Howard's Knob

Ventured into the High Country of North Carolina last weekend -- and did the tourist thing. Took in the sights on the Blue Ridge Parkway, did some shopping at the Outlet Mall outside of Blowing Rock, then enjoyed the view from Howard's Knob and finally had a delicious dinner at Black Cat Burrito in Boone.

Howard's Knob (elevation 4,406 feet) offers "unparalleled views" of Boone and Appalachian State University. It was hazy the day we were there, so I had to push the contrast, blacks and recovery within Lightroom to pull out some of the detail of these photos of the Appy State campus and Kidd Brewer Stadium. Howard's Knob was named for an early settler to the area, Benjamin Howard, a British loyalist and contemporary of Daniel Boone. In 1979, the world's largest windmill was constructed there, but this experiment was short lived -- it seemed it was also the world's noisiest windmill. The turbine was dismantled in 1983 and the area turned into a park.

Directions: From 421 (E. King St.) turn north onto Grand Blvd and travel 0.2 miles, turn left on Bear Trail (one way) and drive another 0.2 miles, then turn left on Eastview Dr./E. Junaluska Rd. (listed as both on Google Maps) continue following this insanely steep road up the mountain for 0.85 miles, you'll then turn right onto Howard's Knob Road and drive 1/2 mile to the park located at the end of this road. The one-way road goes through the park goes counter-clockwise. The parking area for the overlook is located next to an open meadow -- a short walk will lead to the overlook.

Appalachian State Victory

Appalachian State destroyed Delaware 49-21 to claim their third national champtionship in as many years. Three-peat national champions! Woo Hoo!!!

Head on over to the Blue Ridge Blog for photos and more!

Appalachian State University

This statue of Daniel Boone is located on the campus of Appalachian State University in the city that bears his name. With an enrollment as big as the town (both are around 15,000), it is safe to say Boone, NC has the look and feel of a college town. ASU's academic and athletic programs are certainly well-regarded -- but talk to students who go to ASU and many will say it was the setting that really attracted them to Boone -- nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains with ski slopes, hiking trails, the Parkway, and all the scenic beauty and recreational activities offered in the High Country. It's indeed a beautiful setting -- and Appy State and the city of Boone have a personality all their own.

Where's Ann Arbor?

Boone, NC is the place to be after last week's thrilling victory over Michigan. People from all over the region headed to the high country this week to take part in the excitement. A record crowd filled Kidd Brewer Stadium yesterday to watch the Mountaineers cruise to an easy victory over Lenoir-Rhyne. It seemed everyone in the city, including 'Touchdown Yosef' was decked out in black and gold. Boone has always been a great place to visit -- now more than ever.

My favorite T-shirt slogan... "Where's Ann Arbor?"

Score One for Appalachia!

Congrats to the Appalachian State Mountaineers on their monumental upset over the #5 Michigan Wolverines. It's being called the greatest upset in college football history. Go on over to the Blue Ridge Blog to see scenes of the wild celebration in Boone, NC, including an awesome photo of the mob carrying a goal post down the street. More photos here. What a great victory for Appy State! Woo Hoo!!!

It's been fun hearing the commentators stumble over the word "Appalachian." For those unfamiliar, we in the Southern Appalachian mountains pronounce it "Apple-at-chin." And when referring to the region of Appalachia, we pronounce it "Apple-at-cha." I love when people, not from this area, correct my pronunciation of it..."Don't you mean Apple-aye-shin?" But I try to have compassion on my Yankee brethren. For I, too, once dwelled in the land of the Yankee. After I had lived here for a couple of years, I asked one of the older gentlemen at church, "At what point do I become a Southerner?" He jokingly replied, "You don't, but the good news for you is that after ten years, we'll refer to you as 'Yankee' instead of 'damn Yankee.'"