Hiking to the top of Mt. Mitchell, NC.

 

Mount Mitchell. What can I say to explain this majestic mountain? It is hard to explain in just words. If you haven't been there your missing out on absolutely the most breathtaking hiking and scenery you could ever imagine. The above photo was taken at the summit around 6pm EST. You can see rows and rows of ridges of the Appalachians until they disappear.

 Here is a map of how to get there  https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=map+to+mount+mitchell&fb=1&gl=us&hq=to+mount+mitchell&ei=JZGqUL_VB4nI9QTL6IDADg&ved=0CLIBELYD

 

The mountain was named after Elisha Mitchell, a proffesor of Geology at the University of North Carolina. He was the first to measure this peak in 1835 and was measured at 6,684 feet (2,037 m) high at the very highest rock. It is the highest point in all the Applalachian Mountains.

Elisha now rests in eternal peace on his beloved mountain. You can walk by his tomb at the peak.

 

 

 

 

 

Hiking, picniking or just taking beautiful pictures, Mount Mitchell has it all. Here is the official website that can answer many questions you may have. At the time of this posting it is a little cold on the mountain and I appologize to our readers for being so late but hey, make plans for next year you will not be disappointed. Well here is the link...

 

http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/main.php

 

 

Well for now we bid you good bye and happy adventuring from atop of the majestic Mount Mitchell.

 

It's getting dark on us up here so we have to go, but we sure do look foward to your posts on this blogg :)

 

 



Appalachian Hiking at Backbone Rock, Virginia

One of the most peaceful places you'll ever be is The Backbone Rock. Backbone Rock is located here; 

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=backbone+rock&ie=UTF-8&ei=tVkZUIH_DIuy8QSh9oHAAg&sqi=2&ved=0CFsQ_AUoAg

As you can see it has been tunneled out and at one time was known as the "Shortest tunnel in the world. Carved out of some of the oldest rock in the world, it was made to allow railroad access between Shady Mountain, TN and Damascus, VA in 1901. Now it and the surrounding area is one of the most beautiful spots to go for a afternoon of relaxation and picnic for us.

There is no fee you have to pay. It is totally free to enter and the hiking around Backbone can all be done in about a hour or so, but dont forget you camera. Look at some of these shots we took. This really shows off just how beautiful these ancient mountains are.

There is a wonderful picnic area.

Now as I said this is a place to go for a afternoon of relaxation or family get togethers. A lot of families even have weddings here. We like to hike the trails. It is a short hike but it is steep.

So wear good shoes with a grip and take your time.

One of the most beautiful things on this trail to see is the waterfall. Remember, these rocks are some of the oldest on earth. Just imagine how many millions of years this waterfall has been cooling the woods around it and it was cool. You can sit beside it and somehow never want to leave. It was so refreshing to feel the water off of it. As you can see we were able to walk right next to it. Our kids got drinched. Well thats kids for you isnt it?  lol

Well if you go to see the Backbone Rock you'll be close to Damascus VA. This little town is one of the most popular places for world famous hikers, scientists and explorers to gear up before they hit the world famous Appalachian Trail!

Put us on your favorites because we are going to hit that next. So get ready to go with us to Damascus Virginia, then off onto the Appalachian Trail!

Until Then,

Happy Adventuring my friends!

Appalachian fun on the weekend. Lets go Hiking!


Just a sample of the beautiful creeks you will find while you family has a picnic. This picture was at one of the many picnic areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a  469 mile road that travels across the entire Appalachian Mountain chain. No businesses are allowed and no commercial trucks so it is just how nature meant it to be. We'll be covering much more on this in later posts

Summer weekends here in the Appalachian mountains are never boring to us. One of our favorite activities we do on a typical weekend is Hiking

1. Hiking and more hiking! In the summers this is so fun for us. Here are some of our favorite spots and the beautiful trails that lead to them.

The trails around places like The Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, Backbone Rock and many other locations are just breathtaking.

The mile high swinging bridge where you can go across the gap at the peak of The Grandfather.
Here's a map on how to get to the awesome Grandfather Mountain;

https://maps.google.com/?q=36.11139,-81.81250+(Grandfather+Mountain+State+Park

In our next post coming up we'll be going to the great state of Virginia to the The Back Bone Rock. Backbone Rock is one of the most beautiful picnic and hiking areas we have ever been to so place us on your favorites. We have a lifetime of things to tell you about the great Appalachians!

Fun neverending in Boone,NC

A true Jewel of the Appalachians.


Boone, NC

A typical view from the side of the road in the Boone/Watauga Co. area. They are hundreds of views like this to enjoy, not to mention all of the hiking, camping and picniking that you can also enjoy. We'll be covering it all right here in this blog.



So have you planned to come to Boone, NC  and visit? If not your missing out, but  if you are we'd like to help over the next several posts to help you plan your trip and can get the most fun out of your experince here. So for starters, let me give you a list of some of the best deals on lodging and a great place to eat here in Boone.

Boone, NC as I said before in other postings is a small town full of non stop "ole fashioned" mountian fun with the hospitality to go along with it. Since you might be hungry when you get here and you want a good "ole mountain" home cooked meal I highly suggest The Daniel Boone Inn. They fix it a meal in that special "old fashioned way" that you cant get enough of. They really make you feel at home and relaxed. Dont miss it!

http://www.danlbooneinn.com/

Where should I stay? Well there is certainly no shortage of places to stay while in the Boone area. It really depends on what your preference is. As far as hotel/motels go here is some of the cheapest rates in town at the moment;

#1 Cheapest

The Super 8  starting around $67

Telephone  (828) 264-4133



#2 Cheapest

The Best Western of Boone

Starting around $70 per night

Telephone  (828) 266-1100


Our all time favorite is the Hampton Inn of Boone. They may not be the cheapest but the rooms and beds are always the best in our opinion.

The Hampton of Boone

Starts around $110 per night.

Telephone  (828) 264-0077


If your into a Bed & Breakfasts, We suggest the Lovill House Inn because quite simply put, they are the best around here in our opinion. It's a beautiful farm house that was originally built in 1875 that was restored in 1993. It's a taste of "Old North Carolina" that you'll always remember and want to come back to. A very quite and peaceful place to spend your night and wake up to a good old fashioned breakfast and southern hospitality. Thier telephone number is 1-800-849-9466 and thier website is at   www.lovillhouseinn.com.



Make sure you come back to our blog. On our next post we'll cover all of the most exciting things to do in this "Hidden Jewel of the Mountains" called Boone, NC.

Until then,

Happy Travels!

Boone, NC. A Hidden Gem of the Appalachians.

Like a place your family can go and feel welcomed everywhere? Like a place you can just be yourself? Like a place that has never ending things to do? Well Boone just might be the place you will love.

Boone, NC is located in northeastern NC close to where NC, TN and VA meet. Here's a map.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Boone&state=NC

Now, in this blog I will always be your "local friend". In otherwords I'll be stuffing these articles with tips on what not to miss such as the most beautiful and exciting places and also how to save lots of money when you come to the Appalachians.

So here is my first tip about going to Boone, NC. If you take US 321 North from Lenoir, NC you'll have one of the most breathtaking views of the mountains all the way from Lenoir, NC to Blowing Rock, NC then on to Boone from there. Going US 421 North from Winston Salem. NC you cant really see anything but trees.

A picture taken form US321 headed toward Blowing Rock, NC on our way to Boone. You can see the mountains until they disappear into the horizon.

Boone, NC was established in 1872 and was named after the great pioneer legend Daniel Boone. Legend has it that Daniel had a favorite camp site that he loved that he would often stop at along his many adventures, thus the towns name. Boone is a rather small town with a population of around 17,000 and is home to a fine university in the middle of town, Appalachian State University which seems to help the area become more diversified and richer in the applachian culture every year through special seminars and festivals every summer that are often open to the public.

Welcome to our world of clean living and good old fashioned fun!

Hello,

My name is Jonan Amar and over the next few years on this blog, my beautiful wife Olivia and myself will be taking you on a amazing journey through the Appalachian Mountains. Featuring the areas around Boone NC, Ashville NC and Mountain City TN. All of these places are both beautiful and full of history.  A perfect place for either a vacation, purchasing a retirement home or raising your children/grandchildren. So add us to your list. You might be very suprised about what you read and see.

This is a picture of myself standing on top of one of the area mountains close to Boone. NC. Standing up there made me realize just how majestic these ancient mountains really are.

Clean Living.
Good clean water to drink and air to breath. Now thats what I love about this area.

Put us on your favorites and come back to see what we've posted. We have a lifetime of things to tell you that will save you money on a vacation, inspire you and facinate you and even make you laugh :)