07.10.2023

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Today’s Forecast

42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

⛰️ Our guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway

Our guide to visiting 7 of the best national parks

A view of the mountains of the blue ridge with the sun peaking through clouds above.

Prepare for spectacular blue views. | Photo via the National Parks Service

Miles of roadways framed by sweeping mountain views, thriving greenery, and plenty of places to pull off and hike? Yes, please. Spanning from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge is a driveable, scenic experience.

Fun fact: If you wanted to drive along all 469 miles, you’d be looking at a ~12 hour trip.

🚗 Getting there

There are four primary entrances here in Asheville. Find an access point close to you — you’ll see beautiful mountains wherever you land. Note that the National Park Service advises that GPS units do not work well for the Parkway.

🕐 Open hours and seasons

The Parkway road is open year-round. Check before you go for any road closures. As for park facilities, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and the Folk Art Center are open year round. If you’re headed for another facility, check operating dates.

Trees frosted with snow in front of winter mountains and a sun rise. — Camp for a chance to catch mountain sunrises.
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Photo by @wncphototours

🏕️ Camping

There are eight parkway campgrounds open May through October (see schedules for specific dates). Reserve campsites in advance, and note that there might be a fee.

You can backcountry camp at three designated spots: Rock Castle Gorge (milepost 167.1), Basin Cove (milepost 239.2), and Johns River Road (milepost 296.9). For this bare-bones camping, read up on bear safety, hiking etiquette, and if you’ll need a backcountry camping permit.

Bonus: See our guide to the best places to camp around Asheville.

🥾 Hiking

The good news: There are tons of nearby trails to choose from. We love this interactive map to find a trail near your entry point (select “Hiking trails” as a filter).

🚣 Fishing and boating

Julian Price Lake at milepost 297 hosts canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals. Most boats are $20 for the first hour and $10 each additional hour.

For fishing, you’ll need a valid NC fishing license. In the lakes, you might find bass, bream, and bluegill, while streams (and some lakes) are stocked with trout.

Want to hit the road? Check out our guide to national parks across the country.

Explore more

Events

Monday, July 10

Tai Chi for Beginners | Monday, July 10 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Dragon Phoenix, 51 N. Merrimon Ave. #109, Asheville | $13-$15 | Practice the Yang 10 and 24 forms along with some Qigong exercises.

Tuesday, July 11

Cribbage in the Park | Tuesday, July 11, Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | West Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave., Asheville | Free | Engage in some friendly competition at this event for all skill levels — light refreshments will be provided..

Wednesday, July 12

Celebration of the Ancients | Wednesday, July 12 | 6-9 p.m. | Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Asheville | $50-$75 | Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance with snacks, bubbly, and a dance performance by the cast of “Cleopatra.”
Gingerbread in July | Wednesday, July 12 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the launch of enrollment of The National Gingerbread House Competition — plus, honor The Omni Grove Park Inn’s 110th anniversary on the last day of this event.

Thursday, July 13

PIE_ZAA & Pint Night | Thursday, July 13 | 5 p.m. | 12 Bones Brewing, 2350 Hendersonville Rd., Arden | Free entry | Enjoy beer specials and a slice of the special collaboration pie, with a BBQ base, smoked chicken, poblano peppers, pickled onions + okra, and smoked pineapple.
Public Tour: The Art of Food | Thursday, July 13 | 6-7 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | $0-$15 | Tour food-themed drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other artwork as part of “The Art of Food” traveling exhibit.

Saturday, July 22

Save and Seal the Summer | Saturday, July 22 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | WNC Farmers Market , 570 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Learn preserving techniques from community experts + farmers at the brand new WNC FoodWorks Kitchen at the WNC Farmers Market — Space is limited, so sign up for your free ticket today.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Older Adults

How to allow your aging loved one to live at home (safely)

AVL-Mission Health PACE elderly.5.8.23.jpg

CarePartners PACE recently celebrated a $5.2 million expansion to it’s program. | Photo via Freepik

Not every older person can or wants to live in a care home — but that can leave family and caretakers concerned about them living safely at home.

A solution: Mission Health’s CarePartners PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). Designed for people age 55+ who need home support, the program provides community-based care + services for people who might otherwise need nursing home-level care.

The result: Seniors retain their independence while being safely looked after in the comfort of their home.

See care services + eligibility

News Notes

Civic

On Thursday, July 6, the Federal Highway Administration awarded a $21.4 million grant to the NCDOT to complete the Ecusta Rail Trail. The 18.8 mile trail follows an abandoned railroad route, connecting the statewide bike route system with Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Watch

Remember back in January when the Hallmark Channel filmed at the Biltmore? The Hallmark Channel shared a sneak peak of “A Biltmore Christmas” on its YouTube channel, with the full film set to be released this holiday season. Watch the clip. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

History

On July 10, 1915, George Masa arrived in WNC. Not only was he influential in documenting and mapping areas of the Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains through photography — but he was also one of the first to advocate for its preservation. Learn more about his legacy.

Film

Uncover Flat Rock’s unique and hidden history with One Life, One Legacy Films. Attend the screening for part one of the documentary, “To Protect and Preserve: Historic Flat Rock’s Legacy to Keep,” on Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. at Pack Memorial Library.

Travel

From stunning scenes in Iceland to goofy highland cows in Scotland, UNC Asheville’s Study Abroad Program travelers have seen it all. Seventeen unbelievable images recently won the university’s study abroad photo contest — all captured by students, faculty, and staff during their adventures around the world.*

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Curious to learn more about the life of George Masa? Local filmmaker Paul Bonesteel’s documentary “The Mystery of George Masa” is a perfect place to start.

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