Charleston Green: Fifteen Cool Reasons to Head for the Hills This Summer

Charlestonians are no strangers to the allure of Western North Carolina—especially during the summer. Think you know all there is to see and do in the mountains? Here are some activities and outings—from festivals to art auctions to outdoor pursuits—to suit any interest

1. Tie One On
Fly-Fishing: Pisgah Forest

Nothing is more calming than the quiet beauty of a river. Cast away problems—and a fishing line—this summer in one of Western North Carolina’s pristine waterways. Standing knee-deep in cool mountain water while fly-fishing is the perfect way to interact with nature. Davidson River Outfitters in Pisgah Forest offers classes and day-trips for the novice or expert. With more than 10 professional guides, Davidson River Outfitters owner Kevin Howell assures they know “where the most fish are at any time” 
because they canvas all of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Guides work around your schedule. Book a half-day guided fly-
fishing trip for $145 or $400 for a full-day float, covering the Tuckaseegee, French Broad, or 
Watauga rivers for trout or the French Broad, Toe, Nolichucky, Tuckaseegee, or Big Pigeon rivers for smallmouth bass. All equipment is provided except a fishing license, which can be purchased at local retailers. (888) 861-0111, (828) 877-4181, www.davidsonflyfishing.com

—Carleigh Kate Knight

2. Play Time
Appalachian Summer Festival: Boone

Each year, the whirlwind of top-notch arts offerings during Spoleto and Piccolo sets our cultural spirits twirling. But when the curtains close on these performances, many are left craving the surge of creative energy. For an overflow of music, visual arts, dance, theater, and film, head to the annual Appalachian Summer Festival (June 28 to July 26) at Appalachian State University. The multidisciplinary arts festival showcases American talent, this year offering big names Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and The Charlie Daniels Band, as well as the big band sounds of Count Basie Orchestra. Other highlights include: contemporary dance from the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Pops, and performances of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Doubt, and the fireworks finale concert. Stay tuned next year, as well, when the festival commemorates its 25th anniversary with new commissioned works. Choose tickets to any five events and receive a 15 percent discount; buy a full festival pass and save even more. (800) 841-2787, www.appsummer.org

3. Walk in the Woods
Bonsai Garden at the North Carolina Arboretum: Asheville

Imagine seeing North Carolina’s wooded splendor displayed on a shelf before you for careful inspection and appreciation. How about a fully mature, 36-inch Eastern red cedar? Or a miniature Eastern white pine? These wonders and more are to be found at the North Carolina Arboretum’s bonsai collection. In the Exhibition Garden, visitors can view approximately 50 botanically diverse specimens with many others in various stages of development. These include species native to Southern Appalachia as well as traditional forms, such as Japanese maple and five-needle pine, making this destination a must-see for bonsai enthusiasts and neophytes alike.

The art of bonsai is far more complex than many first-time viewers might realize. It’s not just about tiny trees, but rather the artistic re-creation of complete landscapes in miniature, including a scene of Mount Mitchell. According to Arthur Joura, the Arboretum’s bonsai curator, to best appreciate the artistry visitors should examine the realistic representation of each tree. Many find the arboreal groupings more convincing, “as it’s easy to imagine strolling through the miniature scenes," he says.

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden is open year-round: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, Exit 33 off I-26. (828) 665-2492, www.ncarboretum.org

— Daniel J. Green

4. Take it to the Extreme

Mountain Biking: DuPont State Forest
More than 80 miles of trails near Hendersonville offer everything from gentle forest paths to heart-pounding single-tracks and a great variety of scenery, including many waterfalls. You can get to the trails from any of the park’s six access points, but the easiest from U.S. 64 is at Guion Farm, about 4.3 miles down Crab Tree Road from Penrose. www.dupontforest.com/dsfmtb.pdf

Rock Climbing: Linville Gorge & Boone
Newbie: The walls at The Amphitheater, a small canyon in Linville Gorge, average around 550 feet and are 
accessed from the Table Rock parking area. The Amphitheater: www.southeastclimbing.com. Intermediate: Check out Ship Rock, about 20 miles outside Boone, providing breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain (ropes required). Access the wall from the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Rough Ridge parking area. Pro: The Dump (aka Warpen 
Endorphine Crack) might cause even Spiderman a bit of head-scratching, but it also offers permanent anchors drilled into the rock face. Just outside Boone on Hwy. 221, park at the pull-off area on the left about a mile past the Watauga-Avery county line. The access trail is across the road back towards Watauga County. Ship Rock & The Dump: www.climbboonenc.com

Hiking: Mount Mitchell
The 360-degree view from the highest point east of the Mississippi (6,684 feet) is worth the sole power. But the series of trails skirting the mountain makes getting there more than half the fun since the range of altitude 
offers some of the most diverse plant life in the Southern Appalachians. Trails range from the family-friendly Balsam Mountain Trail to the arduous 4.5-mile Deep Gap Trail. The classic Mount Mitchell Trail ascends 3,600 feet up a challenging 5.6-mile trek from Black Mountain Campground. From Asheville, drive north on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 30 miles to NC 128 (there is a large sign for the state park). Follow NC 128 for about three miles to the park entrance; the summit is another 1.2 miles ahead. www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/mitchell/index.html

Kayaking: Gorilla Rapids
Gorilla Rapids on the Green River near Saluda offer some of the best white-water kayaking in the Eastern U.S. due to controlled flow from Tuxedo Hydro Station Dam upriver. Don’t try this if you aren’t an advanced kayaker (even competitive paddlers routinely get pulled from these bruising Class V rapids). Neophytes can get a boat and some instruction by logging onto www.ashevillenow.com/s_outdoorActivities/whitewater_kayaking_rafting.asp. Who knows—you may find yourself ready to tackle the Gorilla one day.

5. Purple Reign
Lavender Festival: Burnsville

For anyone who has visited Provence in July, lavender is the smell of summer. It’s the time when the bushy purple plants reach their full bloom and even fuller scent. But there’s no need to travel to the South of France to enjoy lavender fields—just head to Mountain Farm for the third annual Lavender Festival on July 5 and 6. There, Mountain Farm owner Marilyn Cade’s green thumb has nurtured 1,200 lavender plants in an unlikely setting near Mount Mitchell.

At this magical 24-acre farm, lavender and goats mingle naturally. Cade’s herd of organic dairy goats supplies the milk for creamy handmade soaps infused with 25 essential oils and fragrances (including lavender, of course). And the farm produces lavender vinegars, salts, sachets, massage oils, and more.

Children attending this family-friendly festival can 
explore the lavender labyrinth or try bottle-feeding young goats, while adults discover how to grow lavender. “We offer demos on cooking with lavender as well as hands-on workshops where people can make lavender wreaths, wands, or sachets,” says Cade. The two-day event also features garden tours and cultivation tips, local food and craft vendors, and live music. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy by the pond, or for a taste of something different, try lavender bread, ice cream, or lemonade.

Presented in conjunction with the South Toe River Valley community of small farms and craft studios, as well as schools and other local organizations, the festival introduces visitors to the remote valley. “A lot of people will come from far away to get here,” says Cade, “so we want them to see everything.”

— Nan Chase

6. Facials in the Forest

Westglow Resort & Spa (Blowing Rock):
Housed in an elegantly appointed Greek Revival mansion, the newly renovated Life Enrichment Center features a stunning relaxation room, complete with fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking mountain views, as well as a romantic couple's massage room. While at the spa, guests can 
explore unique treatments, such as Thai massage, an oxygen facial, and raindrop therapy, combined with downtime in the new steam room.
$40-$245; discount for member/guest. (800) 562-0807, www.westglow.com

The Spa at Old Edwards Inn (Highlands):
Between treatments, such as Balinese massage and Carolina body cocoons that use herbs and botanicals from the spa garden, guests can 
unwind in the fireside lounge or enjoy an 
alfresco lunch on the landscaped terrace. For 
extended pampering, the Spa Amenities Center also offers steam rooms, a mineral whirlpool, 12-head rainfall showers, and a meditation room. The new state-of-the-art fitness center includes an outdoor workout terrace and heated outdoor saltwater pool. $50-$275. (866) 526-8008, www.oldedwardsinn.com

{For additional spas, visit www.charlestonmag.com.}

7. Get Creative

John C. Campbell Folk School: Brasstown
Perry Holbrook was a mechanical engineer when he started taking classes at John C. Campbell Folk School. There, he made twig chairs, blew glass, and did blacksmithing and coppersmithing. After a while, he gave up his day job to become a mixed-media studio artist.

While not everyone who takes the courses at the school starts a new career, lots of people trek to the 300-acre campus for both weekend and weeklong instruction in a variety of arts and crafts as well as music, dance, and photography. All can choose from dozens of different classes for every skill level. The courses, for people 18 and older, are as varied as those who attend the nonprofit school, which was founded in 1925. Some require experience, and a sense of humor is necessary for the toy-making class.

Students in the summer session “get a taste of what it’s like to actually produce a work,” says Holbrook, who teaches occasional glassmaking classes at the folk school. He says it’s like a summer camp for adults with a noncompetitive atmosphere. “You’re there on weekends with between 150 and 200 people who are interested in making something with their hands, so you have a lot in common.”

The school offers camping, housing, and meals using produce from an organic garden. Tuition is $478 Sunday to Saturday, $430 Sunday to Friday, and $270 for a weekend. Some classes have additional fees for materials.

— Jess Clarke

Weekend Classes: Blacksmithing, book arts, enameling, gardening, jewelry-making, painting, ikebana, wood turning, and writing. Check their online schedule to confirm classes and dates. www.folkschool.org, 1-800-FOLK-SCH

8. Hit the Road: Blue Ridge Parkway

The North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway includes a variety of vistas, parks, tunnels, and terrain that runs from glorious 
highlands to gently gurgling rivers and creeks, all perfect for weekend car-trippers. For more information, visit www.blueridgeparkway.org.

Devil's Courthouse
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Look up at the summit of this 5,462-foot peak, and you quickly see how it got its name. The rocky terrain gives it a sinister appearance, and Cherokee legend says that the Devil holds court in a cave within the mountain. Numerous rare plants thrive on the way to the summit, including rock gnome lichen and spreading avens.
PIT STOP: Take the half-mile paved hiking trail to the top and reserve at least an hour to take in the view.

Black Balsam Knob
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Contained within the Pisgah National Forest, the knob stands at more than 6,000 feet. The peak got its name because of the grassy bald—a large, treeless area—at the summit, a result of devastating fires that occurred more than a century ago, which now allow spectacular views of Cold Mountain, Mount Mitchell, and Looking Glass Rock.
STAY AWHILE: Take the Art Loeb Trail to the top and set up camp anywhere you’d like along the ridge.

Looking Glass Rock
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Named for the way its granite face reflects the sunshine, this 4,000-foot pluton monolith is a major East Coast rock climbing destination, with dozens of routes traversing the various faces. But hikers also delight in its various switchbacks, which take visitors across creeks and through thick forests.
EAT: Pack a picnic lunch and hike to the top (it’s a strenuous trek, so give yourself time for breaks). While at the top, keep an eye out for soaring raptors, and also keep an eye out for your children, as there are no guardrails along the ridges.

Mount Pisgah
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While building his grand Biltmore Estate, George Vanderbilt purchased Mount Pisgah and thousands of surrounding acres—now the Pisgah National Forest—for a private hunting retreat and forestry school. Trails abound, so expect to spend a good deal of time exploring.
EAT & SLEEP: Check into The Pisgah Inn, nestled in the woods at 5,000 feet. The resort includes a restaurant and a country store, and the staff can help you make the most of your visit to the forest.

Folk Art Center
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A museum of Appalachain arts and crafts, the Folk Art Center also houses the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Featuring unique handmade works—from pottery to quilts to prints—the center
includes three galleries, a library, the century-old Allanstand Craft Shop, and numerous demonstration spaces. The most popular attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the center is open year-round.
SHOP: Bring your credit card, because there’s as much to buy as there is to see.

Craggy Gardens
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June and July are the prime months to visit the gardens and view the spectacular showcase of Catawba rhododendrons and other wildflowers. Easy to moderate hiking trails allow you to experience the floral splendor of the gardens, and the interpretive exhibits give visitors information on what to look for.
TIP: Although the gardens are still accessible, a recent rockslide forced the closure of some of the trails. Call ahead to see what’s open. (828) 298-0398

The Black Mountains
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Named for the dark green spruce and fir trees that cover them, the Black Mountains contain 18 peaks of at least 6,300 feet. Begin your exploration at the recreation area at the base of Mount Mitchell and soak in the majesty of the currently endangered Eastern and Carolina hemlocks, which grow on the range’s moist slopes.
DID YOU KNOW?: The mountains are being threatened by pollution and development, but efforts are underway improve the ecosystem’s health.

Mount Mitchell (above)
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Activities abound on Mount Mitchell; at 6,684 feet, it’s the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Camp out, hike the numerous trails, visit the interactive exhibit hall detailing the peak’s history and flora and fauna, go horseback riding, or simply sit and soak up the ridges and valleys.
EAT: Stop in at the restaurant near the top of the mountain. It has a casual atmosphere, eclectic menu, and stunning scenic views.

Linville Falls
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Marking the beginning of the Linville Gorge, the falls are one of the parkway’s main attractions. Two main trails take hikers across the Linville River and up to Chimney View, ending at Erwin’s View Overlook, giving perfect views of the twin upper falls to the final 45-foot drop.
TIP: Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Better yet, check into the Linville Falls Lodge, where you'll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the nearby falls.

Linn Cove Viaduct (above)
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A 1,243-foot-long segmental bridge (153 segments to be exact) that snakes around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain, the viaduct is said to be the most complicated concrete bridge ever built.
TIP: The National Park Service maintains a visitor center and bridge museum at the south end of the viaduct, and walking trails take visitors under and beside the bridge and connect with the parkway’s trail network.

Daniel Boone's Trace
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While an agent for the Transylvania Company in 1775, Boone blazed this trail—also called the Wilderness Road—during his westward trek through the Cumberland Gap to establish a colony amidst hostile Native American tribes. Later, the road was used by thousands of settlers traveling to Kentucky and beyond.
PIT STOP: Take a quick look at this site and consider what it took to blaze the first road towards Westward Expansion.

Northwest Trading Post
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The 50-year-old 
Trading Post showcases and sells homemade goods—from jams and baked goods to pottery and quilts and local antiques—from the 11 counties of northwest North Carolina. As a bonus, a recently added visitors center on the site is a great starting point for 
exploring the parkway.
TIP: After shopping at the Trading Post, set out hiking towards Julian Price Memorial Park, which will lead you in the direction of Boone, Blowing Rock, and Grandfather Mountain.

9. Small-town Charm
Shopping & Dining on Main Street: Saluda

Experience the small-town atmosphere that permeates one of Polk County’s treasured townships. A place of beauty and fresh mountain air, Saluda is a gem for those looking for a down-home escape. Take a stroll down historic Main Street to visit the many shops, such as the Heartwood Gallery, which sells delicate porcelain sculpture, pottery, and original prints and paintings by area artists. For secluded and romantic overnight stays, lodging options range from rustic log cabins at Bear Creek Lodge to luxurious retreats around Saluda Mountain Lake. (828) 859-6236, www.saluda.com

Dining: Wildflour Bakery, (828) 749-9224
Accommodations: Bear Creek Lodge, (828) 749-9647
Shopping: Heartwood Gallery, (828) 749-9365

— Sam Laney

10. Grape Expectations
Banner Elk Winery: Banner Elk

Past rolling hills and Christmas tree farms, the telltale geometrical pattern of short, bright green growths denote only one thing: vineyards. Grapes are the newest crop to change the look of the mountain countryside that once sprouted tobacco, and Banner Elk Winery leads the way as the first commercial winery in North Carolina’s High Country.

Vintner Dr. Richard Wolfe, a retired chemical engineer, created a flagship program in conjunction with Appalachian State University for farmers wishing to replant their land with grapes, guaranteeing the purchase of a certain amount each year. Not only do the farmers win, but consumers do too with an enjoyable North Carolina wine (supplemented with more mature Virginia grapes) and the full winery experience right in the mountains.

The two-year-old winery, located on a 20-acre old blueberry farm, grows Franco-American 
varietals as well as American grapes for its seyval blanc, chardonnay, Banner Elk White, Nouveau Francesco, Banner Elk Red, and cabernet sauvignon. Try these interesting young wines at the 30-foot tasting bar in the cavernous main building, or come for one of the popular themed wine dinners. Wolfe will often take guests into the “laboratory” for a barrel tasting amidst great oak casks, glass beakers, and other curious oenological equipment. Wolfe has also created a luscious blueberry dessert wine from the 25-year-old farm’s harvest, and plans on making a traditional eiswein during future mountain freezes.

Wolfe’s wife, Dede Walton, plays hostess at the lovely Villa at Blueberry Farm on the estate, with its eight elegant rooms with views, cozy common 
spaces, sun-splashed patios, and a sumptuous breakfast upon waking. — Constance Richards

Banner Elk Winery
& Villa at Blueberry Farm
60 Deer Run Lane, Banner Elk
www.bannerelkwinery.com; (828) 260-1790
www.blueberryvilla.com; (828) 898-9099
Rates range from $175 to $289 per night.

11. High Style
Cashiers Designer Showhouse: Cashiers

To get a taste of the mountains sans hiking boots, head to the 11th annual Cashiers Designer Showhouse (August 16-31), where 17 decorators will divvy up the rooms of a rustic lakefront abode. Featured designer Charles Faudree, internationally known for his French country interiors, will infuse the main room of the house with his trademark décor. After perusing each room, stop over at the caretaker’s cottage, which houses the boutiques and a lunch café hosted by the Savory Palate. For a sneak peak at the designers’ handiwork, get a ticket ($375 per couple) to the “mountain chic” Patron Party on Friday, August 15. Other special events include lectures by renowned designer Bunny Williams and Charleston’s own Janet Porcher Gregg, who will speak on their creative philosophies. For information, log on to www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org.

12. Sounds Like Summer

Pickin' in the Park
Shindig on the Green: Asheville
When the sun starts its lazy descent over the mountains this summer, lightning bugs aren’t the only creatures outside enjoying dusk. Folks are gathered at Asheville’s Martin Luther King Jr. Park, sitting in lawn chairs and lying on blankets. Others, whether seasoned veterans or novice players, have brought their instruments to jam on the green or perform onstage. It’s along about sundown—or 7 p.m., if you wear a watch—and Shindig on the Green will be starting any minute.

As Mountain Dance & Folk Festival’s relaxed, outdoor companion concerts, Shindig is a valuable venue for musicians and audiences alike. There’s no scheduled list of performers, though many are regulars, back for another session of informal music making. New talent emerges every year, and the stage lineup unfolds throughout the evening. But the crowd knows exactly what style of entertainment to expect: big circle mountain dancing; clogging; bluegrass, traditional, and old-time string bands; ballad singers; and storytellers. Stake out a spot, slip off your sandals and join in the jamming.

June 28; July 5, 12, & 19; & August 9, 16, 23, & 30
www.folkheritage.org

—Viktorija Krulikas

School of Bach
Brevard Music Center Institute & Festival: Brevard
In the world of student performance, nervous, squirming, and wobbly tempos come with the territory—except for the shows at Brevard Music Center’s Summer Festival. After a highly competitive application process, 400 students from across the United States and around the world congregate at BMC under the mentorship of working professionals and 65 instructors. With the artistic direction of Keith Lockhart, an alumnus and conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, these skilled pupils will share the stage with world-renowned musicians, such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, in addition to noted alumni and professionals, during 80 public concerts that will appeal to every ear.
In addition to the already classically diverse schedule—from orchestral and chamber music to opera—the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble will drop in June 28 with their upbeat New Orleans sounds. Later, trumpeter Doc Severinsen will join top Latin artists for El Ritmo de la Vida, the “Rhythm of Life,” which will interpret Spanish classical songs into jazz.

Catch a glimpse at the inner workings of this educational program for talented professionals and young musicians and experience the brilliance of classical music, opera, and jazz through the eyes of both the teacher and the pupil.

—Brian Gallagher

June 27-August 10, www.brevardmusic.org, (828) 862-2105

Party at George’s House
Biltmore Estate’s Summer Concert Series: Asheville
A cowboy, a construction worker, a police officer, a leatherman, a soldier, and an American Indian chief walk into the winery at the Biltmore Estate.... Nope, there isn’t a punch line here. But it could very well happen this August when The Village People play the Biltmore Estate’s Summer Evening Concert Series, now in its 12th season. Among the other, decidedly less disco, performers are Celtic-inspired dancers and musicians The Stepcrew and Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman. But the giants in the lineup are empress of soul Gladys Knight and B.B. King, all performing in the shadow of Asheville’s crown jewel estate.

—Rita Larkin

August 1–15
(800) 411-3812
www.biltmore.com/visit/calendar/concerts.asp

13. Get Crafty

Penland School of Crafts Auction
August 8 & 9
Penland
Get your checkbook and bidding arm ready. This August, art collectors will have a chance to bid at—and support—Penland School of Crafts near Spruce Pine. Among the works of 225 craftspeople from across the country—including clay, drawings, glass, metalwork, letterpress, paintings, textiles, and wood—there will be four international artists representing Canada, the U.K., Italy, and Japan. There’s already a buzz about two sculptures, each valued at $20,000. The first is Charlotte artist Bob Troutman’s wood sculpture of a man in a suit with his tie flying back over his shoulder, the second a ceramic woman holding a large fish by Esther Shimazu of Hawaii. Tommie Rush, a glass artist in Knoxville, Tennessee, has created brightly colored glass vases for the centerpieces to be sold by silent auction. Consider it a courtesy for attendees too timid to raise their paddles.

—Marla H. Milling

Tickets for the weekend are $375. One-day tickets cost $200 for August 8, and $250 for August 9. Absentee bids will be accepted with a $25 bidder fee. (828) 765-2359, www.penland.org

Toe River Studio Tour
June 14-15
Spruce Pine
Unless your particular superpower is teleportation, you probably aren’t going to see all of the 150-plus artists showing and selling their handiwork during the Toe River Studio Tour. No matter though, you wouldn’t want to skip the scenic drives that crisscross Yancey and Mitchell counties, revealing contemporary and traditional art treasures at every turn. To start your road trip, check in at the Spruce Pine TRAC gallery to grab a map and see a sampling of works by participating artists. Better yet, attend the opening reception on June 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery so you can hit the road early the next morning. www.toeriverarts.org/studiotour

River District Artists Studio Stroll
June 14-15
Asheville
Reborn from manufacturing plants that fell on hard times, the River Arts District is now an inspirational melting pot for dozens of artists working in many media. These virtuosos allow visitors to step into the creative process during the district’s 15th annual self-guided stroll through repurposed warehouses along the banks of the French Broad River. Watch as a canvas fulfills its destiny, witness an enormous metal sculpture come to life at the command of its master, or simply shake hands with a local art icon. If you find a piece you can’t live without, buy it. After this stroll, you may just become a collector. www.riverdistrictartists.com

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
July 17-20
Asheville
The Asheville Civic Center never looks more becoming (on the inside, mind you) than when it is adorned with creations by Southern Highland Craft Guild members during the biannual craft fair. The quality and craftsmanship of the pieces shown by more than 200 artists attract collectors, museum buyers, and gallery owners. Novices get a crash course in Appalachian art in its many forms and a chance to invest in regional culture. In its 61st year, the craft fair is the quintessential representation of handcrafted designs in clay, fiber, leather, metal, paper, wood, mixed media, and jewelry. Demonstrations by artists and live mountain music performances bring home the experience.

—Rita Larkin

www.southernhighlandguild.org

14. Run Like the Wind
Mountain Races: Brevard, Boone, & Spruce Pine

Looking for something a little more challenging than the Lowcountry’s flat streets and tame trails? Check out these mountain runs.

Firecracker Run—July 4
If you happen to find yourself in beautiful Brevard on the Fourth of July, rise early and hit this annual 5K/10K run, now in it’s 13th year. Soak in the cool atmosphere of the Pisgah National Forest, and afterwards stroll downtown, which will be blocked off for a full-day celebration featuring shopping, live music, and tons of food. {Proceeds benefit the Brevard Rotary Foundation’s associated charities.}
www.brevardrotary.org/firecrackerrun2008.cfm

Grandfather Mountain Marathon—July 12
Not for the casual jogger, this 26.2-mile, 40-year-old race is billed as one of America’s toughest marathons. Beginning at Appalachian State University in Boone, the course winds through the mountains, over the Blue Ridge Parkway, and up long, steep climbs to McRae Meadows, where 15,000 spectators await your arrival. {Proceeds benefit various local charities.}
www.hopeformarrow.org

Springmaid Splash 10K Trail Run—August 23
Set in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, this challenging race takes runners along flat fields and over mountain paths of rocks and roots. An added bonus: participants slosh through the river four times, providing a great cool down in the summer sun. For those who balk at taking on 6.2 miles, the three-mile “Peace Like a River” trail race provides a sampling of the tamer parts of the 10K course. {Net proceeds benefit the Fuel Fund for needy families and the Mount Mitchell Runners Club.}
www.mitchellraces.com/springmaidsplash/index.html

15. Take a Swing

Public golf courses in WNC

With stunning views and championship layouts, these public golf courses—in town and country—showcase mountain golf at its very best.

Asheville Municipal Golf Course
The oldest course in WNC, Asheville’s Muni was designed by famed architect Donald Ross in 1927. Inexpensive and challenging, the course—curling along the Swannanoa River—has fast, firm greens and varies from wide-open to heavily wooded and narrow. (828) 298-1867, www.ashevillenc.gov Greens Fee: $36

Boone Golf Club
Set deep in the heart of Watauga Valley, the gently rolling fairways, large greens, and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains make for an unforgettable round at this half-century-old course. (866) 532-4653, www.boonegolfclub.com Greens Fees: $21-$44

Mount Mitchell Golf Club
Garnering four-and-a-half out of five stars from Golf Digest, the Mount Mitchell course features bent-grass tees, fairways, and greens set amidst the Toe River Valley. Onsite accommodations make it easy to play to your heart’s content. (828) 675-5454, www.mountmitchellgolfresort.com
Greens Fee: $59-$89

Rock Barn Golf & Spa
Offering both Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and Tom Jackson courses, Rock Barn is a slice of heaven. Both take full advantage of the meandering terrain and elevation changes. After your round, slip into the 20,000-square-foot spa and relax in the therapeutic waterfall, whirlpools, and steam rooms. (828) 459-1125, www.rockbarn.com
Greens Fee: $60-$90

{For additional courses, visit www.charlestonmag.com. }