North Carolina wines
While the eastern part of North Carolina has long been recognized as a producer of good wine, it is worth noting that the northwestern part of the state is no slouch when it comes to wine production, either.
Archive for the ‘Family Vacations in North Carolina’ Category
Northwestern North Carolina Wineries
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009Thanksgiving in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Friday, October 30th, 2009
A small kitchen means a smaller, less stressful meal, and more time for family fun
Why crowd everyone into your home over Thanksgiving? Bring the whole clan to our pet-friendly Glendale Springs lodging, and spread your kin out in different cabins. Barbecue your turkey for a change this year. Cabin kitchens don’t have ovens but are otherwise well set-up; why not just have fun being creative with your meal this year? Gather together when you want, for a pre-meal hike or a post meal stroll. Take the stress off hosting, and host jointly, at our Blue Ridge Parkway cabins.
High Country Roundup
Friday, October 16th, 2009One of the best aspects of our Glendale Springs Cabins is the location on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Driving to and from the cabins is always a scenic event, whether we are off to an event or off to buy groceries.
The drive to Boone NC, located about 30 miles southwest of Glendale Springs on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is lovely. One good reason to drive there is the High Country Roundup that takes place most Friday and Saturday nights. Expect three hours of wildly good fun in the is family variety show: music from blues to bluegrass to gospel, dancing, and laughter are there in force. Ah yes, and barbecue. Great barbecue.
There is fun for the whole family here – there is even a separate dance floor for little ones, so they don’t get accidentally stepped on by dancing adults. Your children will remember this fun evening for the rest of their lives.
Our Blue Ridge Parkway cabins are a great spot to host events such as family reunions. Think about what fun you can have with the whole family at this High Country Roundup. Stories about grandpa’s dancing will circulate for years. Can you think of a better way to come together and celebrate each other?
Fishing the New River
Sunday, August 30th, 2009
Fishing on the New River with your best buddy.
Enjoy the last days of summer with a float on the New River, fishing pole in hand. Said by some to be North Carolina’s best river for smallmouth bass fishing, the New River is close to our pet friendly cabins in Glendale Springs. Have an experience that your whole family will cherish for years to come.
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009While you are staying at our Blue Ridge Parkway cabins, take a trip to Moses Cone Park. It is an easy drive (or longer bike ride!) down the parkway from our lodge, and offers many activities for the whole family.
Moses H. Cone was a successful textile entrepreneur during the Gilded Age. He worked hard to build his empire, and then worked hard to create a refuge from it. He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed displaying his wealth; these traits led he and his wife Bertha to acquire more than 3,600 acres of land at Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Over the years, the Cones developed a carefully landscaped estate, complete with two preserves to protect the white-tailed deer they brought in from Pennsylvania, two lakes stocked with trout and bass, and four apple orchards. They built more than 25 miles of carriage trails through the estate, which have been open to the public for horseback and carriage riding since day one.
The Cones began construction on Flat Top Manor in 1899. It is a fine example of Colonial Revival architecture and one of the most important historic sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The white mansion sits atop the estate, and enjoys stunning views of Grandfather Mountain, farmland and the surrounding forests.
The property was donated to the National Park Service in 1949, when it became Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The mansion itself now houses the Parkway Craft Center, a craft shop of the Southern Highland Craft Guild that showcases works by artisans from nine Appalachian states.
The 25 miles of carriage trails are ideal for walking, cross-country skiing in the winter, or horseback riding (you must provide your own horse). The two man-made lakes are now designated as Wild Trout Water, meaning that they are not hatchery supported. Fishing from the shore is permitted at times. Boating is not.
Spend a day at the Moses Cone Park while staying at our cabins in the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a great way to both enjoy the outdoors and learn a little bit about a generous man who had a large impact on the lands and communities of this part of North Carolina.
Family Activities Near Blue Ridge Mountain Lodging
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009The New River is an old, meandering river that is perfect for lazy afternoons. We like to pack a picnic and drift downriver in a canoe, enjoying the tranquility of the water and surrounding mountains. Kids like to grab an innertube, get wet, and splash friends and siblings while they float downriver. Ok, sometimes we do, too. Tubing or canoeing is a great activity for all day, or a superb way to cool off after a morning hike or bike ride. Our Blue Ridge Mountain lodging is close to several good canoe and tubing outfitters – ask us for a recommendation when you arrive.
Bring your fishing gear, and suddenly your lazy afternoon is a productive one, too, for nothing justifies a good long float like having a rod in hand. Kids can spend some of their time tubing, and some of their time fishing, and at the end of the day everyone will be tired and happy. If you catch something, bring it back to our Blue Ridge Mountains cabins and grill it – you’ll be the envy of every fisherman at the place and the pride of your children. In the New River you will find smallmouth bass, rock bass “red-eyes”, musky and catfish. Imagine the taste of grilled bass in your mouth…mmm.
Does your dog like to swim? Bring her with you to our North Carolina pet friendly cabins, and then out on the water. We’ve known dogs who swim along next to their people and never seem to tire, and others who prefer a gentle ride in a canoe. Either way, it’s just fun to have them along and see the smiles on their faces.
North Carolina Family Vacations
Monday, July 6th, 2009
Gather the family around the campfire
My best memories from childhood include vacations with my extended family, getting to know cousins while gathered around the campfire. Summertime means some of the best opportunities for family vacations are upon us, and we think there is no better place to travel than to our NC kid friendly cabins, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bring children, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents to our family cabins – they house up to eight people comfortably. Coordinate with extended family and book several cabins at the same time; you’ll be able to spread out over our five acres, romp through the woods and play games on the fields. While you are at it, bring the family dogs too, since we are NC pet friendly lodging.
The atmosphere at our Blue Ridge Family Cabins is friendly and welcoming. During the day, it is easy to split up and pursue individual interests: from golfing to fishing to exploring some of the most beautiful land in the southeastern United States. Back at the lodge, kids make friends easily with other children, and casual groups form around campfires to share stories and s’mores. We look forward to meeting your family at our Blue Ridge Parkway lodging.