Cabin Fever Five Fun Facts about Brevard’s Summer Camps Each summer, Transylvania County hosts thousands of young people from all over the nation and world at the many summer camps in and around Brevard. Ranging from days with backpacks and bug juice to internationally renowned music programs, Brevard’s summer camps are a treasured part of our history and a large contribution to what has made our community so beloved for generations. As we round out the end of care-package season, here are five things you might not know about Brevard’s summer camps: 1 1 SUMMER CAMPS HAVE A RICH HISTORY. Hundreds of children of all ages come to Brevard every summer. The relationship between summer campers and the larger community can be felt all over town, from the camp-specific flavors of ice cream at Dolly’s near the entrance to Pisgah National Forest to the shops downtown that offer camp care packages. The sounds of happy voices filling the forests and waterways with laughter, joy, and imagination echo the seemingly limitless possibilities of summertime when you’re young at heart. 2 2 Brevard’s first summer camp opened in 1913. Camp French Broad opened its doors in 1913, and Camp Sapphire arrived a year later in 1914. Keystone Camp, the area’s first camp for girls, which is still producing new generations of happy campers, started two years later in 1916. 3 3 The Brevard Music Center was originally called Transylvania Music Camp. James Christian Pfohl moved his summertime Davidson Music School from... Read More
Four Fun Ways to Give the Gift of Brevard this Season The holidays are upon us. As you’re making your lists and checking them twice, it’s a very merry time to consider how you can give your family and friends a unique and special gift this season by going straight to the heart . . . of adventure. Brevard’s rich assortment of shops, galleries, eateries and experiences offer up more than enough goodness to fill your stocking and then some. Here are a few of our favorite ideas: One-of-a-kind Treasures Brevard has a rich heritage of arts and crafts that has long made it a favorite destination for those who desire something truly special. Painters, sculptors, potters, glass blowers, woodworkers, fabric artists, and many more have always impressed with an extraordinary assortment of handcrafted treasures. Some of our artists offer studio tours and opportunities to buy direct from the source. Brevard’s galleries are also an excellent place to seek out a masterpiece. Think Local. Shop Local (for everything) For a small town, Brevard’s shops and boutiques offer an incredible assortment of gifts and goods that will tickle your fancy. It’s almost certain you will find the perfect present for everyone on your holiday list. Take a comfortable stroll through downtown and you’ll be treated to Brevard’s delightfully decorated holiday windows. And while you’re there, discover fabulous clothing, the best of outdoor gear, kitchenware, antiques, stocking stuffers, knick-knacks, and enough toys for Santa to stock a whole sled. It’s... Read More
Leaf Your Worries Behind Five Out-of-the-Car Ways to Get Out and Enjoy Fall Color In Brevard The high mountains and lush forests of Brevard and Transylvania County are particularly spectacular when the leaves start to change. The month of October (and sometimes into November) produces spectacular hues in an ever-shifting palette of reds, yellows, oranges, greens, and near-purples. While you can get a front-row view of the color show from pretty much anywhere in Transylvania County, mild temperatures and easy access to outdoor adventure mean that you can enjoy the season change from a host of thrilling locations. Here are a few ideas to take your leaf game to (sometimes literally) the next level: 1. Paddle the Upper French Broad. Take a trip down one of the oldest rivers in the world, as it runs through a scenic landscape marked by high mountains, lush meadows, and all the colorful flora and fauna that call the area home. The trip is gentle and fun for all ages and abilities (though you might run into a small Class I rapid), so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to bask in the beauty of the season. 2. Cycle the Blue Ridge Parkway. The high twists and turns of the Blue Ridge Parkway have long offered cyclists some of the most rewarding rides and jaw-dropping vistas around. Cooler temperatures and the stunning fall color of the landscape make rides this time of year even more dazzling. 3. Hike to High Falls. DuPont State Recreational... Read More
Memorable Road Rides: Wheely Fun Transylvania County has earned a worldwide — and well-deserved — reputation for its spectacular mountain biking. Yet the road cycling opportunities here are just as rich, varied and rewarding, whether you’re a beginner to the sport, a dedicated club rider or a training professional. Here are three routes (easy, intermediate and challenging) that provide an excellent introduction to two-wheeled travel in Transylvania County. 1. Easy Name: Walnut Hollow & East Fork River ValleyDistance: 26 milesElevation Gain: 1,542 feetType: Paved RoadStart: Downtown Brevard, Visitors Center Map and Elevation Profile Description: Are you short on time but want to get in a good workout? This popular route fits the bill. Leaving downtown Brevard, enjoy a pleasant six-mile warm up before encountering the legendary climb up Walnut Hollow. But take heart: from the top of this one-mile climb (average 7.6% gradient), it’s an invigorating descent down to the East Fork of the French Broad River and a scenic valley ride to Rosman and back to Brevard. 2. Intermediate Name: Headwaters LoopLevel: Easy-IntermediateDistance: 20.4 milesElevation Gain: 1,815 feetType: RoadStart: Champion Park, Rosman Map and Elevation Profile Description: While short, this route in the western part of Transylvania County possesses all the qualities that make the “Land of Waterfalls” such a special place to tour. You’ll find convenient parking at Champion Park in Rosman where this ride begins. Along the way you’ll pass the headwaters of the French Broad River (3rd oldest in the world), the world-famous Pisgah Astronomical Research... Read More
Three Wonderful Winter Adventures Be A Cool Rider Cycling in winter months has long been a favorite activity of avid road bikers. There’s less traffic, fewer crowds and real camaraderie among cyclists in the local community. Winters around Brevard often mean lots of mild, sunny days — sometimes temperatures can soar up around 70 degrees — and great views. The Blue Ridge Parkway closes during the winter, which makes its scenic stretches ideal for cyclists. Remember your lights! front and rear lights are required to ride on the Parkway. Find easy access by taking 276 up through Pisgah National Forest. You can park for free at Wagon Road Gap, walk your bike through the gate, and ride like the wind! And if that wind gets a little chilly, no worries, just remember to dress in layers. Pick up cold-weather gear at one of Transylvania County’s many bike shops and outfitters, where you can also get firsthand tips from locals and check on mountain biking opportunities as well. Or join up with the Winter Bike League for group rides and all sorts of expert advice. Find Your Inspiration For arts and culture lovers, Brevard’s thriving local scene provides a little bit of everything for the creative soul. Downtown’s many galleries feature works of all styles, varieties and media no matter your taste. And while wandering around, you can enjoy the Sculpture Tour, which features more than twenty works scattered throughout downtown. A bit further afield, you’ll find wonderful pottery studios... Read More
Cruise into Fall Color Whether you’re behind the wheel of a fancy convertible or a family wagon, these two driving tours showcase the best of what Transylvania County has to offer in the autumn. Sure, you can speed through these routes, see plenty of sights and take in some breathtaking color, but the ideal way is take your foot off the gas and plan to make several stops along the way. Remember: the trees at a higher elevation change color earlier than those below, so enjoy the view from the top! Transylvania County Loop(3-7 hours, depending on stops) If you want a grand tour of all of Transylvania County’s most gorgeous fall leaf color, this is it. Begin in downtown Brevard, where you can get helpful information about our area at our Visitor Center and fortify yourself with coffee and sweet rolls from one of our local bakeries or cafes before setting out. Your route takes you into the yellow and red-dappled Pisgah National Forest where you can get sidetracked by any number of great attractions, from Looking Glass Falls to Sliding Rock to the seasonally-hued Cradle of Forestry. Top out on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follow it south through brilliant splashes of rich hues on the surrounding mountains. Numerous overlooks offer up the spectacular fall color of the Blue Ridge mountains at peak season, and the awesome rock monolith of Looking Glass Rock. At Devil’s Courthouse, stretch your legs on a trail that summits on a granite... Read More
Five Fabulous Fall Hikes For visitors to Brevard and Transylvania County, a walk in the woods takes on a whole new meaning. With a national forest (Pisgah), a state park (Gorges), two state forests (DuPont and Headwaters) making up over a hundred thousand acres of lush woodlands, an afternoon hike in our part of the world will either soothe your soul or stretch your spirit depending on your path. Below you’ll find five not-to-be-missed hikes. For visitors to Brevard and Transylvania County, a walk in the woods takes on a whole new meaning. With a national forest (Pisgah), a state park (Gorges), two state forests (DuPont and Headwaters) making up over a hundred thousand acres of lush woodlands, an afternoon hike in our part of the world will either soothe your soul or stretch your spirit depending on your path. Below you’ll find five not-to-be-missed hikes. 4 5 Pink Beds Loop Pisgah National Forest Here’s your chance to marvel at the capabilities of the irrepressible “castor canadensis” (more commonly known as the North American beaver) to transform a landscape. This mostly flat 5 mile trail works around bogs and ponds created by these industrious engineers. This high-elevation valley is ideal for a casual ramble. You’ll see lots of native wildflowers and ferns along the way. Be sure to visit the Forest Discovery Center at the nearby Cradle of Forestry, too. Reach the trailhead by entering Pisgah National Forest on US276 and drive north 11.4 miles. Parking is on the right. Level: EasyDistance: 5 milesTrail: Pink... Read More
Top 5 Summer Festivals in Brevard 1 1 The White Squirrel Festival May 24 – 26 A two-and-a-half-day extravaganza of superb live music, arts and crafts, delicious food, and more fun, family-friendly activities than you could shake a tail at, this yearly event is just about as beloved as its fluffy namesake and with good reason. For years, The White Squirrel Festival has been maybe one of the best music festivals around, with an eclectic mix of bluegrass, jazz, folk, and rock and roll from of the best, all performing for free in charming downtown Brevard. X 2 2 The Brevard Music Center Summer Festival June 20 – August 4 For eighty-three years, some of the most promising young musicians from around the world have come to train and perform with some of the most celebrated names in classical music. Each season offers music fans an opportunity to see more than 80 unforgettable performances with some of the biggest names in classical, jazz, bluegrass, country and pop music. Under the guidance of BMC Artistic Director and alumnus Keith Lockhart, the 2019 festival is a music lover’s delight. Learn more here. X 3 3 Arts & Culture Week June 21 – July 4 Summertime makes for great inspiration. The Transylvania County Community Arts Council (TC Arts) is hoping this season will inspire you to check out two weeks jam-packed with over 90 events and tailored to every taste. Like gallery openings? They’ve got those. Street dances? Art Shows? Bluegrass and... Read More
Take a walk on the wildflower side. Some hiking trails offer big surprises – like hidden waterfalls or dramatic vistas – but some offer smaller, more intimate experiences that can be equally satisfying. Throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, and specifically in Transylvania County, a wide variety of wildflowers lend vibrant color to our coves and hollows from early spring to late autumn. We talked to two wildflower experts, Rosemarie Shannon Knoll and Marianne Weaver to come up with four outstanding wildflower hikes where you are likely to see some great examples of Mother Nature as landscape artist. Tip: A good wildflower guide is an ideal companion for these walks. There are several excellent guides available, but we’re partial to Rosemarie Shannon Knoll’s superb series, which includes Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkwayand Pisgah National Forest, Wildflower Quick Reference Guideand Wildflowers and Watefalls of DuPont State Recreational Forest. All three titles are available at High Falls Publishing. Art Loeb Trail, Pisgah National Forest DESCRIPTIONAn easy out and back walk of two miles, this spring wildflower walk is close to the entrance of Pisgah National Forest near the Davidson River Campground. The path follows the Art Loeb Trail along the Davidson River. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIALAccording to Rosemarie: “This easy to walk trail is covered with a beautiful carpet of wildflowers in April and May including Trillium, Bloodroot, Toothwort, and a variety of Violets. You will also see Mayapple, Trout Lily, Little Brown Jug, and Foamflower. The Art Loeb Trail connects... Read More
Six Sensational Winter Activities 1 1 Take a hike One advantage of winter hikes? You can see everything. The subtle contour of the mountains. Long range views of neighboring states. And the ever-present green of our mountain rhododendron. In short, winter hikes are a favorite winter time activity in these parts. Hikes to John Rock and Looking Glass Rock are perennial favorites. You can find a wide selection of hikes here. X 2 2 Have a thrill on the hill What could be more fun than an evening snow skiing or snow tubing with the family (weather permitting) at the Ski Sapphire Valley? They will be open Dec 17-Jan 1, then on weekends, Fri-Sun, after the holidays. They will also be closed on Jan 16th and February 20th for national holidays. X 2 3 Turn, turn, turn Ever wanted to learn how to throw a pot? Tie a fly? Build your own fly rod? In Transylvania County, local organizations and businesses offer lots of opportunities to learn (or hone) a craft. Our Calendar of Events is a great place to discover a new hobby. X 3 4 Check the thermometer for a deep freeze Typically, we get several hard freezes every winter. The result is one of the most dazzling sights you’ll ever behold: frozen waterfalls. Looking Glass Falls is one of the most easily accessible (on US 276), but there are plenty more options if you’re willing to take a short hike. Smaller waterfalls tend to freeze more frequently, so it’s... Read More
Jolly good fun: Making the most of the holidays in Brevard Every year it seems, the holidays get a little more hectic. But not in Brevard and Transylvania County. We celebrate the holidays the old-fashioned way: with beloved music traditions, heartwarming seasonal gatherings and festive events the whole family will love. So fire up the family sleigh and head over to our place for the holidays. It’s a great way to discover, to paraphrase Linus, “What Christmas is all about.” 1 1 Cut your own tree Local Christmas Tree Farms – Nov through Dec There’s no finer family tradition. And our local growers can help you find the perfect centerpiece for your family’s celebration. X 2 2 Glory in the work of Vivaldi Vivaldi Gloria: Transylvania Choral Society & Brevard College Chamber Singers — Dec 13 When the Transylvania Choral Society and Brevard College Chamber Singers join up they make a joyful noise. This festive program features Antonio Vivaldi’s popular “Gloria” and the dynamic “Messe de Minuit pour Noel.” X 3 3 Gobble up some fine gifts Transylvania Handcrafters Guild Holiday Show – Dec 7 Put something artful under the tree this year. This annual Handcrafters Guild event is your opportunity to visit with artists and craftspeople who create the amazing pottery, fiber arts, glassworks, turned bowls and other objects d’art that will brighten the day of any lucky recipient. X 4 4 Get you rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums Christmas Parade and Twilight Tour – Dec 1... Read More
Rock of Ages: Looking Glass Western North Carolina offers more rock climbing than any other state east of the Mississippi River, with more variety, diverse rock types, and climbing styles to boot. And Looking Glass Rock is the King Daddy of them all. Fortunately, Transylvania County is home to a number of professional climbing outfitters, most notably Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School and Pura Vida Adventures. Any one of them would be an ideal starting point to arrange guide service and instruction, buy or rent equipment, or just get pointed in the right direction. In the mean time, here’s a brief introduction to North Carolina climbing and its most famous monolith, Looking Glassby veteran climber Ron Funderburke: “Once a climber has spent enough time seeking instruction and mentorship, they will probably learn to lead climb. In North Carolina, the sport of climbing did not emerge at our most prominent crags; it was, in fact, intentionally eschewed when climbs could be naturally protected. So, the North Carolina lead climber must learn to lead traditionally protected routes. But that’s okay, because there are hundreds of such routes, at all difficulties. You can stand in a 500 foot sea of eyebrows, jam and stem your way up long corner systems, or grapple endless edgy face climbs at Looking Glass Rock.” Directions to Looking Glass: “From Brevard, take Hwy 276 North into the expansive Pisgah National Forest. A left turn on Forest Road 475 will wind its way past the hiking trail... Read More
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