Cold Mountain, NC

Last night I was trying to watch the movie.  Yes, I read the book first.

I loved the scenery, which was in Romania rather than right here in Western North Carolina.  Something about lack of old growth forest.  Excuse me?  It's more likely that getting to it would have been difficult for film crews, not to mention finding places they could eat and sleep in comfort...that would have been a lot of people.  And the local folks in NC now get paid minimum wages for whatever they might do, usually.  There are lots of lovely places to stay, but not giving easy access to the forests.  Actually I think they would have had a negative effect on our environment, so I'm glad the filming was in Romania.

Photo by Ken Thomas, public domain

The struggles of the people in this area were felt in much the same way across the whole south during and after the Civil War.  It was very uncivil.

I did have trouble concentrating during the film.  When I saw it in a theater in 2003, I remember feeling it was much longer than it should have been.  It felt like a second Gone With the Wind attempt.

Romantic Asheville.com says:

Cold Mountain is located 35 miles from Asheville North Carolina. There is not an actual town of Cold Mountain. The mountain itself (elevation 6,030 feet) is part of the Shining Rock Wilderness area in Pisgah National Forest. Since Cold Mountain is in a national forest, it is still in its natural state (much as it was during the Civil War) and requires a strenuous 10-mile hike to reach its summit. However, you can enjoy beautiful views of the mountain from your car via the Blue Ridge Parkway or a shorter hike to the top of Mount Pisgah (see below).

SEEING AND HIKING TO COLD MOUNTAIN (Source: Romantic Asheville)

The easiest way to see Cold Mountain is from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 412, about 30 miles from downtown Asheville. You can view the south side of Cold Mountain from an overlook near the U.S. Highway 276 exchange at Milepost 411.9. The views from the overlook are spotty with overgrown trees blocking most of the view. For the best view, go to the Wagon Gap Road Parking area at Milepost 412.2. Then walk north on the Parkway a short distance (see top photo). 

A more extensive view of Cold Mountain is enjoyed from the top of Mount Pisgah (5,700 feet), located at Milepost 407 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 26 miles southwest of Asheville (read about the Mt. Pisgah hike). A 3-mile roundtrip hike takes you to the top for a grand view of Cold Mountain. The hike is a bit strenuous, but the view will be a nice reward.  Another extensive view via an easier hike (1.5 miles roundtrip) is from Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower.

The mountain is one of the Great Balsam Mountains which are a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains within the Appalachian Mountains.  It's height is 6,030 feet above sea level.

Town Centre Park - Part 2

An artificial hill in the middle creates a water feature

Tailgators of Black Mountain: Dynamite Coffee

A true tailgator, Dynamite Roasting has their locally roasted coffee for sale.  On cooler mornings this is where the first line forms. 

Tailgators of Black Mountain: Moonacre Soap

Scented fun soaps and lotions.

Tailgators of Black Mountain: Jewelry

Jewelry of all kinds...great gifts for yourself or another pretty lady.

Town Centre Park

There's plenty of parking on all sides, and this is looking toward the north on Montreat Rd as it crosses State St.

The restroom building is finished, and most of the landscaping is also.

More pictures will be coming along soon...

Tailgators of Black Mountain:Adlebert Farm

Fresh produce as well as eggs.

And they aren't the only booth with all kinds of great foods.  See you at the Tailgate!

Tailgators of Black Mountain: gourds and produce!

 

Welcome back to real tailgators, unloaded right out of the back of his truck!

Thanks for visiting my blog.  I hope (if you're in the area) you'll visit my (and my co-op Mud Buddies) booth this Sat from 9-12 at the Tailgate Market in Black Mountain, NC.  Fresh cut flowers, incredible fruits and vegetables at their peak, and many other crafts locally made!

White Crepe Myrtle and...

 Whenever you turn onto Beech St. in Black Mountain, you are greeted by my huge prolific white Crepe Myrtle, gone a bit amok. 

It is lovely, and with every rain, floods of tiny white blossoms float upon the water and pile up wherever it pauses.

Fortunately nobody has to park under the shade of this bush gone crazy.  And it's pretty too.

Across the street the siding is going on the renovated house.

The yellow colored stuff is a board and batten style, with vertical seams.  All the windows are installed, and electrical people have been over there.  I wonder if plumbing is in.  Time for another visit in the evening when contractors have gone home...soon I won't be able to prowl around because the doors will be installed.  It's been fun watching the progress, which has been slow and steady.

Tailgators of Black Mountain: Blue Meadow Farms

Fresh produce is in...look at those squash and ?

And don't miss the Mud Buddies from last week's market over on my other blog, Alchemy of Clay!