Adventures in The Carolinas

There is really nothing in the world like summertime in Montreat, NC right outside of Black Mountain. Part of me does not even wish to reveal this secret little vacation spot, but I can't help but gush over how amazing it is.You see, I plan on living here one day and I don't want the word to get out and spoil the whole thing ;) I've been coming to this area since I was born. I feel like a new human being when I go there, it's my heaven.

Montreat

The weather is always a perfect 70. Last year in my best friend's car we cheered as the the thermometer inside her car steady dropped 1 degree per half hour as we ascended the mountain from 100 degrees to a cool 68. There is also something special about the water. It sparkles and fizzes. Basically, real mineral water flowing out the tap. It's even more beautiful when it rains. You can hear a million raindrops splattering against a thousand trees and there is no other sound except maybe the roar of a Christian youth gathering . How many ways can I say that I love this place?

The first thing you see is the brick tunnel entrance into Montreat. The town was founded to be a Christian retreat in 1897. For a more extensive history see http://www.townofmontreat.org/history.php. The next thing you'll see is little Lake Susan, created by a concrete dam built in 1924 that cascades into a waterfall on the other side. Around the lake are a few of my favorite things. Immediately on the right is a shop complex. There is a Christian book store, a gift shop with drinks, T-shirts, and bumper stickers, and then there 10,000 Villages, a nifty little shop where they have all sorts of items from all over the world and stories about them. Of course, they have shops all over. Its the ice cream shop that I adore. I always got two heaping scoops of cookie dough in a waffle cone. The best part about this ice cream place thats better than buying from a store? The view. Walk across to the large windows and out the doors to the porch that looks over the damn. Sit in a rocking chair to listen to the water rolling down the damn.

Now walk down the stairs to the ground for a close up of the waterfall, and walk around back to the nature hut. If you have little boys or nature freaks, this is the place to be. There are some turtles in a little pond out back, inside are cages of snakes, and a helpful nature guide can answer any questions about the animals and wildlife in the area. A little farther down is a pretty amazing playground around very shallow creeks.Now cross the other side of the lake on the cute little side walk, throw a piece of bread of the swans, walk past the gazebo, to little set of five docks with canoes. There are little canoes and paddle boats that circle around Lake Susan at your leisure. The building there is a pretty brick structure that acts as a recreation center. On the first floor there is a arts and crafts day class for kids.

Walk up the stairs to the ceramics shop. There is really no place like it. It's close to Penland, a School of Crafts, which is an amazing source of skilled patrons. The system here is, you pay for clay, pick a table or wheel, grab some tools and get to work. You can have someone show you around or you can do it yourself, but its the same every year. Grab an apron, a dirty shirt, or bring one from home. Write your name down on a card in the index card box by last name and start keeping track of the clay weight. It's an honor system there. At the end of the week, they fire them up in a kiln. On certain days the do a Raku fire which is really a fiery, colorful event.

Then, there is the breathtaking Assembly Inn. I, on the other hand, call it Hogwarts. This brick fortress has a great view of the lake and surrounding mountainside, fantastic rooms, a neat dinning hall and a beautiful grand piano. Inside they have a nice collection of brochures and maps which can point you in the direction where you want to go- spas, white water rafting, gem mining, hiking, local art, and anything else you could possibly want to do.

Black Mountain

It has all sorts of wonderful shops that I just adore! There is an old fashioned hardware store, a few chocolate shops, an ice cream shop or two, a used book store, a toy store, a cute little trinket place called Bramble wood, a shop that believes that it is always Christmas and never summer, a few hiking shops. I wouldn't go shopping for clothes in this area unless you have children because other wise their selections are pitiful.

Ashville

I know nothing except that it has the BEST farmer's market ever! I cannot rave enough! But other than that my knowledge is little.

I will be returning to my little heaven this Summer in July with my friends and will record the best bar scenes that I come across, the tasty restaurants I visit and the wonderful farm fresh food I plan on preparing in a little cabin. The real challenge will be coming up with tasty Vegetarian treats for my best friend with a picky pallet :D