Established by Congress in November 2003, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area recognizes and celebrates the natural abundance and richly varied cultural history of the North Carolina mountains. Find Yourself in a Place Beyond Imagination - Find yourself in Blue Ridge! Experience the Blue Ridge Parkway and National Heritage Area. A land where ancient landscapes endure and age-old traditions flourish. Find yourself breathless at the sight of waves of blue-misted mountains, graceful waterfalls, the Blue Ridge Parkway and extraordinary wildlife. This is the Blue Ridge, a place where every visit refreshes the spirit and renews the soul. - www.blueridgeheritage.com

The landscape is full of superlatives: the highest mountain (Mount Mitchell), deepest gorge (Linville Gorge), and highest waterfall (Whitewater Falls) in the eastern United States; the oldest river in North America (the New River); and the two most visited National Park lands in the country (the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park). The region is also blessed with a stunning diversity of plant and animal life; more, in fact, than the whole of Europe. - www.blueridgeheritage.com

But there is more to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area than just its mountains, for out of those mountains grew a rich cultural heritage as well. The birthplace of the Cherokee's advanced early civilization, the region, is, today, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who continue to preserve many facets of traditional Cherokee culture. Beginning in the eighteenth century, the mountains received waves of European settlers—primarily Scots-Irish, but also German, English, and French. The relative isolation of mountain life helped the settlers nourish and preserve many traditions, especially music and handmade crafts. The area has become the center of handmade art and craft in America, with a rich legacy of both traditional and contemporary craft schools and over 4,000 working craftspeople. - www.blueridgeheritage.com

A land of mountain wilderness, waterfalls, Cherokee tradition, string bands, and craft studios, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is truly a region with a "personality" like no other. - www.blueridgeheritage.com

Valle Crucis
http://www.vallecrucis.com
Valle Crucis is located high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. North Carolina's only Rural Historic District, the community of Valle Crucis is easily accessible to its neighboring towns of Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, and to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The High Country Host operates the area Welcome Center in Boone and is a source of information on the larger area.

High Country Host
www.highcountryhost.com
When you arrive in Western North Carolina, you enter a magical place created ages ago. With the southern tip of the mighty Appalachians, called the Southern Highlands, converging to one side, the Blue Ridge Mountains to another and the Great Smoky Mountains to another, you've reached an enchanted land... an area of profound beauty, history and culture. Your journey will take you through the North Carolina counties of the Blue Ridge Mountains. All have colorful histories, magnificent mountain vistas, deep green forests and cool mountain streams. However, each is unique. The legacies of these mountains are ours to share, making this a natural choice for your vacation destination. Discover for yourself.

Blowing Rock
www.blowingrock.com
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the North Carolina mountains, Blowing Rock is a storybook village filled with upscale shops, unique attractions, outdoor adventure that ranges from whitewater rafting to skiing, performing and visual arts, fine dining and family restaurants, and a range of accommodations from cabins to bed and breakfasts and hotels to resorts.

Visit North Carolina
www.visitnc.com
The Mountains - The Appalachian mountain chain runs through the western part of the state, forming the lush landscape of the region. The Great Smoky Mountains in southwestern North Carolina are one of the country's top natural destinations, and visitors can enjoy 250 miles of the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway winding through North Carolina's mountains. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the state, and at 6,684 feet, it is also the tallest mountain in the eastern United States. Two-thirds of North Carolina's mountains are covered with hardwood forests, and in autumn, the over 120 species of trees put on a brilliant display of color. Some areas of the region see over 30 inches of snow a year, so skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports are popular activities. Summers are cool and refreshing with low humidity.

The Piedmont - Covering nearly one half of North Carolina in the central part of the state, the Piedmont is an area of gently rolling foothills with the occasional boulder or unexpected rock outcropping. The Piedmont region boasts of one of the most dynamic economies in the United States and is home to the state's largest cities and biggest financial institutions. Renowned research universities, textile and furniture factories, tobacco farms, shopping meccas, top golf courses and abundant historic sites are also part of the makeup of the Piedmont. Although the area enjoys four distinct seasons, temperatures are mild year round. The average wintertime temperature is about 42 degrees. In summer, it's 77 degrees. The area also enjoys sunshine for about 210 days a year.

The Coast - Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the North Carolina Coast is a sunny place filled with pristine beaches, giant sand dunes (including Jockey's Ridge, the highest along the East Coast) and wetlands filled with wildlife and a variety of plants. The defining characteristic of the area is the Outer Banks, a chain of fragile barrier islands - 130 miles of unspoiled coastline surrounded by 900 square miles of water. The area is also full of history, dating back to the 16th century, when the first English settlement was built - and then vanished. There are also sites from pre-Revolutionary Days through the Civil War. Not to mention the historic lighthouses (including the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which at 208 feet is the tallest brick lighthouse in the nation). The city of Wilmington is a major US seaport. And, in 1903 the Wright Brothers ushered in the era of flight at Kitty Hawk. The average annual temperature here is 63 degrees. The growing season lasts 295 days.

Our State
www.ourstate.com
Our State: Down Home in North Carolina celebrates the people and places that make this state great. From the mountains to the coast, Our State features North Carolina travel, history, folklore and beautiful scenic photography.

Appalachian State University
www.appstate.edu
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, Appalachian State University has built a national reputation for providing outstanding academics. With a student/faculty ratio of 19:1, faculty members are able to take a personal interest in student progress, often becoming mentors, advisers, and friends - even tennis partners. That can only happen in a close-knit community. Nestled at the base of Howard Knob, the university is located in downtown Boone, NC (year-round pop. 15,000), a small town which thrives as one of the Southeast's premier tourism and outdoor recreation destinations. The nearby Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest provide a beautiful natural setting with unlimited possibilities for outdoor adventure.

The High Country Sports Car Club
www.highcountryscc.com
The High Country Sports Car Club is a group of people who, to put it simply, love to drive. The men and women who call themselves members of our Car Club come from all kinds of backgrounds, and anyone is welcome to join. We hold monthly meetings, and hope to begin a series of Rallyes and Autocross.

ECOTOURISM
Birdwatching in the High Country - Our area is home to a large variety of birds--some only found here and in the higher elevations of Canada! The High Country is proud to be home to many endangered birds like the saw-whet, the peregrine falcon, and many other scarce species. Grandfather Mountain, Beech Mountain, Bluff Mountain and many other peaks are optimal for birdwatching. Another interesting feature about the High Country is that the range of elevations and landscapes makes it possible to see many different types of species in one day. You could be at Grandfather in the morning watching the peregrine falcons (if you are lucky enough to spot them) and an hour and a half later, be at Kerr Scott Dam in Wilkes County observing water fowl.

Grandfather Mountain - One of the most environmentally significant mountains in the World and the world's only privately owned International Biosphere Reserve. 47 rare and endangered species are found within its environs. These might include birds, mammals, plants, and fungi. www.grandfather.com

The first and last link of the Blue Ridge Parkway - Although the High Country is in the middle of the Blue Ridge Parkway, our area is where the Parkway began in 1935 at Cumberland Knob, and ended in 1987 with the completion of Linn Cove Viaduct, a marvel of modern engineering. Some of the most photographed portions of the Parkway are in the High Country--including Doughton Park, Moses Cone Manor where The Green Mile was partially filmed, the Linn Cove Viaduct, the Brown Mountain Lights, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls and many other picturesque and serene sites

AGRITOURISM
With miles of Christmas Tree farms in the High Country, our area has become a leader in agritourism. These farmers have decided that having Choose and Cut festivals just after Thanksgiving each year is a great way to involve the whole family in a celebration and to sell Christmas trees. Choose and Cut, which used to just involve the family walking out on the farm, choosing their tree and having it cut and wrapped for them, has now evolved into a hoedown! Many of the farms have bonfires, hayrides, hot chocolate, bands, crafts and a full-fledged festival atmosphere.

The Orchard at Altapass (milepost 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) is a very old apple orchard that is concentrating on a revival of several varieties of apples rarely found today. They also have a butterfly garden which is quite notable; and offer music, hayrides, storytelling, crafts, and other activities. You might find a geologist and/or a botanist on site to give an interpretative walking tour. www.altapassorchard.com

Llamas and Alpacas - There are several breeding farms in the High Country that sell stock and by-products of these animals. Interested parties can attend weekend seminars to learn about breeding and raising these creatures and their potential for producing income.

HERITAGE OF THE HIGH COUNTRY
Revolutionary/ Civil War Heritage of the High Country - The turning point of the Revolutionary War, the Battle at Kings Mountain, was fought by farmers and civilians who formed a collective known as the Overmountain Men. Each year just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Mineral and Gem Museum, Milepost 331, part of the Overmountain Trail, a celebration is held to commemorate these events. During the Civil War, portions of Ashe County were thought to have been stops on the Underground Railroad. A reenactment of the Overmountain March which begins in Tennessee and ends at Kings Mountain is held each year in September. www.mitchell-county.com

Heritage Festivals - Several counties/towns in the High Country are hosts to festivals and special events devoted to mountain heritage. You might find genealogy information, demonstrations of crafts used in early mountain life, traditional mountain music, antiques, Revolutionary or Civil War Reenactment groups, and old-fashioned games for children. www.banner-elk.com (Avery County) 910/838-8662 (Wilkes County) www.covecreek.net (Cove Creek Preservation & Development)

Appalachian Heritage Museum/The Daugherty House - A 1903 house, originally built by the founding fathers of Appalachian State University, that has been reconstructed to portray the lifestyle of middle class mountain families from the late 1800's to the early 1900's..and The Native American Artifacts Museum - Housing over 50,000 pieces of authentic Native American artifacts representing almost every time period of American Indian history. On display is one of the largest collections in North Carolina of arrowheads, effigy pipes, bowls, celts and awls. Most were collected by a single couple. 828/264-2792 (Mystery Hill)

General Stores - Todd General Store, established in 1914 in Todd, NC recaptures a time when life was simple and genuine. Browse through memorabilia from an earlier time and learn about the "railroad days" when Todd was the largest town in Watauga and Ashe Counties. On Friday nights, join the fun as old-time musicians play and sing traditional bluegrass music in a "Jam Session". 333/877-1067 Mast General Store- opened in 1883 in Valle Crucis with a reputation for carrying everything from "cradles to caskets." Today you will find advertising posters hung decades ago, an antique post office which is still in operation, and possibly a checker game taking place near the pot-bellied stove. Today there are four branches of the Mast Store, all located in historic buildings throughout Western North Carolina. www.mastgeneralstore.com

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The Blue Ridge High Country offers a wide variety of cultural activities ranging from traditional mountain music and entertainment to well-known, top-notch offerings such as the North Carolina Symphony, Leahy, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Jellyeye, and Trinity Irish Dance. The unanswered question is whether the variety of offerings is responsible for bringing many of our residents and visitors to the area, or is the wide variety of residents and visitors responsible for attracting such outstanding performances? Performing Arts Series at Appalachian State University, The Forum Lecture Series, The Catherine J. Smith Gallery, An Appalachian Summer - all programs sponsored by ASU's Office of Cultural Affairs. www.oca.appstate.edu Performing Arts at Lees-McRae College - This little liberal arts college in the village of Banner Elk offers outstanding programs throughout the year. You will find musical comedy, one-act plays, dance performances, original drama, famous speakers, full orchestras, and mountain story-tellers. During the summer months folks line up hours before the doors open to obtain seats in the Hayes Auditorium.

Ashe Civic Center - a jewel of a facility in the little town of West Jefferson. This center presents performances throughout the year that range from the Ink Spots, to classical pianist Aaron Price, to A Tribute to the Beatles, to George Hamilton IV. The story here is how such a small community raised the funds to build and support such an outstanding facility.

Mountain Music Jamboree - located in Glendale Springs. every Saturday night throughout the summer and fall, try your hand at square dancing, flat- footing, and clogging; or just sit back and enjoy the finest in bluegrass and old-time mountain music. This is an event that will take you back to an earlier time when the entire family piled into the family wagon (pulled by a horse) to take part in a community gathering such as a barn-raising, harvest festival, or hoe-down.

ARCHITECTURE OF THE HIGH COUNTRY
Traditional mountain log cabins are being constructed throughout the mountains by a variety of builders and individuals. Some are tiny one or two-room cabins patterned after ones built by early settlers. Others may be as large as 3 to 4 thousand square feet, magnificent to behold. The chestnut buildings found in the Linville area date back to the early part of the last century. Most are private homes, but the Eseeola Lodge and the Presbyterian Church are public buildings that are excellent examples of this unique building material. Several areas in the region have a concentration of Alpine-looking buildings, which bring to mind Switzerland. Numerous buildings of this type can be found in the "Highest incorporated town in Eastern America, Beech Mountain". Little Switzerland in Mitchell County also has many examples of both public and private buildings showing the Alpine influence. Several of the towns in the High Country have made an effort to preserve their older buildings. Examples of these can be found in the Old Wilkes Jail, the Avery County Jail and Courthouse, many buildings on the campus of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, and most of the downtown areas of West Jefferson and Boone.

EVENTS OF THE HIGH COUNTRY
The sky is the limit for the variety of special events that take place in our six-county region. Ski events abound in the winter months with pro-am races, a septuagenarian party on the slopes, snowshoe tours, torchlight parades on New Year's Eve, professional ice skating shows, and learn-to-ski programs for children as young as 4 years of age. In the summer months, you can load your mountain bike on a ski lift, ride to the top of the mountain and then participate in sanctioned races, or ride on the trails simply for pleasure.

There are well-known events such as the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Blowing Rock's outstanding Art In The Park, the Woolly Worm Festival, Merle Fest in Wilkes County, the Mineral and Gem Show in Spruce Pine, and Christmas In July in West Jefferson. But you are missing the boat if you don't take time to discover the hidden gems such as the 4th of July on the Riverwalk in Newland where the entire town comes out to participate in a real old-fashioned event with watermelon eating contests, an auction to benefit local charities, the firemen creating a water slide for the kids, a tug 'o war, crafts, a street dance, and fireworks from the top of a mountain; or perhaps the Old Time Fiddler's Convention in the Ashe County Park would be more to your liking. The Apple Festival at the Hickory Ridge Homestead offers entertainment on a late autumn Saturday; and Blowing Rock's Winterfest will liven up your post-holiday blues with a polar plunge; chili cook-off, wine auction, sled-dog demonstration and numerous other activities.

These are just some of the unique events that make people want to return again and again to the Blue Ridge High Country of North Carolina.


“Club Ferdinand in Valle Crucis, North Carolina,
is the first “Fleet-Sharing Club” in the World composed exclusively
of the legendary Porsche Automobiles.
Three surprisingly affordable membership options
enable Members to benefit from the use of the club’s
“Luxury Sports Car Fleet” of new Porsches,
using a reservation and points system which assures equitable-share
usage of the fleet by all club members.
Explore North Carolina behind the wheel of your collection
of new Porsches and discover a whole new level of freedom.”


ClubFerdinand
1644 Broadstone Road
Historic Valle Crucis
Banner Elk, North Carolina 28604
Telephone: 828-963-5857, 828-963-2626
Fax: 828-963-6404, 626-608-3594
Toll Free: 1-888-963-5857
www.clubferdinand.us
info@clubferdinand.us

Subscribe
Contact
Comment
Apply