Monday, October 31, 2011

Ski Resorts in the Area Part One - Beech

Ski Resorts in the Area Part One - Beech

With ski season soon approaching, we wanted to share some of our favorite places to visit for some winter fun. First up, Beech Mountain:

Beech Mountain Ski Resort


Sitting at a peak of 5,506 feet Beech Mountain is the highest ski resort in the eastern United States and covers 95 skiable acres. This is one our favorite places to visit each winter mainly because of the fun winding mountain roads on the drive up (and down, of course) as well as the friendly small-town atmosphere that is the town of Beech Mountain.


With 14 trails ranging from easy to black diamond, and 2 freestyle terrain trails and 7 lifts to get you to the top, there is something for everyone. 

The resort has many amenities to make your visit enjoyable, including four restaurants, two sport shops, full rental facility, wireless internet connection, ice skating, game room, coffee shop, retail store, ski repair/rental shop, and a snack shop.

Oh...we couldn't forget to tell you about the free sledding. Although it isn't part of the resort, The town of Beech Mountain has a wonderful sledding hill for the kids (sorry parents you will have to stick to the slopes, although it's okay to help smaller ones along). The hill is even outfitted with its own snow-making machines!



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Blowing Rock Halloween Festival

Yes, it's a that time of the year where we get dressed up in our favorite sports gear or the most spooky costumes and go out and gather some yummy treats. One of our favorite things to do is head over to historic downtown Blowing Rock for their annual Halloween Festival.

This year the festival will be held Oct 29, 2011 from 3 - 9 pm in downtown Blowing Rock.

Activities include:
Air walks in Memorial Park 3:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

Games & a Fun House in the Recreation Center for the Kids! 3:00p.m.-5:30p.m.

Hay Rides through Blowing Rock with Tom: 4:00p.m.-8:00p.m.
(Meet in Memorial Park)

THE MONSTER MARCH: Line up at the American Legion at 5:30p.m. Parade at 5:45p.m.

Trick or Treat Downtown Blowing Rock: 6:00p.m.-until (look for the black and orange balloons)

Bonfire in the Park: 6:30p.m.-9:00p.m.

Costume Contest: (Sign up at the Recreation Center by 6:45p.m.) - 7:00p.m.
Location: Recreation Center (White Building by the Tennis Courts)

Moonlight Scavenger hunt at Broyhill Lake- BEGINS After Costume Contest
participate in teams (max: 3 per group) (ages 6-13) Bring your flashlight!!!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

6th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival Oct. 22


The Valle Crucis Punkin Festival marks its sixth year in 2011. It was founded in 2006 as a kid-friendly event tied to the harvest season. Although it is a small festival, it is big on fun – starting with the name. The organizers chose the name “simply because it’s a lot more fun than pumpkin”.

Kids are invited to participate in all kinds of old-fashioned games like Apple Bob (bobbing for apples hanging from a string), Hoop-La (can you hook the ring?), Punkin Sack Races (try to do that without laughing), and Dog Bowl In (get the ball to stay in one of the dog bowls). Everyone can get their face painted and enjoy food, of course. In addition, kids and their parents have an artistic outlet to carve their Jack ‘o Lanterns with no muss and no fuss. Festival volunteers “cut and gut” the pumpkins for you! Proceeds from the day go to the Western Youth Network (WYN), a non-profit group serving youth and families in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties and the Valle Crucis Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association. That leads right into one of the event’s theme: Carving for a Cause.

Kids will need a parental permission form completed in order to participate.  Download a PDF version and fill it out before the festival so you can join in the fun right away.

The festival is staffed by volunteers from WYN, Appalachian State University, Valle Crucis Elementary School, and the Mast General Store.

For more info call 828-963-4712 or e-mail punkinfestival@gmail.com.