Tag: boone

The Autumn Air in Boone and Blowing Rock

Despite approaching the end of October, it is still very much autumn here in the Boone area. The fall leaves on the trees are still very much a wonder to behold. It is a wonderful activity to do while we still need to keep our social distance. 

In the Boone and Blowing Rock area, there are plenty of places to view the fall colors on the mountain. In addition to being able to view the mountainside forest from the town of Blowing Rock, on the roads entering and exiting the town there are beautiful overlooks to take pictures from them. 

Grandfather Mountain is another wonderful place to view the fall colors. You do need to make an appointment ahead of time to visit due to the pandemic

Beech Mountain, while well known as a ski resort, also has trails to walk to enjoy the scenery throughout October, and guided tours on Wednesday and Fridays. The ski resort itself is scheduled to open November 21.

William Kradel Leave a comment on The Autumn Air in Boone and Blowing Rock Blowing Rock, Boone, Hiking, Outdoor Fun Tags , , ,

Black Bears on Grandfather Mountain

Bear Photo Trail
Hopefully this is the only bear you’ll encounter along a trail!

There’s more to do on Grandfather Mountain than hike the trails. One of the most enjoyable activities on Grandfather Mountain is visiting the environmental habitats. Environmental habitats are large enclosures built around the natural habitat which enable visitors to view animals in natural settings. 

One of the most impressive animals found in one of the habitats, and all throughout the mountain, are black bears.

Black bears are the smallest, and most common bears in North America. They have better sight and hearing than humans. And their sense of smell is seven times greater than that of a dog.

Their diet primarily consists of various kinds of vegetation. Their animal diet normally consists of  insects such as birds and ants. They do in fact like to eat honey. On the pacific coast where salmon are abundant, they will fish for them at night as the salmon are able to see them otherwise.

Enjoyably on Grandfather Mountain, there is a wildlife habitat just for Black Bears so you can view them safely in their natural environment. So next time you’re visiting Grandfather Mountain take some time to visit the bear habitat!

kradelskabins Leave a comment on Black Bears on Grandfather Mountain Boone, Hiking Tags , , ,

Ice Skating

While many enjoy coming to Boone for skiing and snowboarding, many may also be looking for other winter activities which are less strenuous or as a break from skiing. What the ski resorts in the area offer in addition to skiing fits that billing: ice skating rinks.


Beech Mountain has an 7,000 square foot outdoor ice rink located in the Resort Village. It is family friendly and is open to those of all ages. The skating sessions are 2 hours which cost $18 on the weekdays and $20 on the weekend. This includes skate rental. The sessions start every 2 hours and tickets can be purchased at the site 2 hours before the sessions start. 

Appalachian Ski Mountain also has an outdoor ice skating rink which had a refrigerated ice floor and is fully lighted for skiing at night. While the ice skating rink is normally open from noon till 9pm, on New Years Eve and President’s Day Saturday, they are open till 11:30.

Beech Mountain has a 10,000 square foot outdoor ice rink located near the “D” parking lot. Sessions are 1 hour and 30 minutes at length and begin at 10am and every 2 hours after until 8pm. Tickets go on sale 1 hour prior to the start of session.

kradelskabins Leave a comment on Ice Skating Boone, Winter Activities Tags , , ,