Another nice weekend in the High Country

We spent a great weekend with some great friends in 7D a couple of weekends ago. We did some hiking, we enjoyed Blowing Rock, and more than anything: we relaxed.

Follow the High Country on Facebook

I don't know why it didn't hit me to look for them, but a number of High Country hot spots can be found via social media. The Town of Seven Devils, for instance, is on Facebook. So is Hawksnest. (Be sure to "like" them.) Also making its way to Facebook are Woodlands BBQ, Mast General Store and others.

Any others?

Wanna cut your own Christmas tree?

Yes, I know Halloween was literally just a few days away, but if the malls can start getting into the Christmas spirit, why can't we?

The Watauga County Christmas Tree Association has put together a list/map of places in the High Country where one could choose and cut (you know, legally) their own Christmas tree.

We have never done this, but we certainly plan to someday. At least now we'll know where to go!

Watauga County, also known as the Choose and Cut Capital, is home to some of the most entertaining and scenic Choose and Cut farms across the region. Choose and Cut involves customers visiting a tree farm and roaming across tree-covered hillsides hunting the perfect tree to take home with them. Choose and Cut is the essential holiday family tradition, where young and old alike can enjoy a day on a real farm. Many farms offer hayrides, farm animals, cookies and cocoa and even Christmas Shops to purchase other holiday gifts. Wreaths and roping are also available to purchase.

The candidates speak

November 8 is Election Day, and the High Country Press asked the candidates for the town board in Seven Devils to say what's on their mind. (As an absentee landowner, I can't vote, but it's still good to see what type of vision these folks have.)

Click here to read the entries. (Below are just snippets.)

Full disclosure: I attended a class with Brad Lambert, who previously was the town manager in 7D. Great guy.


SEVEN DEVILS CANDIDATES
Kathryn Copley (D)
“As a Council member since 2002 and chair of the Public Works Committee since 2006, I’ve influenced ongoing improvements in three important areas: roads, water system, and funding."

Richard DeMott (I)
“What I put in my campaign literature is based on three Ps—plan, prioritize and pursue. That’s what we have to do. You have to plan first. You have to prioritize your plan, and then you have to get busy and do it.”

Larry Fontaine
"Promote cooperation and more open communication between the residents and various town committees and administration. ... I would encourage more opportunities for recreation within our town limits such as a playground and pursuing easements for hiking trails and for the preservation of natural areas through grants and donations. ...”

Brad Lambert

"As a council member, I would get out and tour the Town—weekly, if possible—with boots on the ground and eyes on the target. Eliminate surprises at meetings by talking to citizens, visiting the site, asking questions before the meeting. Eliminate three-hour Town Council meetings."

More autumn fun

We made it up to Seven Devils a couple of weekends ago with some good friends and their kids. The weather was perfect for some hiking, gem mining and more. Enjoy the photos!

Ah ... the mountains in autumn ...

We just finished up a wonderful weekend in Seven Devils. The leaves are *just* starting to change to their vibrant autumn magical colors ... the night air was crisp and cool ... and the animals were foraging for food for the winter.

We arrived just after 5 in the evening on Friday, settled into Our Mountain Place and had a lovely dinner with our friends. Saturday began with a trip to Linville Falls (the "Grand Canyon of the East"). Having had a bunch of rain in the days leading up meant some very powerful waterfalls. We had been there in June, and the difference was astonishing. On the way back, we saw an approximately 4-foot-long rattlesnake in the m

iddle of the Blue Ridge Parkway (not far from Roseboro Road), which was a "thrill" for parents and kids alike.

After Linville, we headed to the Foscoe Mining Company where the kids had a blast. They kept thinking they

were going to mine some diamonds and pearls, but the many other gems were more than enough to give them a thrill. We

then hit the always-popular Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, where we loaded up on candy.

More rain was in store Saturday night. It started around 8 p.m. and poured until about 7 a.m. on Sunday. However, we were blessed with a break in the rain; Sunday was GORGEOUS. We had planned to go to Moses Cone, but figuring it was to be a wee bit muddy, we instead just went into

Blowing Rock to shop (downtown and at Tanger outlets, shown), play on the playground and then have lunch at Canyons. My wife and I have probably been to BR a dozen times, and it was our first time at Canyons. The food was great, and they offered a nice jazz brunch on Sundays. After some ice cream at Kilwin's, we loaded up and headed back to Raleigh, dodging rain the whole way back.

We can't wait to get back to OMP. Unfortunately, it won't be until November when we bring more friends up. Hopefully they'll enjoy it as much as our other friends did.

Still plenty to do this autumn in the mountains!

Summer may be winding down, but the events are just heating up in the High Country.

Among the things coming up are The Time Jumpers, featuring Vince Gill, coming to Farthing Auditorium on September 16.

N.C. icon Bob Timberlake will be celebrating his 75th birthday September 23-25 at Blowing Rock's Chetola Lodge.

The Ghost Train will leave the station toward the end of the month at Tweetsie.

And there's always Appalachian State U. football!