Forest Discovery Center at the Cradle of Forestry

Posted by admin in Attractions on November 9, 2011

We stopped recently at the Cradle of Forestry on U.S. Route 276 north of Brevard. I’m not sure how many times we’ve driven by the sign, but this time we pulled in. I was immediately stunned by the size of the Forest Discovery Center, which you can barely see in my photo…

Our surprise continued inside. It is truely an awesome, educational experience. There are 15 major exhibits to explore; an 18-minute movie to watch; a helicopter simulator ride; and a large gift shop…

Walking through the woods along several miles of paved pathways in the 6,500-acre historic site was most enjoyable…

We couldn’t get over all the restored and reconstructed buildings. Here are just a few of the many historical buildings and displays outside…

It was fun looking inside the buildings, reading the history, and trying to imagine how the first Forest Service students lived — pretty rustic…

The Cradle of Forestry was an exceptionally good experience, one we hope our grandchildren will enjoy next year. (We were fortunate to have stumbled on to it on the very last day of the season. The Cradle of Forestry will reopen in mid-April, 2012.)

The buildings and grounds are meticulously maintained all season by a totally-volunteer crew. (I was shocked to learn that none of the friendly staff members we met get paid for their hard work!) These dedicated people deserve a thank you, so when you drive by this sign next Spring on U.S.-276 north of Brevard, NC, be sure to stop in. You’ll be glad you did…

Christmas Is Everyday Shop in Waynesville, NC

Posted by admin in Attractions, Shopping on November 5, 2011

Before we finished our recent visit to Waynesville, NC, we stopped at our favorite little shop, Christmas Is Everyday. We can’t walk by without going inside. Santa Claus won’t let us…

I’m kidding of course. But Santa looks so inviting it’s realy tempting. We entered, as usual. When we got to the doorway we smelled a beautiful spruce Christmas tree and heard one of our favorite Christmas carols. And once inside, the store was packed with sweet gifts and Christmas decorations…

If you can go inside the Christmas Is Everday shop and not buy something, please tell us your secret. We’ve never been able to do it. And this trip was no different. We bought a gift for each of our nine grandkids.

You’ll find the Christmas Is Everyday shop at 113 N. Main St., Waynesville. Click here for an interactive Google map, or click here to visit the Christmas Is Everyday web site.

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Antique Chevy Corvairs Show, Maggie Valley, NC

Posted by admin in Attractions on October 17, 2011

While I was in Maggie Valley this weekend I spent some time at the 2011 ”Vairs in the Valley” car show and I saw some of the most nostalgic cars around. Here’s one of my favorites…

The Chevrolet Corvair was available in a variety of body styles from 1961 through 1969. This Corvair camper at the show reminded me of the 60′s and 70′s hippie era…

In the Corvair pick-up truck both the driver and passenger sat next to the engine, which allowed more carrying room in the back. Notice the side-loading ramp…

Chevrolet also offered this small, fuel-efficient Corvair stationwagon…

Although the second generation body style supposedly had design contributions from both the Corvette and Camaro, it looked very different from anything else on the road…

Corvairs were popular during my high-school years when most of us couldn’t afford them. Now some guys are turning their dreams into reality by restoring and driving them, and joining and volunteering in local Corvair clubs to help others enjoy them.

To see a professional slide show of Chevy Corvairs and the “Vairs in the Valley” event click here or on the picture below of photographer Barbara Sammons and NC Mountain Corvairs President John Nickel…

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2011 Petit Le Mans Race at Road Atlanta Raceway

Posted by admin in Attractions on October 5, 2011

Road Atlanta raceway held the 14th annual 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans endurance race last week and I drove down to watch it. Many expected the Audi team to win, and they put up a good fight, but the Peugeot team eventually took its third straight Petit Le Mans…

I know what you’re thinking… Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, isn’t exactly in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And the Petit Le Mans race may not qualify as an “Attraction” for some travelers to the Blue Ridge Mountains. But the mountains really aren’t very far. Their southern end is actually just a few miles north of Road Atlanta near Dahlonega, Georgia.

And the Petit Le Mans is an attraction to lots of people. Many fans actually camp overnight and watch all three days of racing. We sat on “The Hill” at Turn 5 overlooking the “Esses”…

The fans saw lots of high-speed racing. To see a 2-minute video sample of the excitement click here or on the photo below…

Spectators at Road Atlanta can get very close to the racetrack…

And when the cars collide or go off track it can seem a bit too close for comfort…

 

We couldn’t see everything directly in front of us, of course, but thanks to ESPN we could watch virtually all the action on the entire track via a jumbo screen right across the track…

Part of the fun during the Petit Le Mans is walking through the vendor and dealer displays…

There were all kinds of car clubs, each with their own special parking area — Corvettes, Ferraris, BMWs — you name it. Here’s the Porsche field…

I enjoyed the hospitality at the Michelin sponsorship tent, including a Continental breakfast, lunch, and delicious steak dinner on race day. Here are pictures of the Michelin hospitality tent, inside and out…

The hard-working Michelin crew did a first-class job — thank you, Michelin team!

Visitor’s Note: For additional information on Road Atlanta visit their website here. And for details on the American Le Mans Series and the Petit Le Mans go here.

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British Car Club of Western North Carolina Show

Posted by admin in Attractions on September 26, 2011

The British Car Club of Western North Carolina held its 12th annual ‘Autumn in the Mountains’ gathering on Saturday, Sept. 24th, at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It was quite a car show, with some beautifully restored cars. To view a slideshow click here or on the photo below…


The event was sponsored by Jaguar/Land Rover of Asheville, Old English Cars, Made in England Sports Car Repair and Nye Performance. After 11 years and the support of their sponsors, the British Car Club of Western North Carolina has donated over $21,000 to local charities. Again this year, Meals on Wheels in Henderson and Buncombe Counties will each receive a donation from the proceeds of Autumn In The Mountains.

To learn more about the British Car Club of Western North Carolina visit their website here.

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2011 Motor Sports on Main Street, Greenville, SC

Posted by admin in Attractions on September 23, 2011

While I was in Greenville, SC, yesterday I visited the 2011 Motor Sports on Main event hosted by Michelin. It was a promotion for the Petit Le Mans — the final race of the 2011 American Le Mans Series, being held next week (Sept. 28th-Oct. 1st) on the 2.4-mile Road Atlanta Grand Prix Course. The Michelin Man blocked off part of Main Street for the event…

Petit Le Mans drivers were being interviewed while their cars were on display…

And there were several high-tech racing simulators at the event…

Michelin and BBS were dominant sponsors of Motor Sports on Main…

There were several race-car driver-training course presentations…

The BMW Performance Driving School was well represented. And the driving school I got most excited about was the dual-sport BMW Motorcycle Rider Training…

This is one of the bikes that students can ride at the BMW Motorcycle Training Course…

Main Street in Greenville, South Carolina, continues to get prettier…

Did you notice the no-skateboarding sign above? If you like that, you’ll probably like this…

If you’d like more information about the Petit Le Mans race visit their website here. For driving school information visit these websites:

Visitor’s Note: For additional site-seeing attractions check out our Attractions Page. And for more outdoor activities see our Activities-Adventures Page.

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