tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55914144586220711372024-03-13T16:55:22.093-07:00Our Mountain PlaceM. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-78871872782354793762020-08-19T12:30:00.007-07:002020-08-19T12:30:36.206-07:00Always able to find new things to do<p>We were able to spend almost a full week recently at Our Mountain Place (aka, "Honey Bear House"). It was such a wonderful time to get away. Sure, we did some of our usual things: Otter Falls in Seven Devils ... Grandfather Vineyard (TWICE!) ... Blowing Rock shopping ... Blue Deer Cookies ... Come Back Shack ... Bistro Roca for dinner. And so on and so on. But we also managed to actually try some new things, believe it or not!</p><p>On the way up we stopped in<b> West Jefferson</b> for the afternoon. It was nice strolling around that beautiful town ... and checking out the Ashe County Cheese factory! We got the Buffalo cheese, which was INCREDIBLE!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JCcvo8rJ7kLxWGwcjxBSfLakLuyzdhDJFaGhB2gJjtZGhtDQwWw8Q6xKKBPQUsM2vXx5s9s1-kmnQEt3e7o2Lg3gpYF17-uXiY-_UeRRUE1Q3UxQTApplz0cGHf1kRQ9D-jiPArb198/s320/IMG_2351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JCcvo8rJ7kLxWGwcjxBSfLakLuyzdhDJFaGhB2gJjtZGhtDQwWw8Q6xKKBPQUsM2vXx5s9s1-kmnQEt3e7o2Lg3gpYF17-uXiY-_UeRRUE1Q3UxQTApplz0cGHf1kRQ9D-jiPArb198/w400-h300/IMG_2351.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Next day we hit up the <b>Alpine Coaster</b> at Sugar Mountain. If you haven't done this yet, I HIGHLY recommend it. So much fun. Check it out! It's essentially a 1-person coaster (or 2, if you have a little one with you, like I did) that goes through the trees and hills. You get to control the speed ... but going faster is THE BEST!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxELj_A6hLBjapEQ4zRJECSQ-cLnXSPWMP32kEmX_rW2XYjbBIs7fk8eRgVy5SAVEwMoErfFKIVBEgF3H1yVtoX80ERWxrk-i7BU8zoHbnbqLF4WgsVnnb8-wpnO0tmwmOxZT8pQN6v0/s320/IMG_2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxELj_A6hLBjapEQ4zRJECSQ-cLnXSPWMP32kEmX_rW2XYjbBIs7fk8eRgVy5SAVEwMoErfFKIVBEgF3H1yVtoX80ERWxrk-i7BU8zoHbnbqLF4WgsVnnb8-wpnO0tmwmOxZT8pQN6v0/w300-h400/IMG_2416.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5WVMpuOp5MrKwSHncUwo382Y0FfrXeBd-PnliwxiyuetRrbSGpPWQDEf4_s1C23_6l4bZ8mz8hCvUB7FQnC6H0-nE2n8UZWT4UipVT1Bx6Y2ZI_dEH9RKl6jGu-j67u1jxhcTLCqz30/s320/IMG_2426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5WVMpuOp5MrKwSHncUwo382Y0FfrXeBd-PnliwxiyuetRrbSGpPWQDEf4_s1C23_6l4bZ8mz8hCvUB7FQnC6H0-nE2n8UZWT4UipVT1Bx6Y2ZI_dEH9RKl6jGu-j67u1jxhcTLCqz30/w300-h400/IMG_2426.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPzzZi_yi_69vvXxsrgI9tdIcF6dzXqGxlXB9tMPI1QLA3PD5pTa1I6znHolAac5D-DJl_oA-0zfy2pUwwCCv4zrGsgvS8B5fc5_LNss54yNKVsUxKlQheeFzxt3mRFWC_WI4vzyY69E/s320/IMG_2434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPzzZi_yi_69vvXxsrgI9tdIcF6dzXqGxlXB9tMPI1QLA3PD5pTa1I6znHolAac5D-DJl_oA-0zfy2pUwwCCv4zrGsgvS8B5fc5_LNss54yNKVsUxKlQheeFzxt3mRFWC_WI4vzyY69E/w300-h400/IMG_2434.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i3xK6Rbk-kB77gxGaQw5hd8S3uJ-irY2rLnN4OTbp1ABLsd5ecbd0V6P0pvC_1SCK8Z6SGbIMhc60BWR19s_xA3SHd6uZE21n-grU9dF2DaXDO4J-TZGFFjZOd5aqGLuaBavcTZfEvY/s320/IMG_2446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i3xK6Rbk-kB77gxGaQw5hd8S3uJ-irY2rLnN4OTbp1ABLsd5ecbd0V6P0pvC_1SCK8Z6SGbIMhc60BWR19s_xA3SHd6uZE21n-grU9dF2DaXDO4J-TZGFFjZOd5aqGLuaBavcTZfEvY/w300-h400/IMG_2446.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p>And, finally, one thing we counted as a "first" (but had done a LONG time ago when the kids were really small) was a visit to<b> Elk River Falls</b>. It's truly a beautiful (and dangerous) waterfall that offers some great swimming and dipping opportunities.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHxpHzlIYq8N9e-pLLuV-Y_BQjiUXtWOeAMgsufpFaKeajEwBjraGVWgP9BBN2VFSG4v2vka7ShDVBlOZSaMJtmN8fpfxdB4T8BhedYdaZcPZ_cnc9VibCeITrD8ChBQ2dPxBzaYlurk/s320/IMG_2579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHxpHzlIYq8N9e-pLLuV-Y_BQjiUXtWOeAMgsufpFaKeajEwBjraGVWgP9BBN2VFSG4v2vka7ShDVBlOZSaMJtmN8fpfxdB4T8BhedYdaZcPZ_cnc9VibCeITrD8ChBQ2dPxBzaYlurk/w400-h300/IMG_2579.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEQzvkK6JUTCjSbGE-3Zd47CwsXMlynoyJQDZuADyBYt0-FPSuQvsTgfsambi-ZAcP6Uya27D_o3JLVvGgp64sySzub_UA8zVHDcaDZr8-BXkVuYURY3J6zbZYFH99bBhaush1WvbRss/s320/IMG_2562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEQzvkK6JUTCjSbGE-3Zd47CwsXMlynoyJQDZuADyBYt0-FPSuQvsTgfsambi-ZAcP6Uya27D_o3JLVvGgp64sySzub_UA8zVHDcaDZr8-BXkVuYURY3J6zbZYFH99bBhaush1WvbRss/w375-h500/IMG_2562.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-77422027809066344282019-10-03T05:59:00.001-07:002019-10-03T05:59:30.441-07:00Is it autumn yet?We will be making the trek up to the High Country this weekend. (Friday can't get here soon enough!) I. Cannot. Wait.<br />
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It's always a blast to get up to Honey Bear House. But I'm just ready for some actual, honest-to-God fall-like weather. It was in the mid-to-upper 90s in Raleigh yesterday. Today is supposed to be even worse. Ugh.<br />
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Taking a quick glance at the old weather app for the forecast, the High Country looks GREAT over the next couple of days. High of 78 on Friday, but then highs of 61 and 66 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Oh, and the lows over the next few nights? In the upper 40s or low 50s -- PERFECT for this:<br />
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But I'm also looking forward to potentially seeing a smidge of fall color. It's probably a tad early for the good stuff, but still. Maybe there's hope? Let's go to the <a href="https://blowingrock.com/fall-10-2-19/">Fall Color Update</a> for an, uh, update:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
There has definitely been some color development this week! We’ve had
very warm days for this time of year, but thankfully the mornings have
still been cool. ... A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday revealed a few spots
where fall color is starting to pop. As expected, the higher elevations
are showing the largest color shifts at this early stage in the season. ...</blockquote>
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Color or no color, it's always a nice time to escape to the High Country!M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-51791257943636424252018-09-27T08:17:00.000-07:002018-09-27T08:17:01.131-07:00It's about time to go looking for fall color, y'all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As much as I love pumpkin-flavored stuff, one of my favorite reasons why fall is my favorite season is because of the leaf colors. And few places have more vibrant autumn colors than the High Country. We are almost at that time of year, people!!<br />
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The good folks at the Mast General Store are here to <a href="https://www.mastgeneralstore.com/cms/index.cfm/fall-foliage/overview/">keep you up to date</a> on fall foliage.<br />
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In this section you will find tips on taking better fall photographs,
fun puzzles for kids, activities for young and old, a guide to fall
colors, and an up-to-date leaf watch with periodic photos from the
mountains of Western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina.</blockquote>
Go check out the updates each week. Better yet, get your butt up to the mountains. And drop by and spend some money at the Mast General Stores while you're up there. You know your kids want candy, if nothing else!M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-64380949030873147142018-01-10T08:26:00.002-08:002018-01-10T08:26:46.052-08:00The white stuff brought a lot of green over the holidaysThe "arctic" weather that hit North Carolina over the 2017/18 holidays was a boon for High Country hotels, restaurants and ski areas.<br />
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“This one week will mean millions of dollars in economic impact,” Tracy Brown, director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development
Authority, told the <a href="http://www.wataugademocrat.com/main_street/in-brief-holidays-bring-crowds-to-high-country-watauga-surgical/article_297f067b-8e47-5719-a47d-00672d142b93.html">Watauga Democrat</a>. “It’s always good to see snow on slopes and the streets
black. The stars aligned for us this year.”<br />
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Recent years have seen warmer weather this time of year impact tourism, particularly for skiing. (Here's to hoping it stays cold enough for our trip in March!)<br />
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“The last few winters have been tough, because we haven’t had the
product to put out there, in our case, that’s winter sports, skiing,
snowboarding, tubing, snowy hikes,” Brown said of the last warm December
winters in recent years. “It’s critical that we have good weather and
people can get here.”M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-13913136992058483202017-10-09T10:02:00.001-07:002017-10-09T10:02:39.819-07:00Yet another enjoyable weekend in the High CountryWe honestly do not make it up to Honey Bear House nearly as much as we should. Every time we do we think, "why aren't we up here every weekend?"<br />
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This past weekend was one of those times. While we would have loved to have seen just a tad more fall color, it was still magnificent to watch the colors change quite literally before our eyes.<br />
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We also managed to hit one of our favorite spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway: Linville Falls. The view from the top never gets old. And the girls managed to squirm their way onto a tree that hangs over the path at a low angle.<br />
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The whole gang always enjoys Linville -- even Winston the dog.<br />
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So ready to get back!<br />
<br />M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-62733608712141248482016-03-21T10:27:00.001-07:002016-03-21T10:27:36.370-07:00Ski season wrapping upWe have owned <b>Honey Bear House </b>for several years now, but this was the first year that we actually took advantage of being close to ski slopes. This past weekend we made our second trek of the season over to Appalachian Ski Mountain where the kiddos (even the little dude) hit the slopes again. It was also the first time I've skied in probably two decades. And I didn't even die!<br />
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But just because ski season is over, it doesn't mean there's not a lot to do up in the High Country. Please take a look at <b><a href="https://www.vrbo.com/352265#calendar">our calendar</a></b> to see what dates may interest you. It really is a place for every season of the year!<br />
<br />M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-51299649489634429652015-07-17T11:00:00.001-07:002015-07-17T11:00:21.138-07:00You really 'Otter' go to the mountainsOur family headed up to Honey Bear House a recent weekend to escape the heat of Raleigh. And guess what? It worked! When we left the City of Oaks around 1 p.m., the temperature was already at 98 degrees. When we arrived in Seven Devils around 5, it was around 75. And that was about the warmest it would get all weekend (with almost no humidity). It was a NICE reprieve.<br />
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I wanted to share some of the highlights of the weekend; we packed a lot in, yet still managed to relax and recharge.<br />
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Here is a shot of my lovely bride and me from the deck of Our Mountain Place.<br />
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The kids ALWAYS love "swimming" in the hot tub. This was one of Roman's first times, and he could not be happier.<br />
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Saturday morning we just had to go gem mining. We checked out Foggy Mountain for the first time, and it was a blast. (Spoiler alert: We just so "happened" to find lots of gems.)<br />
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After some good kid fun, we had to have some adult enjoyment as well. We headed over to one of the hidden gems of the High Country: Grandfather Winery. We enjoyed some good wine and music (by the Romantic Egotists) while the kids played in the Watauga River. It was one of the most relaxing (and cheap) 3 hours we've ever spent.<br />
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Saturday ended; life was good. And I'm always amazed at how different this view looks, not only season to season, but throughout the day.<br />
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Sunday was mostly spent at the "new" Otter Falls in Seven Devils. I say new, but obviously the waterfalls and the creek have been there; however, the town recently acquired the land and it is now a wonderful public park (still in progress; a new trail is being worked on as we speak). It's about a mile from our house, and it is maybe our new favorite spot. We played in the water, climbed on some rocks, and Roman even did some "fishing."<br />
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Later that day, it was, sadly, time to go back to life and back to humidity. But it was about as perfect a weekend as you could have.<br />
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See ya soon, High Country!<br />
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<br />M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-87456537450863946592015-06-22T09:50:00.002-07:002015-06-22T09:50:47.134-07:00It's no double rainbow, but still ...Kudos to recent visitor Steven for capturing (and sharing) this fantastic photo of a rainbow in the valley in Seven Devils. Looks like Heaven to me!<br />
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<br />M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-91417845082112784082014-12-18T20:21:00.000-08:002014-12-18T20:21:20.737-08:00Wanna learn some history about N.C.'s ski slopes?North Carolina is fortunate to have topography that allows for winter sports. The High Country alone boasts several ski slopes, as well as tubing at Hawksnest. Now a new book celebrates that heritage.<br />
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“North Carolina Ski Resorts,” the
newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America
series. The book, by author Donna Gayle Akers, was released just this week. <br /><br />
The
book boasts 200 vintage images, many of which have never been
published, and chronicles the history of the state’s ski industry.<br />
<br />During
the early 1960s, local leaders in western and northwestern North
Carolina were dedicated to developing winter recreational opportunities
in the mountains. North Carolina’s ski industry dates back to the winter
of 1961–1962, when the Cataloochee Resort in Maggie Valley developed
the first ski slope in the state.<br />
<br />Once thought impossible to
make snow south of the Mason-Dixon Line, technological innovations in
snowmaking allowed several other resorts to develop through the 1970s,
including Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Wolf
Ridge and Ski Sapphire Valley, all of which still operate today.<br />
<br />Images of smaller ski areas such as Hound Ears, <b>Seven Devils</b>, and Mill Ridge, are featured to honor these now defunct clubs.<br />
<br />Many
of the present-day resorts have incorporated snowboarding, snowshoeing,
ice-skating and snow tubing, along with mountain biking trails for
summer recreation on the slopes.<br />
<br />“North Carolina Ski Resorts” showcases the rich recreational history of western and northwestern North Carolina.<br />
<br />Highlights of North Carolina Ski Resorts include:<br />
<br />• Many of the images date back to the beginning of the ski industry in North Carolina.<br />
<br />• Each ski resort has a unique story of their survival that can be seen through historic photographs.<br />
<br />• Changes in ski technology are evident in the photographs, as safer bindings and boots were developed.<br />
<br />This books is available
at area bookstores, independent retailers and online retailers, or
through Arcadia Publishing at 888-313-2665 or online.M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-59510451005825306822014-02-14T09:23:00.002-08:002014-02-14T09:23:42.840-08:00Hawksnest tubing in the spotlight<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EZeq5_YQjcvTfnfLq_ofDq9JfH9GsGMEtjvipeZ1dWiW2UVnOKdM3nzJOqPx8HE8f-F6oSGdZwOH1I1gbRUJrtl8rnIHKSABBpiaV32NCetHfjEiZvUl4yC9myLOmfRMpAiYqeP-ta0/s1600/ZfOBr.HiMe.138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EZeq5_YQjcvTfnfLq_ofDq9JfH9GsGMEtjvipeZ1dWiW2UVnOKdM3nzJOqPx8HE8f-F6oSGdZwOH1I1gbRUJrtl8rnIHKSABBpiaV32NCetHfjEiZvUl4yC9myLOmfRMpAiYqeP-ta0/s1600/ZfOBr.HiMe.138.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Sarah Kendall with the <i>Moms Charlotte </i>recently blogged about her <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/13/4690225/snow-tubing-at-hawksnest.html">experience snowtubing at Hawksnest</a>. Sounds like she had a blast.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #b5a5d6; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Looking for some good family fun this winter season? Put Seven Devils, North Carolina into your GPS and head to Hawksnest for a day of snow tubing. It is a must-do fun day for the whole family. The drive from Charlotte is a bit over two hours, but the high-action fun is worth the drive.</span><br />
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Looking around the crowds, everyone appeared to be in good spirits and having a great time. I overheard two young siblings who got tired after an hour and wanted to sit with their grandmother. My ten and eight-year old daughters didn’t want to stop, but I believe just one session was enough for us.</div>
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One of my daughter’s said, <i>it was awesome</i> and the other asked, <i>when can we go again?</i></div>
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<i><br />Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/13/4690225/snow-tubing-at-hawksnest.html#storylink=cpy</i></div>
Oh, and in case you've forgotten, there's always a <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/352265">good place to stay</a> VERY close to Hawksnest! <i>(Blatant shilling over!)</i><br />
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<i>Photo courtesy of Moms Charlotte.</i><br />
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<br />Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/13/4690225/snow-tubing-at-hawksnest.html#storylink=cpy</div>
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M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-24395929911343965902014-01-17T09:07:00.001-08:002014-01-17T09:07:29.409-08:00Good snow business so farAccording to the <i><a href="http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/News/story/Snow-business-steady-id-013623">Watauga Democrat</a></i>, good temperatures have resulted in good, solid, steady business for the High Country's ski and tubing spots.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Temperatures hovered within the ideal range for snowmaking around Christmas and New Year's, two holidays that -- along with Martin Luther King Jr. and President's Day weekends -- can be make-or-break events for the local industry.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">And despite a few bouts of mild temperatures and rain during the past few weeks, resort staff say that equipment upgrades made in the past few years have enabled them to turn slope conditions around in no time at all.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">"We have invested so much in our snowmaking," said Talia Freeman, marketing director at Beech Mountain Resort. "What we did in three days last year we can do in one day this year. Even with mild weather, it takes us no time to recover."</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Things seem good over at Hawksnest, which just so happens to be right beside <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/352265"><b>Our Mountain Place</b></a>. <i>(Cough. Hint. Hint.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The live webcam at Hawksnest Snow Tubing in Seven Devils on Monday depicted a constant stream of dozens and dozens of visitors queuing up to take a rolling slide down the resort's tubing lanes.</span></blockquote>
M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-26407574125125753742013-11-19T12:45:00.001-08:002013-11-19T12:45:24.623-08:00It's ski season, y'all<div class="tr_bq">
Sugar Mountain <a href="http://mountaintimes.com/watauga-news/articles/Sugar-opens-for-2013-14-season-id-024758">opened up for business</a> last week, meaning we are thick into the ski season up in the High Country. The colder temps will make snowmaking possible, according to the <i>Mountain Times</i>.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Snowmaking began Sunday evening, Nov. 10, and continued until mid-morning Nov. 11. A brief warm-up shut snowmaking down for the day. However, the snow machines came back to life early Tuesday morning, as temperatures steadily dropped throughout the day. Overnight temperatures settled in the single digits at the summit and mid-teens at the base, creating an ideal snowmaking environment. Snow flurries also left a dusting of natural snow on Sugar Mountain.</span></blockquote>
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But with the drop in temps come potential dangers. Be careful on the roads, folks, says the <i><a href="http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/Editorial/story/Our-View-Seasonal-driving-id-012988">Watauga Democrat</a></i>.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">[I]f we can learn anything from the slick roads we encountered last week -- and the half-dozen or so documented accidents, roll-overs and delays those conditions contributed to -- it's the knowledge that we're not as prepared as we might be for black ice and winter driving.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Much of that lack of preparation stems from not allotting enough time to arrive at our scheduled destinations when cold and wet road conditions come upon us unexpectedly. As a rule, it takes longer to get from Point A to Point B in January than it does in September. </span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">That's a rule we'll likely live by in a month or two, but for today, it's important to temper our more seasonal outlook with the remembrance that we've already shaken hands once with winter driving conditions.</span></blockquote>
M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-19832692854620629372013-07-31T10:27:00.001-07:002013-07-31T10:34:26.577-07:00A berry good time of the year<div class="tr_bq">
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvKjV46H9afkPAQKgWCcSvzRHy_KM6iVZ1pk8P1dJcDyCX93DzV4fLUSVMGgLqSgwFMl0P3hb1ihSNo7TwIPa5tO3heaUtEsfayCM9DBzXwv2vPpwQf_yNNIBCqPcmKVavHwag5cXLLQ/s400/DSC_0034.jpg" width="265" /><br />
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We will be heading up the mountain to 7D pretty soon, and perhaps the one thing my kids are most excited about is blueberry picking. We had a blast doing it last summer, and we will have with us this time someone with a plethora of blueberry-themed recipes. I fully expect our lips to be blue by the time we leave.<br />
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Naturalist Amy Renfranz recently wrote something for the <i>Mountain Times</i> about blueberries. You can read it in its entirety <a href="http://mountaintimes.com/columns-dear-naturalist/articles/The-Berries-of-Summer-id-024360">here</a>. But it certainly got me (even more) jazzed about doing some pickin.'<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">The truth is berries are a plant’s way of taking advantage of an animal’s sweet tooth. </span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">The fleshy berry is a cover-up for the seeds inside. These seeds, hidden in the berry, are consumed whole by the fruit-eaters as incidental parts of the meal. ...</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Color as an indicator of ripeness is an interesting adaptation of the berry. Without it, berries might be eaten before the seeds inside are fully developed. </span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Of course, even a slightly green berry can taste good if sweetened in a pie or cobbler. </span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Have you had your fingers pricked by a blackberry bush this summer? Have you laughed with your friends while showing off your blue smile? Did you “ruin” your favorite shirt with a big purple stain? Good for you. </span></span></blockquote>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqKdrO4tXixsbVKu2S5ARkwjPWmxBhCvvfpPbNSi-7A5IPAU5VAShSk8Qo8WYxR0Z2pmobTPf_zcKimNmcqOO4BdbDO7_hfXNm0NMTb7LIN_oXz2wL7h-zBoQfGCjz7jlDBNqVIsMhDc/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" />M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-270965809558745532013-06-17T13:46:00.000-07:002013-06-17T13:46:35.866-07:00Yes, indeedy: a new park in the works<div class="tr_bq">
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<img alt="Here's the waterfall of Otter Falls Park. Photo courtesy of the Town of Seven Devils. " src="http://www.hcpress.com/img/otter.jpg" /></div>
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<i>(Image from Town of Seven Devils)</i></div>
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The quality of life in Seven Devils is about to get even better -- if you can imagine it.</div>
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Week before last, the town received notice that it has been awarded a $135,000 <a href="http://www.hcpress.com/green/town-of-seven-devils-awarded-135k-nc-partf-grant-to-acquire-10-acre-otter-falls-park.html">grant to purchase pristine property</a> for a new town park, which we mentioned a <a href="http://ourmountainplace.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-newold-park-in-works.html">couple of months ago</a>.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The land is a "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">wooded area with a stream and waterfall, known locally as Otter Falls Park, according to Town Manager Ed Evans."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The grant is for $135,800 and is contingent upon a 50/50 match with local government funds. The total cost of the acquisition is expected to cost $271,600 – that includes $265,000 for the purchase of the 9.78-acre tract and several thousand for due diligence such as an appraisal, survey and title search.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Clyde David Little is the seller of the property, which, according to a resolution adopted by the Seven Devils Town Council, has historical significance for its usage by Native Americans and for being a track bed for the original Tweetsie Railroad. </span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Evans said that portions of the funds for the purchase of the property could come from a lender, general fund balance and/or donations. Before applying for the grant, Evans said citizens were asked how they felt about the project.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;">“Actually every comment, email and letter we received was positive,” Evans said. “That doesn’t mean there wasn’t opposition, but if anyone was opposed, they didn’t voice their opposition.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Residents were also asked if they were willing to donate funds and the majority of people expressed a willingness to contribute financially to Seven Devils first potential natural park area.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;">“We are hoping a portion of it can be funded through donations,” Evans said.</span><span style="background-color: white;">Currently, the village has two tennis courts with a small playground nearby. That is the extent of the public land in Seven Devils. </span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;">“That is one reason this is important to so many of our folks … This 9.78-acre parcel is the midway point in town. It’s all wooded, natural, has a small stream, a small water fall. It’s a very pretty piece of property,” Evans said. “In my opinion, it’s an ideal parcel to keep natural [with] trails.” </span></blockquote>
M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-11932169226733119902013-04-29T09:44:00.001-07:002013-04-29T09:45:22.777-07:00Seven Devils' hummingbirdsI've said it before, but God bless Google Alerts. Without them, I would never have come across <a href="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BZDPpUTuDug">this 40-second clip</a> of some hummingbirds in beautiful Seven Devils.<br />
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You never know what wildlife you'll see in the High Country: bears, snakes, chipmunks, wild turkeys ... and now hummingbirds.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-58853289157795857492013-04-01T08:23:00.000-07:002013-04-01T08:23:21.160-07:00A new/old park in the works?The town of Seven Devils was not initially created to offer the standard "perks" of being a town. (Heck, it <a href="http://www.sevendevils.net/page7.php">wasn't even conceived as a town</a> but as a resort community.) But the town has changed its destiny over the years to that of a municipality. With that comes a responsibility to offer amenities, such as good roads, police protection and parks.<br />
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That's why it's nice to see Town Manager Ed Evans and his staff looking into the idea of <a href="http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/News/story/Seven-Devils-seeks-land-for-new-park-id-010958">finding land for new parks</a>, according to the <i>Watauga Democrat</i>.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The town of Seven Devils is working to buy a nearly 10-acre tract complete with waterfall for use as a community park.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Town residents have been interested in the Otter Falls area for several years, but a previous attempt to buy it fell through. </span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Now, the town is waiting to see whether a grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund will aid in the purchase of the wooded parcel, said Town Manager Ed Evans.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">"I think everybody would enjoy having this as an area where they could walk and picnic and just enjoy the scenic beauty of the waterfall itself," Evans said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The land is located off Lillian Drive in Seven Devils, about a mile from the Town Hall. A path guides visitors through the steep forest toward Otter Falls, which drops about 10 or 12 feet off a boulder as Valley Creek sloshes downhill toward Foscoe.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">...</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The town is asking for $135,800 from PARTF, to be combined with a local government match of the same amount. Seven Devils should know in late May whether the PARTF grant is awarded, Evans said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Evans said he's heard from numerous community members who have indicated a willingness to make donations toward the town's match. The town also might consider a short-term loan to secure its amount.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">If the PARTF grant is not awarded, the deal likely won't happen, he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">"Coming up with the full amount, I suspect everybody would say, we're just not in a position to do that," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">While they're waiting to hear, residents are already discussing how the land might be used to complement the town.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Seven Devils currently has a public area with tennis courts and a playground. Bear Paw State Natural Area also pokes into the town, but the area is undeveloped, Evans said. Otter Falls would be unlike any other public space the town currently offers, he said.</span></blockquote>
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Whether it happens or not, it's still nice to see that town leaders are trying to make the area the best it can possibly be.M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-65027807303366458792013-02-14T11:16:00.001-08:002013-02-14T11:17:16.679-08:00Hey, look! Snow!Seven Devils, N.C., "enjoys" quite the range in elevation. This range results in some quite severe (for North Carolina, at least) weather patterns. It could be pleasant and nice in nearby Wilkesboro, N.C., yet windy, brutally cold and snowing up at Our Mountain Place, which is up near the top of Hanging Rock Mountain (and near Hawksnest).<br />
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Some good friends of ours stayed at the old Honey Bear House recently -- right when 7D was "blessed" with about 14 inches of snow(!). Fortunately, this was good; our friends were up there to do some skiing. Hooray!<br />
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Anyway,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-LttFQxOC0"> this footage</a> (from YouTube, not from our friends) doesn't really illustrate 14 inches of snow, but it does give a glimpse of what it would look like right around town hall.<br />
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Enjoy!M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-86324227858560801512013-01-29T11:43:00.003-08:002013-01-29T11:43:53.776-08:00Get your winter onThe good folks at VisitNC.com have put out a great resource on winter goings-ons in North Carolina. You can view it <a href="http://www.visitnc.com/journeys/articles/winter-fun-1/1/ski-snowboard-snow-tube-and-more-this-winter-in-north-carolina?utm_source=vnc&utm_medium=email&utm_content=enews01-04-2013&utm_campaign=vncenews">here</a>. A number of the hot spots are in the N.C. High Country. Among them ...<br />
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<a href="http://www.visitnc.com/referrals/go/?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.appskimtn.com%2F" style="border: 0px; color: #dd8800; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Appalachian Ski Mountain">Appalachian Ski Mountain</a><br /><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blowing Rock </em><br />Appalachian Ski Mountain dates back to 1962. The resort features 12 slopes, including three terrain parks, an ice arena, ski shop, gift shop, nursery and free Wi-Fi in its restaurant. Additional offerings include night skiing; ski, snowboard, skiboard, ice skate, helmet and clothing rentals; and group and private lessons.</div>
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<a href="http://www.visitnc.com/referrals/go/?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beechmountainresort.com%2F" style="border: 0px; color: #dd8800; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Beech Mountain Resort">Beech Mountain Resort</a> <br /><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Beech Mountain </em><br />At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain Resort is the highest ski and snowboard destination in eastern North America. In addition to day and night skiing and snowboarding, it offers two terrain parks, a 7,000-foot outdoor skating rink, gear rentals, private and group lessons, food, lodging, shopping and a nursery. The resort also features an adaptive learning center where volunteers teach children and adults with disabilities how to ski and snowboard.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f8f8f8; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.visitnc.com/referrals/go/?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beechmtn.com%2Fthings-to-do%2Fwinter-sports%2Fsledding" style="border: 0px; color: #dd8800; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Beech Mountain TDA">Beech Mountain Sledding Hill</a><br /><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Beech Mountain</em><br />This free sledding hill is located next to the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce and Town Hall and features its own snowmaking machines. Open to children 12 and under. Plastic sleds and parental supervision required. </div>
<div style="background-color: #f8f8f8; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.visitnc.com/referrals/go/?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawksnesttubing.com%2Fdefault.php+" style="border: 0px; color: #dd8800; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Hawksnest Resort">Hawksnest Resort</a><br /><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Seven Devils </em><br />Hawksnest Resort is a family-friendly winter area that’s home to the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast as well as the longest zip-line tour in the nation. The tubing park is comprised of four areas and more than 20 lit lanes ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet in length. The zip-line course features 19 cables covering four miles and is open year-round.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f8f8f8; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.visitnc.com/referrals/go/?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawksnesttubing.com%2Fdefault.php+" style="border: 0px; color: #dd8800; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Hawksnest Resort">S</a><span style="color: orange;">ugar Mountain</span><br /><em style="border: 0px; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sugar Mountain </em><br /><span style="color: #666666;">Sugar Mountain features 20 slopes, 15 of which are lit for night skiing and riding. The resort also features the NASTAR public racing program, a terrain park, snowshoeing, snow tubing and ice skating at a 10,000-foot outdoor ice rink. In addition, Sugar Mountain offers equipment rentals, private and group lessons, food, lodging, shopping and daycare.</span></div>
M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-48768079653529846452012-11-08T09:59:00.002-08:002012-11-08T09:59:35.014-08:00A mid-November opening for (some of) the slopesDespite all the autumn snow up in the High Country, it looks like many of the area's ski and tubing slopes will open next weekend. Opening day at <b>Appalachian Ski Mountain</b> is set for November 16, while <b>Hawksnest Resort</b> (tubing) is scheduled to open the next day. (Have we mentioned before that Our Mountain Place is right beside Hawksnest? Oh, we haven't? Now you know!)<br />
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Of course, none of this is written in snow -- er, stone.<br />
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From <a href="http://www.hawksnest-resort.com/">Hawksnest's website</a>:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: verdana, san-serif; font-size: 11px;">We are targeting the weekend of the 17th to open, but it will depend on the weather. Please watch our webcam for snowmaking progress. We will be open daily for zipline tours, weather permitting. Please call ahead for zipline reservations.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: verdana, san-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span>
<b>Sugar Mountain</b> IS already open, according to <a href="http://www.skisugar.com/">its website</a>:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Snowmaking in progress as temperatures allow.</span>M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-92059028670966579872012-10-31T13:43:00.000-07:002012-10-31T13:44:23.986-07:00THIS is a good sight to see!We talked yesterday about the crazy weather that Superstorm Sandy has brought us. One of the benefits is the early snow on the area's ski slopes! Here's an image from the webcam* at Appalachian Ski Mountain, via Ray's Weather Center%.<br />
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<img height="306" src="http://raysweather.com/images/webcams/AppSkiMtnCam/image.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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*The High Country is blessed with a host of great weather-related webcams. For conditions closer to Our Mountain Place, be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.raysweather.com/Webcams/Seven+Devils+Cam">Seven Devils webcam</a>, looking back toward town hall:<br />
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<img height="272" src="http://www.booneweather.com/images/webcams/sevendevilscam/image.jpg" width="400" />\<br />
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%And no trip to the mountains should be complete without first checking out <b><a href="http://www.raysweather.com/">Ray's Weather Center</a></b>. Bookmark it TODAY!M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-16842748084458054472012-10-30T13:49:00.001-07:002012-10-30T13:49:37.235-07:00From peak season to a foot of snowFirst of all, thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by Superstorm Sandy. The latest sounds like she has dumped quite a bit of snow in the High Country. I can only imagine what it looks like up around Our Mountain Place. I'm sure it's gorgeous -- but I'm sure it's also treacherous. Be safe, everyone.<br />
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It's hard to imagine that this was our view up there just over a week ago (via Instagram).<br />
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We had a FANTASTIC time in the High Country, made all the better by spectacular weather. (The calm before the storm, perhaps?) Oh, screw it; here are some more great autumn photos -- all taken from our place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrzlyxg5ekjIazpokwWg-w2x0RsWjRwKcgjsEkIoCLZsGv6EIyXuz0LdVKrFlxpg9tdfJSXMNVqs_ThlMlem60ZTPym0dt8q6jIP0g8oX1qKh5LHG_UgxoLLIKu2ApVOUqMW6pjNfiKI/s1600/view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrzlyxg5ekjIazpokwWg-w2x0RsWjRwKcgjsEkIoCLZsGv6EIyXuz0LdVKrFlxpg9tdfJSXMNVqs_ThlMlem60ZTPym0dt8q6jIP0g8oX1qKh5LHG_UgxoLLIKu2ApVOUqMW6pjNfiKI/s400/view.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We packed a lot of cool things in a couple of days. The kids loved gem mining (once again) at Foscoe Gem Mining Co. The adults had a GREAT time at the Grandfather Winery. (The kids also had fun throwing rocks into the Watauga River -- coming *this close* to hitting the poor dog that apparently lives at the vineyard.) And we had a nice time in Blowing Rock, strolling around the bass lake at Moses Cone Park, enjoying the park behind the Mast General Store annex, and even a tasty (if slow-going) meal at Mr. Original's Gyros.<br />
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In short, I'm ready to get back up there. It is, after all, ski season (already)!M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-10375317916201056382012-09-02T18:10:00.001-07:002012-09-02T18:11:07.316-07:00Green siding and blueberriesAs advertised, we have completed the new siding and new gutters/paint trim. It is quite fine, don't you agree?<br />
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Also, the family recently enjoyed some very fun blueberry picking in
Banner Elk. It was an extremely relaxing (and economical) way to spend a
morning.<br />
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If you want to enjoy all that the High Country has to offer, please contact us at collards12@yahoo.com . Book today!<br />
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<br />M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-32450087455878663712012-07-06T20:07:00.002-07:002012-07-06T20:07:29.237-07:00Grandfather Mountain Highland Games coming upThe Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are coming up July 12-15. I have never made it to this event, but it is one of those quintessential North Carolina Bucket List items. More than 100 Scottish clans and societies sponsor this celebration of Scottish dance, music and athletics at McRae Meadows in Linville --at the base of Grandfather Mountain.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gmhg.org/">This link</a> will take you to information about the Games, as well as ticket info.<br />
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Unfortunately, Our Mountain Place is not available for this weekend. Sorry!M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-67949115555512914312012-07-06T20:00:00.004-07:002012-07-06T20:00:38.448-07:007D area 'a cyclist's paradise'<a href="http://steepclimbs.com/">SteepClimbs.com</a> has a piece on the Seven Devils/Hawksnest area -- and what it is like for a serious cyclist.<br />
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<i>Aaronwest</i> gives us the commentary: <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The climb started in the nearby neighborhood of <a href="http://www.sevendevils.net/">Seven Devils</a>.
This is a small resort town with an off-season population of a mere
129. The climb started easily enough when I turned from Highway 105, but
it wasn’t long until it turned up into double digit grades and stayed
there. It was a challenging climb, with a few tight switchbacks and
steep pitches. Little did I know how much more would be coming ahead.
<br />
<br />
After navigating the steep grades for just under two miles, I found
myself in the heart of Seven Devils. It really is a small town, an
intersection really, with an apartment complex and a Town Hall. There
were lots of small roads that led to other houses and resort facilities,
which I didn’t try, although I imagine there are steep climbs
throughout the town. <br />
<br />
I followed [author] John’s [Summerson] instructions for what he calls the <a href="http://www.hawksnest-resort.com/">Hawksnest</a>
climb. This is a ski resort that boasts of snow tubing and the longest
zipline in the Southeast. I turned onto Skyland Rd, which would take me
almost to the resort. This was a much more moderate grade, maybe in the
3-4% range, with a downhill about midway and one steep hill just to keep
me on my toes. <br />
<br />
I could see the ski hills up ahead in the distance, and knew this
meant my next turn onto Skiview Road would be coming up. I saw a
seriously steep road to the right and thought that was probably a
driveway. To my surprise and anguish, that was my turn. The steep grade
hit me like a ton of bricks. It must have been right around 15%. It
stayed in that vicinity for the majority of the climb. After getting
past the first pitch, I saw was a retiree couple driving down the
mountain. They looked at me curiously as I huffed and puffed slowly my
way up the insanely steep hill.<br />
<br />
I came across another pitch in the road, with a sign that said blind
hill ahead. That can’t be good. It wasn’t. That was easily the steepest
section. My Garmin showed that it was mostly in the 18% vicinity with a
peak of 20% at the end. <br />
<br />
After winding around for around a mile, the road narrowed to one
lane. The steepness persisted around the 13-16% range, with occasional
breaks to around 10%. There was one last road near the top, which was
just a small hill, but John listed it just to extend the climb. This was
Divine View Road. This was practically a driveway, as there was only
one house on the road. I could tell that the so-called ‘Divine View’ was
probably from their patio. I was tempted to cross the driveway if it
weren’t for the <strong>No Trespassing</strong> sign. Not a good idea to disobey those signs in the mountains of NC.<br />
<br />
All told, the climb was about 4 miles, of which I averaged between
5-6 mph. ...<br />
<br />
The descent wasn’t much better. With narrow roads and steep grades, I
found myself sitting on the brakes, wearing out my hands. I had to stop
a couple times. It was a relief to get back to Hawksnest, where the
road eased off. Seven Devils was a technical, but manageable descent.<br />
<br />
It was tough to leave. The Boone and Banner Elk area is a cyclists
paradise. There were so many other climbs I wanted to try out, but alas,
I had not the time, nor the legs. Another day.</blockquote>
<br />M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591414458622071137.post-35449890061819929272012-06-21T10:30:00.002-07:002012-06-21T10:30:27.946-07:00Touch ups almost complete!We don't have any photos yet, but we decided -- since we have lovely new siding -- that Our Mountain Place ("Honey Bear House") needed some gutters. The chocolate brown gutters are on, and now we are wrapping up doing some similar-colored trim touch ups. In addition, the front door will be a nice red when it's all said and done.<br />
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Photos to come!M. Lailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806143735399887555noreply@blogger.com0