Enjoy A Slideshow Tour Of Cabin

An Amazing Place: Bent Creek Experimental Forest.

If you love to hike and or mountain bike then this is the place for you. It is very easily accessible no matter what the weather and very easy to get to from Treetop Mountain Vista. The cabin will have a brochure with trails and lots of information about the area. There are 26 trails and connectors in the Bent Creek area and they are all labeled as to use. All are suitable for hiking and 23 can be used for biking. The map gives the miles, rating and color of blaze. Most of them are very short, but many of the trails inter-connect so you can plot your own course for the length desired. There are a few over 3 miles and a segment of the famous Shut-in Trail shown on the map is 13.9 miles. (The Shut-In Trail is mentioned in another post on this blog; "Winter Hiking"). The entrance to this area is accessed right before the NC. Arboretum (highlighted in a post of its' own on this blog)on Hwy 191. For more information about the Bent Creek Experimental Forest phone: 828-667-5261 or check out their web site by clicking on the title of this post above.

Holiday Season at the Biltmore Estate

If you've never been to the Biltmore Estate, or even if you have, you don't want to miss the celebration going on right now when you visit Asheville. The Estate has so many events and decorations to thrill you between November 6th and January 2nd. I've been through the house many times and also during the Holiday Season, but I think the Biltmore has outdone themselves this year! I was just there 2 days ago and missed the tree raising event but did ask some questions of the docent, for instance, "how in the world did they get that 35 foot fir tree in this room?" and "how did they raise it without a crane?". Well simply put, they bring the tree in all wrapped up, that in itself is quite remarkable, and they raise it with several groups of men with ropes, some at the top of the room and others at the floor guiding and heaving. And keep in mind, they had to juxtaposition it around the giant chandelier. Well, I am impressed! The tree decorations are a sight to behold in themselves, and at the other end of this large living room are 3 side by side large fireplaces. When you come back around from the tour of the home you get to see the backside of the tree from another alcove. That was spectacular too. Here's a tip when you visit, go a little later in the afternoon when they start lighting the many fireplaces and outside they turn on the thousands of lights on the tree and large bushes in the huge entry courtyard that they brought in just for the occasion. They also offer candle light evening tours with a special ticket. I highly recommend checking out all the Biltmore Estate has to offer. You can find out all you need to know at their website www.biltmore.com

The North Carolina Arboretum

While visiting Asheville you simply must check out The North Carolina Arboretum. No matter what you came to the area for, you can get it all right here. The Arboretum has hiking and biking trails. A magnificent bonsai collection, numerous gardens, art exhibits, classes and too many other projects and items to mention here. Just go on their web site and be blown away with the pictures and raft of information. They also have a cafe and gift store. To get directions from Treetop Mountain Vista just use Google or Mapquest and put in starting point : 40 Little Stoney Fork, Candler, NC 28715 and destination : North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville . Depending on which search you use you will get directions using the Parkway (mapquest) or main hwys (google). Their web site also gives directions. There is a small parking fee of $6 per motor vehicle.

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.

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!

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. (hint, sometimes we forget to keep vouchers in the notebook. If you will rummage through the big drawer in the desk you should find a supply of them).

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!

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.

Mount Pisgah

Why is Mount Pisgah important to guests staying at the cabin? Because you have a birds eye view of one of the highest and most famous mountain peaks in Western North Carolina. Perhaps even in the Eastern United States. Mount Pisgah is only a 15 minute drive from the cabin. And for those who are very hearty and used to hiking difficult (as in steep) trails, the Mount Pisgah trail offers a wonderful challenge. I've hiked it a few times myself, but not recently :-) The view from the top is awesome. For a hearty meal while you're up there, just drive a little further to the Pisgah Inn. They serve 3 meals a day but close briefly in between meals. For more information about the Mount Pisgah hike and other "best hikes" in the area just click on the link provided. Here's what one web site had to say about Mount Pisgah:

Overlook Description

"The peak of Mount Pisgah, once part of the Biltmore Estate, can be reached by a winding trail from the parking area. The estate became home of the first U.S. forestry school, as well as the heart of the Pisgah National Forest.

Near by at milepost 408.6 is Mount Pisgah.

In the late 1800s industrialist George Washington Vanderbilt, while building his grand Biltmore Estate in Asheville, purchased Mount Pisgah and thousands of surrounding acres for a private hunting retreat for family and friends. The nearby 16-mile Shut-In Trail (a National Recreation Trail) is part of a longer route that Vanderbilt originally created for his hunting parties.

Today the area adjoining the Parkway is part of the Pisgah National Forest and is still playing host to nature enthusiasts. Equipped with lodge, restaurant, campground and more, Mount Pisgah has the distinction of having by far the highest elevation of any developed area along the Parkway. Be aware of rapidly changing weather conditions.

The recreation area is the one area on the Parkway frequented by the black bear and visitors are advised to watch for them. Elk and buffalo were gone by 1800; beaver disappeared by 1900. The mountain lion, or panther, is thought to have disappeared by 1920."

To get to the Parkway and Mount Pisgah coming from the cabin you would take the driveway (Little Stoney Fork) and at the bottom make a right. You will then be on Black Oak Cove Rd. At about 1/2 mile it ends at Hwy 151, (otherwise known as Pisgah Highway). Make a left at the stop sign and go about 4 miles up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once there you will make a right and in a few miles you will see a sign for the Mt. Pisgah trailhead. If you want to dine out just keep going about a mile past that (maybe less) to the Pisgah Inn. You'll be driving through the Pisgah National Forest as soon as you leave the driveway. The cabin sits on private land but is surrounded by Forest Service Land. You'll feel like you're at the Parkway the whole way up. It takes only a few minutes to drive it but a few hours to hike it. It is straight up and winding but very wild and natural. You'll even pass a lovely little water fall on your way. My neighbor and I had "trained" with our dogs for weeks to hike up to the top of 151 and back and finally one very rainy day we decided to "just do it". We were ecstatic at our accomplishment! To celebrate we came back and got a vehicle and drove back up to have lunch at the Inn. What fun I had living there and you'll have loads of fun too!