TAKING THE BITE OUT OF THE COMPETITION - BURNSVILLE AND SPRUCE PINE, NC

OK, this adolescent sited one week while driving my mother on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the bites out of the sign the following month (teething toy?) are probably the explanation for "this" bite out of the competition.

But Burnsville and Spruce Pine, NC are besting the competition with the "old-timers" in more substantive ways. With the passing of the alcohol referendum this past year, years after the competition did so, our FIRST award-winning restaurant is on the rise: Knife&Fork of Spruce Pine is in the upcoming finals of the WNC Chef Challenge.

The Cove at Celo Mountain - the small, sanctuary setting between Burnsville and Spruce Pine - is pulling competition from the west of Asheville to the north, and from the southern suburbs to the northern neighbors of Asheville. Preserving the simple, rustic elegance of mountain living at its best, allowing the regional attractions to do the rest, THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, is emerging as the answer to smaller is better - less man-made glamour and more of nature enhanced and preserved.

Admittedly, the likes of Knife and Fork - 10 minutes from us (tops even among Asheville restaurants), Mt. Mitchell Golf course - 10 minutes from us (a Golf Digest 4 1/2 star "Must Play Course"), America's Favorite Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway - (10 minutes from us), horseback riding, rafting,tubing, kayaking, fly and float fishing, snow skiing, snow boarding - 10-15 minutes from us - (without the association fees that go with these!), don't hurt our appeal.

You must see to believe the beauty, the preservation, the uniqueness of this gated community outside of Asheville, NC. We are within 10 minutes of the world-renowned Penland School of Crafts, whose artists have informed our own niche in the High Country, high-end properties that are offered at affordable prices.

Our owners are the Corporate Underwriters of the award-winning non-profit, Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina and our entrance gate is hand-forged by local blacksmiths (click on the above collage for close-up views), whose accomplished tradesmen boast the direct descendants of Daniel Boone and one of North Carolina's Living Treasures (see his most recent work at our "new" state-of-the-art library in one of our most historic buildings.)

As with most of the excellent choices of life, only a very few Estate lots are offered within this exceptional community and even fewer beautifully appointed, small Cabins at Celo.

The summer affords you the opportunity to see not only this pristine, exquisite offering of nature at its best, but also the best of the best that surrounds us. Throughout the remainder of summer: 3 days / 2 nights at one of our historic, wonderful Bed-and-Breakfasts
1 night of gourmet, farm-to-table fine dining at the award-winning Knife and Fork
Parkway Playhouse tickets to the historic, award-winning summer theater
ALL FOR $49 in JULY and AUGUST (866-378-4769)

Experience our invigorating lifestyle on America's Playground...
And then Relaaaax, Breathe the Mountains... Live the Dream... at

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN - outside of Asheville...within your means...