Clips of Faith Beer & Film Tour comes to Asheville, NC on September 10

New Belgium Brewing from CO has done it again!! Not only are they on the leading edge of sustainability, not only do they make a really good beer, they also have a knack for creating fun events to share with us common folk! The Clips of Faith Beer & Film Tour will be crossing the country with, well, lots of good hand made beers and hand made films. Coming to the Pack Square Park in Asheville on September 10, this event is sure to please! On top of it all, the funds are being dispersed to Asheville on Bikes and the Asheville Downtown Association.
Come get yer drink on with some tasty beverages, watch some good flicks and support our grand town!!

LAAFF in Asheville, September 5, 2010

Oh, the fun of LAFF-ter is in the air! Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival is sure to be the best yet as the fest has only gotten bigger and better with the years that pass. Featuring such beloved Asheville groups as Unifire FireDancers, the Asheville Horns, & Asheville Vaudeville (to name just a few), mixed with all the wonderful local Lexington Avenue artists, the fest is a tasty treat of what Asheville is about!! Come and see what the locals love about Asheville!!

Cabin Spotlight: Get Away From it All at Blue Ridge Getaway near Asheville, NC

Blue Ridge Getaway is one of those places that just have it all: bring the whole family, including Fido (yes, this is a pet- friendly rental!), and be comfy in this 3 bedroom, 2 bath cabin that sleeps 8; relax in the hot tub on a deck surrounded by trees; cozy up to the fireplace on a chilly night; watch your favorite show on cable t.v., or pop in a DVD; keep up with your business with high speed internet access... all this, and located only 25 minutes from Asheville to boot!! Blue Ridge Getaway is truly a getaway with all of the comforts of home!

SE Women's Herbal Conference 10/1-10/3 near Asheville, NC

Ahhhh, wise women unite!! The Southeast Women's Herbal Conference is being held again this year at Lake Eden in Black Mountain, NC during the weekend of October 1- October 3, 2010. A weekend gathering of wonderfully wise women, the Conference is, as the website states, " A weekend for women to learn, connect, and deepen into the Wise Woman Tradition: simple living, earth-based healing, and local plants." Began in 2005, the conference is growing strong (over 600 participants now), and if you are a woman interested in the ways of the Earth and how you fit in, this is the place for you!

Cabin Spotlight: Be awed by the views at Wolf Laurel View near Asheville, NC

Ahhh, to bring the family on a mountain getaway that has it all... a cozy, well- appointed cabin; a hot tub on deck with gorgeous views; hiking, including the Appalachian Trail, nearby; a community that has a pool, a playground, a fishing pond, skiing... what more could you ask for?? Wolf Laurel View is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath cabin in The Preserve at Wolf Laurel, giving your gathering access to everything The Preserve has to offer. And while you are stowed away in a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains, why not have all of the amenities of home? Wolf Laurel View offers Wifi internet, cable t.v., a hot tub, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen... and you can bring along your four- legged friend!! Wolf Laurel View is one of our pet- friendly rentals, so bring along the whole family!

All- Girl Getaway Package in Asheville, NC

Oh, the fun of running away for a couple of days with your ladies!! Now Carolina Mornings can help you make the planning quite a bit easier- we offer our All- Girl Getaway Package for your stay in one of our properties around Asheville, NC! This package has so much to offer we have received phone calls asking if guests can add it to their stay in a hotel!! (Sorry, this is an exclusive Carolina Mornings package!)

The package includes the following:

-2 tickets to the Biltmore Estate, valid for 2 consecutive days (upgrade to the Candlelight Tour for only $12/ ticket!!)
-2 massages at Relax & Rejuvenate
-$80 gift certificate to The Corner Kitchen, a wonderful restaurant located in Biltmore Village
-$80 gift certificate to Bellagio: Art to Wear in Biltmore Village
-Free studio fees at Fired Up for everyone in your party
-10% off your order at Chelseas Tea Room

Add to any reservation with Carolina Mornings for great time on the town with your ladies!!
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Property Spotlight: Enjoy the river fun at Trout Rock near Asheville, NC

The East Fork Pigeon River is right outside your front door at Trout Rock in Cruso, NC. Relax to the sounds of nature, grab a pole and make a catch, sit and watch the evening... become one with the outdoors while staying in Trout Rock. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home sleeps 4, with satellite t.v., a fireplace and a gas grill for those beautiful outdoor evenings. What's best, Trout Rock is one of our pet- friendly rentals, so bring along Fido because we all know your furry friend loves vacationing too!! If you are looking for a home base to explore the western North Carolina area, Trout Rock is an affordable, cozy home- away- from- home to set up camp.

The Southern Energy & Environment Expo in Asheville, NC this weekend

This is the 10th year of the Southern Energy and Environment Expo held at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC, about 20 minutes from Asheville. There is a plethora of great going- green topics this year, including such presentations as green building tax incentives, intro to permaculture, rainwater collecting and many more. Asheville is a hub for those trying to be more gentle with our planet while getting all googly- eyed and excited with the science to help lead us there. If you've ever wondered about anything having to do with being more sustainable, then this is the place to be (hint: there is a $1 off coupon for an adult admission on the website).

Property Spotlight: Enjoy the gem of Amethyst Creek Cottage near Asheville, NC

Amethyst Creek Cottage is truly a gem, being an eco- friendly Deltec home nestled in the woods of Fairview, NC (only 20 minutes from Asheville). This cottage offers peace and tranquility for 1 or 2, making it a wonderful artists retreat or writer's paradise. Amethyst Creek Cottage features modern decor, a jacuzzi tub, Wifi internet access, cable t.v. and an MP3 dock, not to mention the beauty of nature surrounding you from all sides of the house! Fairview is east of Asheville, halfway to Chimney Rock, making it a great hub to explore what WNC has to offer. And don't forget all of the fun of staying with Carolina Mornings- your FREE Mountain Discovery Pass awaits you, with FREE tickets to local area attractions!

Leicester Studio Tour near Asheville, NC August 21 & 22

This coming weekend marks the 5th Annual Leicester Studio Tour, on August 21 & 22 from 10am- 6pm. Leicester, located about 15+ minutes north- west of Asheville, is beautiful country that is home to many of the area's well- known artists and craft folk. Jones Pottery is one of the studios on the tour, as is Friendswood Brooms, and Olga Dorenko (to name a few of my personal favorites). Come and find your own favorites and visit them all while takeing a drive through the beautiful WNC mountains!

Cabin Spotlight: Relax in a new cabin at Pike's Peak 11 near Asheville, NC

Located just 15 minutes from the happening town of Asheville, Pike's Peak 11 is one of the four cabins currently offered by Deerborne Cottages in Weaverville, NC. Sleeping 4, number 11 has 2 bedrooms with all the amenities that you could need: cable television in both the main room and queen bedroom, a gas fireplace, wireless internet, and a hot tub out back to soak your stress away! This is a perfect place for a small family visiting to explore Asheville, for a romantic getaway, or a business retreat. You will find yourself able to relax in solitude at Pike's Peak 11.

Shakespeare in the Park in Asheville, NC

Our local Shakespeare troupe, The Montford Park Players, will be presenting us with Troilus and Cressida, a story of the Trojan War, now through August 22. Having said that, a little information about Shakespeare in the Park: it's outdoors, in the Hazel Robinson Ampitheatre in Montford, and the shows are at 730pm every Friday- Sunday evenings. Oh yeah- and they are FREE!! Bring a picnic, normally bring the family (although this showing is rated PG-13, but the next should be family- friendly). The outdoor shows run through October, and it seems that the Players have set something up for their wintertime shows in other genres as well. Come experience what the locals enjoy with Shakespeare in the Park in Asheville, NC!

Cabin Spotlight: Enjoy the deliciousness of Pie in the Sky near Asheville, NC

What better way to spend your vacation in the mountains than in a cabin in the woods with spectacular views?? Pie in the Sky is a beautiful three bedroom, 1.5 bath home that surrounds you with the comfort of wood and classy decor. Sleeping six, with cable television in every room, Pie in the Sky gives you plenty of space to share with a group, and plenty of space to retreat to your own quarters. Wander the two acres of property, or enjoy the scenery from the hot tub on the deck. Check out Burnsville, five miles away, or take the quick 40 minute drive into the eclectic town of Asheville, where you can peruse boutiques, breweries and local food. Whatever you desire, you can have your pie and eat it too at Pie in the Sky!!

Events in Black Mountain near Asheville, NC

Black Mountain, NC is another quaint little town in the Asheville area, definitely worth visiting while in the WNC area. About 30 minutes east of Asheville, Black Mountain has a multitude of great hikes and water holes, a small town center with local shops and restaurants, as well as the campus of Montreat College to explore.
This weekend marks the 33rd anniversary for the Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain, a celebration that begins with Sourwood Idol on Friday night, a singing contest modeled after the well- known American Idol television show. Saturday includes the Sourwood 5k as well as the street festivities going on throughout the weekend.
Friday, September 3 marks the last of the Swannanoa Shindig gatherings, dances that celebrate the area's deep roots with Appalachian music and dancing.
Saturday, September 25 is the Mill Around the Village Bluegrass Festival, complete with a chili cook- off...yum!

Just a few of the things going on in the great little town of Black Mountain- whether you meant to visit or not, you should find yourself there!!

Property Spotlight: Bask in the warmth of Sunset Haven near Asheville, NC

In the town of Swannanoa, NC there sits a house on eight acres with year- round long range views... welcome to Sunset Haven! The wrap around deck gives amazing views of a setting sun behind the Appalachian mountains. Enjoying the indoors includes a 50" flat screen television with satellite, a DVD player and surround sound; a CD/ iPod player, and an additional iPod player in the upstairs bedroom; wireless internet; and a fireplace, not to mention the comfortable and posh decor of this three bedroom, three bathroom home. When you feel like exploring, head down the mountain to Warren Wilson College and their river trail where you can cool off; drive 20 minutes east into Black Mountain, or 20 minutes west into Asheville; or, hop onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for trails and views of beautiful WNC.

Volkswagen car show near Asheville, NC in Cherokee August 13- 15, 2010

The Annual VW Car Show in Cherokee, NC returns this next weekend, August 13- 15, 2010. If you are coming to western North Carolina or are trying to think of a good time to visit the Asheville area, why not follow the Bugs?? Cherokee is alive with classic VW's, making it a perfect time to visit the already scenic and magical place. Don't worry if you don't own a VW- these cars have such "personality" you'll have plenty of fun enjoying the VW's of others! If you are staying in the Asheville area, Cherokee is a short drive away, so you are bound to see them around town- for some, this is enough to want to hop in the car and take the short drive for more!

Cabin Spotlight: 30 acres with mountain and river views at Doolittle Cabin!

Some say that Doolittle Mountain Cabin has it all: 30 acres of seclusion with trails right on the property, breathtaking views of the mountains and the French Broad River, plus it's only minutes to Asheville and area attractions! Located in the cute town of Marshall, Doolittle Mountain Cabin is the retreat for a large group on a getaway. A three bedroom, three bath beautiful cabin that sleeps 10, you'll have plenty of space to spread out and unwind. The warmth of wood is pleasantly inviting and surrounds you in every room. Now add to the mix a grill, a fireplace and a hot tub with stellar views... I think I'll have to agree that Doolittle does have it all!

Traditional Crafts and Music in Appalachia photographs in Asheville, NC through October 10

Hands in Harmony is a photographic journey of traditional Appalachian crafts and music, drawn from Tim Barnwell's 30+ years of experience in North Carolina. Barnwell captures the history and beauty of some well- known musicians and crafters of old- time Appalachia as well as some not- so- well- known. The Appalachian region draws people to the mountain traditions and folklore, steeped in traditions from around the world and transformed into it's mountain roots. The exhibit is displayed in the Asheville Art Museum through October 10, 2010, and the museum always has other great exhibits you can peruse as well.

Asheville Tourists Craft Beer Festival on August 7

This weekend the Asheville Tourists are having their second annual Baseball and Beers Festival at McCormick Field on Saturday from 4p- 8p. Featuring over 40 craft beers and live local music, the Baseball & Beers Festival was a hit last year (no pun intended) and shall be again this year. They even offer a ticket bracket for designated drivers! (Sorry, none for children though- a 21+ event only). Enjoy McCormick Field in a different way!

Property Spotlight:: Spread Your Wings at Eagle's Landing Near Asheville, NC

There aren't many places that you can sip coffee at an elevation of 3700' while just out of bed in your pj's. Here you are, at Eagle's Landing!! A three bedroom, two bathroom vacation home in Weaverville, NC, Eagle's Landing is just what the doctor ordered to relax, relax, and relax! Meditate on the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the deck, enjoy the infinite stars unobstructed by city lights while soaking in the hot tub, snuggle up and watch a satellite movie... or jump in your 4x4 and take the quick 15 minute drive into the eclectic town of Asheville. Whatever your fancy, Eagle's Landing meets the need. complete with a view!