OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - BLOWING ROCK N.C. FOR THE WINTER

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Have you heard the legend of Blowing Rock?

 

Back in the early 1700’s the area now called Blowing Rock was home to the Cherokee and Catawba Indians.  The two tribes hated each other and much hostility existed between them.  Two people went walking among the rocky ledges, one from each tribe, a young man and a beautiful young woman.  The minute their eyes met, they feel instantly in love.  They knew their tribes would never allow them a life together.  They sat on the rocky cliffs and gazed into each other’s eyes for hours that day.  They barely spoke a word; their hearts did all the talking.

 As the sky began to turn beautiful shades of red from the setting sun the young man realized it was time for him to return to his tribe.  He did not want to leave the maiden.  He tried to say goodbye, but the maiden begged him not to leave her side.  The young warrior felt so torn and so desperate in having to make the choice between his tribe and the beautiful maiden that he leaped over the edge of the gorge and fell to a certain death. 

The young maiden was shocked and stricken with a terrible grief.  She begged The Great Spirit to bring him back to her.  At that moment the mighty winds of the John River Gorge were given power and they blew her lover back to her before he hit the rocky river banks.  From that moment forward the young warrior knew he would never leave her side again.  They never returned to either of their tribes.  It is said that they still walk together up there at the blowing rock.  Many claim to have seen them holding hands and looking together towards the setting sun. 

Don’t you love towns that have been named after legends?  Especially after legends that are a love story.  You know when you stumble upon one of these legendary places that you have found something special.  

True to form, Blowing Rock North Carolina is a very special place.  The romance in the story lives on inside the town.  Honeymooners often chose Blowing Rock as their place of escape from the world.   My husband and I discovered the artsy streets of Blowing Rock back in 1998.  The drive was full of winding, curvy roads with hairpin turns.  It seemed we were always headed straight up a mountain.  Once we arrived at the village it felt like we had stepped back in time.  The streets were alive.  There was music and art everywhere we turned.  Captivating smells floated through the air from the local dining areas.  There was something magical about the place.

Blowing Rock is filled with fresh mountain air, magnificent mountain views and many wonders of nature.  After the civil war Blowing Rock became a great place for settlers to settle down with their families.  A little village with four hotels formed the foundation of what was to come.  The spot was already known for its healthy environment and the refreshing views of glorious mountains residing in uncluttered nature.  Word of mouth spread through many states and Blowing Rock became a well known tourist retreat.  As the popularity grew over the years preservation measures were installed to protect the little village full of quaint little churches, lovely hotels and fine restaurants.  Though there is a constant fight against commercialism, the village remains as charming as ever and many people have enjoyed passing their time in its streets, shops and restaurants, as well as hiking the awesome trails that surround the mountainous area.

WHERE TO STAY:

Southern Living says the Chetola Resort at 500 North Main Street (www.chetola.com)  is “one of the best stays in Blue Ridge.” It is home of the Bob Timberlake Inn.  There is a lodge with condos available that contain from one to four bedrooms.  This resort is the only Orvis endorsed fly fishing lodge in North Carolina.  They have a well equipped spa and a special kids center that offers “kids camp.”  This is where you can enjoy Symphony by the Lake and the Blowing Rock Winterfest Polar Plunge. (They actually go swimming in January.)   Chetola is also headquarters for the Annual Blue Ridge Wine Festival.

Another great place to stay is The Hound Ears Lodge and Club at 328 Shulls Mill Road.  (www.hounders.com)  This is a 750 acre luxury resort and residential community.  If you stay in one of their 29 guest rooms, you will be a guest among private homes and condos with a central clubhouse and an 18 hole golf course.  There are also six tennis courts and a heated pool.   If you are an avid golfer or tennis player, this might be your best choice.

Another beautiful place to stay that offers golfing packages is The Jefferson Landing Club at 184 West Landing Drive, Jefferson, NC 28640 (www.visitjeffersonlanding.com)  They are known for their exceptional dining experiences. 

These are only a few of the great places to stay in or near Blowing Rock.  Accommodations are plentiful and great here.  We rented a little cottage/cabin just inside the village so we could get a taste of the local life.  It was great.

THINGS TO DO FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE:

If you are looking for outdoor adventure, you have found the right place.  There are hikes, whitewater rafting, rappelling, ice skating, zip-lines, fishing, boating, canoeing (boat rentals are available at the serene Price Lake from May – October.  The lake is inside the Julian Price Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway) and horseback riding is to be found either here or nearby.

Enjoy a hike to a waterfall.  The Glen Burney Trail and the Linville Falls are two good choices.  The Glen Burney Trail is inside the Annie Cannon Memorial Gardens.  It is a strenuous hike, probably not for amateurs.  Linville Falls is accessible just a few miles south of Grandfather Mountain.  

Hike up to the Blowing Rock and take a picture with your honey.  Reenactment of the story is NOT encouraged though.  The view will take your breath away.  

After your hike there are plenty of great spas right there in town that will refresh your mind body and spirit before dinner.  Most of the resorts have spas and there is a spa inside the old mansion that belonged to Elliot Dangerfield, a renowned artist of the area.  (Westglow Spa)  Chetola Resort has one of the best spas.  

THINGS TO DO IN THE VILLAGE:

After your outdoor adventures through the scenic land you can enjoy a nice romantic dinner.  Top of the list would be The Gamekeeper(recommended by the Charlotte Observer, Blue Ridge Magazine, Smokey Mtn. Living and Southern Living and Gourmet), The Best Cellar (for fresh seafood, beef, rack of lamb and roast duckling), Twigs,(crab cakes, filet mignon, duck breast and mountain trout)  The Restaurant at Gordon Ridge (known for intimate seating and beautiful views of the mountains) and Rowland’s (at Westglow Resort and Spa yet known for decadent choices as well as health foods). 

Most all establishments serve locally grown food.  The Chestnut Grille at Green Park Inn has its own 1/3 acre garden on site. More casual eateries are scattered all over town. 

There are microbreweries for those looking for craft beer selections.   An unusual Tavern experience can be had at the Divide Tavern And Restaurant which is sitting directly astride the Eastern Continental Divide. The Six Pence Pub is also a popular gathering place in the evenings. 

On Friday and Saturday nights The Green Park Inn lobby hosts a cocktail hour.    It is a nice historic place where you would be able to relax and enjoy the scenery.  On Saturday nights there is live jazz at Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola.  Neither of these charge a cover.  Chetola Resort also holds Saturday night bonfires by the lake.  Bring your own s’mores.  If the weather permits there is an outdoor bar set up.  There are lots of places to get a hearty breakfast when you wake up the next day, and there are plenty of coffee, ice cream parlors and sweet shops in town. 

OFF THE BEATEN PATH:

You might want to visit a winery.  The High Country has a Wine Trail.  Great wine and beautiful views abound at each location.  You have the Banner Elk Winery, the Grandfather Vineyard & Winery, Linville Falls Winery.

There are interesting farms and orchards in the area.  Start with Apple Hill farm and visit the alpacas, goats, donkeys, chickens and dogs.  If you are here during Christmas, visit the tree farms at Appalachian Evergreens and Watauga County.  Events will be going on at both places during the holidays.  

Festivals are wonderful here!  There are so many to choose from.
  

If you have never been to The Highland Games on Grandfather Mountain, you do not understand what it is to be Scottish!  This is a HUGE event with people from all over the world celebrating their Scottish heritage, wearing their kilts, playing their pipes, playing their Olympic games and eating their Haggis.   Linville is very close to Blowing Rock. 

The area around 1500 Laurel Lane in Blowing Rock is the home of the Equestrian Preserve.  Every year in June and July Blowing Rock has a HUGE Charity Horse Show for Saddlebreds, hunters and jumpers.  

This year, 2017, will be the 94th show.  It draws top competitors from all over the country.  It is well worth the $10 gate entry fee to go inside and see these spectacular horses exhibit their talents in the oldest known outdoor horse show in America.  When you get inside you will notice there isn’t just a horse show going on here.  In one area of the preserve you will find fine food and very popular craftsmen selling their art.  Exhibits and tours are very interesting at the Preserve.  You can bring your trailer and board your own horse to take some of the excellent trails that surround the Preserve.  You can park your motor home here and enjoy the whole experience of the local amusements as well.  



Feel good about spending your money at this place; it all goes to good charities. http://blowingrockhorses.com/blowing-rock-charity-horse-show/ will give you more information.

Banner Elk is also a very short distance from Blowing Rock.  Banner Elk is home of the Wooly Worm Festival held each October.  The people bring their wooly worms to Banner Elk to race them.  The outcome of the race is said to predict the weather for winter.  It is all determined by the stripes of the winning worm.  The things people think of to rally around!  Believe me this is VERY popular.  It has been taking place since 1978 and goes on all weekend with cash prizes given to those with the best worms.  There are usually 140 food and craft vendors at this event plus musicians and dancers.  Proceeds go to children’s charities.

Winterfest is yet another festival in Blowing Rock that you might enjoy.  For 2017 the dates are January 26 – 29.  You can take the Polar Plunge, a very cold dip into Chetola Lake.  It all starts with a big brunch at Timberlake, where all the locals wear costumes relating to an icy winter, and then proceeds to the lake where the ice has been drilled and broken up for those willing to take the plunge.  

This is the week that all the local restaurants present their “Winterfeast” featuring their best dishes.  There is also a Chili Cook-off with prizes.  It is also a great time to peak into the work of the student ice carvers in the Southeast Regional Invitational Collegiate Ice Carving Competition.

I could go on forever about the happenings and the beauty and fun of Blowing Rock, N.C. area, but don’t take my word for it.  Go!  Check it out yourself.  I promise you will not be disappointed.