HATCHFest Asheville, April 15-18

Asheville is a hub for all things bohemian and all things artistic and crafty. That is why HATCH Asheville is such a cool thing to check out: the creative potential in this town is explosive, and HATCH helps these flowers bloom and grow. And, as an onlooker to the festivities, you get to celebrate the arts and support these upcoming artists. From fashion to photography to music to film to journalism to architecture, HATCH covers so many different genres of art that you will be anything but bored!
HATCH Asheville takes place the weekend of April 15-18, right when Spring is in full bloom. This means that when you aren't celebrating with HATCH, you can enjoy all of the wonderful activities that the Asheville area has to offer right out your front door and into the mountains!! Check out the list of Asheville, NC cabin rentals that Carolina Mornings offers, and check out our great NC mountain vacation packages. You can relax in your home away from home and get FREE TICKETS for great area attractions to boot! This is a great time to load up the family (we do offer many pet friendly rentals so bring along your furry friend!) and head to Asheville for a wonderful Spring getaway!!

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!

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!!

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!

Properties for the intimate gathering in Asheville, NC

In my last blog I shared with you a few of Carolina Mornings' properties that are closest to Asheville and suited for large family gatherings. This time I want to share with a few of the properties closest to town, best suited for a couple or a small family.
Bull Creek Cottage is a perfect place for a couple who love a home-away-from-home with a cabin feel. Nestled into the trees, this small cottage gives you the feeling of peace and serenity that the mountains bring (it also overlooks pasture), but it is only 15 minutes outside of Asheville. Some of the other great features are a wood stove, a hot tub and you can bring along your furry friend!
Rainbow Ridge is a great property for 4 people or less, and is also located just 15 minutes outside of Asheville. This is a beautiful, authentic log cabin (won't your kids be excited??!) that has beauty and comfort interwoven together. This cabin also shares the great amenities of having a fireplace, a hot tub, and allows those furry members of your family to join you!
Biltmore Villa Hideaway is the kind of place you are looking for if you want to be in the mix of things. Right in the heart of Biltmore Village, everything is very close at hand. The beautiful furnishings of this condominium provide ample comfort for your away-from-home stay (including space for Fido), and it also comes complete with a fireplace.

Keep in mind that I have randomly chosen these properties to share- Carolina Mornings has much, much more! If you have certain needs/ restrictions, then please just give us a call and we are more than happy to help you find your perfect getaway. That is exactly what we are here for!!

Properties for family gatherings in Asheville NC

(photo is of our property name Hidden Pond, which sleeps eight)

I want to share with you some of the properties that Carolina Mornings offers that are great for family gatherings, say for parties of eight or more, that are also close to Asheville! There are other properties available that are further out if your family is looking for a more secluded retreat, away from it all. Check out our property search where you can choose from many different options to find the property perfect for your getaway.
Elkhorn Cabin is only five miles outside of Asheville, but so close to hiking within the Blue Ridge Parkway that you will feel further out. This property sleeps nine, and it is full of amenities for your retreat.
Blue Moon Lodge offers a setting like no other, complete with the latest of technological amenities. Sleeping 14, this truly is a lodge, and the eco- friendly elegance is unbeatable. You will find such a feeling of peace and serenity in this retreat that you may find it hard to leave! If you do get out and about, you are basically equidistant to the excitement of downtown or the beauty of the western North Carolina mountains.
Eagle's Landing has the best of all worlds: close enough to Asheville (15 minutes away) but on 7 secluded acres! Sleeping eight, this property offers a hot tub, a fireplace, and incredible views! And let the whole family enjoy a vacation- this property also allows your pets to visit with you!!

No matter what you are looking for in a family gathering place, Carolina Mornings has the right property for you! Give us a call and we can help point you in the direction you are looking for!

It's almost wedding season in Asheville, NC! Part II

Yesterday I covered a few places to look when deciding on where to enjoy your wedding celebration. Now I want to share ideas on some of the wedding memorabilia.

For an amazing guest book, or a place to jot ideas/ keep your memories, A. Fain Books is the best place in town (or in many towns, in my opinion). Her handmade journals and books are beautiful and memorable in and of themselves, and then to add your memories makes one a keepsake of a lifetime.
For flowers, check out Fisher Branch Farm, locals that grow and sell beautiful bouquets around here at our markets. There is also Shady Grove florist in downtown Asheville, with a nice storefront for you to get ideas.
Mmmm, and then the cake... there are so many smaller bakers around here I can't even begin to list them! For some of the better known bakeries, check out Short Street Cakes; The Bake Shoppe; Asheville Cake Company; and Cakes by Jane.

I want to reiterate how wonderful a property with Carolina Mornings will fit into your WNC wedding celebration: the properties are beautiful, fully equipped, very affordable (especially for housing quite a few family members!!) and complete with options for your guests to relax and enjoy all things celebratory!! Check out our specials area to get an idea of what we offer above and beyond just a couple night's stay!

Springtime is in the air in Asheville, NC!

So the winter has been any icy and snowy mix, giving us more of this frozen precipitation than the area has seen in a very long time. This is great for many things: snow- capped mountain views; skiing at Wolf Ridge (and Carolina Mornings gives a free lift ticket to the resort in the winter, as well as other freebies, with every night of stay!!); sledding around town; sitting by a fireplace in a cozy mountain retreat; relaxing in a hot tub with snow falling around you; ice climbing; snow hiking... there really is a lot to do in and out of the snow during a wintertime visit to Asheville.
This weekend, however, we are experiencing beautiful blue skies and temperatures warm enough to galavant around in only one layer of clothing!!! This glimpse of spring reminds me how close we are, and how much fun there is to be had in warmer weather! So I have a few ideas to share...
1. Take advantage of our winter specials; most end March 31, and there are some really great deals!
2. Remember that we love your four-legged friends!! Many of our properties are pet- friendly, and the Asheville mountains have soooo many trails for you and your furry companion to play together!
3. Go ahead and plan your springtime getaway and be sure to get the vacation retreat that you want! The sooner you reserve, the more choices you have. And your furry friend would love to play with you in Asheville's springtime outdoors!!
4. There is always soooo much going on in the Asheville area come springtime!! I post on some events, and if you need some fun time sometime soon, look into what goes on here.
5. You can have a getaway and save money!!!! Staying in one of Carolina Mornings' properties provides you with a whole house, which can be shared with others (you can split the cost!!); a fully- equipped kitchen, so you can prepare meals and not spend so much on eating out; a pet- friendly retreat, so you don't have to pay a petsitter; many free and really fun outdoorsy things to do...

Come and enjoy the last of our winter fun and specials, or start planning your trip for the upcoming spring! The last thing you will ever do is regret a visit and stay in Asheville!!

A Holiday Taste of the Town!

Looking for a holiday trip that will help this time of year slow down and allow you to enjoy the holidays?

You're looking in the right place. As you know, Asheville is home to some of the most majestic landmarks of the holiday season (see here and here and here). And by all means, when you come to Asheville for a day trip or hopefully for longer (i.e. weekends in beautiful Asheville cabins!), check out the Biltmore, the Grove Park Inn's Gingerbread houses and the beautiful lights around town!

BUT don't forget about all those local hideaways and secrets! Check out the Asheville City Market in Pack Square from 10am-2pm THIS WEEKEND for a great taste of the holidays in the mountains of NC.

Image via Wikipedia

For example: THIS Saturday, check out live music from Galen Kipar AND a cooking demo by Chef Tres from the Lobster Trap to help you get ready for holiday cooking!

Still need Christmas gifts-- look no further than the local and handmade crafts like wreaths and arrangements, baked goods, handmade jewelry and so much more.

Lacking a tree for your Asheville cabin rental? Don't fear... THREE farmers tailgate markets in the Asheville, NC area will be offering local Christmas trees THIS weekend!

The best way to experience the holidays like a local? Grab your family, your coats and leave technology and hassle behind, and come stay at any of the beautiful Carolina Mornings Asheville cabin rentals! Experience the beauty of the mountains with the twinkle of the stars, the quiet of the country and the bustle of the city! Everything you could ask for in an Asheville holiday vacation!

Real (honest to goodness, no edits, no interventions) Guest Reviews

I decided to share some reviews taken from Flipkey.   
Flipkey is  the exclusive third party provider of vacation rental reviews on TripAdvisor!
I am sharing some highlights:

February 2007 - Raleigh, NC
"Pie In The Sky was the best recipe I could have ever received:
- 1 nice cabin
- 1 cup privacy
- 3 1/2 cups peace & quiet
- 2 TBL relaxation
- 1 gallon of love
- 1 pinch of a perfect view
- 1 hot tub
Bake @ 375 for 18-25 min and you get a fantastic relaxing vacation for two."

Guest Review  Nov 16, 2009 For Sunrise Cottage:

"Beautiful Place!"

This was such an amazing place to stay. We got to see the sunrise every morning and enjoy the serenity of the clean mountain air. Everything about this cottage was perfect, and I will most definitely be staying there in the future. Thank you Carolina Mornings!!

 
Jan 8, 2009 Hidden Pond:

"Very pretty and comfortable!"

This is a very pretty, clean and well decorated home. The hot tub was wonderful! We had to adjust to the roosters next door but still had a wonderful stay! The gas stove really kept the den warm- though since heat rises, the loft was extra warm! All in all, it was a great stay and we loved your beautiful home! We would definitely recommend it as a great place to stay while visiting in the Asheville area!

Guest Review -Pumpkin Patch Dec 16, 2008

"Too Wonderful For Words"

We just spent a wonderful 4 days at the Pumpkin Patch. We have stayed in vacation rentals before and this one rates right at the top. The cabin was close to all of the sites that we were interested in seeing and was a "site" in itself. The owners were very kind and a phone call away. Everything was in order when we arrived, right down to some toys placed at the cabin for my 2 small grandchildren. The online pictures don't do the cabin or the countryside justice. It is much more inviting than the pictures show. We'd definitely recommend this house. The local area offers many things to do and see for both adults and children. Though Texas is a distance from this wonderful place, we do hope to get back here some day.

Spice Girls Go Asheville?

Image via Wikipedia

Now, you and your girlfriends may not BE the Spice Girls... BUT your desire for a little bit of "girl power" is not unmatched.

AND If you are like me, the thrill of fall is often over matched by the sudden switch of Halloween to Christmas gear in the stores and the feeling that time is going WAY too fast.

Now is the perfect time to gather your girlfriends for a weekend before the holiday stress begins and take one of the best Asheville vacations you can find!

Enjoy a weekend (or LONGER!) at ANY of Carolina Morning's Asheville vacation rentals. With your Asheville cabin rental, you can add a "Girls Getaway Package." That's right. Even more incentive to rally your gal pals!

So, what can you do on your getaway?

-Take a relaxing drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway listening to pump up songs like "Girls Just Want to have Fun!"

- Go shopping at Bellagio: Art to Wear! With our Girls Getaway package, you get an $80 gift certificate! yeehaw!

- Have high tea at the Chelsea Tea Room! With our package, get 10% off your tea order!

- Enjoy a nice meal at Corner Kitchen... receive a $80 gift certificate with Girls Getaway package!

- Snuggle by a fireplace in a cozy North Carolina Mountain Cabin rental

- Take a trip to the Biltmore estate... and you guessed it! With the package get 2 tickets to Biltmore estate (valid for 2 consecutive days! AND you can upgrade to the candlelight tour for only $12/ticket!)

- While you are there, take the girls to the Winery to enjoy Biltmore Estate wine

Can't you just picture yourself relaxing in one of our NC mountain cabins? Visit Carolina Mornings website, Twitter or Facebook for more info!

5 Reasons to come to Asheville in the winter: Reason #2- The NC Arboretum

Asheville, NC hosts a variety of events for the family throughout the year, even when the leaves have gone and the need for a fire in the fireplace creeps in. This is a great time to come and stay with Carolina Mornings at one of our beautifully appointed Asheville vacation rentals and use our fireplace!! We are constantly offering one of a kind specials & amazing savings  for you to get a chance to use our vacation cabins, and Asheville is chock  full of  events geared for families of all shapes and sizes! 
During the months of November and December, the North Carolina Arboretum hosts a showing of Winter Solstice and holiday plants helping us get in the mood for the season. The showcase includes ideas on how these plants are associated with the holidays, and gives you ideas on how to bring the holidays into your home (why not start with your NC vacation rental?). The showing opens on November 14 and runs until January 3, and at the same time the Arboretum has another exhibit on display that really excites me: American Folk Art Houses and Structures. These small houses and structures represent great artistry from the turn of the century- the 20th century- all in miniature. I have so much fun exploring such tiny dwellings as the Gingerbread House exhibits I mentioned last week (see post Nov. 3) and these small but beautifully crafted buildings are on display at the Arboretum! Bring the kids and be sure to set up your Asheville getaway with Carolina Mornings  to enjoy these holiday events.

Roy Williams Comes Home

I graduated from the great University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May, and some of my greatest undergraduate memories involve painting myself Carolina blue, driving thousands of miles to away basketball games (including the Final Four in Detroit!!) and being in the presence of legends.

Which includes my personal favorite coach, Roy Williams.

I had the opportunity to meet Coach Williams a few times and see him in a variety of settings: as a coach, a fundraiser, a Tar Heel and a regular guy. And I must say, he is one of the most genuine people I have ever met.

There is just something that draws you to him. Makes you want to know more. He makes you WANT to be his friend. Even better. He makes you feel like you are one.

So, we are are all in luck! Coach Williams released his first autobiography, "Hard Work: Life On and Off the Court," this week.

Born and raised on a dot on the map of Western NC, Roy Williams reveals details his life from the harsh childhood with an alcoholic father to his superstitions and philosophies of coaching.

Highlights from the book include Coach Williams speaking honestly about learning his mother died while on a recruiting trip, how former UNC coach Bill Gutheridge didn't speak to him for three years after turning down the UNC job for the first time, and earning hugs from big men Sean May and Tyler Hansbrough after winning the 2005 and 2009 National Championships.

So, how good of a coach is he? He has the THIRD highest winning percentage in NCAA HISTORY, he has been inducted to the Hall of Fame and he has lead the UNC Tar Heels to TWO NCAA championships in 4 years (2005 and 2009)

Even better... Coach Williams is returning to Asheville, NC, his birthplace, to pay tribute to his fans and community he loves. He will be signing books on Sunday, December 13th at UNC Asheville's Justice Center. Check out Malaprop's Bookstore for more information!

Are you a big UNC fan? Do you want to come see Coach Williams? Why not make a weekend of it and stay at one of our beautiful cabins in North Carolina. Stay at an Asheville, NC cabin, and even check out the UNC Asheville basketball team take on Montreat at 4:30! What a great adventure for the basketball fan while making weekend in an Asheville vacation rental!

Want Beer "Buzz"?

Image by Misserion via Flickr

Looking to try something new on your Asheville, NC vacation? The community has more than 50 local beers that you can try... on draft OR in bottles that you can enjoy in your Asheville cabins.

Thought your evening had to consist of the same boring beverages? Think again! Shake your normal night up with a trip to one of Asheville's six breweries... and there are two more on the way. Neighboring town Black Mountain also has one!

Visit these local breweries for great beer, local flavor and even free beer tastings.

- Green Man: Nicknamed "Dirty Jack's". Provides beer for the popular Celtic pub Jack of the Wood. The Green Man tasting room is open every day 4-9pm AND you can even order kegs of your favorite Green Man beers to take back to your cabins in Asheville, NC to share or keep for yourself!

- Highland Brewery: Asheville's first and largest brewery! The new tasting area is open every Friday from 4-8pm and tours are available every weekday at 4pm! Live music is also featured on Fridays. Recommended brews: Gaelic Ale and Oatmeal Porter

- Asheville Pizza and Brewing: The hopping Brew 'n' Pizza place offers one of a kind beers-- even a "Christmas Jam White Ale" for the holidays! Recommended brew: Shiva IPA and Ninja Porter

- French Broad Brewing Company: Small tasting room with a variety of live local music. French Broad Brewing prides their company with creating traditional European style beers with a flavor of Asheville. Recommended brews: Gateway Kolsch and 13 Rebels Extra Special Bitter.

- Pigsah Brewing Company: All beers here are certified organic! A unique mix of Western NC flair: a tasting room with live music, art gallery, game room, large outdoor space and, of course, a fully functional brewery. Located in Black Mountain, about 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, many locals consider this spot worth the drove. Recommended brews: Pigsah Pale and Endless Summer Golden Ale.

- Wedge Brewing Company: Hosts a bar and tasting room in the quaint location, which even includes an old loading dock and patio. Recommended brews: Payne's Pale and Golem Belgian Ale.

- OysterHouse Brewing: Located inside the Lobster Trap restaurant, the brewery is a hit with seafood and beer lovers alike. The oysters are used in the brewing (i.e. the name) and present the beer with a slightly salty flavor. Recommended brew: Oyster Stout.

Need more proof? Asheville was recently named the East Coast's "Beer City USA" by Examiner. Pretty impressive if you ask me!

While you enjoy your brewski tour across the map of Western, NC, stay at a Carolina Mornings Asheville mountain vacation rental. The perfect place to enjoy the mountain air, the crisp temperature and a perfectly chilled, local Asheville beer!