5 Reasons to come to Asheville in the winter: #2- The NC Arboretum

Asheville, NC hosts a variety of events for the family throughout the year, even when the leaves have gone and the need for a fire in the fireplace creeps in. This is a great time to come and stay with Carolina Mornings at one of our Asheville vacation rentals and use our fireplace!! We are constantly offering deals for our vacation cabins, and Asheville is constantly offering great events for your family! During the months of November and December, the North Carolina Arboretum hosts a showing of Winter Solstice and holiday plants to get us in the mood for the season. The showcase includes ideas on how these plants are associated with the holidays, and gives you ideas on how to bring the holidays into your home (why not start with the vacation rental!). The showing opens on November 14 and runs until January 3, and at the same time the Arboretum has another exhibit on display that really excites me: American Folk Art Houses and Structures. These small houses and structures represent great artistry from the turn of the century- the 20th century- all in miniature. I have so much fun exploring such tiny dwellings as the Gingerbread House exhibits I mentioned last week (see post Nov. 3) and these small but beautifully crafted buildings on display at the Arboretum, especially with children! Bring the kids and be sure to set up your Asheville getaway to enjoy these holiday events. Keep an eye on Carolina Mornings to know what else is coming up!

Roy Williams Comes Home

I graduated from the great University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May, and some of my greatest undergraduate memories involve painting myself Carolina blue, driving thousands of miles to away basketball games (including the Final Four in Detroit!!) and being in the presence of legends.

Which includes my personal favorite coach, Roy Williams.

I had the opportunity to meet Coach Williams a few times and see him in a variety of settings: as a coach, a fundraiser, a Tar Heel and a regular guy. And I must say, he is one of the most genuine people I have ever met.

There is just something that draws you to him. Makes you want to know more. He makes you WANT to be his friend. Even better. He makes you feel like you are one.

So, we are are all in luck! Coach Williams released his first autobiography, "Hard Work: Life On and Off the Court," this week.

Born and raised on a dot on the map of Western NC, Roy Williams reveals details his life from the harsh childhood with an alcoholic father to his superstitions and philosophies of coaching.

Highlights from the book include Coach Williams speaking honestly about learning his mother died while on a recruiting trip, how former UNC coach Bill Gutheridge didn't speak to him for three years after turning down the UNC job for the first time, and earning hugs from big men Sean May and Tyler Hansbrough after winning the 2005 and 2009 National Championships.

So, how good of a coach is he? He has the THIRD highest winning percentage in NCAA HISTORY, he has been inducted to the Hall of Fame and he has lead the UNC Tar Heels to TWO NCAA championships in 4 years (2005 and 2009)

Even better... Coach Williams is returning to Asheville, NC, his birthplace, to pay tribute to his fans and community he loves. He will be signing books on Sunday, December 13th at UNC Asheville's Justice Center. Check out Malaprop's Bookstore for more information!

Are you a big UNC fan? Do you want to come see Coach Williams? Why not make a weekend of it and stay at one of our beautiful cabins in North Carolina. Stay at an Asheville, NC cabin, and even check out the UNC Asheville basketball team take on Montreat at 4:30! What a great adventure for the basketball fan while making weekend in an Asheville vacation rental!

Candle Light tour @ Biltmore Estate Is Ready To Light UP!

Ok, Halloween is over and on Nov 6, Biltmore Estate, in our fair city of Asheville, NC will be starting the Candle Light Tours. Subtext: Christmas at Biltmore is right around the corner. Crates of poinsettias, lights, and other Christmas-like decorations will be adorned throughout the private estate.  Must reserve your tickets in advance for the evening tour, but you can also just do the day tour and use your ticket for 2 days! This makes your visit far more enjoyable to stretch your touring throughout 2 visits. Wanna stay close by, but don't want to stay at your ubiquitous hotel? Stay at Carolina Mornings'
Biltmore Village Condo situated in the Biltmore Village, directly across from the entrance of the Estate. Very convenient and a lovely condo if I do say so myself. Would love to live there full time....

5 Reasons to Come 2 AVL in the Winter: Reason #1 Gingerbread & Asheville- Where People Win Prizes 4 Playing With Their Food!!

Now that the autumn leaves are off the trees and the air is nippy, one may think that Asheville is no longer a destination for family travel. However, this is far from the truth! Asheville begs to have families with and without children come and play. It is that time of year again- time to cozy up for the cold and prepare yourself for a fun-filled holiday season. Why not bring the whole family including your 4 legged furry member to our pet friendly Asheville, NC vacation rentals and enjoy your holidays in the mountains? Asheville has so much to offer this time of year to enjoy with your family!
Reason #1:
One of my very favorites is the National Gingerbread House Competition and Display held every year at the Grove Park Inn. From Nov. 18, 2009 -Jan. 3, 2010 take a gander at this free public display Mon- Thur any time of the day. This is a national competition, so there are entries from around the US. Grove Park now offers guided tours of the gingerbread exhibit, which amongst other things gives you a little knowledge on the gingerbread artists. I am amazed at what people can do with gingerbread and candy-it is truly phenomenal! If you will be visiting western NC earlier than this, don't worry- there are earlier gingerbread displays! Beginning Nov. 7 and running every Saturday through January 2 (5pm) is the Asheville Legendary Inns Gingerbread Tour. You will enjoy a tour from Gray Line Trolleys to "four of Asheville's historic Legendary Inns," visiting exhibits based on "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." If you aren't going to be visiting Asheville for the holidays but know someone who is, this makes a wonderful gift (why not buy a Carolina Mornings Gift Certificate and give a gift of experience)! So, grab the kids (and the dog), reserve a mountain cabin in Asheville, NC and enjoy the holidays on us! And while your at it, leave the dog curled up in the cabin and show the kids when it's okay to play with their food!

Want Beer "Buzz"?

Image by Misserion via Flickr

Looking to try something new on your Asheville, NC vacation? The community has more than 50 local beers that you can try... on draft OR in bottles that you can enjoy in your Asheville cabins.

Thought your evening had to consist of the same boring beverages? Think again! Shake your normal night up with a trip to one of Asheville's six breweries... and there are two more on the way. Neighboring town Black Mountain also has one!

Visit these local breweries for great beer, local flavor and even free beer tastings.

- Green Man: Nicknamed "Dirty Jack's". Provides beer for the popular Celtic pub Jack of the Wood. The Green Man tasting room is open every day 4-9pm AND you can even order kegs of your favorite Green Man beers to take back to your cabins in Asheville, NC to share or keep for yourself!

- Highland Brewery: Asheville's first and largest brewery! The new tasting area is open every Friday from 4-8pm and tours are available every weekday at 4pm! Live music is also featured on Fridays. Recommended brews: Gaelic Ale and Oatmeal Porter

- Asheville Pizza and Brewing: The hopping Brew 'n' Pizza place offers one of a kind beers-- even a "Christmas Jam White Ale" for the holidays! Recommended brew: Shiva IPA and Ninja Porter

- French Broad Brewing Company: Small tasting room with a variety of live local music. French Broad Brewing prides their company with creating traditional European style beers with a flavor of Asheville. Recommended brews: Gateway Kolsch and 13 Rebels Extra Special Bitter.

- Pigsah Brewing Company: All beers here are certified organic! A unique mix of Western NC flair: a tasting room with live music, art gallery, game room, large outdoor space and, of course, a fully functional brewery. Located in Black Mountain, about 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, many locals consider this spot worth the drove. Recommended brews: Pigsah Pale and Endless Summer Golden Ale.

- Wedge Brewing Company: Hosts a bar and tasting room in the quaint location, which even includes an old loading dock and patio. Recommended brews: Payne's Pale and Golem Belgian Ale.

- OysterHouse Brewing: Located inside the Lobster Trap restaurant, the brewery is a hit with seafood and beer lovers alike. The oysters are used in the brewing (i.e. the name) and present the beer with a slightly salty flavor. Recommended brew: Oyster Stout.

Need more proof? Asheville was recently named the East Coast's "Beer City USA" by Examiner. Pretty impressive if you ask me!

While you enjoy your brewski tour across the map of Western, NC, stay at a Carolina Mornings Asheville mountain vacation rental. The perfect place to enjoy the mountain air, the crisp temperature and a perfectly chilled, local Asheville beer!

Bernice King elected president of SCLC!
http://ping.fm/9mwC6

Michael Jackson is alive in Asheville!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

You read it correctly. Michael Jackson is alive in Asheville, NC. Now before you go and call all the tabloids, maybe you should mosey on over to four spots on the Western NC Map that are playing the film devoted to Michael's last moments, "This is It."

The film documents MJ's rehearsal's during his scheduled concert series "This Is It," with on stage and behind the scenes footage. The film is only set to be out for a two-week run in theaters, so you'd better act quick!

In Asheville, the film is playing at the Biltmore Grande, Carolina Asheville, Cinebarre and Carmike. And, get this... for a total of 24 times A DAY! So if you get bored of looking at all the beautiful colors of the trees (HARDLY), you are a fan of MJ, or you are just interested the film, you should certainly check it out!

Want creative ways to get ready for the film? Why not have a moondance contest across the hardwood floors of one of our Asheville Cabin Rentals? OR create your own sequined glove. OR create your own "Thriller" video by decorating your NC mountain cabin.

So, Carolina Mornings wants to know your opinion of the movie! Let us know via twitter or facebook!

Leaf season in western NC- come on, kids, get your hiking boots on!

Image by Carolina Mornings via Flickr

What better way to enjoy autumn than to explore the wonders of leaf season in Asheville, NC! From the middle of October into November the mountains are teeming with vibrant seasonal colors. Plan a family trip to stay with Carolina Mornings in one of our beautiful Asheville vacation rentals, and get out to enjoy the wondrous sights these mountains have to offer! Get the kids all layered and ready if it's nippy and get your hiking boots on!
Warren Wilson College is a short distance from downtown Asheville and the school offers quite a few hiking trails. The area surrounding is beautiful in it's foliage, much of it adorned with the school's own farm animals. Take a minute after the hike to explore Warren Wilson's farm!
Take a quick and scenic drive out to Black Mountain to enjoy the lovely trails at Montreat College. Montreat is known in the area as a great place to hike with the kids because it offers scaled hiking, from easy to difficult. All levels of hikers can find a trail here. Plus, there is a great playground to end the hike with!
And, as always, there is the wonderful Blue Ridge Parkway. A drive along the Parkway is a sight to definitely see during leaf season, and there are trails shooting off into every direction. Get a panoramic view from Craggy Gardens or Mt. Pisgah, or head even further in either direction for more spectacular views. Keep in mind that during this time of year there may be road closures on the Parkway, so check in with the Parkway headquarters before you go.
There are so many places to enjoy hiking with your kids in and around Asheville, too many to list here!! I have listed some of my favorites for hunting season, so as not to worry about keeping a constant eye out!

Halloween Bonaza in Asheville NC-So Many Options To Be Freaked Out!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Why not consider taking a family weekend getaway to Asheville, NC? Staying in one of  our Asheville cabins  we can provide your kids with the comfort you need during this Hallow's Eve season. Go paint the town red  and face your daunting fears but know the warmth and comfort of hot cider and a crackling fireplace await you at your Asheville, NC  vacation rental.  Face your  fears while holding hands with your kids and honey as Asheville, NC has plenty to offer in celebrating this spooky season.
Here is a great itinerary for a family Halloween Getaway:
October 30 - Arrive at your Asheville accommodation, settle in and head out to Mars Hill  for Appalachian Ghost Stories Beneath the Stars  which begins at 7 pm. 
Return to your home away from home and rest up for Halloween Day/Night!
Start October 31st with a homemade breakfast, making sure your costumes are complete and then head out to the Harvest Hoedown from 12p to 3p.  
 What better way to enjoy Trick or Treating in the old historic neighborhood of Montford.  Far spookier than your quintessential suburban neighborhood!  
Before coming back to your Asheville vacation rental to view and eat your treasures, pop into Malaprop's Bookstore for their Graveyard Book Party from 7p-9p and cheer for your kids to win the costume or design-your-own-tombstone contest.
And for families who's kids are grown and couples who decided to come to Asheville, NC this Halloween Weekend without the kids......

Dress up for your own dark night on the town and be ready for the sights you see (and those you can't see...)! Beer City USA offers a Haunted Pub Crawl. Or you can stay put at one venue for the Spirits of Asheville Masquerade at the Haywood Park Hotel at 8pm, featuring one of Asheville's local bands and burlesque (maybe I'll see you there!). Another possibility is Screamfest, a party at the Grove House in all three venues. Whatever your fright, Asheville has a night for you!

NC mountain cabins, North Carolina vacations rentals: November Special at Asheville Mountain Vacation Cabin

A blog written by the employees of Carolina Mornings. We provide a guide to Asheville and Western North Carolina, including our Asheville, NC vacation rentals, with interesting tidbits, events and information.
www.carolinamornings.com

Carolina Mornings, Asheville's Luxury Mountain Vacation Homes Support Green Living!

Carolina Mornings of Asheville, NC, the leading resource of upscale luxury vacation homes supports green business models which reduce waste and conserve energy. We are the first in the area to  institute an EcoFriendly certification program which allows property owners and guests/visitors to participate in minimizing our environmental footprint.

Every Asheville cabin certified as EcoFriendly maintains a recycling program in additional to choosing other green features such as low-wattage light bulbs, heat pumps, low-flow toilets, solar panels, and much more. Owners are encouraged to combine features which reduce carbon emissions, conserve energy and manage resources in a sustainable fashion.

Our offices also qualify as EcoFriendly under the same conditions… meaning that brokers and owners have jointly agreed to share the burden of preserving the natural integrity of Western North Carolina and the planet Earth at large.

EcoFriendly properties may feature the following:

• Recycling (Required)
• Recycled paper products or cloth alternatives
• Solar outdoor lighting for walkways
• Nontoxic cleaning products
• Water saving kitchen and bathroom fixtures
• Low-impact environmental furnishings
• Displacement to reduce toilet waste water
• Properly installed blow insulation
• Energy-saving windows
• Down comforters and renewable-resource linens
• Nontoxic low VOC paint
• Reuseable coffee filters and tea balls
• Composting
• Air purification systems
• Energy-saving appliances
• Fresh heating and air conditioning filters
• Energy-efficient lamps and light fixtures
• Renewable heating sources
• Fresh and tightly sealed weather stripping
• Heating biofuels 
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs
  

At Carolina Mornings, we are trying to make Asheville, NC a better, greener vacation destination by providing our guests with Eco Friendly Asheville vacation rentals.

A Fabulous Day @ Biltmore Estate's Garden in Asheville, NC

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