Tag Archives: Old Fort / Andrews Geyser

Ten Hikes for Spring in the North Carolina Mountains (updated)

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The (very green) Black Mountains of North Carolina in springtime

We’ve updated our list of ten hikes around our neck of the woods that are great for enjoying springtime. Western North Carolina has elevations between 1,000 and 6,690 feet, so keep in mind that late March and early/mid-April may still be on the wintry side in the mountains at the higher elevations, while the flowers and flowering trees are blooming at middle elevations such as ours at 2,300 feet. By the end of April and first part of May, spring takes hold everywhere.

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North Carolina Mountain Birds: Tufted Titmouse

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We’ve decided to do a 12 Months of Birding at the Inn series on the blog, where we’ll talk about the kinds of birds you can expect to see at the Inn on Mill Creek (a site on the North Carolina Birding Trail) and in the surrounding areas of the North Carolina mountains. We’ve also taken lots of pictures over the years of the birds in our neck of the woods, and unless photo credit is attributed to someone else, all photos on the blog are ones that we’ve taken of our winged neighbors.

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Point Lookout Greenway Trail in Old Fort

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The Point Lookout Greenway is a 3.5-mile paved walking/biking trail near the Inn, in scenic McDowell County. The route used to be Highway 10, then Highway 70 {now called Old Highway 70}, and it was blocked off decades ago in this particular stretch from Ridgecrest to Old Fort. When it was the main highway, before the construction of Interstate 40, there was a gas station and restaurant, and a beautiful overlook.

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Octoberfest Fall Festival in Old Fort, October 5-7

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Photo Credit: Old Fort Chamber of Commerce

Old Fort holds an annual small-town festival the first weekend in October to celebrate the coming of fall to this part of North Carolina. If you like small town festivals, this one’s for you! This family-friendly three-day event, sponsored by the Old Fort Chamber of Commerce, features scores of local arts and crafts vendors and local business booths, great food, kids’ activities and rides, a climbing wall, and live entertainment, plus the annual rubber duckie race along Mill Creek behind the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center.

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East of Asheville Studio Tour Expands to Old Fort

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The beautiful work of EAST artist Rebecca King

The East of Asheville Studio Tour is a great way to meet local artists as they invite you to the studios where their art is created. The free self-guided studio tour takes place twice a year, in Spring and Fall. You can visit as many of the studios as you like over a two-day period.

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Drive the McDowell Quilt Trail and see…100 quilt blocks!

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It’s no secret that we’re big fans of small towns. We can rave for hours about the charming, laid back small towns near our Bed & Breakfast — Black Mountain, Montreat, Chimney Rock, Old Fort, etc. Our small towns are one of the reasons we love living here and one of the reasons people love coming to visit our area.

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Painters Greenhouse 2011 Herb Festival

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In “Spring is almost here!” news: You know Spring is almost here when it’s time for the annual Painters Greenhouse Herb Festival. Now in its seventh year, the Herb Festival, which will take place April 9-10, 2011, is more than just a sale on herbs (like the ones at the left, photo courtesy of Painters Greenhouse Facebook Page). While you’re picking out your chives, basil, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, you’ll also get to be entertained by local musicians, browse local arts and crafts, and enjoy some festive fare (funnel cakes, anyone? yum!).

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