Winter Hiking

Now it's time to start thinking about winter hiking here in the mountains. Winter is the best time to hike because even though we have four distinct seasons, none are severe. Winter is wonderful because the temperatures are much cooler making for comfortable hiking. After all you can always dress for the cold. The views are spectacular because most of the leaves are off the trees. There are several known hikes within close proximity of the cabin. Driving to the Park Way you can go as far as you like in either direction with the "shut in" trail. (I know I know, that sounds like an oxymoron). The cabin is about 4 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway as you go up hwy 151 in Candler, to approximately mile marker 405. Even if the Parkway is closed due to snow you can park right there and pick up the Shut In and either go right to the Mt. Pisgah trail head which is 1.5 miles and strenuous or you can go left, essentially as far as you want. Some of that is strenuous as well but much is moderate. Make sure you wear sturdy boots, dress in layers and take plenty of water and a snack or two. Watch for more posts with hiking ideas and many other things to do in the Mountains in the winter. Picture shown is along the Davidson River.

Videos and pictures of beautiful results of rain.

I could not resist taking some videos and pictures of my favorite little waterfall and a new one on Hwy 151 near the cabin going up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest. Took a few views from the Parkway as well looking down on where I know Treetop Mountain Vista is....just can't see it for all the trees:-)It was a spectacular day after all the rainfall we've been getting the last few days.

Max Patch Bald

So many guests at the cabin mention Max Patch Bald as one of their adventures that I think it must be time to put up some information about it. I have a link here to Max Patch. They say it better than I could. I have been up there many, many times and do love it. I have never done it at night though and I understand the stars are unbelievable. I'm going to do that soon and when I do I'll tell you all about it. Meanwhile, there are some other hikes in the area which are longer for all you serious hikers. Lemon gap is one and does however require a car shuttle. That is unless you can hike about 14 miles in one day. Then you could go out and back.

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. Also I'm going to add another vegetarian restaurant to the mix; I have heard from guests that Rosetta's Kitchen in downtown Asheville is wonderful. 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

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.