When visiting the High Country, we can oftentimes be overwhelmed with the plethora of outdoor activity options.  At Chetola Resort alone, we have hiking, disc golf, paddle boating, fly-fishing, sporting clays, tennis, kayaking, and more. While participating in these activities may be calming for some, for others, we prefer a bit of retail therapy.

Just like our little mountain towns of Blowing Rock and Boone provide endless adventure, they also provide some of the best shopping around. If you are looking for convenience while visiting, Chetola offers a private pathway to the Tanger Outlets. The 5-minute walk begins at the Lodge and leads you right to Tanger’s first store, Ralph Lauren. Not only do the outlets feature over 20 name brand retail shops, but they also offer places like Kilwins, a renowned ice cream and fudge establishment, Egg Rollin’, a unique restaurant offering almost anything you can think of in an egg roll, Crepes And Waffles, the newest eatery utilizing organic and natural ingredients, and Doc’s Rocks, fun and entertaining gem mine.

If you wish to explore high-end or local shopping, downtown Blowing Rock is a mere 15-minute walk from the resort or a 2-minute drive. Downtown Blowing Rock has some of the most unique stores in the area. They feature shops like J.W. Tweeds, Celeste’s, 100 West Union, and Almost Rodeo Drive. Downtown features diverse and local artist boutiques, including Crosstrade Jewelry and Gifts, High Country Candles, Winwood Antiques, Art Walk, and Bolick & Traditions Pottery. If you want to take a quick break for a glass of wine while shopping, you can stop by Sunset and Vine or the Blowing Rock Market. They also have adorable gift shops.

We can’t leave you without pointing out our three personal favorites in the area - Monkees, Neaco’s, and Mast General Store.  Monkees is a women’s high-end boutique featuring an amazing shoe selection, unique clothing pieces, jewelry, and our favorite- their gently used designer handbag section that includes Chanel Bags and Louis Vuitton.  Neaco’s indulges its patrons with interesting gifts, wines, NC brand products, and quirky handmade items. Lastly, Mast General Store has two locations nearby, with one in Boone, and the original in Valle Crucis. Both stores have plenty of quality hiking gear, outdoor clothing, gifts, dog items, and a huge selection of candy (in massive barrels) that satisfies any sweet tooth. This is certainly a memorable shopping experience for the entire family.

When you return to the resort, be sure to stop by our gift shop as we offer Orvis® clothing and gear, Hammonds Candies, Thymes Candles, and beautiful Chetola branded stoneware. After you drop your bags off in your room, head up to the Chetola Spa for a relaxing massage to rejuvenate your senses. Once refreshed and relaxed, you may just be ready for another day of shopping!

 

Valentine's Day may look a little bit different this year, but we want you to still be able to have a S W E E T day with your favorite person. That's why Pastry Chef Abby has put together a tasty dessert recipe for you! So whether you're opting for a Valentine's Day from home this year or just want to make your valentine an extra special treat, this recipe is for you!

Salted Blondies For Two:

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg, room temp
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp regular salt
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, for sprinkling
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup mix-ins, such as nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a standard bread loaf pan with parchment, or grease with butter.
  2. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until combined. Add the egg, mix until it just comes together.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the regular salt, flour, cinnamon, and baking powder to get rid of lumps.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, stir until combined. Do not overmix, batter should be thick.
  5. Fold in the mix-ins, if using.
  6. With a rubber spatula, press batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with kosher salt.
  7. Bake on center rack for 15-20 minutes, depending on the desired gooey-ness.
  8. Once cool enough to handle, cut blondie in half. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.

 

I grew up in the triad of North Carolina where winters are mild, summers are hot and humid, and it rains quite frequently. I also remember getting snow at least once a winter, which made for an epic outdoor playday. Regardless of the weather, I remember that as soon as my homework was done, I was free to go. And, fortunately, we lived in a neighborhood with lots of kids. The houses were close together, so it was easy to find opportunities to play. During the summer, we would stay outside until it was dark- usually 9 pm or so. When the weather turned cold, or rainy, we would certainly spend less time outside, however, it would take a serious thunderstorm, or bitter cold to keep us from at least attempting to play outside. I have always had a fascination with the weather, so I think I was drawn to being outdoors even if the weather was not perfect. Now as an adult, I use the inclement weather as an excuse to purchase new gear, as it prepares me for whatever Mother Nature may throw my way.

Although my wife and I grew up in the South (her in GA, me in NC), we met in Montana, where winter usually lasted 9 months or so. If you didn’t like the cold or snow, it was a very lonely place to reside. And you would inevitably spend a majority of your time indoors. Fortunately, we both love the outdoors, and everything that goes along with enjoying time in nature. Initially, we decided that we would raise our kids out west, and just bundle them up so we could continue to immerse ourselves in the place we had grown to love. We found used bike trailers for the summer, along with a fancy covered pull-behind sled so that the kids could ride along wherever we skied (cross country skiing). However, about two years ago, we decided to move close to family and found the High Country of NC, where there are four beautiful seasons. Now we are spoiled with pleasant summers (rarely gets above 80 degrees), colorful autumns, just enough snow to call it winter, and endless recreation.

Still, it can get rainy, windy, cold, snowy, foggy, and occasionally hot. While it is not always easy, and full disclosure, our kids occasionally resist our good intentions, we get outside just about every day. Here’s why this is so important for us:

1. We want our kids to experience the wonders of each season
There is something about exploring our yard, the woods nearby, and the local park trails in every season. There are different views, different bugs, and different activities depending on the season. Our kids get to experience hiking, riding bikes, skiing, sledding, collecting leaves, finding rocks, and everything in between. It can even be as simple as sitting under a tree and watching the clouds wisp by above our house.


2. We want our kids to be active and healthy
What parent doesn’t enjoy tired kiddos? If my kids are up before me, then I know they needed more exercise. I can always tell when they are tired, as they fall asleep fast, and get up at a reasonable hour in the morning. Keeping them active keeps us active, which allows for a healthy lifestyle. The whole family seems happier when we have had some time outside. Tired kids= happy family.


3. Reduces screen time, as well as dependency on devices
The more time we spend outside, the less time our kids have for television or any other device. We have seen the tables turn when someone has been under the weather or is hurt. We spend more time inside, and then it makes it that much harder to go back outside. On the flip side, once we get everyone outside, no one wants to come in either. The trick is doing whatever we can to just get outside for at least a half hour a day. It becomes routine, and then our bodies and minds crave that vitamin D, and fresh air.


4. We want our kids to be resilient to change
Being resilient is an important life skill that develops at an early age. For our kids, enjoying time outside with one another regardless of the weather has allowed them to build confidence, and not be as sensitive to small challenges that may have deterred their approach. We also do our best to make it fun when the weather turns on us. Although our floors might need to be wiped down after we come in, we would much rather play in the rain and mud than miss out on some great memories with the kids. Then, the first thing they want to tell others is that their Mom and Dad let them play in the mud and get really dirty. We are certainly not the coolest parents out there, but we have fun. We make memories. For me, that is certainly enough right now.


5. We want them to develop a love for our natural world
Having worked in the tourism industry in Montana, one of the State’s selling points is that they have a more unspoiled nature in the lower 48 states than anywhere else in the United States. There is a lot to be said about natural wonders versus man-made ones. As parents, we enjoy both, however, we want our kids to find exciting things to love as we explore the mountains around us. Our kids love to collect leaves and rocks. I don’t know why they have such an attachment to leaves, but they do, and I am ok with it. I would rather them be obsessed with keeping a rock or some leaves than always asking for a new toy (they have plenty as it is).

The weather up here in the High Country is amazing. We enjoy a little bit of everything, and while there are certainly some days that make it a challenge to get outside, those days are few and far between. If the weather does get rainy or snowy, we still enjoy the out of doors for a little while, and chances are, we will have the woods or parks to ourselves. There is so much to discover, and, as we all know, kids won’t be little forever. The memories in nature that we create now will hopefully last a lifetime, or at least guide them to desire more memories with you while enjoying the great outdoors.

-PJ Wirchansky, Director of Sales & Marketing, and champion rainy day dad

 

In times like these outdoor fitness is more sought after than ever. Luckily here in the high country, we live in a haven for outdoor recreation with a variety of outdoor fitness activities at our fingertips. These activities range from skilled sports such as climbing at Blowing Rock Boulders to something as simple as taking a walk. Exercising outdoors offers so many benefits physically and mentally. At a time when we are all trying to stay healthy and sane the outdoors is a tonic for us all.

Man and dog on snowy hike

Chetola Resort is teeming with opportunities for outdoor recreation and fitness. One of my personal favorites is playing tennis on our recently resurfaced tennis courts which also offer pickleball. Even this time of year offers a day here and there to get out to courts with the family for an open-air hit. I have also made frequent use of the new Disc Golf course located on the grounds here at Chetola which offers both a three-hole ‘warm-up’ section and a nine-hole course. Equipment for tennis, pickleball, and disc golf is available at the recreation desk. You can also rent fishing gear at the desk for days when ice does not cover the lake. The walking and physicality involved in fishing certainly qualifies as outdoor fitness.

Man and dog posing in front of snowy trail sign

My wife’s favorite Chetola hidden gem is the trail that leads to Bass Lake, the Maze, and the miles of walking and horse trails that wind out from there. On any given day you will find horseback riders, joggers, and walkers on these beautiful trails that are accessible by parking at the tennis courts and follow the signs for ‘Trails.’ I would have to say that the trails are also a favorite of my dog Scout, who is an expert on outdoor fitness. For those who are looking for a shorter walk, the paths around Chetola lake are well kept this time of year and offer great views of the swans and fisherman. Finally, you cannot discuss outdoor fitness in the mountains this time of year without mentioning skiing and snowboarding. Appalachian Ski Mountain is right here in Blowing Rock and you can be sure that it is open and providing locals and visitors alike with slopes designed for family fun. And while you won’t find skiing here on Chetola grounds you can often spot sledders trudging up a snowy hill for another run.

Dog on snowy rock wall, standing with man.

Outdoor fitness provides the vast benefits of exercise with the added bonus of fresh air, not to mention enough space to socially distance. Whether the mountains are your home, or you are a visitor, this area provides so much opportunity for exercising in the outdoors no matter your fitness level or experience. Despite the stressful and often scary times, we are in, the outdoors are available to us, calling us to come so that they may alleviate our worries and restore us. They are there, dependable, and waiting, all we have to do is go outside.

Man standing with his arms crossed but smiling.

By Lennon Redford CPT

 

Mark your calendars! It is almost time for our favorite winter event, Blowing Rock Winterfest!

Though this year's Winterfest will look a little bit different, due to restrictions and safety precautions there will still be fun activities going on for all our guests and Blowing Rock visitors to enjoy!

At Chetola Resort enjoy:

  •  On Saturday, January 30th Chef Matt Rivers will be serving Smoked Brisket Chili which you can enjoy in the restaurant or by the fireside! Every purchase of this chili benefits High Country Caregivers.


  •  All weekend, we will have a special at Timberlake's of Ahi Tuna Nachos

  • Treat yourself on Friday and Saturday evening to s'mores or a more adult treat of beer and "wine" down at our fireside tent

    Bonfire Nights at Chetola
  •  Enjoy a fun scavenger hunt with the kiddos and fun prizes for all who complete it!

  •  And a fun ice sculpture on property to complete our winter wonderland!

Around Blowing Rock enjoy:

  • Shop Til’ You Drop in Downtown Blowing Rock. Our wonderful local shops offer an abundance of shopping possibilities from art galleries to fine antiques, apparel to bookstores, home decor and
  • Free Admission to the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Enjoy beautiful artwork, exhibits promoting local non-profits, and explore the history of Blowing Rock.
  • Mini Rooftop Photoshoots at the Horton Hotel
  • Silent Auction and Raffle at the Blowing Rock American Legion supporting Mountain Alliance. The auction and raffle will be both in-person and virtual this year.
  • Kid-Friendly Activities at Mystery Hill like Pine Cone Decorating, Felt Snowman building and more!

    For more information about events going on around town, visit blowingrockwinterfest.com!

    We can't wait to see you at this year's Blowing Rock Winterfest!

 

 

 

 

Recipe serves 4

- Ingredients -

1/3 cup cocoa powder
¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups whole milk
2/3 cup water
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Pinch of cinnamon
Marshmallows or whipped cream (optional)

- Instructions -

  1. Bring the water to a simmer in a medium-sized saucepan.
  2. Add in cocoa powder, salt, and cinnamon whisk until smooth.
  3. Add in whole milk, return to a simmer.
  4. Add in chocolate chips, whisk often until smooth and melted.
  5. Divide into your favorite 4 mugs, top with whipped cream or marshmallows if desired.

- Special Notes -

For extra indulgence, add 1 tbsp Kahlua, Amaretto, or Bailey’s to your hot chocolate just before serving.

 

Timberlake’s NEW Carryout

*We are installing NEW Online Carryout Ordering Platform to be able to provide you with a simpler, more streamlined carryout experience. We anticipate having our online carryout ordering available on Wednesday, May 12, 2021

We look forward to serving you with great food from Chef Matt Rivers’ kitchen where the Timberlake’s team will fulfill your culinary desires with freshly prepared mountain favorites to-go, or oven-ready family meals, along with craft beers and fine wines, all delivered right to your condominium, lodge or BTI room, or your vehicle. To request a specific time for pickup, please call us directly.

Please call 828-295-5505 for more information or to place an order. You can also order online at the link below.

Timberlake’s Carry-out Hours:

7:30am-10:30am | 12pm – 9pm

Available Daily

 

1. How long has Ray’s Weather been providing forecasts and the most accurate weather information for the High Country?

RaysWeather.Com (what we call RWC) has evolved from "Ray's hobby in Beautiful Downtown Rutherwood" in 1999 to the most widely read media outlet in NW NC; about 4 million web pages delivered each month and read by about 250,000 people per month. We cover the weather from NC/VA line to Waynesville, NC, the Mountains to the Foothills, and all the micro-climates in between.

2. What is the craziest swing in weather from recent history? Either temperature swing, or from heat to cold & snow, or something similar?
It is not uncommon during the winter months to go from temperatures in the 60’s or 70’s to the 20’s and 30’s in 24 hours.

3. What makes the weather in the high country so unique compared to other areas in the southeast?

The orography and elevation of the area. One unique weather feature for the High Country is that you can get upslope conditions from both sides of the mountains. The Northwest flow can provide snow showers and snow squalls, and the East flow can provide a classic “Wedge” where cold air wedges against the east side of the mountains. Boone averages over 50” of precipitation each year- 2020 was above average for the year with over 70”!

4. The High Country is certainly cooler due to the elevation around here; because of this, what would be a comparable climate with regards to latitude?
The lower Great Lakes and Northern Ohio Valley/ southern Michigan.

5. For those who love snow, what is the perfect setup for a BIG snowstorm?

You need a solid and ample Gulf flow of moisture, along with the perfect southern track for a Low-pressure system. Then, you would want the system to become a Nor’Easter, as the wrap-around moisture would come from the NW, providing ample snow/ snow showers on the backside of the system, along with more cold air.

6. So, the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a more active, colder winter compared to last year. Do you all produce a seasonal outlook, and if so, what shall we expect this winter?
Yes, the Fearless Forecast for this winter calls for snow totals 10% less than long-term averages. For Boone, this means 33” of snow this winter. Temperatures are expected to be near seasonal averages, and the bulk of winter occurring mid-November until the end of January.

7. Do you ever look to the Wooly Worm or other “indicators” for weather or seasonal outlooks?

No folklore used; Ray’s Weather focuses on the scientific approach and data; no fogs in August or Wooly Worm data.

8. What is the earliest and latest snowfall recorded in North Carolina? Snowiest on record?
There has been measurable snow on Mt. Mitchell every month of the year, with the exception of July and August. In 2009, Beech Mountain, NC received 166” of snow in a season. Boone’s snowiest winter on record is 1959-1960 with 104” of snow. Rounding out the top 5 include winters with 79”, 77”, 64” and 59” respectively. The most recent big snow year was 2009-2010 in Boone, which was the 5th snowiest with 59”.

9. For those who want to come up to experience the weather extremes up here (wind, cold temps, snow, etc), what do you all recommend that they do in order to prepare for it?

Don’t come up blindly. Follow the forecast and plan accordingly. Also, be prepared for changing conditions, as the temperatures can be 20 degrees cooler or more, depending on the season.

10. What is the most common misconception about weather forecasting (either in general or here in the High Country)?
With the ease of access to weather reports and models, it is easy to create a forecast and play into the sensation of what could be. The National Weather Service and Ray’s Weather are solid, reliable, and trusted sources. It is important to understand the local climate and local variables that impact the weather.

 

Many people become meteorologists as they are fascinated with weather extremes, as well as the science behind the weather. They also love the challenge of trying to figure out what it is going to do.

We would like to thank David Still and Eric Anderson for their time, as well as their knowledge and dedication to keeping all of us safe here in NC’s High Country.

A group of individuals were asked to describe 2020 in one word. Here are the top family-friendly answers: unprecedented, unpredictable, extreme, abnormal, exhausting, chaotic, and relentless. Now that 2020 is technically behind us, it is a new year, and we truly believe that everyone, literally everyone deserves to get away. Vacations and getaways have always been a great way to spark rejuvenation, recharging, and renewal. For many couples, there have been physical, financial, and emotional challenges this past year, which can certainly challenge one’s relationship.

In the past, to help relight that spark, many of us have looked for new experiences, new adventures, or something extraordinary. For 2021, many couples are content to explore tried and true experiences in a safe environment. Since everyone’s idea of a getaway might be slightly different, we encourage you (and that special someone) to create your own getaway style. Do you want to climb to the top of Grandfather Mountain, or sit in the spa with a glass of champagne? Or, are you looking for a little bit of both? Maybe some downhill skiing at App Ski Mountain in the morning, with massages at Chetola Resort & Spa in the afternoon. For couples looking for a little bit of everything, we recommend a morning of skiing, followed by a few hours of clay shooting at Chetola Sporting Reserve, and then enjoying some room service at Chetola Lodge, while you stream your favorite shows in a suite overlooking a mountain lake.

Since many of us are juggling schedules, family, and work-related responsibilities, we may not be able to plan for a weekend escape until the last minute. Then, we check the weather and it looks, well unpredictable. The good news is that regardless of the weather, Blowing Rock has a little bit of everything to help make sure you still get that time away. And, that time away is so important! Here is a quick guide to help you get the most of your getaway whether the weather is good or not:

If the weather forecast is:

bass lake hike romantic

Sunny

- walking around Chetola Lake
- shopping downtown Blowing Rock or at Tanger Outlets
- hiking in Moses Cone or at Grandfather Mountain
- skiing at App Ski Mountain (or Beech & Sugar Resorts)
- driving the Blue Ridge Parkway
- shooting clays at Chetola Sporting Reserve
- fly fishing one of the many area rivers for mountain trout with Chetola Resort’s Orvis® Endorsed Guides
- taking in the winter views at The Blowing Rock.

skiing

Snowy

- skiing at either App Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain
- tubing at Hawks Nest
- cross country skiing at Roan Mountain, around Bass Lake in Moses Cone, or at Elk Knob State Park
- ice skating at App Ski Mountain

spa at chetola

Want to stay inside?

- spa day at Chetola Spa
- explore Linville Caverns
- stroll around Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
- go shopping

Cold, windy, rainy, or anything less desirable

For this, we suggest staying inside your Bob Timberlake Inn suite in front of the fire and enjoying breakfast served in your room (included in your stay), then enjoying a day at the Chetola Spa, followed by an afternoon treat at Camp Coffee in downtown Blowing Rock & a stroll around the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum’s latest exhibit. Finish the day with one of Chef Matt Rivers’ delectable specials at Timberlake’s Restaurant. For those looking for some adventure, hike Moses Cone, as many trails are in the woods and provide some relief from wind and weather. Or, head down to Chetola Sporting Reserve, as the 5-stand is covered, heated, and the clubhouse is the perfect place to warm up after busting some clays!

While all of these activities contribute to the much-needed disconnection from life’s stresses, the most important piece is that you do something you both enjoy. We recommend turning off your email, your text messages, and anything else that may distract you from enjoying the simple things that have always made a getaway special- time together.

Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock makes for the perfect peaceful escape for couples looking to disconnect from their busy lives, and gain a closer connection to the natural world while enjoying cozy mountain lodging, upscale comfort food, awe-inspiring activities by day, and relaxing hospitality at night. We invite you to join us in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina!

 

Winter at Chetola Resort is one of our favorite times of the year. Although winter winds and snow can impact our plans, the wonders of the season can also make it magical. The Festival of Lights, an annual tradition at Chetola Resort, originally began as a way to encourage visitors and locals to come experience winter holiday magic at the resort, even in the middle of winter.

When Kent Tarbutton, the proprietor of Chetola Resort, first arrived in the late 1990s, there were only four or five light displays around the grounds. Since then, additional displays have been added every year to the original collection and the current Festival of Lights now consists of over 30,000 lights for visitors, locals, and guests to enjoy.

Those 30,000 lights don’t just appear from Christmas magic- our grounds team begins working on the light displays in late September. It takes about 3 weeks to check and replace all the broken or dead bulbs, and an additional 6-8 weeks to get all the displays ready and set up. And, even when all the lights are set up, they must constantly be checked to ensure Christmas magic is at 100%.

This year’s new displays include a Nativity scene and dancing holiday lights with music. The Megatree, a part of the dancing lights display is the “ultimate creation” of Chetola Grounds Manager, Craig Lesowski. Craig’s intention in creating the Megatree was to create a new display that would allow families to create memories during their visit to Chetola.

The Megatree is exciting by itself, but what makes it extremely unique is that much of the display was created using recycled materials. The Megatree is made up of PVC pipes that have been glued together. The snowflakes near the tree were created using pieces of rebar that were welded together. And the hoops in front of the tree were created from an old cascading waterfall display that has been repurposed into accessories for the Megatree. The only new pieces of the Megatree are the lights themselves, the equipment to synchronize the lights, and the tomato cages which make up the baby trees in front of the Megatree. In total, this magnificent holiday light display is made up of 3,900 dancing lights with 2,200 just for the Megatree.

The dancing lights for the Megatree and surrounding accessories were programmed by Chetola’s IT Manager Mike Osborne to dance along to various Christmas songs. Many of the lights had to be connected to various circuits that allow them to actually “dance”. The work that goes into this enchanting Chetola tradition is endless, and we are grateful to every team member who helps to make this display memorable each year.

Looking ahead to next year, Craig promises a few new surprises, including more Megatrees made from recycled materials and a few other displays made of reused materials that we can’t quite share yet. You’ll just have to make Chetola’s Festival of Lights a winter tradition! We hope you have a wonderful winter and holiday season - we can’t wait to see you at the Festival of Lights!

Chetola Resort’s Festival of Lights is on display now through the end of Winterfest on Sunday, January 31, 2021. Enjoy a walk or drive around Chetola Lake to view stunning holiday lights, music, and more! Order a meal to go, or join us in Timberlake’s Restaurant for an unforgettable dining experience.