Arbor House News and Views

On top of Old Smoky , well almost. But we did go to the top of Pinnacle, the highest mountain on the Blue Ridge Mountain Range.  Saturday 25 brave hikers were dropped off past the Mt. Mitchell State Park entrance and hiked 6 hours down to the bottom of the ridges to Montreat.  The hike took us to the top of Pinnacle ( 5,665)  to Rocky Knob ( 5,240 ) down the ridge and back up to Greybeard ( 5,408)
down to Walkers Knob and then on to Greybeard Falls and Pot's Cove before ending back down at Montreat (3,000)  . 

Come check out the mountains and the rooms named after them.

The garden couldn't look prettier. Most of the spring flowers are in bloom and I am starting to set out annuals now the frost free day is clear.  The roses have everyone on the lake path sniffing the air to figure out where that wonderful scent is coming from. 
During the hot summer months it is delightful to sit out under the shade and relax with a good book or a glass of wine .

To all you moms out there Happy Mother's Day. I was treated to flowers, cards and a long hike  today on the Mountain to Sea trail with a nice dinner promised at the end of the hike. Yesterday was spent partly working in the garden getting it ready for all the summer guests. The daisies are trying to take over the garden so I pull them up and put a sign for Free Dasies down by the garden gate and everyone who walks on the lake path can help themselves.
There was rumors of snow up on top of the mountains and judging by the temps of 34 degrees here this morning I wouldn't doubt it could be true.  I feel sorry for the hikers on the AT who are probably wishing for some warmer weather about now. This will be a beautiful June to be on the trail with all the native rhododendron that will be in bloom .  It is a short ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway to go to Craggy Gardens to catch the rhododendron show locally.  If  you haven't seen them it is worth the drive.

Come check them out for yourself.

We live in one of the prettiest places in the world and so happy to wake up and look around to realize how lucky we are.  One of the best things to do is take a camera and just point and shoot and you can get a wonderful picture with out really trying.
Some people actually make a living here taking great pictures. One such person in Black Mountain is Joye Ardyn Durham and she owns the Ginko Tree Gallery in town.  You can see her work at www:artistwithcamera.com. 
If you are looking for a place to come photograph and want to join in a group , Joye is offering some classes. The hike-n-shoots will be photography instruction on an individual basis.  The groups will be small so Joye can show you things of interest. If you have questions about our camera or want to know more about composition this would be a great opportunity to learn and have  on the spot training.

So grab your camera case, put on your hiking boots and come on to Western North Carolina to see what we are all so excited about.

Looking back on that snowy winter I am now saying thank you for all the moisture that produced such wonderful flowers in the garden this spring.  It doesn't get any better than this.  The flower beds in the gardens are busting with colors and more are on the way.
This May and June the wild rododendron should be breath taking up on the Blueridge Parkway up at Craggy Gardens and up on Roan Mountain.
Yesterday we hiked a path on the Parkway up by Tanbark Tunnel up to Rattlesnake Lodge.  The lodge now is the remains of a family estate built back in the early 1900's.  There was a lodge, swimming pool, tennis court , spring house and more.   The mother would take the children and guests up for the summer and not come down until fall.

 When you come to visit I have lots of hikes like this to recommend for outtings.