Friday, April 29, 2011

LOTS going on in the coming months

Our good friends at Blowing Rock Investment Properties (hey, Denice!) sent us this link that highlights the wealth of great activities coming up in the High Country.

Among the events are the Rhododendron Ramble at Grandfather Mountain (May 30-June 12), MerleFest (April 28-May 1), Blowing Rock's Art in the Park (ongoing), the Banner Elk Herb Festival and much more.

How could one ever get bored?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Talk about proximity to EVERYTHING!

The town of Seven Devils is the ultimate escape. It may not have tons of "attractions" in the town limits proper, but that's OK. (It does boast Hawksnest snow tubing/zipline.) We have found it to be a fantastic place to just get away from it all.

But, boy, does it boast great proximity. I came across this listing of attractions "in" Seven Devils. While the aforementioned Hawksnest gets the nod as the "only" one in the town, there's no doubt that there are plenty of things to do nearby.

In short, you'll never bored up there. Unless you want to be. And that's OK too.

Here ya go:

Attractions near Seven Devils



Mountain Glen Golf Club
Newland, North Carolina Mountains. 3 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Sugar Mountain Resort
Banner Elk, North Carolina Mountains. 3 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Ski/ Snowboard Areas
Activities: Skiing
Ranked #4 in Banner Elk, NC
High Mountain Expeditions
Banner Elk, North Carolina Mountains. 3 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Tours
Ranked #2 in Banner Elk, NC
Banner Elk Stables
Banner Elk, North Carolina Mountains. 3 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Horseback Riding Stables
Activities: Horseback riding
Ranked #3 in Banner Elk, NC
Julian Price Park
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 3 miles southeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: State Parks
Beech Mountain
Beech Mountain, North Carolina Mountains. 4 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Ski/ Snowboard Areas
Activities: Skiing
Ranked #1 in Beech Mountain, NC
The Greater Foscoe Mining Co.
Foscoe, North Carolina. 4 miles east of Seven Devils
Ranked #1 in Foscoe, NC
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 4 miles southeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Historic Sites; Equestrian Trails
Activities: Horseback riding, Hiking
Ranked #3 in Blowing Rock, NC
Edge of the World
Banner Elk, North Carolina Mountains. 4 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Tours
Ranked #1 in Banner Elk, NC
Grandfather Mountain
Linville, North Carolina. 4 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Mountains; Nature/ Wildlife Areas; Natural History Museums
Activities: Hiking, Picnicking, Leisure education
Ranked #1 in Linville, NC
Mast General Store
Valle Crucis, North Carolina Mountains. 5 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Shops
Activities: Shopping
Ranked #1 in Valle Crucis, NC
Alta Vista Gallery and B & B
Valle Crucis, North Carolina Mountains. 5 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Art Galleries
Dutch Creek Trails
Valle Crucis, North Carolina Mountains. 5 miles north of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Horseback Riding Stables
Ranked #2 in Valle Crucis, NC
Moses Cone Manor
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 5 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Historic Sites
Activities: Hiking, Walking
Ranked #6 in Boone, NC
Yancey Ridge
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 6 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Biking Trails
Activities: Biking
Magic Mountain Mini Golf and Arcade
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 7 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Amusement/ Theme Parks
Ranked #11 in Boone, NC
Benson Hollow
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 8 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Biking Trails
Activities: Biking
Appalachian Resort
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 8 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Ski/ Snowboard Areas
Activities: Skiing
Ranked #8 in Blowing Rock, NC
Christopher's Wine & Cheese
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 8 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Specialty Shops
Ranked #6 in Blowing Rock, NC
Scream Time Ziplines
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 8 miles north of Seven Devils
Ranked #4 in Boone, NC
The Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 8 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Geologic Formations
Ranked #9 in Blowing Rock, NC
Wahoo's Adventures
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 8 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Tours
Ranked #3 in Boone, NC
River and Earth Adventures, Inc
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 8 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Educational Sites
Ranked #1 in Boone, NC
High Mountain Expeditions
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Tours
Ranked #2 in Boone, NC
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Ski/ Snowboard Areas
Ranked #7 in Blowing Rock, NC
Mast General Store Old Boone Mercantile
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Specialty Shops
Ranked #8 in Boone, NC
Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Specialty Shops
Ranked #7 in Boone, NC
Horn in the West
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Theaters
Ranked #5 in Boone, NC
Grandfather Golf and Country Club
Linville, North Carolina. 9 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Ranked #4 in Linville, NC
Appalachian Cultural Museum
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Specialty Museums
Ranked #9 in Boone, NC
Mystery Hill
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Educational Sites; Mysterious Sites
Ranked #4 in Blowing Rock, NC
Doc's Rocks Gem Mine
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 9 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Mines
Ranked #1 in Blowing Rock, NC
Boone Golf Club
Boone, North Carolina Mountains. 10 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Ranked #10 in Boone, NC
Bolick Family Pottery
Lenoir, North Carolina Mountains. 10 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Specialty Shops
Christa's Country Corner
Pineola, North Carolina. 11 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Shops
Activities: Shopping
Tanger Outlets Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 11 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Factory Outlets
Ranked #5 in Blowing Rock, NC
Plumtree Canopy Tours
Plumtree, North Carolina. 12 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Other
Ranked #1 in Plumtree, NC
Linville River
Linville, North Carolina. 13 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Bodies of Water
Linville Gorge
Linville Falls, North Carolina. 14 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Canyons; Geologic Formations
Ranked #1 in Linville Falls, NC
Blue Ridge Country Club
Linville Falls, North Carolina. 15 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Roan Mountain State Park
Roan Mountain, Tennessee. 16 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: State Parks
Ranked #1 in Roan Mountain, TN
Wilson Creek
Asheville, North Carolina Mountains. 18 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Bodies of Water
Activities: Group tours/day tour, White-water rafting
Ranked #36 in Asheville, NC
Butler Museum
Butler, Tennessee. 19 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Museums
Ranked #1 in Butler, TN
Museum of North Carolina Minerals
Spruce Pine, North Carolina Mountains. 21 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Activities: Leisure education
Ranked #3 in Spruce Pine, NC
Mountain Aire Golf Club
West Jefferson, North Carolina Mountains. 22 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Penland School of Crafts
Penland, North Carolina. 22 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Educational Sites
Activities: Arts and crafts
Ranked #1 in Penland, NC
Gem Mountain
Spruce Pine, North Carolina Mountains. 22 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Mines
Ranked #1 in Spruce Pine, NC
Tweetsie Railroad
Blowing Rock, North Carolina Mountains. 23 miles southeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Amusement/ Theme Parks
Ranked #2 in Blowing Rock, NC
Hawksbill Mountain Trail
Linville, North Carolina. 23 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Hiking Trails
Activities: Hiking
Table Rock Trail
Linville, North Carolina. 23 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Hiking Trails
Activities: Hiking
Ranked #3 in Linville, NC
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area
Linville, North Carolina. 23 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Geologic Formations
Activities: Camping, Hiking, Viewing wildlife, Birdwatching
Ranked #2 in Linville, NC
Sitting Bear Trail
Linville, North Carolina. 23 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Hiking Trails
Activities: Hiking
Appalachian Trail
Damascus, Virginia. 24 miles north of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Trails
Activities: Hiking
Ranked #3 in Damascus, VA
Linville Golf Club
Linville, North Carolina. 25 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Linville Falls Visitor Center
Spruce Pine, North Carolina Mountains. 25 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Tourist/ Visitor Centers
Ranked #2 in Spruce Pine, NC
Ashe County Cheese Factory and Store
West Jefferson, North Carolina Mountains. 25 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Factory Tours
Ranked #1 in West Jefferson, NC
Mount Mitchell Golf Club
Burnsville, North Carolina Mountains. 25 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Ranked #2 in Burnsville, NC
Emerald Village
Little Switzerland, North Carolina. 26 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Mines
Ranked #1 in Little Switzerland, NC
Rhododendron Trail
Jefferson, North Carolina Mountains. 27 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Hiking Trails
Activities: Hiking
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Jefferson, North Carolina Mountains. 27 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Mountains; State Parks
Activities: Hiking, Viewing wildlife, Viewing foliage
Sycamore Shoals State Park
Elizabethton, Tennessee. 28 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: State Parks
Ranked #1 in Elizabethton, TN
Quaker Meadows Golf Club
Morganton, North Carolina Mountains. 28 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Ranked #2 in Morganton, NC
Jefferson Landing
Jefferson, North Carolina Mountains. 29 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses; Ghost Towns
Activities: Golfing
Ranked #1 in Jefferson, NC
Bouncin' Kids
Morganton, North Carolina Mountains. 29 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Game/ Entertainment Centers
Ranked #1 in Morganton, NC
Youngs Mountain Music
Burnsville, North Carolina Mountains. 30 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Concerts; Performances
Ranked #3 in Burnsville, NC
Tipton-Haynes Historic Site
Johnson City, Tennessee. 30 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Historic Sites
South Holston Dam
Bristol, Tennessee. 30 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Dams
Mount Mitchell
Burnsville, North Carolina Mountains. 31 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Mountains
Activities: Hiking, Picnicking
Ranked #1 in Burnsville, NC
Summit Trail
Burnsville, North Carolina Mountains. 31 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Hiking Trails
Activities: Hiking, Viewing foliage
Backbone Rock
Shady Valley, Tennessee. 32 miles north of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Geologic Formations; Hiking Trails
Ranked #1 in Shady Valley, TN
Backbone Rock Waterfall
Shady Valley, Tennessee. 32 miles north of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Waterfalls
Ranked #2 in Shady Valley, TN
Silver Creek Plantation
Morganton, North Carolina Mountains. 32 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Activities: Golfing
Hands On! Regional Museum
Johnson City, Tennessee. 32 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Children's Museums
Ranked #1 in Johnson City, TN
Historic Carson House
Marion, North Carolina Mountains. 33 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Historic Sites
Sundog Outfitter
Damascus, Virginia. 33 miles north of Seven Devils
Ranked #4 in Damascus, VA
Freedom Hall Civic Center
Johnson City, Tennessee. 33 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Civic Centers
Ranked #2 in Johnson City, TN
Adventure Damascus
Damascus, Virginia. 34 miles north of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Specialty Shops
Ranked #2 in Damascus, VA
Rocky Mount Museum
Piney Flats, Tennessee. 34 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Historic Sites
Ranked #1 in Piney Flats, TN
USA Raft
Erwin, Tennessee. 35 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Other
Ranked #1 in Erwin, TN
Cherokee Adventures
Erwin, Tennessee. 35 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Bodies of Water; Tours
Ranked #2 in Erwin, TN
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol, Tennessee. 35 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Race Car Tracks
Ranked #1 in Bristol, TN
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Bristol, Tennessee. 35 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Amusement/ Theme Parks
Deal Orchards
Taylorsville, North Carolina. 36 miles east of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Farms
Ranked #1 in Taylorsville, NC
Nolichucky River
Erwin, Tennessee. 36 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Bodies of Water
Activities: White-water rafting
Downtown State Street
Bristol, Virginia. 37 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Historic Sites; Landmarks/ Points of Interest
Appalachian Caverns Tours
Blountville, Tennessee. 37 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Caverns/ Caves
Grayson Highlands State Park
Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. 37 miles northeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: State Parks
Activities: Hiking
Ranked #1 in Mouth of Wilson, VA
Tri Cities Golf Club
Blountville, Tennessee. 37 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Golf Courses
Birthplace of Country Music Alliance
Bristol, Virginia. 38 miles northwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Specialty Museums
Ranked #1 in Bristol, VA
National Storytelling Festival
Jonesborough, Tennessee. 39 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Educational Sites
Ranked #1 in Jonesborough, TN
Signature Spas of Hickory Inc.
Hickory, North Carolina. 39 miles southeast of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Spas
Ranked #3 in Hickory, NC
Catawba Science Center
Hickory, North Carolina. 39 miles southeast of Seven Devils
Ranked #1 in Hickory, NC
Virginia Creeper Trail
Damascus, Virginia. 40 miles north of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Biking Trails; Trails
Activities: Biking
Ranked #1 in Damascus, VA
Barter Theatre
Abingdon, Virginia. 40 miles north of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Theaters
Ranked #1 in Abingdon, VA
Old Fort Monument
Old Fort, North Carolina Mountains. 40 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Monuments/ Statues
Linville Caverns
Marion, North Carolina Mountains. 40 miles south of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Caverns/ Caves
Ranked #1 in Marion, NC
Grant's Indian Museum
Old Fort, North Carolina Mountains. 40 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Museums
Wolf Laurel Ski Area
Mars Hill, North Carolina. 41 miles west of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Ski/ Snowboard Areas
Ranked #2 in Mars Hill, NC
Old Fort Railroad Museum
Old Fort, North Carolina Mountains. 41 miles southwest of Seven Devils
Attraction type: Museums


Thursday, April 21, 2011

LOVE this kitchen!

Our fantastic builder, Steve, sent us some photos of the new kitchen. I am so happy with how it turned out!

We still need to get a backsplash in, but by and large, it is done!




Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Toot-toot! Tons to do do at Tweetsie this year

From a press release about Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's first amusement park, which "pulls out of the station" next Friday, April 29, for its 2011 season.

Tweetsie Railroad will host special events including fan favorites Day Out With Thomas™, the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza and the annual Ghost Train® Halloween Festival along with new events including a visit from Barney™ the Dinosaur and Cool Summer Nights, a new evening program debuting this season. Guests can also enjoy the always entertaining K-9’s in Flight Frisbee® Dogs, Grammy award-winning performers Riders In The Sky and a day of adventure with Dora™ from Dora the Explorer™ and her cousin Diego™ from Go, Diego, Go!™

Tweetsie features live shows, amusement rides, the Deer Park Zoo, concerts and much more family fun. Visitors experience an unforgettable three-mile Wild West adventure behind Tweetsie Railroad’s historic steam locomotives. Family fun is discovered throughout the streets of Tweesie Railroad’s very own Western town, where you can experience firsthand the lives of North Carolina’s cowboys and Indians of the past. One can also take a scenic chair lift ride back in time and experience the gold rush while panning for gold at Miner’s Mountain.

Be part of Tweetsie’s live entertainment including Diamond Lil’s Can-Can Revue, Hopper and Porter’s™ Musical Celebration and Miner’s Mountain Magic. Tweetsie’s Country Clogging Jamboree is also sure to get your toes tappin’.

Tweetsie’s special events scheduled for the 2011 season:

Letterland – May 10, 11, 12

For three days, Tweetsie Railroad will be transformed into a magical place of Letterland based off of United Kingdom’s best-selling alphabet book, Letterland ABC. The reading system teaches young children the alphabet and phonics skills by bringing the letters to life!

Day Out With Thomas – June 3-12

All aboard as Thomas the Tank Engine™ chugs through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Children will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with Sir Topham Hatt™, listen to Thomas and Friends™ storytelling, and enjoy activities in the Imagination Station.

Dora the Explorer™ and Diego™ – June 24-26

Enjoy meet and greets throughout the weekend with Dora and her cousin Diego, popular characters from the hit Nickelodeon pre-school series.

Cool Summer Nights – July 2, 9 and 16

This new program will be for three special evenings July 2, 9 and 16. On these days, the park will keep special evening hours, staying open late and feature movies, live music, a chuck wagon dinner and more. So once you’ve filled your day with all the great activities Tweetsie has to offer, and you’ve ridden our famed steam locomotive to your heart’s content, you’ll be able to see the park in a whole new light: moonlight.

Tweetsie’s Fireworks Extravaganza – July 4

Celebrate Independence Day with a great day of family-friendly fun! Watch as the night sky is illuminated with a dazzling fireworks display, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever! The park will remain open until 9:00 p.m.

A Day in the Park with Barney™ – July 15-17

Meet everybody’s favorite purple dinosaur when he visits Tweetsie Railroad. Join Barney in his sing-along, clap-along show that’s filled with loads of Super-Dee-Duper™ fun!

K-9s in Flight Frisbee® Dogs – July 23-31

This team of canines will amaze you as they jump, flip and catch flying discs in ways that defy gravity. Don’t miss out on the action-packed thrill of these incredible dogs as they perform live at Tweetsie each day.

Riders In The Sky – August 6-7

Come hear America’s favorite cowboys, Riders In The Sky, as they fill the Blue Ridge Mountain air with sweet sounds. Known for their rich blend of Western harmony and comedy, the multi Grammy award-winning quartet has captivated audiences of all ages since 1977.

Tweetsie’s Railfan Weekend – September 10-11

Travel through the Blue Ridge Mountains on Tweetsie’s historic locomotives as the park hosts its seventh annual Railfan Weekend. Celebrate the rich history of steam locomotives and tour the famous Tweetsie Railroad Train Shop, where steam locomotives from across the nation are repaired and restored.

Ghost Train® Halloween Festival – Friday and Saturday nights September 30 – October 29

All aboard the Ghost Train for a can’t-miss spooktacular ride with engineer Casey Bones. There is also a haunted house, the freaky forest, trick-or-treating and other Halloween-themed attractions to provide a night of thrills and chills for the entire family.

Tweetsie Railroad is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting April 29, and seven days a week from May 27 until returning to the weekend schedule from August 21 through October 30, including Labor Day Monday. The 2011 season ends Sunday, October 30. The park’s regular hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but will be open until 9:00 p.m. on July 2, 4, 9 and 16 for Cool Summer Nights. In addition, the park will be open at 8:00 a.m. both Saturdays (June 4 and 11) for the popular Day Out With Thomas ™ event. The Ghost Train® Halloween Festival will take place Friday and Saturday nights September 30 through October 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Daily admission is $34 for adults and $22 for children ages 3 through 12. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Print at home tickets and Golden Rail Season Passes are available at Tweetsie.com.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Almost there!

We went up OMP this past weekend to put some furniture together and check on the general progress which, you will see, is coming along swimmingly.

We are *this* close to having it ready for rentals. (Contact us if you're interested!) We're thinking by Memorial Day.

As you'll see, the painting is done, the cabinets are in, the flooring is completed, the stove is cleaned and ready to rock (we enjoyed it Sat. night!) and the couches and beds and dresses are ready for your bottoms, heads and clothes, respectively.