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

EN PLEIN AIR – MAY 22nd - BURNSVILLE, NC HISTORIC TOWN SQUARE

Winner of the The Monet Award 12X12 O/P

The Toe River Arts Council (TRAC) is presenting its 4th Annual Paint Out, modeled on the en plein air experience, a French expression that means “in the open air,” particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.

Add the historic town square of Burnsville, the legendary Nu Wray Inn, more artists –per capita – in Yancey and Mitchell Counties than anywhere else in America, and the vernal palette of wild dogwood, azalea, forsythia, pear and plum trees, ad infinitum, and you have the makings of a perfect spring day in a beautiful town nestled in a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains.


Come out and stroll Main Street as you enjoy our gorgeous spring weather in the Blue Ridge and watch our nationally and internationally acclaimed artists as they paint while sitting on park benches, on balconies, in the town square, at outdoor eateries, and along the street.

All artists will return to the TRAC Gallery on Main Street by 5:00 p.m. and frame their artwork to prepare for the juried awards and selections. At 6:30 there will be a reception open to the public for an exhibition of the day’s work. The artwork will be displayed May 22 – June 5th, with many of the paintings available for sale.

Many mediums will be represented: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, charcoal, graphite - even collage. The perfect day, the perfect gift or memento, the perfect place to be on a memorable day in May!

For more information: http://www.toeriverarts.org/