2010--The Year of Rescheduling... 

If you detect a note of frustration in this headline, well, it's because it's been a frustrating year so far in regards to the scheduling of the Museum's many hikes and events. Please note the following two date changes and come along if your schedule allows:

•  Wednesday, May 19:  Hike to Mitchell Falls. This is the site where Dr. Elisha Mitchell fell to his death while trying to prove the mountain that now bears his name is the highest in Eastern North America. The hike is moderate, with a steep descent into the falls themselves.

Details:  Meet at 8 am in the parking lot of Black Mountain Savings Bank to carpool to the hike site in Yancey County, about an 1.5 hour drive.  Bring lunch, snacks, drinks, hiking stick, cameras, etc.  Cost is $50 for Museum members; $75 for non-members.  For reservations, call 828-669-9566, or email swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net. 

•  Thursday, May 27:  Virginia Creeper Bicycle Trail.   We'll travel to Damascus, VA, for our second Virginia Creeper bicycle adventure along the famous bike path.  The Virginia Creeper is a 17-mile downhill bike trail established along the "retired" railway corridor of the Virginia-Carolina railroad, with a gentle slope and well-groomed surface.  The bike rental vendor has bikes for all sizes, ages and abilities. 

Details:  Meet at Black Mountain Saving Bank at 6:45 am to carpool to Damascus, VA, an approximately 2 hour drive.  Cost is $35 for Museum members; $45 for non-members, and includes bike rental and safety gear.  (If you wish to bring your own bike, cost will be $21 for Museum members; $31 for non-members.)  We will stop for lunch at a small cafe along the way or you can bring your own.  Participants are responsible for their own lunch.  For reservations, call 828-669-9566, or email swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net.

Photo:  Mitchell Falls, courtesy of Wendell Begley.

Sunset Photography Hike at Potato Knob

Summer sunsets in the mountains are beautiful to behold and fun to photograph. 

On Saturday, June 5, join us for a bar-b-que supper high atop Mount Mitchell, followed by a visit to the Begley cabins to view and (hopefully) photograph the sunset.  This hike is easy and lots of fun.

Shown here in a photo by Black Mountain's Joye Arden Durham is last year's group of hikers in front of the cabins, which are nestled on the crest of the Black Mountain Range.

Details:  Meet in parking lot of Black Mountain Savings Bank, 200 E. State St. at 2:30 pm to carpool to Mount Mitchell.  Bring your camera and a sweater or other light wrap.  Cost is $20 for Museum members; $30 for non-members and includes the bar-b-que meal.  Reservations are required.  Call 828-669-9566, or email swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net.

Photo courtesy of Joye Arden Durham, The Gingko Tree, Black Mountain

Tour Six Historic Homes in the Swannanoa Valley

You'll have an opportunity on Saturday, June 12 to visit six of the Swannanoa Valley's most historic homes on the Museum's first ever Historic Homes Tour.

The theme for the tour is "Then and Now,"--participants will see images of what the homes looked like at earlier times and learn how they've been changed and updated through history. 

Homes and properties on the tour include:

•  The W.R. and Annie Goodson Homeplace--North Fork.

•  "Over Yonder", home of the Kerlee family and present residence of Willie Kerlee Headley & Bob Headley, North Fork.

•  Cabin Creek Lodge--Longtime tourist accommodations, formerly Pine Lodge, near Montreat gate.

•  The 1927 Montgomery Ward prefab house now the residence of Gay Fox on Lake Tomahawk.

•  A Grovemont cottage, ca. 1920s.

•  A former early 20th century hunting lodge, now home to Nancy Alexander in Swannanoa.

The tour will be by carpool, with participants meeting in the parking lot of Black Mountain Savings Bank at 12:45 pm.  The tour is from 1 to 5 pm.  Cost is $10 for Museum members; $20 for non-members.  Drivers may be needed to help with  carpooling.  Reservations will be limited, so sign up early.  Call 828-669-9566 or send an email to swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net.

Photo:  The Goodson homeplace, ca. 1906, courtesy of Robert Goodson.

Looking Ahead into Summer

The Swannanoa Valley Museum is known for its many hikes and events that bring history to life outside the walls of the Museum. 

For a complete listing and details of all the 2010 activities go to our website.  Visit the Events Calendar and click on the date of the event for complete details.

Here's a sneak peek at what's up for the summer:

• Wed. June 23:  Daycation to Linville Caverns & Wiseman's View.  Explore these old mountains from deep inside and high above.

•  Sun. July 4:  Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Hike and Picnic.  A perennial family favorite--watch the Black Mountain fireworks display from high on Sunset Mountain. 

Wed. July 21:  Float trip on the French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater as our guides.  Cool down in the heat of summer on this splash-filled Daycation get-away.

•  Thurs. July 29:  Daycation to the Mineral & Gem Show in Spruce Pine.  Rockhounds and gem-lovers will get a kick out of this huge gem and mineral show.

We hope you'll join us for these fun and informational events.  Don't forget--details are on our website Events Calendar.

Photo courtesy of Blue Heron Whitewater.