Author: William Kradel

MusicFest ‘N Sugar

This summer if you are looking for a great place to enjoy the outdoors, and listen to some great music, there is no better place than the MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove in Boone!

Taking place on Saturday July 16, the MusicFest ‘N Sugar is an all-day family-oriented event celebrating the great music contributions of Doc and Rosa Lee Watson.

Throughout the day, there will be over 10 bands performing on 2 different stages. There also will be lots of local food and crafts to take in. The event runs from 9 am to about 10:30 pm.

Seating is festival style where you bring your own blanket or chairs and sit on the field. There is a reserved section under the main tent where a chair is provided. You can purchase tickets at the event, and you don’t have to pre-purchase tickets. 

William Kradel Leave a comment on MusicFest ‘N Sugar Boone, Concerts and Events, Festival, Outdoor Fun

Grandfather Glows on Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is one of the best places in the Appalachian Mountains to see rare and endanger animals. One of those species of is a species of firefly, known as Photinus carolinus. What makes this firefly so special?

The Photinus carolinus is the only species of firefly in North America whose individuals can synchronize their lighting display, meaning they can flash in unison. Photinus carolinus famously resides in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where it is a major draw for visitors from late May through early June. 

Every summer, Grandfather Mountain hosts a Grandfather Glows nighttime viewing event which take place on the lower half of mountain to view this spectacular phenomenon of millions of fireflies glowing at once.

This year it takes place from June 26, June 29, July 1. 7-11 PM. You can sign up for the waitlist here https://grandfather.com/waitlist/

William Kradel Leave a comment on Grandfather Glows on Grandfather Mountain Boone, Concerts and Events, Hiking, Outdoor Fun

Enjoy Linville Caverns in Banner Elk!

This spring and summer, if you are looking for a unique family day trip, Linville Caverns fit that bill. They are the only show caverns in North Carolina and have been open for tours since the late 1930s.

The Linville Caverns are a limestone cave system which are open from Thursday through Monday each week from 9am – 5pm. Guided tours are offered on site and can’t be pre-booked. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children 5-12 years old, and those 4 and under are free.

The guided tours include a tour guide giving the geological history of the caverns, as well as how different formations such as stalactites and stalagmites were formed. Also included, is descriptions of all of the life found in the caverns such as tricolored bats and little brown bats.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Enjoy Linville Caverns in Banner Elk! Banner Elk, Boone, Hiking, Hiking, Outdoor Fun, Tours

Restaurants in Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock always has plenty of activities to do which can entertain throughout the whole day. And if you are spending an entire day in Blowing Rock, that means you will need to eat. So what is there to eat in Blowing Rock?

On Main Street, there are a few options. Mellow Mushroom is a pizza restaurant which offers many types of stone-baked pizza with many varieties. They also do plain pizzas for those who just want that. Don’t let the name scare you away. You don’t HAVE to have mushrooms.

Also located on Main Street is the Six Pence Pub. Offering a wide variety of comfort food such as chips and burgers, they are open for lunch and dinner. They also have a wide variety of seasonal beer.

Between Ransom street and Sunset drive, located south of Main Street is a Famous Toastery. Famous Toastery is a great place to start your day with breakfast or brunch with food such as toast and of course have some coffee and/or orange juice.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Restaurants in Blowing Rock Blowing Rock, Restaurants

Fishing in the Boone Area

Its finally Spring! that means it’s time to go fishing! Fortunately, the Boone area has many fishing spots to take advantage of. Here are a few:

Just outside the pristine town of Blowing Rock is Bass Lake. Lined with rhododendron and mountain laurel, the lake offers a 1.7 mile loop which is great for fishing and hiking.

Another fishing spot which is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway is Price Lake. In addition to its plentiful fishing spots, they also offer fishing tackle rentals and sell bait. You can also rent canoes and kayaks to take out onto the lake when you want to take a break.

Also near the Blue Ridge Parkway is Trout Lake. In addition to fishing, Trout Lake has a1 hiking path with plenty of wildlife. The lake is set in a hemlock-dominated cove forest with ancient conifers and thickets of rhododendron which makes it a wonderful place to enjoy a day of fishing.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Fishing in the Boone Area Blowing Rock, Boone, Fishing, Outdoor Fun

Enjoy Whitewater Rafting at Highmountain Expeditions this Spring

With Spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to be looking forward to activities to do during the season for the family. And a perfect one to fit the season in the Boone area is Whitewater Rafting!

At Banner Elk, not far from Boone, is High Mountain Expeditions, a white water rafting company who have 30 years of experience with guiding adventurers through the area’s rivers.

The most family friendly river rafting is the Watuga River. The fast moving river is dam controlled so the river is consistent throughout the season. The course itself is a 3 to 5 hour trip and a deli buffet lunch is provided. Every raft will have a trained guide so it is enjoyable for those even without any rafting experience.

Wilson Creek is perfect for those who are looking for something a bit faster but still is family friendly. it is a 2.5 mile trip, which drops 85 feet every mile. Some drops are between 5 and 10 feet. The trip itself takes 2 to 6 hours and there is no previous experience required.

These routes and more, such as multi day adventures, can be found at Highmountain Expeditions over in Banner Elk near Boone!

William Kradel 2 Comments on Enjoy Whitewater Rafting at Highmountain Expeditions this Spring Banner Elk, Boone, Outdoor Fun, Whitewater Rafting