More Easter ideas for this 80 degree weekend in Asheville, NC!

I've never really been a play-by-the-book kinda gal, so I wanted to offer some ideas for celebrating Spring that don't involve the standard Easter egg hunt. Plus, this weekend is gonna hit 80 degrees!!- something we haven't seen in awhile!
I'll throw in another word about the Biltmore Festival of Flowers which begins this weekend on April 3, and add again that they do offer an egg hunt and children's activities on the 4th in Easter celebration. At Carolina Mornings we do have NC vacation packages that offer FREE tickets to Biltmore!

Hickory Nut Gap Farm, one of our favorite local sources for delicious, friendly meat and eggs, is having their 10th Anniversary celebration on April 3 from 1-5pm there in Fairview. Come and share a tour with your family, see some beautiful Asheville- area back-country as well as many happy farm animals and other happy people. There are children's activities in addition to the fun of enjoying a day at the farm. Carolina Mornings does have beautiful vacation cabins in the Fairview area as well!
My favorite thing to do around here on a beautiful day is to get out in the woods!! There are so many great places to take a hike in the area and get to see NC wilderness: Bent Creek (15 min. outside of Asheville); the trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway (be sure to check ahead for closures); and Pisgah National Forest are a few of your options in this area that provide great space to get out and play.
Come and enjoy the beginnings of Spring here in Asheville, NC!! Check out what we have to offer for our SPRING SPECIALS at Carolina Mornings! And remember, we have great options for FREE FUN AND GAMES with our Mountain Discovery Pass- another great way to celebrate Spring!

Easter in Asheville, NC

The bulbs are blooming here in Asheville, NC and Easter is next weekend!! It is a beautiful time for a family retreat and we have many weekend celebrations for this special time.
First, you can find a church almost anywhere in town, and you can start with a church search
if you are looking for a particular denomination. Most any will be offering some sort of Easter celebration.
Lake Junaluska has an annual Easter 5k & 10K run and walk on April 3rd, which includes a day of egg painting and hunting, and then they offer breakfast and brunch on the 4th.
Just in time for the kick-off of the Festival of Flowers, Biltmore Estate offers a day of fun for the whole family! Easter egg hunts, pictures with the Easter Rabbit, children's music and storytelling... all takes place on Sunday, April 4. Then you parents can stop for a wine tasting or take a tour yourself! We have NC vacation packages here at Carolina Mornings that offer FREE Biltmore tickets to boot!!
Spring is in the air here in Asheville, and the weekend is supposed to be beautiful! Grab the family (don't forget Fido- we do offer pet- friendly vacation rentals!) and take a scenic drive; let Carolina Mornings set you up in a Blue Ridge Mountain rental today!!

A guided spring canoe trip near Asheville, NC along the French Broad River

Spring is here! Spring is here!! And we are feeling it in Asheville, NC! The weather has been lovely, only to get better I'm sure, and great things are popping up all over town to fill these beautiful days with. One such adventure is the Signs of Spring guided canoe trip along the French Broad River.
Located in Transylvania County, on the outskirts of Pisgah National Forest, this trip is offered by
Headwaters Outfitters through some of the most pristine wilderness found along the French Broad. The canoe trips are offered every Saturday from April 3- June 19, and it sounds like a great trip for the whole family! If you are intrigued by the Appalachian wilderness (we do have one of the most botanically diverse regions!) and delight in the beauty of Spring, then this is a grand adventure for you!! If you don't find yourself to be very agile outdoors, it doesn't sound as if it matters- this tour is meant for anyone to partake. And the life you get to experience is incredible!
Carolina Mornings offers many cabins near Asheville, NC and you can return from your adventure to experience the beauty right outside of your door!! We have properties to fill any need that you may have; just give us a call. The best part is, after your incredible day trip, we here at Carolina Mornings have other fun things for you to do: we offer FREE TICKETS to great adventures around the area (one free ticket per night's stay)!! And check out our SPRING SPECIALS!! It's an all- around wonderful time and great deal to visit the Asheville, NC area!

Biltmore's 25th Anniversary Festival of Flowers in Asheville, NC

This year marks the silver anniversary of the gardens at Biltmore Estate. Acres and acres of tulips abound each year during the Festival of Flowers, a festival that helps ring in spring at Biltmore, and this year is no exception. You will also note many an iris this year and the symbol of the iris- the fleur de lis- due to the iris being the silver anniversary celebration flower.
The Biltmore Estate is a must- see when visiting Asheville. An added bonus to your stay at one of our vacation rentals in Asheville, NC is that many of our properties have great NC vacation packages, some of which include FREE BILTMORE TICKETS!! Carolina Mornings has incredible specials we offer consistently, so always be on the lookout!
The Festival of Flowers runs this year from April 3- May 16.

A 5K run and mile- long walk for Asheville's adoptable dogs!

When looking to adopt a pet in Asheville, NC, look not further than Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Brother Wolf has helped so many animals throughout the country find loving homes, saving many from kill- shelters and relocating them to wonderful families. They are always having fundraisers for their organization (their adoption fees are very affordable, so I can see how the fees don't cover that much of the cost to run the place), and they recently opened a thrift store to increase funding. One of the events taking place soon to help with funding is the Run for the Paws 5k Run and 1-Mile Dog Walk on Sunday, March 28 at 130pm. You can run the 5k (without your furry friend) or opt for the 1-mile dog walk, and proceeds from either support BWAR. There is also a pet wellness fair that is taking place during the event.
A great pairing for this wonderful event is a pet-friendly Asheville cabin rental from Carolina Mornings! We do have great wintertime NC vacation packages still in effect through the end of March- just give us a call! We can set you up with a great deal for your family and your furry friend for a mountain retreat here in WNC, and you all can socialize while benefiting one of the great non- profits in the area!

The Boxcar Children in Asheville, NC

This weekend is the last for the showing of The Boxcar Children with the Asheville Community Theatre. Based on the beloved Depression- era adventures of four children on the run, this showing of the play is put on by children in our area. A great play to be enjoyed by the whole family, The Boxcar Children is showing Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm.
There is always something going on in Asheville, whether it is winter season or spring. You can find a plethora of family- friendly activities, and this is a thriving community of musicians and artists that have wonderful shows when Mom and Dad need a night out on the town.
When you are looking for a place to stay during your Asheville visit, look no further than Carolina Mornings! We have the home away from home just for you and your family- call us and we can cater to your every need. Check out our Asheville, NC vacation cabins for any journey in our direction; remember that we offer great vacation packages as well!!

US Whitewater Open near Asheville, NC

I have always been fascinated with certain "extreme" sports, one of which is whitewater rafting. The closest I ever came to actual rafting was paddling in something called a "ducky," or an inflatable kayak- looking boat. Needless to say, I almost drowned. But, I think it is great when people know what they are doing and do a fantastic job, both with the sport and their own safety. On March 27 -28 the Bank of America US Whitewater Open takes place in Bryson City, NC at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This easy day trip (Bryson City is about 1 hour from Asheville) could prove to be a lot of fun for the family; it is the first race of the season, and features some pretty serious paddlers. The Nantahala River is known all over the country as a great place to paddle, and the beauty of the area is incredible as well.
This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of our NC vacation packages at Carolina Mornings. We specialize in beautiful mountain retreats for couples or the whole family (including your furry members- check out our pet- friendly rentals). Hurry- our winter specials end March 31st!!

Taking your dog friend to the North Carolina Arboretum

Once spring officially moves in, there are plenty of places for you and your hound to wander together around Asheville, NC. Since it is still rather chilly on some days, our mountainous regions are still dealing with leftover snow and ice that prevents hikers from traversing on many a hill and dale. One great place you can always share with your dog friend are the woods of the North Carolina Arboretum . Not only can you wander through the woods (you do have to use a leash, of course), once you have entered you and your pooch can visit the outdoor exhibits located within the Arboretum as well. Some of them are keeping warm for the season, but some still remain.
This gem within the Asheville boundaries is easily accessible and fun for the whole family. There are trails that are great for a not-so-hiker; there is a map that shows you which are the easiest and shortest and which let you wander further and longer.
March is still a great time to visit Asheville, and you can take advantage of the winter specials that Carolina Mornings offers- we love dogs and have many properties that do too!!

To the garden we go: Master Gardener's School in Asheville

Here in Asheville, you can find gardens, and gardeners, everywhere! Because of this, gardening programs abound. One program coming this way is the NC Cooperative Extension Third Annual Spring Garden School. The event is held at A-B Tech on March 20 from 9am- 330pm, perfect timing for you to take advantage of the last of the winter specials here at Carolina Mornings (they end March 31)!!
The day consists of classes that cover such things as how to decide on where to put your plot, the basics of container gardening, and organic gardening options. This is a great option for those that missed the beloved Organic Growers School a couple of weekends back: many of the classes taught at OGS are by NC Extension workers. And, most of these ideas can follow you to wherever you may be planting; they aren't necessarily just for WNC.
Contact us at Carolina Mornings to book your stay today, and take advantage of not only our winter specials, but our free tickets to area attractions for the other days that you aren't in class!!

Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville

photo courtesy of The Nature Center website photo contest, Ollie the Otter

My family and I just became members at The WNC Nature Center here in Asheville, and I couldn't be more excited! They adopt creatures from around the area (creatures that are to be rehabilitated and can't be returned to the wild), and even partake in such important and wonderful projects as the Red Wolf re-introduction program (one of only 32 centers in the U.S.!!). Their mission statement is as follows:

The WNC Nature Center is a living museum of plants and animals native to the southern Appalachian region. Our purpose is to increase public awareness and understanding of all aspects of the natural environment of Western North Carolina through hands-on and sensory experiences.

The history of the Center is pretty cool, and my favorite thing so far is that they are changing the idea of "zoos"- they say that they are free of bars! We are going to visit for the first time tomorrow (YAY!!), so I will learn all of these things for myself. There are so many great creatures to visit, and it seems that the Nature Center offers many educational programs and hands-on fun for the family; I'm really excited for my little fella to wake up from his first nap so that we can go!
Add this to the great list of things to do with the kids in Asheville when you come for a visit. March is still a great time to take advantage of the winter specials at Carolina Mornings, so get in touch! Load up the family (and Fido too- we have awesome pet- friendly properties!) and take a long weekend trip to the mountains!!

LEAF Festival weekend May 6-9 2010

This spring marks the 30th festival celebration of Lake Eden Arts Festival, or LEAF as it is known. This festival takes place twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall, and this spring it will be held on May 6th- 9th. LEAF is a great family festival (sorry though, your four- legged member cannot attend; if you get a pet- friendly cabin from Carolina Mornings just leave Fido to relax while you play!), with music, art, poetry, movement, and camping all surrounded by the beauty of Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain, NC. The line-up this spring is stellar, and as always the festival is complete with dancing workshops including salsa, swing, hip hop, Cajun, contra, and African- dance the weekend away! Kids under 9 are free, and for those over 9 there is a youth fee. This is a great place for kids, with all of the musicians being appropriate for everyone, plus there are music acts just for them! Not to mention the other great kid activities and festivities!

Camp Rockmont has beautiful camping sites, or if you'd like you can just make one day out of it with a day pass. Even if you'd like to enjoy the whole weekend of LEAF but aren't a camper, there is a pass for you. And contact Carolina Mornings for a beautiful place to stay- indoors of course- in your own home away from home. We can connect you with a cozy space near Camp Rockmont so that your commute to and fro is a breeze. And, you don't have to put your furry loved one in a kennel!!
If you are looking for a great time to visit the Asheville area, then this is it! Be sure to leave some relaxation time and time to visit the sites of the town either before or after the festival- you will not regret such a fun-filled adventure for the whole family!!

Own a second home in Asheville, NC!!

We here in Asheville are very proud of our town, and we love it so much that we live here permanently!! Well, some of us live here seasonally, but love it just the same. Apparently the word is out- Asheville, NC made the Barron's top 10 list of best places for second homes!! Right up there with the Hampton's and Maui, Asheville is getting more notoriety as a great place to own a home. Adding to this highlight is the fact that Carolina Mornings is the perfect place to help with this; we just launched another aspect of our stellar service-oriented business: we joined the vacation home real estate market!! We have been working with the public for 13 years now in finding a perfect vacation home for a visit. Now we decided to listen to everyone who keeps suggesting that we further our services! We do have an awful lot of knowledge in the business of vacation homes, and many people contact us in need of guidance for finding that perfect second home. So, ta-da!! Here we are! You can contact us for any of your second home/ vacation home purchasing needs (and still, of course, contact us regarding any Asheville visits that you may need a hand with, or any need for a property manager!). Our knowledgeable staff (we already had licensed Real Estate Brokers in- house!) will listen to your needs and wants and help connect you with the perfect home for you, as well as make the process super- easy to deal with! Just give us a call!!

Asheville, NC and children's book artists

We have a lot of crafters and artists here in Asheville, NC, and many that work in the realm of book arts. Some of these artists are successful in the super- fun genre of children's book art. Gallery 6 of the Asheville Art Museum has a show running through July 11, 2010, called Nouns: Children's Book Artists Look at People, Places and Things, which actually features some artists from this area (Gail Haley among others). Other artists included are Eric Carle (internationally known and loved), Robert Quackenbush (illustrated over 200 children's books), Leo Espinosa, and Faith Ringgold, plus many more. This is a rare art show: really wonderful for the whole family; something that your children will actually enjoy.
The Asheville Art Museum is located in Pack Place. My last entry was about another exhibit for children located in Pack Place, so this is a great time to see the sights of the town and share in some fun for the kids, too. There of course are other great exhibits happening at the Asheville Art Museum that you can check out too, and other great places to visit in Pack Place.
When you visit Asheville, take advantage of the winter specials that Carolina Mornings has on vacation rentals. There is no better way to travel than a vacation rental: saves you money, gives you a whole house to enjoy, and gives you a taste of what living is like in the area!!

The Health Adventure in Asheville, NC

The Health Adventure in Asheville is a great place to share with your children when you come for a visit. Although they are planning a gigantic and exciting move next year (of which I will share when the time is right), they are still located in the heart of downtown Asheville in Pack Square. While you are perusing the town you can make a stop here for the kids and enjoy the stationary and traveling exhibits. One such traveling exhibit is up through May5, 2010: Mindbender Mansion. This exhibit, according to the website, is "...an eclectic place full of brainteasers and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers." There are 40 individual brainteasers and then group activities in addition, such as forming patterns in rolling chairs and keeping up with a conveyor belt. The theme for the whole exhibit is set within a mansion backdrop, making it quirky and (gulp) quite intelligent.
You can still take advantage of our winter specials here at Carolina Mornings (most through the end of March). It's best to book your vacation rental now and enjoy Asheville's downtown before tourist season arrives, especially if you need a little space to really think about these brainteasers!

Furnished monthly rentals in Asheville, NC

I have been recently working with the reviews of our properties (I have to add here how great they are:) and came across a great review from a lady who stayed with us for a month. It reminded me to share that this is possible... regardless of what your need, Carolina Mornings offers furnished monthly rentals as well. In addition to our vacation properties for shorter periods of time, we have rentals available for those needing a longer stay without paying a nightly fee. We of course even have properties for your pet (along with you, of course!!)!
Whatever your reason- work project, relocation, awaiting a built home to complete, seasonal shifting (you know, it can get reeeallly hot in Florida in the summer!)- we have a cozy space for you to relax in and feel at home. We offer longer- term rentals further out, away from it all, or right smack dab in the middle of town. Check out our options, and remember we can personalize it (say you really want a hot tub, or a fireplace, or a grill, or all of the above...); just give us a call!!
And, if you are looking for a vacation to start, we do have winter specials through the end of March!

Blue Ridge Rollergirls in Asheville, NC

In June 2006, Asheville joined ranks with many other towns in being home to an applicant, or member, of the official Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) league. A revival of the 1935 American- born sport began in 2001, and this time it started as an all-female sport.
The Blue Ridge Rollergirls will open the 2010 season on Saturday, March 13 at 7pm at Asheville Civic Center. This season home opening bout is dubbed "Lucky Harm," where the girls will bout against (is that how you say it?) the Rollergirls of Central Kentucky (ROCK). The halftime show is by Unifire Theatre, the local firedancing troupe. Sounds like a pretty rockin' show to me! I admit that I've actually never been, but have wanted to go for quite a while. Maybe this is the season...
What a great way to get to know the town of Asheville when you visit these mountains as your vacation getaway! There are still some great winter specials happening throughout the month of March at Carolina Mornings. The season has yet to start, so visiting is still rather mellow. And then there's the free ski lift ticket that comes with each night of stay...

TOURS: A Journey, A Brief Visit.....

Sadly, I have heard that our beloved visitors want tours. Why "sad" you ask? Well we have tons and tons of tours that are offered for our friends who come near and far wanting to discover Asheville. So many wonderful local business operators are offering amazing services contributing to our tourism industry. I am so proud that Carolina Mornings offers an array of these as well (and some are even Free for our Guests!)

What is great about these tours is  they offer a wonderful opportunity to really get a feel for Asheville and her offerings.  If you want to see the town, learn about the history, Asheville Historic Trolley is one way to go. Want to have a bit more independence, but not exert more energy? Try the Seway Tours.
Prefer walking history tours? Check out the Urban Trail through downtown Asheville.

Interested in our Arts Community -tour the galleries or check out the River Arts District.
Need a tour in the night? Take  in the evening air with a Ghost Tour!
Want to spend the day touring our wine country? We have amazing wine tours that include a picnic lunch as well!

So Indulge and Discover Asheville: Take A Tour!