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| Blowing Rock |
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renda Beatty calls the beauty of the mountains “awe-inspiring” and the peaceful small-town atmosphere “delightful.”
“I lived in Texas forever and it’s so nice to have four seasons,” she said about her home at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock.
Her husband, David, is equally enamored with the area but for different reasons. The couple had searched many locations for a retirement community and wanted the walkability of living less than three miles from town.
“We both love to hike about 4-5 miles each day,” he explained, noting that behind their home, 25 miles of carriage trails invite exploration. He also is particularly enthusiastic about the security. “I was in law enforcement for 30 years and security is an important amenity for us,” he said.
Chetola Resort has a gated, manned security entrance and roving security as well – perfect to help with homeowner problems, or assistance when needed.
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hey both appreciate the tight-knit community, where “everybody knows your name.”
People really seem to appreciate the 100 year-old village, so it’s no wonder that the population all but doubles in the summer.
With unique accommodations including B&Bs, charming inns, chalets and rustic cabins, a getaway to the mountain village of Blowing Rock is an unforgettable experience. Sitting astride the Eastern Continental Divide, it’s the only full-service town directly on the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway.
Fascinating shops offer everything from local crafts to antiques. Just off Main Street, Crippen’s Country Inn & Restaurant has graced the pages of Southern Living and The New York Times, and continues to offer creative cuisine for those who seek innovative cooking.
More than 30 restaurants are nearby – including the Manor House at Chetola Resort, where the Beatty family particularly enjoys the Caesar Salad with Shrimp.
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People really seem to appreciate the 100 year-old village, so it’s no wonder that the population all but doubles in the summer. |
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Cultural events include performances by professional summer stock theatre, concerts and juried arts and crafts shows. And children of all ages enjoy fanciful trips on Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina’s first theme park that provides a nostalgic, scenic ride through the mountains.
The Blowing Rock Stage Company is housed in the new Hayes Performing Arts Center, which presents not only live theatre, but also a variety of musical groups, dance companies, vintage films, lectures and more.
Blowing Rock has made the list of “America’s Best Small Towns,” by
author Norm Crampton, who called it “picture-perfect.”
There is a “real” Blowing Rock, an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below. The wind blows upward, returning light objects tossed over the edge. Far more enduring than believe-it-or-not tricks are the views to be seen from its lookout post.
Have some fun. Get some expert feedback. Post your Blowing Rock questions,
comments and experiences on the "Carolinas
Message Board."
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Katherine O. Pettit has worked as a writer, magazine editor, printer and
public relations consultant. The Columbia resident has published
more than 250 articles in magazines and newspapers. Her writing
explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles, business
and management.
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