When the new leaves first appear in late April along the Escarpment, the number of shades of green is a feast for the eyes. The dark pine trees make the perfect contrast for their forest neighbors. The peaks along the horizon extend from the Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock north to Hickory Nut Mountain in McDowell County. 4,000 foot Mount Shumount along the Rutherford-Buncombe County line3,100 foot Hickory Nut Mountain2,600 foot Roan-Horsetop Mountain2,800 foot Wolfpen Mountain in the left foregroundMy home in Otter Creek Valley below 1,600 foot Oak Mountain ..read more

Named after a mountain in Japan, the Kanzan (Kwanzan) cherry tree is native to China, Japan and Korea. The original name is ‘Sekiyama,’ but it is rarely used. Introduced to America in 1903, it was made famous by the glorious floral displays at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Upon entering Apple Valley Golf Club just north of Lake Lure, you’ll find this large collection of trees beside the first fairway. Known as the showiest of the pink flowering trees, the large carnation like blossoms hang on stems of three to five flowers. This variety produces no fruit ..read more

There’s nothing more colorful than the Pink Dogwoods and Azaleas in the gardens of historic Rutherfordton, N.C. homes. This weekend, they will be at their peak ..read more

At the top of many Bucket Lists is a visit to Augusta National during Masters Week every April. Over the years I have been fortunate to attend both the actual tournament, and many of the early Practice Rounds. Because hotels run for $500 a night and up, I have always found that my car offers excellent sleeping accommodations while parked in well lit hotel lots, allowing for a hardy breakfast while blending in with the morning crowds in the lobby. This year, even the Monday Practice Round was a little steep for these old pockets, but that never stopped me from enjoying Augusta when the Dogwood ..read more

As the oldest town in Western North Carolina, founded in 1787, Rutherfordton is the county seat of Rutherford County, located in the Carolina Piedmont, and Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its oldest surving house dates from the 1820’s, but the majority of historic residences were built after the Civil War, and before the 1920’s. The economy of the county grew around a gold rush of the 1820’s, and later from the timber industry and cotton mills. The railroad played a major role in the growth of mills and lumber. These early homes followed the styles of the American Gothic, Victorian, an ..read more

With snow and ice forecast a few miles northwest of here, it seems strange writing about Spring, but in the Blue Ridge Mountains, that’s what can happen in March. At the far north end of Lake Lure is the Rumbling Bald Resort and Legends-on-the-Lake Bar and Grill. On Thursday, the giant Japanese Magnolia just outside the facility was in full bloom. This past week the lake was raised seven feet to its normal level after being lowered during the winter to allow for dock and boathouse repain, and new pier construction. This was just in time to welcome the rowing crews from the northeast colleges ..read more

Three years ago, I posted these photos as Spring began to bloom. It’s happening this week again, and was worth revisiting,,, Living in The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina- A Blog In just the past three days, the Bradford Pear trees have visible buds, ready to open this week. Solitary Cherry trees in the fields have bloomed out a bright pink, and daffodils are open along the roads and in yards. Red leaf buds can be seen in the woods, and even the azaleas are showing early buds. After four days in the 70’s after Ground Hogs Day, it was only a matter of time until Spring showed its ..read more

When the air outside is below freezing, a visit to the Conservatory on Asheville’s Biltmore Estate is always a treat. My favorite part is the rare orchid room, where blooms from tropical jungles will always brighten my day. Of course, the other areas of the Green Houses are the icing on the botanical cake. A cold rain hung over the lower elevations… Tight Run Road in southern McDowell County with Pinnacle Peak in the clouds ..read more

Even though Otter Creek Ollie emerged to see no shadow, the next day in the mountains brought over two inches of rain, and temps in the upper 50’s. This was after a month of lows in the teens and 20’s, a foot of snow, and high winds. Having an early appointment in Asheville Friday morning, I arrived at Biltmore’s front gate at 9 a.m. to a “balmy” 56 degrees. I was welcomed by this happy family as I began the two mile drive to the Chateau.Although the sky looked ominous, the rain stayed away, as did the tourists…The main drive had been recently resurfaced, and I was the only vehicle driving thr ..read more

Five days after the heavy snow, nothing had melted. Venturing out for the first time, the area along the Rutherford-McDowell County line was in a state of suspended animation. Hemphill Road toward 4,000 foot Sugarloaf Mountain south of Lake LureMontford Cove in southern McDowell County toward Pinnacle PeakA Homestead in the Northwest Rutherford County MountainsOtter Creek Road alongside Otter Creek as it enters the isolated valleyOtter Creek A week later, even with a bright Sun overhead, the snow refused to go away… Driving home… Even after two weeks, snow is still everywhere in the shade and ..read more