Seasonal News from Wakeman Realty

North Carolina is home to 10 outdoor historical dramas, more than any other state in the nation. Horn in the West, now in its 51st season, is the nation's oldest Revolutionary War drama. Over 1.3 million people have seen the play since it opened in 1952.

A production of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, Horn in the West brings to life the rugged idealism of Daniel Boone and the endurance of settlers that whittled out lives for themselves in the Blue Ridge Mountains back in the days when butter was churned and colonialism was overturned.

Horn in the West emphasizes Daniel Boone's role in leading families seeking to escape British rule. The story personalizes historical events by following the Stuart family, of the Hillsborough settlement in Eastern North Carolina. The Stuarts leave Hillsborough after the Battle of Alamance in 1771, during which a band of revolutionary colonists are defeated. Following the call of freedom, the family settles in the Blue Ridge Mountains where they find strength, happiness, love and the warmth of frontier community.

When will the colors be at their height?" is the question fielded this time of year by Travel Counselors at the North Carolina High Country Host, in Boone. "Gosh, uh, gee, I dunno..." is often the reality of the underlying message, although these fine folks do try their best to offer this assertion with some degree of knowledgeable expertise.

The sad truth is that nobody can pinpoint the moods of Mother Nature. The so-called "height of the colors" (if such a thing, in fact, exists) is dependent not on educated guesswork but the weather patterns of the region. The colors of autumn are subject to rain, how much or how little; sunlight, too much or not enough; and cold snaps, which can be either too cold or not cold enough, even though all readings may be below the freezing mark.

The fall of 2007 is spectacular.  Colors have never been more brillant.  The sky is blue, the hills burn with reds, yellows, orange and sienna and...green.  Yes, green.

Due to our extended summer-like weather the hills are still green and lush in spite of the dry conditions.

The farmers market closes its season the end of October, but will be open for Halloween.  And what could be better than to plan a trip to our mountains during the Holiday Season. 

Fall here in the mountains of North Carolina and  Tennessee  is everything you ever hoped fall could be :  crisp golden days and cool sit-by-the-fire evenings.  Whether you are a first time visitor, or a long-time resident, this is a great time of year to enjoy the high country.

October comes alive with a symphony of autumn leaves in every shade of yellow, red and gold.  The light, the vistas, the colors,  draw artist, photographers , and writers from all over the world.

Go early on a Saturday morning and enjoy the harvest at the farmer's market. Take home bundles of hydrangeas, fruit preserves, organic sweet basil and tomatoes, kennebec potatoes (a mountains staple), and ripe apples. Enjoy the sweet aroma of wood smoke and ripe apples and let nature walk you into the holidays one golden day at a time.

There is the Woolly Worm Festival,  the Valley Crucis Fair, Appalachian State University football games, challenging golf courses and lots of shopping for the energetic.

Jim Wayne Miller, an Appalachian poet wrote, "the mountains have come closer."  This is so true right now, right here.

Ya'll come.

October 19-20, 2002.

Al Roker, move over. There's a different weather forecaster around who is just as lovable and works for a lot less cash. It's the woolly worm! For generations, folks in the High Country have been studying the fuzzy black and brown bands on woolly worms to determine what sort of winter we will have.

Each band represents a different week during the 13 weeks of winter. The black bands indicate harsh, cold and snowy weather while the brown bands represent milder weeks. This information is particularly helpful to the local ski industry and people debating the merits of snow tires.

Celebrating The High Country Harvest

24th Annual Valle Country Fair October 20, 2007

When the last of the corn has been pulled from the stalk and all of the canning is done for the year, it is a mountain tradition to get together with other member of the community to swap stories, recipes, and a few mason jars of our best jams and preserves. This tradition lives on at the Valle Country Fair on Hwy. 194 in the beautiful Watauga County area known as Valle Crucis.

The berries begin to ripen in July, the Boone Farmer's Market is in full swing, and Appalachian Summer brings on a celebration of music, dance and comedy. Horn in the West focuses on the history of our early days, and Summer Theater in Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and near by Abingdon Virginia will satisfy even the most sophisticated visitors.

Restaurants range from as down home as Sonny's Grill in Blowing Rock to the more upscale Coffey's in Boone, and Jackalopes View in Banner Elk.

The Blue Ridge Mountains continue to attract artists, musicians, crafts people and writers who are all anxious to educate as well as entertain. Local musicians perform in the tradition of Doc Watson and old time fiddlers who likely as not will be young'ans. And story telling is at is best.

Trout fishing, hiking, mountain climbing and ladies don't forget the shopping. And if you have a car filled with children needing to get the city off, take them to Tweetsie, or hitch a ride in a canoe, visit our very own small-town zoo, sign them up as Junior Forest Rangers, or better still give them a paper cup, a clear mountain stream and you will be shocked by the tiny critters they will find to show you. Don't forget a visit to feed the bears on Grandfather Mountain, and take a look at the cougars and eagles while you're at it. Go trail riding on horseback or bicycle.

Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee National Forest, Roan Mountain State Park, Watauga Lake, the New River, the Watauga River, just to name a few of the most scenic vistas you could ask for. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretching from Linville Falls to Doughton Park takes about an hour and a half to drive, but the spell it cast on you will last a lifetime.

Whether you choose to stay in one of the many resorts, cabins, motels or campgrounds, there is not a more wonderful place to spend your vacation than exploring the wonders of the North Carolina and Tennessee. Come visit our Blue Ridge section of the Appalachian Mountains and you just might decide to make your home here or buy a second home.

And here it is the summer of 2006. While spring takes her on sweet time coming to the Mountains of the Blue Ridge, summer rushes in knowing her stay is short and mercy sakes alive there is so much to do. There are gardens to grow, trees to leaf, streams and springs waiting for sweet water rain, hay meadows to bless with soft breezes, and animals to fatten. She does all of this with such ease you don’t notice. One day you’re riding along wondering if the fields and forest will ever green out and the next day you can’t see the forest for the leaves or the meadows for the high grass and wild flowers. We humans worry about our everyday trauma, while magic surrounds us.

Summer brings outdoor festivals and dramas, picnic baskets, hikers, potters, artists, writers, story tellers, plays, musicians and folks from the big cities anxious to join in the fun.

Our air is clear and we all work to keep it that way. The raspberries, blueberries and cherries are ripe and the black berries and apples will be soon.  Streams are full of trout and the Appalachian Summer Festival, sponsored by Appalachian State University, is underway. 

Come be a part of our community. It is timeless.

One thing is certain, while the leaves are down the landscape becomes more visible, more dramatic.  It is a good time to see and walk property lines and enjoy unobstructed views. 

Our home faces east on the south slope of the Blue Ridge Parkway where we watch the sun rise on clear, crisp mornings.  Each day as the winter solstice approaches we see the sun rise just a bit farther south, pause and begin its winter journey back to the north.  The birds and squirrels join us for breakfast, and we wonder what the folks do in the flat lands for entertainment.

Frank and Ellen LaMartina work with us now.   We are lucky to have them and between all of us we promise to keep you well informed.

Thanks for visiting our web site and we hope to see you soon.