’s almanac, old wives tales and local speculation there’s no telling what this winter will bring. Looking out the window on October 1st I could not believe my eyes. Snowflakes? In October. Seriously now! Not fair Mother Nature! Not fair!
Unfortunately only time will tell. Nobody will take credit for the snow until after the official start of winter December 21st. So the 2 snows in October don’t even count. The good/bad news, depending on how you perceive winter, is it is supposed to be a fairly mild winter. Looking back over the past two winters, ’09 with record setting snows, ice, power outages… and ’10 snow after snow after snow, I’m ready for a mild winter.
Not to say that snowboarding, skiing, and tubing aren’t an integral part of the High Countries winter wonderland. What would a season be without snow ball fights, a need for hot chocolate, fabulous winter parkas and the last and greatest equipment? Boring! My kids would never get away from the computer screen.
To this I say, “Mother Nature, bring it on! But if you could wait until the Christmas guests arrive we would appreciate it.”
Posted in Winter | No Comments »
May 26th, 2011
Before the 1920’s, the area was often called “The Lost Province” because of the lack of passable roads.
September 1935, the work on building the Blue Ridge Parkway had begun with a group of men climbing out of a truck, crossing a fence and then they started digging.
The first telegraph lines went up in 1940, as did the first burley tobacco warehouse in Boone that November. Other modern conveniences also came up the mountain including city mail service to Boone in 1941. On the other hand, some things did not change in the area; Watauga County Sheriff’s deputies found and destroyed two large stills and illegal liquor operations in Blowing Rock the same year.
Grover Robbins Sr. opened The Blowing Rock in the 1930s and in 1935 Julian Morton had improved an old road on Grandfather Mountain to a wooden observation tower and started charging admission, adding the “Mile-High Swinging Bridge” in 1952.
In 1960, 982 people made their home in Blowing Rock.
If you listened and sang along to the Kingston Trio’s calypso version of “Tom Dooley” you may not have realized the song had mountain roots. In fact, it came from here in the High Country. Thomas Dula – the correct spelling of the name, which was locally pronounced “Dooley” – was a Confederate veteran who lived in western Wilkes County. He was popular among the ladies and wooed and won two of them. There was little romance, however, but quite a bit of sex.  The truth of the story, which was well hidden in the Kingston Trio version, was that Dula and one girl friend murdered Laura Foster, Dula’s ex-lover. Laura had given Tom syphilis, which he had passed on to his new lover. Dula tried to flee the state but was captured. According to a legend in the Proffitt family, Nancy Proffitt, then a young girl, stood outside Dula’s jail cell in Wilkesboro and heard him sing a song. She shared the song with others, and it spread. One of her nephews, Frank Proffitt Sr., played the song for a folklorist friend, Frank Warner. The Kingston Trio learned it from the singing of Warner.
 In 1978 the world’s largest windmill was constructed on Howards Knob in Boone. Standing 131 feet high, sporting two 97 foot blades that rotated counterclockwise at 35 miles an hour, the windmill generated much fanfare when it was announced, being one of the first to convert wind power to electricity.
The first Woolly Worm festival was held in 1978, with ‘Brown Sugar’ winning and predicting a mild winter.
The Boone Mall was constructed in the 1980’s, becoming the High Country’s first indoor shopping center.
In 1982, the Blowing Rock Police Department employed three full-time officers and one-part time and had two departmental cars.
The New River in North Carolina is a designated National Scenic River and American Heritage River. It received the first distinction in 1976, and the latter in 1998 by then President Bill Clinton. It is the oldest river in the world, and lovers of the region proclaim the lands the New River some of the most beautiful and scenic in the entire Southeast.
Posted in Blowing Rock - History, High Country Attractions | No Comments »
May 12th, 2011
The mountains of North Carolina are a popular destination to escape the summer heat. One very important thing to consider when booking your home is Air Conditioning. The majority of the homes in the area do not offer A/C, mainly due to our elevation. At over 3500 ft., the Boone/Blowing Rock area has always been a getaway for folks who are “off the mountain”. With average summer time daily highs in the 70’s – 80’s and night time temperatures in the upper 50’s – 60’s, it’s almost always cooler up here.
On occasion A/C would be nice, but most of the time it is just not needed. There’s something about opening all the windows and doors, turning on the ceiling fans and just enjoying Mother Nature’s air conditioning. So whether or not A/C is a requirement for you, it is a consideration when choosing your vacation home.
Posted in Travel Tips | No Comments »
April 22nd, 2011
Scheduled for April 28 – May 1, 2011, the festival is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina only a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
 MerleFest is an annual Americana music festival which is held the last weekend in April. The host of the event is Grammy Award winner Doc Watson and is named in memory and honor of his son, Eddy Merle Watson. The festival, founded in 1988, is the primary fundraising event for Wilkes Community College and attracts crowds exceeding 79,000 in number, making it the largest music festival in the United States celebrating “traditional plus” music. Monies raised by the music festival provide scholarship assistance to WCC students.
 
The music is spread across 14 different stages and four days promising non-stop excitement for festival goers. This year’s lineup includes: Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Randy Travis, Sam Bush Band, Doc Watson, The Doobie Brothers, The Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, John Cowan Band, and Lyle Lovett.
Budding musicians have a great opportunity to be discovered by participating in the MerleFest instrument contests: The Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Contest and the Doc Watson Guitar Championship. MerleFest offers the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, which gives up-and-coming songwriters a national stage to introduce their talents.
In addition to world class music, MerleFest presents various workshops, a student showcase for children, a children’s area called The Little Pickers Area, a Songwriters Coffeehouse, Heritage Crafts, and unique shopping experiences from over 70 vendors in the Shoppes at MerleFest. The popular and ever-so-lively Pickin’ Place is open throughout the festival for anyone to sit and jam with other musicians. There truly is something for everyone at MerleFest.
Posted in High Country Attractions | No Comments »
March 31st, 2011
 Like wine? Festivals? Food? Lots of people in a small space? No just kidding. Although, the town of Blowing Rock is home to the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival, the High Countries premier wine and gourmet food festival. Offering wine tastings, auctions, cooking classes, seminars and much more from area restaurants and wineries from around the state and around the world come to compete.
Starting on April 13th
2011 Schedule of Events:
(subject to change)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011:
- Uncork the Festival – Australian food & wine!
- Bartenders Brawl
Thursday, April 14, 2011:
Friday, April 15, 2011:
- Downtown activities and shopping
- Wine Seminars
- Cooking Classes
- Wine Maker Dinners
- Meet & Greet with festival VIPs
- Sunset Stroll on Sunset Drive
- Chuckleball at the Hayes Center
- Bartenders Brawl
- Late Night music and entertainment around town
Saturday, April 16, 2011:
Sunday, April 17, 2011:
- Fire on the Rock Finale
- Champagne Brunches
Posted in High Country Attractions | No Comments »
March 18th, 2011
When selecting a vacation rental take a look at the area you’re going to first. Some places might sound good, but when you arrive there is nothing to do. Luckily in our area you won’t find a shortage of fun activities for every age.
If you are bringing the little ones you may want to consider staying near Tweetsie Railroad. There are properties that you can hear the train whistle sound, and the drama unfolding at Fort Tweetsie. If you are coming in the winter to ski, ask about homes near Appalachian Ski Mountain or the ones closest to Sugar and Beech.
There are in town locations for people who want to park and walk. The Suddreth Cottage is located right on Main St. Blowing Rock, walking distance to all the great shopping and restaurants.
For those who want seclusion and beautiful mountain views, we have you covered as well. Ollies’ Overlook is a great cabin with gorge views, hiking from the house, and only 15 minutes to Blowing Rock. We have many great homes near the Blue Ridge Parkway: Cats Pause, The Grandview, and Paradise Found to name a few.
Blowing Rock has something for everyone and Jenkins Rentals has the ideal property to fit your needs.
Posted in Travel Tips | No Comments »
March 10th, 2011
Vacation Rental Tip #1
When preparing to call for a reservation there are a few things you need to have ready. Similar to a hotel, we use a computerized reservation system, so it is always good to have your dates handy.
Go ahead and have in mind the size of property that will accommodate the number of people in your party or number of bedrooms required. Homes can sleep more people with additional bed types; futons and sleeper sofas.
Lastly, are there any amenities you have to have? Some of the most sought after properties have mountain views, hot tubs, internet, or allow pets. If you are bringing the family pet, tell us early, it helps us to weed out the ones that aren’t pet friendly. If a hot tub is a must, we will be happy to point out those properties.
Our reservationists want nothing less than to find the right property for you and your family. If you’re not happy we have not done our job, and we pride ourselves on our repeat customers.
Posted in Travel Tips | No Comments »
February 23rd, 2011
Last week we covered some fun and potentially exciting car games. Today I would like to bring up the Road Trip Travel Bag. A must for any parent traveling with children. What you put in the bag is dependent on the age of the child.
Birth to 2 years:
- Bottles/sippy cup
- Wet wipes
- Diapers
- Formula/juice
- Bib
- Change of clothes
- Toys and books
Potty trained to 7 years old:
- Sippy cup/water bottle
- Wet wipes
- Change of underwear
- Juice/soda/water
- Change of clothes
- Toys and books
- Dramamine
- Pillows/blanket
- Portable DVD with movies
8 years old to 18 years old
- Sippy cup/water bottle
- Wet wipes
- Change of clothes
- Portable DVD/Video games
- Cell phone
- Pillows/blanket
- Dramamine
Lastly, for Mom and Dad:
- Ear plugs
- Music of your choice
- Unlimited patience
- A map with the shortest possible route.
And remember to have fun, they’re only small once.
Posted in Travel Tips | No Comments »
February 16th, 2011
 When is this last time you took a road trip with your kids? Doesn’t matter if its 1 hour or 15 hours you need to make the trip interesting for them or simply allow the fighting to begin. I remember cross country family trips with my older brother and younger sister. This of course was well before the advent of in car televisions’, hand held video games, and who would have ever thought you could have both AND the benefit of a cordless wireless phone/keyboard/…. You’re following?
Here are two tried and true car games to help pass time and maybe have a little fun on the way.
The ABC Game - Object is to complete the alphabet first. As you see the letters on billboards & license plates you shout out your letter and point. Once a letter has been claimed the other players cannot use the same letter. Make it harder by limiting to only license plates or billboard signs.
I like this one from Facebook (Jean-Francois Mondon). These folks take it a bit more seriously than others.
The License Place Game - During each car trip, the first person to correctly call out the state/province that a license plate belongs to receive a certain number of points, according to the point values stated below.
1. Once a state has been correctly identified, no one else can gain points for identifying that state.
2. If you call out the name of a state that has already been identified, you lose that number of points. (Point values can become negative)
3. If two players call out the name of a state at the same time, neither player gets the points, and the state is still up for grabs.
4. Please note that the License Plate game does not distinguish between “standard” plates and “specialty” plates (“Save the Owls” or whatever).
5. At the end of the trip, the player with the most points wins!
Point Values
The state you are currently in: 0 points
All states east of the Mississippi River, plus Texas and California: 1 point
All states west of the Mississippi River, except Texas and California: 2 points
If you’re currently west of the Mississippi, the point values are reversed (but Texas and California remain 1 point)
Tags: travel games, Travel Tips, traveling with kids
Posted in Travel Tips | No Comments »
|
|
