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 

THANKSGIVING, 2010 - IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS NEAR ASHEVILLE, NC

An Upscale Thanksgiving
Both upscale and down-home adventures await you in these magical mountains - especially at these special times of the year. Enjoy classic Southern cuisine at the Grovewood Café, the Horizons and Sunset Terrace at The Grove Park Inn, the Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, or the various dining options at the Biltmore Estate and Inn at Biltmore. These are pricey but wonderful, with activities near and around each to keep you dazzled. Reservations are highly recommended.

A Down-Home Thanksgiving
• It is tradition in many of our small-town America mountain settings for local churches to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the community and out-of-town visitors – large or small groups of family or friends, singles, senior citizens, college age, any age, well-heeled or those down-on their-luck are all welcomed with open arms. ALL join together to share this traditional meal – reminiscent of that first Thanksgiving. These luscious home-cooked meals are most often free-of-charge or at a very nominal cost. Higgins Memorial United Methodist in our hometown of Burnsville is one of the churches providing this gift to our community. It is a great way to meet the servant-heart, salt-of-the-earth people in these mountains.
• Follow the afternoon of warm fellowship and fabulous food with a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

• Take in a movie at our historic Yancey Movie Theater offering the latest and top movies for only $5.
• Stay in our historic and beautiful bed-and-breakfasts that are loved by guests.
• The days before or after enjoy antique shopping, gallery hopping, local coffee houses (try the locally-made, delicious Arbuckles coffee ), organic and local eateries,
• stop in Yummy Yarns to knit with a local group or
• visit a Better Homes & Garden featured quilt shop, Needle Me This, and let them get you started on your first or fiftieth quilt.
• Stop by the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina gift shop in the Visitors Center. We are the Corporate Underwriters for this award-winning non-profit. Buy a guide with stories and descriptions of the quilt blocks and drive through these beautiful mountains to find each one.
• Take a day for snow skiing, tubing and snowboarding at Wolf Laurel, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, or Appalachian Mountain.
• Enjoy fly fishing and other outdoor activities with Rivers Edge Outfitters
• Tour The Cove at Celo Mountain and choose your own Cabin at Celo or mountain getaway home or property in a sanctuary setting within the Pisgah National Forest, surrounded on all 4 sides by national and state-designated scenic highways. Spend the day hiking our 3 miles of manicured trails along Ayles Creek, streams, waterfalls and trout ponds. You will likely see flocks of wild turkey foraging in this park-like setting. You may even get to see one in flight. Turn this vacation of a lifetime into a home for a lifetime.
For more information: Thanksgiving in Asheville and area