Biltmore Living Flower Carpet

The fabulous Biltmore Estate is having fleur-de-lis Flower Carpet August 14-30th. Here's what Biltmore says:

Enjoy this beautiful carpet of live flowers on Biltmore's South Terrace from August 14-30. More than 100,000 vivid annuals are intricately woven into a fleur de lis pattern inspired by Biltmore House. Stroll on the South Terrace for an up-close look, or get a different perspective from the new Louis XV Suite in Biltmore House.

Treetop Mountain Vista still has openings in August while this is going on and is only 20 minutes away. August 13,14 and 15. August 21 and 22. August 30 and 31st.
You won't want to miss a chance to be at the cabin and the Flower Carpet at Biltmore both!

Rainy Day Triple Play

Here's an idea the next time you find yourself on a rainy day and unable to hike or bike or do anything outdoors. Head for downtown Asheville and more specifically, Biltmore Ave. Three things within easy walking distance of each other (and a parking ramp right there to boot!). First (and you can mix up the order anyway you like) take in a campy art or foreign film at the Fine Arts Theatre They show only the best slightly offbeat and independent films. For instance, they were the first theatre in town to play "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Little Miss Sunshine". They have great popcorn too(and you won't have to mortgage your house to pay for it). They have a variety of beers and they even have cream soda! Now that's a carry over from my childhood? Then head on over across the street to browse the Mast General Store. There you will find just about everything imaginable, from hiking boots to bulk country candy. They even have some home furnishings. The twig rocking chair in the cabin came from Mast. Be sure to say hello to Carmen when you're in there, she's the general manager and your closest neighbor when you stay at the cabin. So when the popcorn has worn off and you've had your fill of country candy, just go a few doors down from the Mast and almost directly across from the theatre and you'll be at Doc Chey's Noodle House. Wow! This has become my favorite downtown restaurant, and I almost always eat there in conjunction with seeing a movie across the street. You won't be disappointed. The food is outrageously good and the price...just right. If you're feeling extra outlandish because you're on vacation and you deserve to over indulge, there is a wonderful ice cream shop right there sorta next to the theatre. So go ahead, have the time of your life! Asheville is always fun no matter what. I say do it!

MAMMA BLACK BEAR

Two different guests at Treetop Mountain Vista have recently mentioned seeing a mother black bear and her 3 cubs on Hwy 151 about half way between the cabin and the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is great news because bear energy is a wonderful energy to have in our area! In Native American lore, "bear" represents "introspection". Think about it...what else does a bear have to do all winter while hibernating but meditate.
We love bears around here and get very exciting when observing them, but "prudence is the better part of valor" and so always stay in your vehicle to observe a bear family. The mother bear is very fierce about protecting her young,(sound familiar?)and you do not want to get between her and her cubs. I am including here a wonderful site called Appalachian Bear Rescue for you to enjoy and learn about our precious black bears here in the Smokies.

Vouchers Now Available

Just added, you can now pick up a voucher at Treetop Mountain Vista to purchase Biltmore Estate tickets at a reduced price. These prices beat the online discount prices. You will find them tucked into the front cover of the info notebook on the big desk upstairs. One voucher is good to purchase up to 4 tickets.

The Best Hot Steak Sub and More

I am a dyed in the wool meat eater. I'm not proud of that because I do dearly love all animals, but I just seem to do better with eating meat. And I love a good steak sandwich. So I have been "testing" steak sandwiches in the area for years and I keep coming back to "My Father's Pizza" in Black Mt. Honestly, hands down, they serve the very best Hot Steak Sub anywhere. I'm not getting a kickback for every steak sub they sell to my guests and they probably will never even know I'm plugging their place, but people, I have to tell you, if you are not a vegetarian and you love a good steak sub, this is the place to go! And if you do go, you may want to spend an afternoon exploring Black Mt. It is a little touristy town just East of Asheville, very cute and very artsy, and not far at all. Here is what you get on the sub: first of all, lots of thinly sliced steak (and I do mean lots)"grilled to perfection", onions, and mushrooms. mild banana peppers, cheese and mayo. It will be over-flowing, and I think the secret to their success, (besides the ingredients) is the roll that it comes on. Now I am always in search of the perfect roll too and I can't find one any place that can top their roll! It is so good that I once threw a large party and special ordered their rolls for my honey baked ham and swiss cheese subs,(another one of my favorites). So folks, this is insider information and you can either take it to heart or throw it out.(Please just don't throw me out if you are offended by my carnivorous ways:-) And here's a tip for you who are vegetarians...you simply must visit "The Laughing Seed" in downtown Asheville. It is totally veggie and very good. One of our guests left a note saying that despite being meat eaters they loved the "Laughing Seed". Also for you vegans out there, I understand from a guest that "Nine Mile" is a superb new vegan restaurant. And there you have it. There are so many great restaurants in Asheville and the immediate area that you should have plenty of great eats while you're vacationing at Treetop Mountain Vista!

Autumn Magic at the Cabin

I think the mountains have reached their peak for Autumn color by now, but what lingers in the woods at the cabin is nothing short of ethereal. And the ride up Hwy 151 was so gorgeous a few days ago, it was like being thrown into a bowl of jujubes. (remember those?) Translucent colors and sun streaming through dense forest made for quite a vision. Now the leaves are coming down like rain.

Enjoy A Slideshow Tour Of Cabin

Resident Hummingbirds

These stunning photos of hummingbirds at the deck feeder were taken by recent guest Linda Duggan. If you happen to find yourself a guest at the cabin be sure to feed our littlest friends. One part sugar added to 4 parts boiled water. (Cooled of course) They love it!

A Stroll Down N. Lexington Ave. Asheville

Start at the corner of N. Lexington Ave. and Walnut St. to begin your stroll along some of Asheville's most interesting shops and restaurants. You'll find quite a variety of offbeat and unusual places;ethnic restaurants, boutiques with vintage clothing, garden shops, antique and art galleries, coffee shops, a used record and cd shop, crystals, minerals and whatever shops. Alongside many of the shops are terraces, alleyways leading to other shops and gardens, also outdoor eating areas. N. Lexington is an historical site.

Picnics and the BlueRidge Parkway

I'm always talking about the Blue Ridge Parkway, mainly because it is such a wonderful place, and so accessible to the cabin. Think of it as a long and narrow 460 mile park. One can frequently spot picnic-ers on the grassy shoulders taking in the gorgeous views and enjoying their favorite foods. They may be sitting on a traditional blanket/tablecloth or with their little portable camp chairs, but enjoying themselves they are. Now I have recently acquired a great wicker basket (pictured above) complete with plastic plates, flatware and even wine glasses (no drinking and driving please :-) for use by my guests. The only thing I ask is that you leave the set as you found it for the next adventurous couple, and also bring along your own favorite picnic blanket or tablecloth to use and enjoy as you wish. If you don't want to go to the bother of cooking your own fixin's, I would like to suggest a fabulous restaurant and bakery in town called.....are you ready for this, "Picnics". Yes indeed, they have sumptuous home cooked food and baked goods which you can eat there or take with you, all packaged and ready to go to your favorite spot (on the Blue Ridge Parkway of course) and start pigin' out. I strongly encourage you to visit their web site at www.picnicsrestaurant-bakeshop.com for more information. Now back to the Parkway. As you may know, the cabin is right off highway 151, which ends at the Parkway halfway between mile markers 400 and 410. It is only a short 4 mile (15 minute) ride up through very scenic woods called the Pisgah National Forest to get to the Parkway. Checkout their web site for lots of info about the BRP at www.nps.gov/blri . And be sure to have a fabulous time!