Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain, one of the best-known landmarks of the Blue Ridge, is more than just a mountain. Towering 5,946 feet above northwest North Carolina, Grandfather Mountain is operated as a scenic travel attraction and is the only private park in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. A Mile High Swinging Bridge was built to give visitors easy access to the breath-taking views from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak.



Marvel at 360-degree views of mountain ridge after mountain ridge retreating to the horizon and let our knowledgeable staff help you find your own perfect mountain adventure.

http://www.grandfather.com/

Springtime in the Mountains

Get acquainted with Western North Carolina's gardens this spring:

Asheville
Biltmore Estate – 800-624-1575
The Botanical Gardens of Asheville – 828-252-5190
The North Carolina Arboretum – 828-665-2492
Richmond Hill Inn – 888-742-4536

Boone
The Daniel Boone Native Gardens – 828-264-6390

Cherokee
Cherokee Botanical Garden and Nature Trail – 828-497-2315

Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock Park – 800-277-9611

Clyde
The Campus Arboretum of Haywood Community College – 828-627-2821

Wilkesboro
Wilkes Community College Gardens – 336-838-6294

Find Fabulous Fall Colors in National Parks

(ARA) - Every year, millions of Americans look forward to autumn and the opportunity to take in the beautiful fall foliage. As deciduous trees across the country begin to shed their leaves, “leaf peeping,” as it is known, becomes a pastime of many travelers.

The national parks offer a serene setting and unmatched views to enjoy this majestic transformation. Our parks preserve hundreds of tree species, which, into November, vibrantly paint the mountains and hillsides and fields with fresh shades of red, orange, yellow and purple.

“Visitors come from miles away each year to experience fall foliage in our national parks. It is truly a spectacular time of year,” says Mark Wenzler, director of Clean Air and Climate Programs for the National Parks Conservation Association.

Here are a few national park sites beloved for their brilliant fall foliage:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina) usually experiences a fall foliage season that lasts several weeks. Park trees change colors at various times, depending mostly on elevation. At mid and lower-level elevations, the color display typically reaches peak between mid-October and early November. The park attracts leaf peepers, who want a glimpse of the nearly 100 native tree species, most of which are deciduous. Some of the more vibrant trees include hickories, sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum and red maple.

The fall foliage display at Great Smoky Mountains remains one of the best in the country. For more information about fall foliage at Great Smoky Mountains, please visit www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is known for its extensive cave system -- the longest in the world. However, visitors have ample opportunity to explore other features of this national park, as well. Mammoth Cave preserves the forested Kentucky hills, which offer numerous trails for hikers to explore and observe the vibrant fall foliage. Oak, tulip poplar and sassafras are among the trees that scatter park forests and attract leaf peepers annually.

For an updated webcam shot of fall foliage at the park, please visit http://nature.nps.gov/air.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Try the Blue Ridge Parkway For Fall Color Viewing

Soon the leaves will turn gold and red, and the hillsides in Western North Carolina will burst into color. Autumn brings scenic spendor, but in mountain country, it's nothing less than spectaular. The color change starts in the higher elevations, spreading to mid-mountain, and finally to the valleys, and that makes viewing time a lasting one.

Some of the best panoramas are seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs for 251 miles through the heart of Western North Carolina's mountains at elevations up to 6,000 feet or more. According to the U.S. National Park Service, this roadway is the most visited unit of America's National Park System and offers numerous pull-over spots for motorists to admire the majestic scenery. The best viewing is mid-October.

Grandfather Mountain offers views with easy access that are unmatched in peak season. The sweeping curves of the Blue Ridge Parkway's Linn Cove Viaduct set against the reds, yellows and oranges of the hillside are particularly photogenic.

In the town of Sylva, on Fisher Creek Road, Pinnacle Park provides visitors a brilliant fall kaleidoscope. Or park near the top of Whiteside Mountain, close to the town of Cahsiers, to admire the autumn views and sheer cliffs, or walk the two-mile hiking trail there. And in the waterfall country west of Hendersonville, lovely views of cascading waters alongside vivid foliage are abundant. Along Lake Lure's 21 miles of tree-line shores, the fall panorama can be seen from miles arond.

Halfbacks In Western North Carolina

Finding a native Floridian is quite challenging. Most of us are from somewhere north of here, and on hot summer days we often wish we could go back to someplace cooler and less humid. But we don't want to go all the way back, just far enough to find the cool change of season and slower pace that we miss - just halfway back. Thus the term, "halfbacks." One of the most popular halfback spots for may Floridians is the serene and majestic mountains of western North Carolina. The cool mountain breezes and spectacular scenery, coupled with the casual mountain lifestyle, draws vacationers and second home buyers.

Homebuyers See East Tennessee Smoky Mountains as a Smart Buy

Of course, we all know how magnificent the Smoky Mountains are. From the intense, rich hues of Autumn to the bluish, smoky tint of the vast panoramas, it is an exquisite area to live and visit. That alone is probably good enough reason why so many people are relocating to East Tennessee, just for the sheer beauty and serenity of mountain living.

It is the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the peace and quiet, and extraordinary views from your new mountain home, and just a short drive away you will discover the cultural and business hub of one of America's truly great cities, Knoxville, home to the University of Tennessee (Go Vols) and a rich history dating back to the American Revolution.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park of East Tennessee, opened in 1933 and ranks today as the most visited national park in the United States, with over 9 million visitors per year.You may think, that all of the above is good enough reason to relocate to East Tennessee. The developers of a new mountain community, The Ridges at Tellico Lake, have recently seen interest in the area grow due to the economics of the area as well. East Tennessee is proving to be an affordable alternative for many people, whether they are looking to relocate permanently, or purchase a vacation home.

Some of the financial incentives the area offers is; NO state income tax, NO luxury tax, LOW insurance rates on property and autos, NO auto registration tax, LOW property tax and LOW cost of local services.

This all added up seems to be many attractive reasons for new homebuyers to come to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. In a relatively slow economy and housing market, homebuyers are finding the area a safe investment opportunity.For more information regarding purchasing a new mountain home and homesites in the Smoky Mountains, visit http://www.theridgesattellicolake.com/ or call 239-253-2332.