Blue Ridge Country - May/June 2016 - SHA10

For sure, any time of year suits a visit
to the village of Blowing Rock. This town
appears as engaging as a festival of wild
blooms in spring. It's cool in summer and
dazzling with fall color. And, oh, it's so
crystal clear in the romantic blankets of
winter snow.
Of course, any trip to Blowing Rock
should also include visiting the actual
Blowing Rock, just off U.S. 321.
Open since 1933, The Blowing Rock
(828-295-7111/theblowingrock.com)
ranks among the oldest tourist attractions
in North Carolina. And it's charmingly
odd. This 20-foot-tall outcrop juts over the
Johns River Gorge, with a curve, and takes
its name from the gorge's gravity-defying
wind currents. Atop the Blowing Rock,
you can toss away light objects and see
them blow back to you.
While here, spend some tranquil time
following the attraction's quarter-milelong loop trail, and linger on the nearby
observation deck, enjoying the priceless view of Hawksbill Mountain, Table
Rock, Mount Mitchell and Grandfather
Mountain.

Ah, the Grandfather.
The majestic Grandfather Mountain
(800-468-7325/grandfather.com) looks
like a slumbering grandfather lying on
his back - with a curvy contour serving
as the profile of an old man's face. From
the Blowing Rock, retrace U.S. 321 north
to enter the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then
head south and follow signs to greet "The
Grandfather" - at an elevation of 5,946 feet
- near Linville, North Carolina.
The Grandfather is really more than a
mountain. It's a preserve with 12 miles of
regularly maintained alpine hiking trails,
ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry challenges. And all ages
love crossing the attraction's Mile High
Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot-long suspension that spans an 80-foot chasm.
This mountain provides a home to 16
distinct natural ecosystems as well as 73
rare or endangered species. It also includes
seven distinct wildlife habitats, allowing
visitors to get up-close with cougars and
bald eagles and bears - oh, my!
From Linville, let's take a side-trip to
Salem. Follow N.C. 105 north to Boone,

then follow U.S. 421 east to WinstonSalem. Here, you'll find another gem in
the jewel of the Southern Highlands: Old
Salem Museums & Gardens (336-7217350/oldsalem.org), lying close to the
junction of U.S. 421 and U.S. 52. Old Salem features original buildings from a 1766
settlement plus one of the largest landscape restorations in the country - the Single Brothers' Garden. Watch history come
alive with hands-on activities at the Old
Salem Children's Museum and in artifacts
like the 1800 David Tannenberg Organ.
For 2016, Old Salem celebrates 250 years
with special activities and programming,
including the Spring Festival: A Visit
with George Washington and Pottery Fair
(May 21) and Independence Day ( July 4)
with a moving Naturalization Ceremony.
From Winston-Salem, make your way
west, returning to the mountains on I-40
while aiming for Asheville. Then jump
ahead more than a century while also
bridging 21st Century amenities.
Breathe in the Biltmore: Whether you
fantasize about living in a castle or just
want to soak up ornamentally grand ar-

Be sure to visit The Blowing Rock

"Enjoy the Legend"
828.295.7111 * Rock Road, Blowing Rock NC * TheBlowingRock.com
N o r t h C a r o l i n a's O l d e s t Tr a v e l A t t r a c t i o n , S i n c e 1 9 3 3
10 SOUTHERNHIGHLANDS.ORG

http://www.grandfather.com http://www.oldsalem.org http://www.theblowingrock.com http://www.TheBlowingRock.com http://www.SOUTHERNHIGHLANDS.ORG

Blue Ridge Country - May/June 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country - May/June 2016