The Cove at Celo Mountain - Between Yancey and Mitchell Counties, NC

In a previous post, I told you that THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is located between the award-winning cities of Asheville and Boone, NC - just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This post brings us down even closer to home. Our beautiful, small sanctuary setting is also situated right in the center of two of the most beautiful counties of the North Carolina Blue Ridge - Yancey and Mitchell.  While officially part of Yancey County, we consider both Burnsville (Yancey) and Spruce Pine (Mitchell) our hometowns and treat you to historic B&B lodging and fine dining in each when you visit with us, so you can get to know not only the beauty of our surrounding area but the salt-of-the earth people that live here as well.  Here is our backyard through photos...along with some of my favorite local history and highlights.

Geographical Fact:  Mt. Mitchell State Park – while located in Yancey county, is geographically equal distance from both Burnsville (Yancey) and Spruce Pine (Mitchell) – and is the highest peak of the oldest mountains in the world (the Appalachians), and the highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6.684 ft

Historical Fact:  A defining time for the nation and specifically this area – the Civil War separated these two sister counties (and families) with Mitchell predominantly siding with the Union and Yancey with the Confederacy.   

Cultural Fact: TRAC - Toe River Arts Council Open Studio Tours - June and December - are dubbed the “Premier Open Studio Tour in the Country” We have more artists, per capita, in these 2 counties than anywhere else in America – also ongoing exhibits, plein aire and other events – with galleries in both Yancey (Burnsville) and Mitchell (Spruce Pine)

Educational Fact:  Mayland Community College has its Main Campus in Mitchell (Spruce Pine), but has campuses that service students in Mitchell. Avery and Yancey counties – thus the name MAY (land). Mayland was ranked the #4 Best Community College in America in 2010 in a study done by the University of Texas in Austin and highlighted in the Washington Monthly magazine

 "No matter where you travel in Yancey County, North Carolina, the naturally inspiring beauty of our mountains is close by. With the highest average elevation of any county in North Carolina, we are home to six of the tallest peaks east of the Mississippi, including the highest, Mount Mitchell. Bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway to the southeast and the Appalachian Trail to the northwest, the area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From lush forest lands to tumbling rivers, Yancey County provides countless opportunities for outdoor adventures. You'll also discover working art and craft studios and art galleries tucked throughout our scenic mountains." 

Geographical Landmarks:  historic, picturesque town square, Mt. Mitchell State Park

Shining Stars:  Parkway Playhouse (longest continuously running summer theater in NC), Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, Internationally renowned Glass Blowers, Farmers’Markets – and Organic Farms

Top Events:  Mt Mitchell Crafts Fair (2012 is our 56th year - named “best event east of the Mississippi”), Old Timey Days Festival, RiddleFest (celebrating Leslie Riddle –a musical genius behind Carter/Cash family), Mountain Farm Lavender Festival, Town Center Friday Night Live Music

Premier gated sanctuary community located in the middle of Yancey and Mitchell Counties, NC
THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

 "Mitchell County  was formed in 1861 from Yancey, Watauga,  Caldwell,  Burke and McDowell counties. It was named in honor of Dr. Elisha Mitchell,  a professor at the University of North Carolina. While on an exploring expedition of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, Dr. Mitchell fell and was killed. He was buried on the top of this lofty mountain. It is in the western section of the State and is bounded by the state of Tennessee and Avery, McDowell and Yancey counties."

Geographical Landmarks:  A river runs through it – The Toe River and a Train Depot and heritage trains run through downtown.  A split Main street – Upper and Lower Levels – Oak and Locust   

Shining Stars:  Knife and Fork (Winner: WNC Chef Challenge, Cooking Light's 2011 Small Town Chef, Garden & Guns Top 50 Best Southern Foods), Best Christmas Tree Ever, world-renowned Penland School of Crafts, Buck’s Stoves, aptly named Little Switzerland

Top Events:  Rhododendron Festival, Penland Community Open House (hands-on art with masters), Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival, Bakersville Creek and Art Walk, Gem and Mining Festivals

    

For more information:

Yancey County, NC

Mitchell County, NC

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

MARCH MADNESS at THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN - FREE Cabin Lower Level Finished -now - 3/31/12

Buy Before March 31, 2012 and Lower Level Finished for FREE

Price Includes:

Land

Septic

Well

One-Year Lease-Back Option Available

The Size:

Main Floor Living 1244 sq. ft.

Unfinished Area 660 sq. ft.

Open Deck 533 sq. ft.

Total: 2437 sq. ft.

Custom Features:

2 Bedrooms and 2 full baths, Spectacular View of Celo Knob, Granite Counter tops throughout, Hardwood Floors, Wood Burning Fireplace with Stone Surround, Stained 6-Panel Pine Door, Stained Over-sized Pine Trim, Tongue and Groove Pine Ceiling, Exposed Wood Beams in Great Room, Comfortable Gas Heating, Central Air Conditioning, Central Septic and Water, Full Size Washer and Dryer, Tile Bathroom Floors, Tile Shower and Tub Enclosures, Andersen Windows, Stone Accent Piers, Metal Accent Roof, Unfinished Lower Level with Private Entrance, Rustic Wavy Board Siding Board and Bat Gables, Wood Kitchen and Bath Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances

VISIT US - 866-378-4769 (toll free)

• February 3 days/2 nights at your choice of either historic B&B ($99 – no taxes or fees):  Terrell House or Richmond Inn.  
• March  includes above plus $100 dining certificate:  We will reserve your preferred seating time at the Knife and Fork.  Nate was formerly the chef in CA for high-profile actors and has now come back home and opened up this little ten-table restaurant with his wife, Wendy.  Nate WON THE FINALS OF THE 2011 WNC CHEF CHALLENGE, and Cooking Light’s 2011 Small-Town Chef Award as well as Garden&Gun’s 50 Best Southern Foods (Oct/Nov 2011 issue).

For more information: Our website: The Cove at Celo Mountain

Where IS The Cove at Celo Mountain?

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is located between Asheville and Boone, NC - just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, America's Favorite Drive. Read the accolades and media awards below about this as you keep in mind that 19E is being made into a 4-lane from I-26 (out of Asheville) through Burnsville, past THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN through to Boone.

And that is more - much more - than just names.  Historically, the value of land or place has been determined by its location.  To help you understand that THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN sits smack dab in the middle of some of the most highly touted real estate in America, I thought I would give you a few highlights of what surrounds this emerging premier gated sanctuary setting.

ASHEVILLE - has been on Top Places to Retire for years.  It has been and is the retreat of high-profile movie stars, writers, and politicians.  2011 was no different in the numerous media awards and accolades garnered by this jewel of the Blue Ridge.  Here are just a few:

TripAdvisor.com lists Asheville as one of its "15 Destinations on the Rise." (December 2011)

Zagat.com included Firestorm Cafe & Books in a list of the "10 Coolest Independent Coffee Shops Across the US."

Condé Nast Traveler's annual Reader's Choice Awards Poll chose two Asheville properties among the best in the nation. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa was rated a Top U.S. Resort, and the Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville was rated at Top U.S. Hotel.

Asheville is named "Best Place to Start a Fall Foliage Tour" by Livability.com (October 2011)

The editors of Prevention magazine and Fitbie rank Asheville as the #5 best U.S. city for weight loss, thanks to a wide variety of options for finding farm fresh food choices. (October 2011)

Asheville comes in at #10 in TripAdvisor.com's Travelers' Choice Awards for top food and wine destinations in the U.S. (October 2011)

Good Morning America featured Asheville as one of its"Most Beautiful Places in America." (August 2011)

DogFriendly.com released its list of "Top 10 Resort Areas to Visit with your Dog" in the U.S. and named Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway as #2. (August 2011)

Asheville again rises to the top of AmericanStyle magazine's Top 25 Small City Arts Destinations, narrowly beating Santa Fe in the annual readers' poll. (May 2011)

Fodors.com names Asheville as one of the "21 Places We're Going in 2011," highlighting the city's food and drink scene and its artsy vibe. (January 2011)

Here we are in the middle of the 2 award-winning cities - northeast of Asheville - off of U.S. Scenic Highway 1-26, off of NC Scenic Highway 19E being made into a 4-lane...   

Estate Lots - Mountain View, Creek, Wooded 1-3 acres;
Woodrock Spec Home, Cabin/Cottage at Celo;
streams, creeks, trout ponds, water falls, hiking trails, park areas and more
The Cove at Celo Mountain

and on the other side of us is Boone.  We are just off of 80 S - another NC Scenic Highway and a top-ranked bike route.  To the south of us is the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are surrounded by either National or State Scenic Highways in all 4 compass directions.  

BOONE - home of Appalachian State University (remember THE football game?) is more of a newcomer to the scene of national awards and media praise.  How about this- after less than 2 months - in 2012 followed by a few from 2011:

In January 2012, Forbes named Boone# 4 among "America's Fastest-Growing Small Towns."

Boone Named to "The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012"by U.S. News & World Report.

Top Destination Spa Westglow Resort & Spa ranks second in Travel & Leisure's September 2011"Top Destination Spas."

Sierra Magazine calls Appalachian State one of the Top 20 "Coolest Schools" in a Sept./Oct. 2011 ranking based on green categories.

For more information:
Explore Asheville
Explore Boone
Explore The Blue Ridge Parkway through photos
Explore THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN 

ART AND CULTURE IN BURNSVILLE, NC - Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge - Riddle Fest 2012 - Near The Cove at Celo Mountain

ART AND CULTURE

CD cover:  To purchase CD see contact info below.

February brings one of our favorite events - Riddlefest! (February 18, 2012 in Town Center) - honoring local son, Lesley Riddle, who was the genius behind much of the Carter-Cash family musical fame. Our local Parkway Playhouse, the longest continuously running summer theater in North Carolina, staged the fabulous World-Premiere of Esley, based on this local legend.  An Amherst college professor is putting the story in book form and Carter-Cash family members attend the festival along with other dignitaries.  But my favorite part, my absolute favorite, is when local college students take the stage to show that this deep tradition of gospel and bluegrass music is alive and better than ever in America.  ETSU has the Bluegrass Pride Band that has traveled the world to much acclaim.  I am uploading one of their travel videos to Burnsville for this event (see above).  It does not do justice to the extreme talent of this very young group of musicians.  (They playfully banter through most of the video, but you get a little of their music at the end and a sneak preview of the App State Gospel Choir.) The ETSU ensemble is a must-see at a live performance.  Then, Appalachian State comes in with their renowned Gospel Choir that will rock Town Center - as well as your soul.
Tickets for the RiddleFest Concert are available from Traditional Voices Group by calling 828-682-9654 or through the Burnsville Town Center at 828-682-7209. There will also be afternoon seminars.

For something a little more sedate and back-to-nature and just minutes up the road from THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN:  Feb. 11 - Valentine's Day Tea

Mountain Farm cordially invites you to "Cherish Your Friends"
Tickets: $5.00 per person
Seatings:2:00pm & 3:30pm
Menu: A sampling of our delicious herbal teas along with an assortment of yummy finger foods, featuring select recipes from our own Lavender Culinary Recipe Book.
Also available for purchase: Gourmet appetizers and limited specialty foods couples with tasty beverages of hot chocolate and hot apple spicy cider.
Please reserve your place as soon as possible as seating is limited. R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, February 8th

During the Tea- All store items will Be 10% off. We have Valentine's day gift baskets.

Contact: Mountain Farm Gift Shop
828-675-4856
marilyn@mountainfarms.net

For more information:  
Riddlefest 2012
Lesley Riddle Short Bio
Our State Magazine February, 2012 Feature Article; Rediscovering Riddle
To order the CD, Riddle Me A Song (with our own Griffith Chapel Choir)
Mountain Farm   Valentine's Tea
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While in town for these events, make your appointment to see the newly completed Cabin/Cottage at Celo, Foxwood, our 1-3 acre estate lots, the trout ponds,waterfalls, creeks, manicured hiking trails, 4 park areas and more at THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN