Christmas, 2011 - Gifts from the Mountain - The Cove at Celo Mountain

GIFTS FROM THE MOUNTAIN
to your family through the generations  

Your legacy begins  

 Designed and built locally in the time-honored tradition of American craftsmanship at its best

Two major events are happening up on Celo this December.  

Foxwood, the first 2 bedroom/2 bath Cabin/Cottage at Celo has a projected December 25 completion date. (The first 2 Cabins at Celo are built and sold as 1 bedroom and 1 bedroom with loft.) In addition, there is an unfinished level in Foxwood with a separate entrance that could easily be made into another bedroom, bath, sitting area and storage space - for you to complete at your convenience (or we will do it for you.) This pre-construction price listed includes land, septic, and well.  While we are Voice-Over and Internet ready (all utilities are in and underground, and we will have fiber optics before Asheville!),this is a perfect time to disconnect from the world at-large in order to reconnect with your family and friends.  Come back to our simple way of life in these wonderful, small American home towns in the High Country of the Blue Ridge.  Unwind.  Relax in front of the roaring fire of your cabin in the mountains before heading out for your favorite mountain sport or event.

Speaking of favorite events, the TRAC (Toe River Arts Council) Open Studio Tour - touted as the Premier Open Studio Tour in America - will be held December 2, 3, and 4.  Drive through the breathtaking scenery of this Blue Ridge Parkway area (or sign up for a guided tour) to the studios from which our celebrated arts and crafts movement of Western North Carolina originates. Many of our artists are internationally or nationally acclaimed, are designated NC Living Treasures, and have their works in the Smithsonian.  We are also home to the world-renowned Penland School of Crafts, which is also on the tour.  Choose heritage gifts, made by some of America's foremost artisans, that will be treasured through the generations.

While all of these Handmade In America gifts are made for a lifetime of enjoyment, if you choose Woodrock, the spec home now beginning on a 1.32 acre estate lot, you will have the option of participating in the ground-up building of your 3 bedroom/4bath home, if you so choose, with a completion date of spring, 2012.

Make this holiday season unique in beginning your own legacy of giving the gift of American handmade craft.  The umbrella organization of our Toe River Arts Council, Handmade in America, says it best.

Come back home for Christmas.  Your mountains await you.

For more information with features and floor plan for Foxwood, The Cabin/Cottage at Celo

For more information with features and floor plan for Woodrock, the spec home

For more information on the TRAC Open Studio Tour

For a 2-1/2 minute video of The Cove at Celo Mountain

The Cove at Celo Mountain - Through the Eyes of the Artist and New Homeowner - Guest Author: Shannon Runquist

 Ayles Creek that runs through The Cove at Celo Mountain

At Crabtree Falls near The Cove at Celo Mountain

 Near The Cove at Celo Mountain

 Old tobacco barn on drive up to The Cove at Celo Mountain

 The beauty of our mountains

A trout pond within The Cove at Celo Mountain

Our children have been going to summer camp in NC for the last 6 years.  Living in the SC Low country, an escape from the summer heat is always a welcome change.  We had visited many towns and communities near Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway over the last few years.  In June we were invited to visit the Cove at Celo Mountain when we picked up our kids from camp just south of Asheville.  Not really knowing the area very well, we decided to go exploring as its something we love to do. We are a very adventurous family having spent extended periods of time out west camping in the Grand Tetons, Idaho & Oregon, rafting big whitewater on the Snake River and various other outdoor activities.  We prefer the road less traveled & enjoy the beauty that surrounds us and appreciate nature.  

            To be honest we had no idea what we would find and were rather skeptical.  What we found was what we had been looking for all along.  A wonderful town full of friendly genuine people with diverse backgrounds and interests, a fabulous culinary treat in the Knife and Fork and a community well footed in the Arts.    Our son is a musician and our daughter participates in theater and visual arts.   Her years at camp have introduced her to glasswork and pottery.   With Penland School of Crafts just up the road & a theater in town there are even more opportunities for both of them during the summer.

            Now to Bigger issues like trout. There are “Big” Trout, almost certainly bigger on the end of the fly rod then in the river.  With the South and North Toe River just a crow’s fly away the fish don’t stand a chance for any fisherman on a mission.  That’s were you will find Lars on any free day.  Just waiting for a fish to rise.  The fish he catches are way over the size of any recorded fish on record. At least that’s what I am told.

            As for me, working as a professional artist I can't get a mile down the road without pulling over finding inspiration all around me. When spring comes Ill be out and about painting in plein air.   I tend to wander off the beaten path to where the wild things are.  Paintings from the area will soon be posted at www.shannonrunquist.com.

            We went looking for a piece of property and what we found was a beautiful community full of wonderful people & a well built cottage on a rustling creek.  This year we will be spending Thanksgiving in front of our fireplace with our parents too.   Before long our home will be full of lasting memories.  When we count our blessings we will include The Cove.  We are truly looking forward to meeting our new neighbors. 

Thanksgiving, 2011 - Welcome Home to the Blue Ridge Mountains

photo from http://www.burnsville-nc.com/

Photo: Biltmore Thanksgiving Food and Wine Recipes  2nd Photo:  Grove Park Inn Thanksgiving  Packages

Your choice:  High-Style Thanksgiving at the celebrated Biltmore Estate or Grove Park Inn linked under photos above, or Home-Style - reminiscent of that first Thanksgiving- join together with people from all walks of life - for the 9th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner given as a gift to the community by the Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church in Burnsville, NC.  No reservations necessary, no charge, dine in or delivery, shut-in service available.  For more information or for transportation (locally) and to give a "heads up" of how many to expect, call 828-682-2093.

After this great home-cooked meal, head out to enjoy our backyard.  

We are the Heart of the Blue Ridge.

For photos and write-ups of our favorites from the Yancey Times Journal: Heart of the Blue Ridge 2011

We are the Gateway to Mt. Mitchell,
 the highest peak east of the Mississippi, and part of the world's oldest mountains - the Appalachians.

For activities and information about Mt. Mitchell State Park

We are Base Camp for Mountain Adventures

For contact information on nearby mountain adventures

AND We are home to THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, 

a premier gated sanctuary setting located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the Toe River Valley of the Pisgah National Forest 

• Private appointments with complimentary accommodations and one night of award-winning, fine dining are available in November and December.  866-378-4769
• Cottage at Celo ready for Holiday purchase
• Woodrock, spec home ready for Spring Purchase
• Estate lots with creek, wooded privacy, or long-range views available for purchase (1-3 acres)
• A 2 1/2-minute video of THE COVE AT CELO 

Why I Chose This Area and The Cove at Celo Mountain - Guest Author, Pam Dobrowolski

Above: Pam and Dave in Michigan - Below: Pam and Dave enjoying the NC Blue Ridge and Celo property

Photos clockwise:  1st 6 photos -The Dobrowolski estate home site - - Next 2 photos- View from the top of Mt. Craig in Mt. Mitchell State Park.  We hiked 2 miles to the summit of Mt. Craig for this beautiful view, even had a few snow flakes join us.  3rd row - short but steep hike from the village of Montreat to Lookout Point.  We hiked this trail twice since it was a beautiful hike through woods and then to the top of Lookout Mountain. Last 4 photos - Navitat Zip Line Canopy Tour - Awaiting Natahala rafting photo...

Pam shared these thoughts with me during a telephone conversation this week about what drew her to the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains and to the purchase of a beautiful, large estate home site within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN - a premier gated community in a sanctuary setting located between Asheville and Boone, North Carolina - just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  

Last summer I came for a week to the Black Mountain area.  My daughter and her family had rented this home that looked like a castle at the top of a mountain and asked family to join her.  I had a 2-hour layover in the Asheville airport waiting for my daughter to pick me up, and so I started browsing the brochures.  The one for THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN looked so intriguing and beautiful that I wanted to visit and see what it was all about, but I didn’t have a chance to visit that week.  When I got back to Michigan, I asked a friend of mine if she would like to go back to NC with me to visit.  We came in early August and stayed again in Black Mountain – this time in a cabin.

I called you, Katherine, and set an appointment time with Paul to visit THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN between the historic towns of Burnsville and Spruce Pine. I loved the way the community seemed to nestle into the mountain.  The natural lay of the land was maintained, nature respected, and as many trees as possible preserved during construction using “limbing” rather than tree removal to provide views. I was so impressed with the way the development had been done – with the paved roads, the manicured miles of hiking trails, all the gathering places and parks – especially the main one with the large fireplace and fire pit, cooking area and seating area - the trout ponds, the children’s custom tree house and play area. I could just imagine the family gathering at night around that great fire place and fire pit at Greeter’s Park.  It was like having your own National Park – without all the people.  I knew I wanted my property at the top of the community – a large home site that would give me a beautiful view.  My lot has 160-degree panoramic views.  I want to see the Blue Ridge Mountains - that I have always loved – out of every window.

I am not sure of my building date.  I will complete only the first level at the beginning and take my time to complete the lower level.  I will make a gradual transition from Michigan and my work here to my Blue Ridge mountain home there for a few weeks out of the year until my final permanent move to Western North Carolina. Dave loved my property there also – thought the view was just beautiful.  He is very knowledgeable about architecture and construction, so it was a big help to have him there while I met on-site with Armin Wessel, the architect, about my house plans.

The Asheville magazines you sent me and that I also picked up are all so creative with ads and with events.  You could conceivably attend 3 or 4 major events every week and do a large range of things all over this area from sporting events to open-air plays, theater, craft shows, open studio tours and more.  I also love farm-to-table restaurants.  I like to eat close to the land, which you can do with all the small cafes around there and with the farm stands and markets all around where you can buy local, fresh produce – most of it organic.  Also the small towns are so much fun to visit; the creativity and talent there are amazing . Burnsville and Spruce Pine just struck me as friendly, warm communities of genuine people interested in what you have to say, in what your passions are, in getting you involved – like you did with me.

Asheville is also a big draw.  I love that you see all ages of people everywhere there – young adults, professionals, families, older people – all enjoying the sites, the restaurants, the galleries, the events. The diversity of people and of food is wonderful.  As you also said, we have never eaten in a restaurant in Asheville that was not excellent.

My great passion is being out in nature participating in outdoor activities.  I rarely sit down.  The area where THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is located is where all these mountain activities happen – whether you want to raft, hike, kayak, do canopy tours, fish, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway or other scenic routes, and on and on.

The Blue Ridge Mountains seem to gather around you and hold you in their arms – protect you.  It is just such a warm feeling!

Call 866-378-4769 for your own private showing.  Complimentary accommodations are available in November and December.

For a 2 minute video of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

For photos of the ongoing construction of the Cottage at Celo (Christmas, 2011 projected completion!)

For photos/info on new spec home, Woodrock, beginning 

From the Developer's Standpoint - What Makes THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN unique

From an estate owner who has lived here 22 years - Why We Chose THE COVE AT CELO

From the Developer's Standpoint - New Construction - THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN - just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC

The full-page ad for THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN as it appears in the WNC magazine and on the back cover of the Laurel of Asheville magazine. All photos are taken on-site with one of estate owners appearing in ad with great-nephew. Click on the ad for a close-up view.

I took a few minutes to sit down with the COO of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, Randy Frederick, to get his take on the new construction ongoing within the community in November of 2011.

Randy, what sets the construction within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, and the community itself, apart from most Western North Carolina premier gated communities - from a Developer's standpoint?

Our spec houses are built to a higher code than typical houses in the Carolina mountains. What I mean by this - an example - is that there is a 7-county code that any home above 3,000 feet must be built for 120 m.p.h winds - which means the entire home has to have strapping. Most inspectors don't adhere to this since it is not a part of the NC code - but an extension of it. We do adhere to this.

Another example would be the 60' bridge we built just to the right of the entrance gate. We were told that since we are a private community we did not need to have engineering work done on this or a compaction test done, yet we built it to Florida code and had both of these done - much more expensive and time-consuming, but we are in this for the long-term, and our reputation means everything.

We also did not take the easy route while putting in roads and underground utilities by cutting down a large number of trees. We felt the North Carolina mountains did not need another community that was void of trees. We have concentrated on keeping the community as natural as we could to improve - enhance - the natural state by grooming it and putting in natural amenities such as miles of manicured hiking trails.

Also, at the outset we hired a land planner that took the whole community and put in a PDZ (Potential Development Zone) within each lot for a maximized view for that owner while allowing the same for surrounding owners. This provides a level of insurance to 1st buyers that subsequent buyers will not come in and build into their views.

And, finally, we do not allow cantilevered construction as many mountain communities in North Carolina do. The reason is to preserve the beauty of the views for everyone - not just for the owners in the cantilevered home.

Enjoy the following slideshow of ongoing and new construction within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN. For a private showing, call 866-378-4769. Complimentary accommodations are available in November and December.

For additional photos and information on the Cottage at Celo (Foxwood) under construction

For additional photos and information on the Spec House (Woodrock) just beginning

For a 2 1/2-minute video of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN