SCHOOLS NEAR THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

We are often asked about the schools in our area. Without question, North Carolina has some of the nation’s top-ranked colleges and universities such as The University of North Carolina, Duke University, Wake Forest University, Davidson College, and others.

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is surrounded by award-winning public schools as well and an exceptional, unique private school located in the Celo community near the property. Our children can begin with a great pre-school experience such as the one offered by the Church Street Preschool. Micaville Elementary has received the honor of “School of Distinction”, East Yancey Middle School is an “Honor School of Excellence” – ranking Seventh in state testing with 93.7 % passing the tests and an unprecedented 99% making passing scores on the math tests. East Yancey has also been named a “”School to Watch” since 2005 for innovative, successful instructional programs when compared to other schools in the nation. Mountain Heritage High School has garnered many awards and recognitions ranging from a top state drama department to on-site campus programs where students and community volunteers come together to build a Habitat for Humanity house and paint Quilt Blocks in art classes for the award-winning non-profit, the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina (which The Cove at Celo Mountain underwrites). The Yancey County students recently aced the Annual Yearly Progress testing with a perfect score of 100%. (As a comparison, Avery County was the only other system in the region to have all of its schools meet AYP requirements. Mitchell got 50%, Madison 71.1%, Asheville 33.3% and McDowell 83.3%. Only 4 school systems in the entire western part of the state scored 100%, and Yancey was one of those.)

Just up the road from THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is the Arthur Morgan School, “an experiential boarding and day middle school (grades 7-9) based on Quaker values.” It is a cutting edge school experience that is an extension of the Montessori method – a farm school with meaningful work and academics. For more information watch the AMS documentaries at the link listed below.

The Cove at Celo Mountain is a half-day trip or less from the state’s (and nation’s) top-ranked universities and colleges – making this private gated community near Asheville, N.C. a perfect getaway for parents, collegians, professors, coaches, and academic researchers – a respite from the rigors of academia and some of the most competitive sports conferences in America. Our
mountain properties and mountain homes Cabins and Mountain Properties for sale with dramatic mountain views are perfect for relaxing, re-energizing, and re-invigorating. The long-range and short-range mountain views, 3 miles of manicured hiking trails, numerous streams, creeks, trout ponds, and waterfalls are ideal for stimulating creative thinking and writing. After all, our many nationally and internationally renowned artists (more, per capita, than anywhere else in America) must be on to something that inspires them in these ancient mountains.

All ages, from youth to the emeritus population, will find the lifestyle in and around The Cove at Celo Mountain a transforming experience. Visit us at http://www.celoliving.com/, and then experience this beautiful sanctuary setting on one of our Special Discovery Packages.


For more information on the Arthur Morgan School: AMS

FAVORITE FALL FESTIVALS and EVENTS

Yancey County Dream Home Tour
The home of Paul and Susan Crutchfield - THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

Nestled among the trees at Celo Mountain, Paul “Bubba” and Susan Crutchfield’s home was built using materials native to the area and boasts a view spanning seven ridgelines that reach to the Blue Ridge Parkway http://www.mayland.edu/foundation/hometour.html

There is only one thing that surpasses the beauty of our celebrated fall foliage here along the Blue Ridge Parkway. And that is the beauty within The Cove at Celo Mountain. A typical comment of those who tour this property is that it looks like an upscale part of a National Park. The fall foliage within this private gated community near Asheville, NC is only enhanced by the numerous creeks, streams, trout ponds, waterfalls, manicured hiking trails, mountain properties, mountain homes and beautifully appointed cabins for sale with dramatic mountain views. The quaint, historic “small-town America” communities that surround us celebrate this beauty in a big way with annual fall festivals and events. These are a few of the more popular upcoming events:

OLD TIMEY DAYS Fall Festival on the historic town square of Burnsville, NC - September 25 - The Yancey County Cultural Resource Commission presents Old Timey Day on Sept. 25th, 2010. This is a celebration and preservation of our heritage. Demonstrations of yesterdays crafts, traditional mountain music, clogging, antique tractors and cars, games, food and much more. See you there!
Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival – September 25 – along the creek in Bakersville Historic, scenic, and home to a show featuring some of the finest regional art & craft to be found anywhere! Come discover our mountain paradise!

Music in the Mountains Fall Festival – October 2 in Burnsville Towne Center - The Toe River Arts Council's 25th Annual Music in the Mountain Folk Festival will be held on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at your Burnsville Town Center. The passion of this festival is the preservation of traditional mountain music and culture through authenticity, integrity and respect. The participants in this festival pride themselves learning from the old timers and honoring their songs, stories and musical styles.
Harrell Hill Farms Family Farm Festival – October 2 in Bakersville - Featuring live music, food and molasses-making. Activities will start at 10 AM and go until the molasses are done. Bring the kids and have fun on the farm!
Penland School of Crafts Core Show 2010 in Bakersville area – Oct 5 – Nov 14 - Work by Penland's current core fellowship students. Items For Purchase
Fall Celebration of Arts – Toe River Arts Council – Oct-9 – Nov 6 – with more artists in these two counties than anywhere in America (per capita) and many of those nationally acclaimed, this is a must-see for art lovers - A juried exhibition of area artists from Yancey, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, McDowell counties
Mineral City Heritage Festival in Spruce Pine – Oct 9 Enjoy original crafts, good food, apple butter, antique tractor show, local authors, model train display, and music at the Carolina Theatre. Festivities in downtown Spruce Pine from 10am - 4pm.
Spruce Pine Potters Market – Oct 9-10 - Join us this fall at the Spruce Pine Potters Market for a unique gathering of our region's greatest potters and clay artists. Come enjoy wonderful food and beautiful handmade pottery on a colorful autumn weekend in the historic Cross Street Building in Spruce Pine North Carolina.

Yancey County Dream Home Tour – October 15-16 Join Mayland Community College's Foundation for an exciting day as we offer you a glimpse into some unique and magnificent homes located in "our own backyard!" This will highlight one of the estate homes at The Cove at Celo Mountain.
Plus weekend live music at the Burnsville Town Center and Carolina Theater and the Altapass Orchard (on the Blue Ridge Parkway)

Be inspired by our art and artists, be connected to what is simple and pure in small-town America, be transformed by the beauty of this land and these people.

The Cove at Celo Mountain, http://www.celoliving.com/

FABULOUS FALL FOLIAGE

One of the most debated things in our Blue Ridge Mountains is which season is the most beautiful. Some prefer the vernal palette of spring when our mountains burst forth in blooms with wild rhododendron, mountain laurel, trillium, dogwood and a host of other native beauties. Some prefer the endless perfection of summer days and nights with mountain activities to enjoy like rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, swimming in our plentiful old-fashioned swimming holes, or just lying in the hammock on the porch watching the fire flies and wildlife. Winter is a veritable wonderland – so quiet and peaceful you can actually hear the snow fall. I don’t know if there is anything more wonderful than being safely snuggled in a cozy mountain cabin beside a roaring fire. But, without a doubt, our most celebrated season of all by those outside of our area, is our fabulous fall foliage season along the Blue Ridge Parkway.


The Cove at Celo Mountain is located along the routes that are annually listed by Buncombe County Tourism (Asheville) as the Top Scenic Routes in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. Here is the latest write-up about the highways and byways that surround us:

"Early Fall Scenic Drives

In the early fall, the best scenic drives are at the highest elevations in the Asheville area. Here is a list of great fall scenic drives for late September and early October.
US Highway 19
From Asheville, follow US 19/23 north from downtown, taking US 19E to Burnsville. Continue your drive along 19E to the town of Spruce Pine, stopping along the way to take in the spectacular views of the Black Mountains and Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. at 6,684 feet. To return to Asheville, take US 19E back to Burnsville and US 19/23 south into the city."(US Highway 19 E was just named a State Scenic Drive by North Carolina DOT.)

80 South runs to the east of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN and to Mt. Mitchell about 30 minutes higher up. This is also one of North Carolina’s State Scenic Drives.
And, in case you are wondering which trees make our mountains this patchwork color, here is a partial list:

• Dogwood: red
• Sweetgum: red to purple
• Red Maple: red to orange
• Oaks: red to brown
• Poplars: yellow
• Birches: yellow
• Mountain Ash: yellow
Provided by Nantahala Outdoor Center
Come enjoy this spectacular time of the year with us. Pull off on any 1 of these designated national and state scenic drives - I -26, US 19E, US 80 S, the Blue Ridge Parkway - (they surround us on all 4 sides!) and stop in at THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN. Hike our 3 miles of manicured hiking trails. Feed the trout in the ponds, picnic by the 30-foot cascading waterfall, grill hot dogs and s’mores at one of the 5 park outdoor cook areas, sit back in the hand-made rustic outdoor furniture and savor the beauty of these ancient mountains (some of the oldest on earth) and this pristine sanctuary we call THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN. Experience the simple elegance of our Cabins at Celo or Brookhaven on Ayles Creek – both, of course, with outdoor living areas complete with stone fireplaces. Get away from the rush and fuss of city living – back to a simpler way of life, back to the healing power of life lived close to the land. It is time for a little Rustic Rejuvenation.
The Cove at Celo Mountain is a private gated community near Asheville, N.C. offering mountain properties and mountain homes for sale with dramatic mountain views. Browse our selection of Black Mountain Homes, Cabins and Mountain Properties at http://www.thecoveatcelomountain.com/.

For more information (quoted above)
http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/seasonal-fun/fall-color-in-the-asheville-area/off-the-beaten-path/early-fall-scenic-drives/index.aspx