tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14141126760745358452010-07-30T13:57:06.735-04:00View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from our home on Beech Mountain NCHeather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125Subscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with Pageflakestag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-34471159049971089522010-07-29T21:42:00.007-04:002010-07-29T21:58:28.471-04:002010-07-29T21:58:28.471-04:00

Last weekend, on local TV in Charlotte, they did a story on the great golfing that is to be experienced on Beech Mountain. You can view the story online: Beech Mountain Club on WCNC, Channel 36, Charlotte.Most of the vacation rentals on Beech Mountain include Club access to non-members as guests of those who own the home where you are staying; so be sure to ask for the details when you reserve

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-18185483929324034152010-07-17T19:46:00.016-04:002010-07-17T20:09:43.667-04:002010-07-17T20:09:43.667-04:00

This morning, we made a quick trip down from Beech Mountain to explore just over the state line into Tennessee a bit. A roughly forty-minute drive took us through as series of little mountain communities, like Eagles Nest, Elk Park, and Cloudland, on our way to Roan Mountain State Park. We found a very nice visitor's center and small museum on the site of the old Peg Leg Iron Ore Mine, and

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-80519401534823294482010-07-15T19:47:00.000-04:002010-07-15T19:47:03.991-04:002010-07-15T19:47:03.991-04:00

Just spent a few lazy hours this afternoon at Lake Coffey in Beech Mountain, endeavoring to catch a Bullfrog Tadpole or two. We didn't have any luck. Those little guys are FAST! Also, their drab coloring and ability to hold very still make them masters at blending into their surroundings, the shallow and mucky edges of Coffey Lake. Since we couldn't catch one in order to get a closer look at

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-20760771124600513442010-07-13T14:46:00.010-04:002010-07-13T17:32:59.860-04:002010-07-13T17:32:59.860-04:00

Just back from stocking up Beech Mountain Bliss with fresh fruits and veggies for the family as we enjoy our Summer escape from the sweltering heat down below. Less than a 20-minute drive from us, on Tynecastle Highway leading out of Banner Elk, Clemmons is a great place to pick up some local produce, as well as good-quality specimens from much further away (since the modern lifestyle we live

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-47064587698166797032010-07-12T20:46:00.002-04:002010-07-13T14:45:58.366-04:002010-07-13T14:45:58.366-04:00

When you have a sunny bright and beautiful day in July up here on Beech Mountain, it's a pleasure to spend an afternoon outdoors at a playground. The wildflowers on the bank overlooking beautiful Buckeye Lake are in full bloom, and the butterflies are going crazy over 'em! (And, unlike at a lot of other places, July afternoons up here typically are mild; so no fear of heatstroke or losing half

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-80521231216537052002010-07-11T15:43:00.008-04:002010-07-11T16:09:49.419-04:002010-07-11T16:09:49.419-04:00

We made a return visit to the Genesis Wildlife Preservation Center's Buckeye Lake location, this time parking at the Beech Mountain Recreation Center and walking along the grassy verge to Genesis. It's not a long walk, and the parking is easier at the Recreation Center. During today's visit, we made the acquaintance of a female deer named Gracie (Doe, a deer, a female deer . . .), who Genesis

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-43253691489388322192010-07-10T21:00:00.000-04:002010-07-10T21:12:00.195-04:002010-07-10T21:12:00.195-04:00

We took a morning this fine July to visit the Valle Crucis Community Park, in Valle Crucis, NC (an approximately 45 minutes' shady drive from Beech Mountain). Located right by the Mast General Store Annex (a.k.a. the Candy Barrel), it's the perfect place for a picnic (or a few hours running off a sugar rush) with the family. Not only are there several shelters and charcoal grills to choose from

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-70206202282991743622010-06-04T16:36:00.010-04:002010-06-04T17:00:23.972-04:002010-06-04T17:00:23.972-04:00

OK, here's another idea for something to do with the older kids: Take Them Go-Karting! It's a small amusement park on Hwy 105, on the left as you head towards Boone; and it's only about 35 minutes' drive from Beech Mountain Bliss. The park is open from Memorial Day thru Labor Day, 7 days per week, from 10:30 a.m. till 10:30 p.m. (It closes for rain). Instead of a set admission price at the

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-87575513148557809182010-05-10T07:28:00.010-04:002010-05-10T07:55:00.327-04:002010-05-10T07:55:00.327-04:00

On June 5th, the weather up on Beech is a special kind of fine, a fact that has attracted lovers of classic cars this Summer. 938 Specialists are holding Sharks on the Mountain at Beech Mountain, NC, this year; and it promises to be the largest gathering of Porsche 928 in the Nation. To top off events, a slow parade of more than 100 of these classic cars will drive down the mountain.

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-91096554515538473602010-05-02T18:00:00.002-04:002010-05-09T15:27:27.386-04:002010-05-09T15:27:27.386-04:00

Town of Beech Mountain Parks & Recreation has a newsletter, "The Buckeye Buzz," which is a good source for learning of the many improvements taking place all over Beech Mountain. Through it, I discovered that one of the more recent ones is the addition of better access to Buckeye Lake off of Buckeye Creek Road, with the addition of a gravel parking lot and 2 trails that lead to the cove,

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-8622190280187731392010-03-07T18:24:00.006-05:002010-03-07T18:36:35.336-05:002010-03-07T18:36:35.336-05:00

One more reason to take advantage of the over one hundred inches of natural snowfall we've had up on the mountain so far this season: Starting Monday, March 8th, rates at the Beech Mountain Resort drop to $20 for a day or twilight ticket, and $10 for a half day or night ticket. Visit the Beech Mountain Resort Site for more information.

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-85193576527051561812010-02-27T20:00:00.001-05:002010-02-27T20:04:14.350-05:002010-02-27T20:04:14.350-05:00

Here's a little research on this year's ski season - particularly on Beech Mountain- so far, together with some useful sites and pages about skiing in North Carolina and surrounding areas . . .Ski Southeast www.skisoutheast.com/skireports.phpThis page has a summary of all the conditions at the resorts. Also there were a few interesting bits of information about Beech Mountain Resort (Ski Beech)

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-57735185420392358832010-02-26T17:07:00.001-05:002010-02-26T17:15:05.690-05:002010-02-26T17:15:05.690-05:00

Well, the word is that Beech Mountain Resort is expecting as much as 40 (Yes, that is Forty, as in Four-O.) more inches of snow on Beech Mountain this weekend! And this after at least two Blizzards in the past month! Of course, this is Weather in N.C. we're talkin' about here; so it could be "as little as 14 inches." (But since when has 14 inches of snow qualified as a "little?") Since their

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-57803650766193719302010-01-25T18:45:00.005-05:002010-01-25T18:55:53.250-05:002010-01-25T18:55:53.250-05:00

Planning has already begun for the Annual Cool 5 Race Weekend to be held in June of 2010. The Race Weekend includes pre-race festivities, a pasta dinner, guest motivational speaker, cook-out, lots of live music, fun, and a series of competitive races on Saturday. You cannot find a nicer place in North Carolina for an outdoor Summer event like this: You have beautiful Beech Mountain to inspire

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-87739416353676605612010-01-13T07:40:00.000-05:002010-01-13T07:52:14.199-05:002010-01-13T07:52:14.199-05:00

So, if you're a parent paying tuition for your college-aged kids, the Beech Mountain Resort can help make your upcoming family ski trip just a little bit more affordable. Ski Beech has made Mondays "College Day." So on Mondays, all skiers with a college id pay only $25 for their lift tickets to ski Beech (normal weekday price $38)! You can find out the details at http://twitter.com/

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-58164771685423693872010-01-07T09:33:00.010-05:002010-01-07T09:43:43.931-05:002010-01-07T09:43:43.931-05:00

Well, the last couple of weeks up on Beech Mountain have been pretty amazing! Our most recent guests were kind enough to forward a few photos they snapped after the last snowstorm. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll stop writing here and let the photographs finish this blog entry!

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-52572772362356559392010-01-04T21:35:00.001-05:002010-01-04T21:37:18.859-05:002010-01-04T21:37:18.859-05:00

It's that time of the year again! Winterfest! Both the Beech Mountain Resort and Town will be keeping the traditions of fun and games in the snow warm and kicking for yet another year with exciting winter sporting events, big sponsors and hilarious competitions! Festivities begin this year on January 9th, with the famed "Bathing Beauty" competition, a Figure Skating Exhibition, live music,

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-55862604392604401562009-12-31T15:58:00.002-05:002009-12-31T16:15:50.562-05:002009-12-31T16:15:50.562-05:00

The Buckeye Recreation Center in Beech Mountain is throwing a Bash just for the Kids with a special New Year’s Eve Party from 6:30 - 8:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 31st, 2009. The event will feature dinner and a bounce house.And if you haven't visited the town of Beech Mountain's new Buckeye Recreation Center before, prepare yourself to be impressed. In addition to state-of-the-art sports facilities

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-27872635763850662892009-12-26T18:46:00.004-05:002009-12-26T19:01:08.881-05:002009-12-26T19:01:08.881-05:00

For avid skiers and winter sports enthusiasts who are looking for a convenient way to keep an eye on skiing conditions up on Beech Mountain, North Carolina, Beech Mountain Resort (a.k.a. Ski Beech) has made available an application for the iPhone and iPod touch which allows users to check on current slope conditions with a live weather feed, interactive trail map, and live web camera. Up to date

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-35448578376245558752009-12-22T10:04:00.003-05:002009-12-22T13:39:29.820-05:002009-12-22T13:39:29.820-05:00

Oh My! Look at all that Snow!!! Winter Weather: Skiers taking advantage of great conditions at Beech Mountain | WNCT

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-29996535133113172762009-12-19T11:44:00.010-05:002009-12-19T13:36:02.934-05:002009-12-19T13:36:02.934-05:00

Gosh, it sure has been Snowing up on Beech! And according to Dr. Ray Russell's team of forecasters, it's not done yet. So we've started out our ski season this year with a whole lot of that white stuff.If you are headed up to the top of the mountain (or in the midst of planning a trip later this winter), you will want to keep yourself apprised of accurate information about what to expect

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-89318413733896028112009-12-17T08:05:00.001-05:002009-12-19T11:43:38.639-05:002009-12-19T11:43:38.639-05:00

Imagine a warm fire, the smell of coffee, and the blue-grey light of a snowy morning waking you just enough to join the rest of the family, all in P.J.s and robes, at the business of breakfast. And what's that other heavenly smell? Freshly baked bread!!Guess what?! We keep a bread maker up at Beech Mountain Bliss condo. Her name is Sue. She's a little noisy, but she doesn't take up much

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-65460095486141000772009-12-11T12:20:00.000-05:002009-12-11T12:21:21.888-05:002009-12-11T12:21:21.888-05:00

The art of punched tin is a very familiar Mountain or Country craft - and was widely produced in the mountains of North Carolina, Virginia, etc., back in the day. I've heard this particular art was brought to our region by Pennsylvania German tinsmiths. Probably most familiar to us nowadays is the antique pie safe with its panels of punched tin to provide ventilation for the baked goods stored

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-1941212648202150472009-12-06T17:39:00.004-05:002009-12-06T17:48:19.249-05:002009-12-06T17:48:19.249-05:00

Well, a welcome bit of snow and some cold temperatures had the kids sledding last Thanksgiving week. And the weather must have encouraged the staff at Beech Mountain Resort to start making some more of that precious white stuff too. The Resort officially opened for the season yesterday. There have been a lot of improvements made to the resort this year. With the addition of snow tubing, and

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414112676074535845.post-65785555945374040672009-12-06T12:51:00.002-05:002009-12-08T13:20:06.003-05:002009-12-08T13:20:06.003-05:00

If you spend any time reading or listening to what life was like in places like Beech Mountain, NC, back in the old days before paved roads, 4-wheel drive (heck, cars!) and electricity/phone transformed things for mountain communities, you might find yourself impressed a time or two with a clever way some individual fashioned something useful out of . . . well, trash. All those rustic

Heather Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265275330246020129noreply@blogger.com1