Being one of the best areas for outdoor activities, the High Country always has a lot of traffic around the river. A very popular spot about twenty minutes outside of Boone, Hebron Rock Colony gets all kinds of visitors. After driving up the curvy road of Shulls Mill, hikers park on both sides of the street, and start to roam down the trail towards the noise of the river. The hike becomes a bit more difficult, with a mixture of rock hopping and upwards trenching, but is definitely worth it in the end; as one Appalachian student commented, 'Once you reach the actual rock colony your eyes will be met with layer upon layer of gargantuan boulders creating swimming holes and waterfalls throughout the entire colony.'

Here, you can stay towards the bottom, find yourself a nice sunning spot next to one of the holes, and prepare yourself for the day. If you're looking for more of an adventure, hop your way from plain to plain, and climb up towards the main waterfall to be indulged with the life of it all. Spend the day looking through the caves and crevices, jumping and climbing the huge formations, or just spend the day with a picnic and the relaxing sounds and people.

Hebron really is one of the most popular sites for tourists and locals alike, so you might want to plan a day for it, definitely one of the best days on your vacation!!

Tweetsie Railroad.. The Old, The New, The Fun!

It's kicked off! One of the biggest attractions in the High Country, Tweetsie Railroad, is up and running for the season.



Built in 1881, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad began operation with 32-mile narrow-gauge service from Johnson City, TN to the iron mines at Cranberry, NC. Hauling freight across the Appalachian region, the ET&WNC was successful and became a staple in the industry.

In 1917, Baldwin Locomotive Works out of Philadelphia built Engine No. 12, one of 13 narrow-gauge engines built for the RT&WNC. After running for 23 years, Engine No. 12 and the other trains came to a screeching halt as severe flooding in 1940 washed away large portions of the RT&WNC. Because of the highway development throughout the Appalachian region, the railroad decided not to rebuild the lost sections, and deserted the line.

As the narrow-gauge rail service became a part of the past, Engine No. 12 was purchased to become the Shenandoah Central Railroad tourist attraction in Harrisburg, VA. Not even a year later did Hurricane Hazel wipe away parts of the Shenandoah track (talk about some bad luck), so Engine No. 12 was back up for sale. Gene Autry, a singing cowboy in California, bought the rights to move the Tweetsie locomotives and made plans to use them in cinema. After realizing the engine would be too expensive to move, Autry accepted an offer from Grover C. Robbins, Jr. for the locomotive, and sold it down to Blowing Rock for only $1.

Finally back home in the High Country, Tweetsie railroad gave trips to passengers up and down the mountain, but then became a star in North Carolina's bit of Hollywood. The park opened up and started what is now the Tweetsie Railroad attraction we all know and love, bringing new things to do every year.


Even Tweetsie says, 'Don’t go thinking that the only thing to do ‘round here is the train ride. Stroll down the Western Main Street and visit the hoosegow (that’s a jail for you city-folk) where all the no-good varmints do hard time. Take a spin on the rides in the Country Fair and on Miner’s Mountain. Take aim at the Arcade and Shooting Gallery. When you get to Miner's Mountain, check out the friendly animals at the Deer Park, stretch your legs on the playground or get your face painted. But it’s not called Miner’s Mountain for nothing, you’ve got to try your hand at gem mining or panning for gold.'

So get yourself ready, Tweetsie's up and hauling out day adventures all summer, ones that are guaranteed worth your family's visit!

Happy Memorial Day!!!

With Memorial Day fast approaching, we would like to take a moment to remember all the brave men and women who have perished while serving our country.  If you would like to know more about helping a serviceman/woman and their families, please visit here.  We are grateful to all for their service.

If you are traveling this weekend, here are some driving tips for the NC Mountains:

• Make sure that your tires and brakes are in good working order.  Check air pressure in tires.
• Use a lower gear when driving down hill so that you don't have to use your brakes as often. This will help prevent overheating of your brakes which can lead to brake failure.
• Enjoy the scenery but be sure to watch the road.  The NC High Country is beautiful and we want visitors to enjoy it, however it's best to pull over in a safe lookout area to admire the mountain vistas.
• There are lots of twisty roads, watch how fast you are driving on them.  There may be an animal or another vehicle in your lane just around the bend.
• Be sure to have plenty of fuel if you are driving on the Parkway as it may be many miles in between available fuel stops.
• Be aware that your GPS device may or may not work in the mountains so be sure to pick up a local map just in case.

As we enter the summer season, enjoy 10% off a two night stay for the entire month of May, including Memorial Weekend!  Visit HighCountryCabinRentals.com online to book your reservation today. 

A Sign of the Times

Our sign for High Country Cabin Rentals went up today and we are receiving our first reservations for the new properties featured on our website!  We are now offering a special for renters of 10% off the total rental price for our featured properties in the Blowing Rock, Boone, & Banner Elk areas.  This discount will not apply if you book online, please call our office at (828)295-7737 to make your reservation.  Check back often as we will add new properties over the next several weeks!

While this week was cold and rainy with snow on Monday, what little snow stuck to the ground only stayed for a few hours.  Hopefully our early blooming plant life will make it through this late freeze!  Ray's Weather says that this Saturday will be sunny with a high of 74, woohoo!  This is probably your best day for Merlefest which will begin in Wilkesboro on Thursday, April 26th and run thru Sunday the 29th.

If you are planning a trip up to the Blue Ridge Mountains, be sure to check out the traffic status of the  HWY 321 widening project in Blowing Rock or dial 511.

Thank you to Keith Hartzell of Mountaineer Signs for designing and installing our sign!

Finally, if  you would like to check out some blooms, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens is offering a sneak peak from 8:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. this coming Saturday, April 28th.

Blowing Rock is Getting Greener by the Day!!

Plenty of rain this week in Blowing Rock has the grass growing greener, and the tress sprouting their buds.  Local tradition in the High Country, is not to plant flowers before Mother's Day and next week's forecast is a good reason why.  Saturday and Sunday will have some rain with cooling temperatures.  Monday's high is forecast to be 47 which is a departure from our recent temps in the high 60's.  We should return to warmer temps by next weekend, just in time for Merlefest!

Merlefest will begin April 26th and run through the 29th.  Highlight performers include Doc Watson, Vince Gill, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more!  "Merlefest was founded in 1988 in the memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and celebrate "traditional plus" music."

High Country Cabin Rentals has our first property online and ready to rent!!!!  More will be added soon and our online reservation system is available to book your Blue Ridge Mountain vacation.  Check back often to see more properties and the special deals we will be offering!

Things to do in Blowing Rock April 12th-15th

The warm temperatures of the past few weeks gave way to a cold snap this week in Blowing Rock which is not unusual for this time of year.  We will begin to warm up again tomorrow, opening day for Tweetsie Railroad, and this weekend should be warm and sunny which will be perfect for enjoying our gorgeous mountain trails!

High Country Cabin Rentals, Inc. will be in full swing by next Friday, April 20, 2012 with properties available for rent via our website.  Check back often, we will be adding new properties over the next few weeks, as we continue to sign up new owner clients.  We are excited about our first season as a rental company and look forward to building long lasting relationships with our guests and clients.

The Blue Ridge Wine Festival's 2012 celebrity chef this year will be Teresa Guidice of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" reality TV fame.  You can purchase tickets for $40 to attend this Saturday's cooking demo at Chetola Resort.

Finally, a big congrats to chef Michael Foreman of Bistro Roca for winning the seventh annual "Fire on the Rock" competition.  Bistro Roca is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.  Definitely worth a visit while you are in the Blowing Rock area.

Happy Easter

Looking for some fun in the sun?  Check out the Blowing Rock Trout Derby this Saturday, April 7th at the Broyhill Park's Mayview Lake from 6a.m. - 4p.m.  Win big prizes for big fish!  This one day fishing event is held each year and is a great way to kick start spring this Easter weekend.

If you like wine, great eats and fabulous entertainment then the Blue Ridge Wine festival is the place for you!  There will be a special celebrity chef appearance by Teresa Giudice of reality TV fame along with wine seminars, downtown activities, and Fire on the Rock Chef's challenge finale!  The festival runs from April 11th - 15th.

High Country Cabin Rentals is building our inventory of properties and we are excited to offer the first 5 owners that sign with us a special introductory management rate of 15% for the first year (25% after the initial year).  If you would like more information please contact Brian Rogers at (828)295-7737.