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Hiking on Grandfather Mountain

One of the most popular excursions in the Boone area is visiting Grandfather Mountain. The mountain has plenty of activities to do from visiting the museum, multiple animal habitats to observe, and of course trails to hike with the mile high swinging bridge as the highlight.

If you are looking for casual trails to hike, Grandfather Mountain does have those too. The Black Rock Trail is a 1 mile trail which offers lots of stunning mountain views and rock formations. It is a mostly shaded trail and only descends a total of 300 feet so is a not very strenuous walk back to the car.

The Woods Walk & Picnic Area is a 1/2 mile trail which is perfect for all ages, including small children. It is a very wide trail with many benches to sit down and rest. There are also signs along the trail which describe the different plants and animals in the park.

The Bridge Trail is another 1/2 mile trail which ascends 300 feet in elevation and has many rock formations on the side to enjoy. The highlight of the trail is walking under the mile high swinging bridge. This trail is slightly more strenuous than the others but not too bad.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Hiking on Grandfather Mountain Blowing Rock, Boone, Hiking, Hiking, Outdoor Fun

Live Music with the Soulamanders Jan 21

After a great day of skiing there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting down to enjoy good food, drinks and music. Beech Mountain provides all of this at the Mountain Brewing Co. Taproom and Grill at the ski resort, which is open to all ages. An event scheduled for next week, on January 21, features the musical talents of the Soulamanders!


The Soulamanders are a musical duo, Levi Trent and Derek McKnight. The two musicians grew up in Southwest Virginia and their music is influenced by folk, reggae and Americana genres.

kradelskabins Leave a comment on Live Music with the Soulamanders Jan 21 Concerts and Events, Skiing Tags , , ,

Blowing Rock Winterfest 2022 January 27-30

As winter continues here in the Boone area, so do the fun winter activities! At the end of January, from 27-30. Thursday-Sunday. And it is packed full of ways to enjoy it no matter your age!

Some of the scheduled outdoor events include an ice carving demonstration on January 29th where experts show how they carve ice sculptures.

In the afternoon of all 4 days is a WinterHawk Tomahawk throwing competition tournament. It is a free event with both an adult and juniors’ division.

Throughout the entire town there also will be plenty of beautiful ice sculptures made by expert sculptors!

There are also some more indoor activities when you are looking to get out of the cold. On Saturday night between 6:30-8, there will be a concert by four different performers at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium.

Admission to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is free during the event as well. A great place to warm up and learn about the history of the area.

You can find all of this and more at the annual Winterfest!

William Kradel Leave a comment on Blowing Rock Winterfest 2022 January 27-30 Blowing Rock, Boone, Concerts and Events, Festival, Outdoor Fun, Tours, Winter Activities

Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano Night, December 30

After a good day of skiing there are very few things more relaxing than sitting down to enjoy good food and drinks. Beech Mountain provides all of this at the Mountain Brewing Co. Tamproom and Grill at the ski resort, which is open to all ages.

And on December 30 they have a special surprise: The Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano Night!

The dueling piano musicians entertain guests by taking song requests from the past 50 years in the style of a traditional piano bar. It’s fun for all ages. 

William Kradel Leave a comment on Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano Night, December 30 Boone, Outdoor Fun, Skiing, Winter Activities

Exploring Todd, NC for Kayaking and Tubing

Bridge to Todd’s Island in Todd, NC

Are you thinking about summer activities already? I know I am! Let me tell you about my recent discovery, Todd, NC.

I recently found the place to go to for kayaking and tubing, Todd, NC. You can learn more about Todd here

This past week I drove through a town I had always wondered about but had never visited. Todd, NC is located about 15 minutes from one of our cabins, Tanglewood. I am certainly going to visit again in the warmer summer months.

Why? Todd runs along the South Branch of the New River. So, it would be a fantastic place for a lazy ride down the river in an inner tube. Or maybe I’ll even try kayaking.

Do those activities sound like fun? Since Tanglewood is only 15 minutes away it would be a great place to stay and explore Todd. Also worth exploring is another town which is going to be my next adventure, West Jefferson.

kradelskabins Leave a comment on Exploring Todd, NC for Kayaking and Tubing Uncategorized