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.

Cascade Falls

This beautiful waterfall, known simply as Cascade Falls or The Cascades, is located about 15 miles east of Boone, NC at mile #272 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a fairly easy 1.2 mile hike, although there are lots of steps, to two different overlooks. I wasn't able to find the exact height of the falls. What you see above is the top of the main waterfall, but from here, the water cascades down an enormous slide (click  photo below to enlarge the view looking down the cascades). Signs warn to stick to the main trail and behind the stone walls at the overlooks. Click here for more information and beautiful photos.

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.

Mast General Store

Mast General Store opened for business in 1883 in Valle Crucis, NC (pronounced valley crew' sis) with a reputation for selling everything from "cradles to caskets." The store still sells an amazing array of products -- grocery items, hardware, clothing, home furnishings... the list could go on and on. As they say...If Mast doesn't have it, you don't need it. With the local post office still operating from within the store, Mast serves as the town's gathering place. I've been there when they've had live bluegrass music in the store -- and the narrow aisles filled with people, kids were hoisted up on shoulders, and you were left with the feeling -- this is something special, and authentic. It's the kind of place you wish every town still had -- a place with a sense of history and community. There are other Mast stores in our region (like those in Boone and Asheville) and they're all great, but none can surpass the original. It's a little off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. While you're in the area, stop in also at the Mast Annex two tenths of a mile down the road. Click here for directions (it's only eight miles from Boone, NC).

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.'"