Harold the Asian Mandarin Gets a New Do

As you may recall, Harold and Nelva are our Asian Mandarin duck couple that has decided to live here at the Inn on Mill Creek (named after a super couple -- Dave's grandpa and his wife). We were concerned when they were away for a couple of weeks this month. We figured that they must be on vacation at a higher elevation since the temperatures were reaching into the 80s at our elevation in mid-June. However, we learned the real reason for their absence when they returned.

It appears that Harold has a new hairdo (featherdo?). Actually, he molted -- in other words, he shed his beautiful bright plumage. We're told that during molting, ducks generally lay low and might not be able to fly, which would explain why Harold was not making his daily and evening commutes across the Pool Garden. Not to worry: Molting is a normal process in Asian Mandarins and Harold will grow more colorful feathers for us and our guests to fawn over.

HAROLD BEFORE...


Yes, I look good, thanks for noticing

HAROLD AFTER...


I said, just a little off the top!

June Geocaching in McDowell County

As mentioned in our post about our afternoon at Mt. Mitchell, we spent part of the day geocaching on Curtis Creek Road in McDowell County. [Visit www.geocaching.com to learn more about geocaching.]

About a third of Curtis Creek Road is unpaved heading south from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the final two-thirds are paved, with miles of pristine forest all around and spots designated for camping and fishing along Curtis Creek.

Different geocachers have hidden at least nine caches along or near Curtis Creek Road, and we set out to find one called 3/1/1911, hidden by the well-known geocacher named OzGuff.


The hunt begins under Bugsy's watchful eye

This particular geocache is hidden close (but not too close) to the sign that commemorates the first tract of land purchased to become a National Forest in the United States.



More than 8,000 acres were purchased on March 1, 1911, as part of the Weeks Law. The law, which was used to create new national forests, authorized the purchase of public lands in order to protect watersheds of navigable streams, especially in the east.

This geocache wasn't as challenging as we thought it might be (or maybe we're getting better at geocaching...), so after we signed the log and re-hid the cache, the pugs had some quality sniffing time in the forest and we got to enjoy the quiet of the woods before heading back home.



Don't forget, if you are in the area and want to do some geocaching, on our Inn Turns 10 page, we've compiled a list of ten caches hidden around the Inn on Mill Creek, along with a link to the more than 125 caches hidden within ten miles of the Inn.

An Afternoon at Mt. Mitchell

A couple of innkeepers and innpugs in the Black Mountains

We took the afternoon off yesterday to do two things. The first was to stop by local graphics company Graphics Warehouse, where we picked up our sign showing us as a site on the North Carolina Birding Trail (the mountain region of the trail opens today!).

Then, we and the innpugs, Csaba Pugga and Bugsy Pug headed north, up scenic Highway 80 in our county to the Blue Ridge Parkway. From there, we stopped at several overlooks to snap photos of different peaks in the Black Mountains, looking lush and green under a backdrop of clear Carolina blue sky as we made our way to Mt. Mitchell (a little over an hour's drive from the Inn on Mill Creek).

Mt. Mitchell, part of the Black Mountain range, is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River (and in fact, six of the ten tallest peaks in the eastern United States are in the Black Mountains overlooking our area). As you drive southwest along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can see Mt. Mitchell at an overlook:



Driving further west on the Blue Ridge Parkwy, we turned north on Route 128 to Mt. Mitchell State Park, which has a restaurant, information center and a parking lot near the top, where you can take a short walk (uphill, of course) to the recently remodeled observation deck. Since we were standing on the highest peak in the eastern U.S., that meant for a short time, Csaba and Bugsy were the two highest pugs in the eastern U.S. as well.



As mini-celebrities wherever they go, Csaba and Bugsy certainly enjoyed getting lots of attention from tour groups and other dogs while we were at Mt. Mitchell.

To get home, we drove back the way we came along the Parkway and stopped on Green Knob, which is the peak visible from our orchard. Standing on Green Knob, we think we were able to scope out the general area where the Inn on Mill Creek should be located amidst the green peaks to the south.

We live straight ahead, about 5 miles

Csaba does his Julie Andrews "Sound of Music" impression on Green Knob

After following some cyclists (heading both downhill and uphill):



we then turned south on Curtis Creek Road, also part of our gorgeous McDowell County, which leads along trout-filled Curtis Creek, through forested areas and camping grounds back to the town of Old Fort.

About a third of Curtis Creek Road heading from the Parkway is unpaved and reminds us of our own road through Pisgah National Forest. And for good reason -- a stretch of Curtis Creek Road (on the paved portion) contains the first tract of National Forest land in the United States, designated as such in 1911. And wouldn't you know it, there's a geocache nearby, which made our afternoon trip even more fun. We'll post about our geocaching adventure on Saturday.

Welcome Hummingbirds and Butterflies

The butterflies and hummingbirds have been visiting our bee balm, coneflowers and other wildlife-friendly flowers at the Inn on Mill Creek each and every beautiful day here in the mountains of North Carolina. Not only are we a North Carolina Birding Trail site, but we're also proud to be a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

The ruby-throated hummingbirds are definitely our favorite birds to watch right now. They only seem mildly annoyed at us -- the papparazzi -- as we try to get close to take their pictures. Below are our attempts to catch them as they flutter about. The butterflies on the other hand, couldn't care less that we have the camera lens two inches from them.


See the hummer?


We were able to get a little closer...


Taking a breather before buzzing off at light speed


It can be hard to share sometimes

McDowell County Tourism's New Website

McDowell County Tourism Development Authority has a very eye catching new website showcasing the area's history and features, plus all the different activities in our county, from hiking to birdwatching to sightseeing along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

As a North Carolina Birding Trail site, we like the fact that the website includes a list of birds to see throughout the county with details about which areas/elevations contain which species. [You can learn more about the NC Birding Trail at www.ncbirdingtrail.org.]

We also liked the sections about the railroad and the North Carolina Civil War Trail, as well as the section devoted to suggested itineraries. If you're looking for things to do in McDowell County, this is a fantastic resource.

Lake Tomahawk

The "Seven Sisters" peaks are in the background

Lake Tomahawk and the park around it is just a few minutes northwest of downtown Black Mountain. The lake has a nice half-mile walking trail loop, and several geese and ducks make their homes at the lake along with several other bird species. There are also some pretty plants and flowers in the wooded areas around the lake:



We went to Lake Tomahawk this morning with the innpugs, Csaba Pugga and Bugsy Pug, who are always treated like celebrities whenever they go out in public. Unfortunately, in order to enjoy our walk with the pugs, we didn't bring the camera with us today, but we did take it with us when we did the Black Mountain Sculpture Stroll earlier this week. Here are a few more photos from that day for you to enjoy.


A pretty view of the Black Mountains


One of the sculptures by the gazebo


Part of the path around the lake

Black Mountain Sculpture Stroll Photos

As promised, here are photos of the larger-than-life sculptures featured on the Black Mountain Sculpture Stroll. Enjoy! Circa Cinq by Julia Stout is located on Midland Avenue north of State Street in front of Town Hall:



The Ripple Effect by Julia C. Burr is on the corner of Dougherty and Sutton, south of State Street:



The other five (pictured below) are viewable via the half-mile walking path around Lake Tomahawk. (On Thursday, we'll post more photos from our stroll around Lake Tomahawk.)


A little girl checks out Having Fun by Dan Howachyn


Ducks do like labyrinths, like The Labyrinth by Marty Cain



Watch out! It's Sea Monster by Dave Taylor


Dave's favorite, Ancestor Totem by Carro


Brigette's favorite, Arches over Water by Tekla

Art in Bloom in Black Mountain

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts (225 W. State Street) has a lot going on this weekend!

Friday-Sunday, June 19-21 -- The Art in Bloom Regional Gallery Show will take place at the Center along with floral interpretations in the gallery and upper floor. The artwork in the gallery, which is on loan from regional galleries, will be complemented by interpretations of flowers by area floral designers. The fragility of the flowers dictates that the show will only last a few days. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 828.669.0930, or look at their website at www.blackmountainarts.org, and click on Events, then Art in Bloom. Admission is included in any event ticket below, or admission to the show alone is $5.

Friday, June 19 -- The Center will hold an Ikebana Demonstration and Afternoon Tea at 2pm. Watch Emiko Nishiwaki demonstrate the art of Japanese floral design with commentary by Terri Ellis Todd, while you enjoy afternoon tea and refreshments served on pottery tea sets made by studio potters (the tea sets will also be for sale.) Tickets are $25.

Saturday, June 20 -- You can catch an informative presentation by Master Gardener teacher, author, and photographer, Pam Beck of Raleigh. The presentation, Best Garden Plants for NC, will be at 2pm, and Black Mountain Books will provide books for a book signing by Beck after the presentation ($16.95). Tickets are $20 for this event.

Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, from 10am-4pm – The Center hosts a Garden Tour of seven local gardens, including Center for the Arts board member, Emily Ferguson. Plein air painters will be on hand in each garden to capture the event. A 15% discount for lunch at five local restaurants will be included on the $15 ticket.

Sunday, June 21 from 12pm-4pm – The plain air painters’ works will be displayed in the Main Floor of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

What's in Bloom at the Inn

Brigette has been documenting the different bloom times for the flowers this year in her garden journal (it's become quite an obsession) and we thought we'd share with you what's currently in bloom at the Inn on Mill Creek in the Black Mountain area:

Calla lilies (pictured above)
Roses
Yarrow
Petunias
Siberian Iris
Spiderwort
Snapdragons
Lamb's Ear
Catmint
Dahlias
Gaura
Lavender
Prickly Pear Cactus

About to bloom...butterfly bushes, daylilies, coneflowers and daisies...we'll keep you posted!

Fireworks and More on July 4

We can't believe it's June already, which means Independence Day will be here before we know it, complete with American flags waving proudly in parades and fireworks lighting up the sky in the evening.

Montreat will kick off Independence Day early with a parade at 10am on July 4. The town of Black Mountain will hold its July 4 celebration around 7pm with a free street festival and dance, followed by fireworks later in the evening. Food will be available for purchase at the Black Mountain festival; however, you might not want to miss the Black Mountain tailgate market earlier in the day -- from 9am to noon -- on Montreat Road.

For those of you in a hiking mood, the Swannanoa Valley Museum offers its annual hike to view the fireworks. The group will meet in Black Mountain and the hike will begin at 5pm. Reservations are required (see their website for information).

Flowers and Black Mountain Arts Fest

Look what we received today -- a cool garden sculpture from Debbie, one of our returning guests and friends. Thanks, Debbie! The spoon and fork flower sculpture (perfect for a B&B) fits nicely in our new White Garden and was handcrafted by Moonshiner Metalworks artist Mike Cowan. Mike is one of the 65 artisans featured at the 12th Annual Black Mountain Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend.

While our guests were enjoying the arts festival, we took in some of Mother Nature's artwork in our garden. Here we share a couple of photos we took on this beautiful Saturday...the weather forecaster called for partly cloudy skies today, which we optimistically consider partly sunny. Happy June!


Lambs Ear in bloom


An iris is a landing spot for this busy bee

Black Mountain Sculpture Stroll

What a neat idea for the town of Black Mountain to really showcase some of its talented artists -- we will try to get out and get some photos of the sculptures to post on the blog:

The town of Black Mountain presents a “Sculpture Stroll” now through December 2009. Custom sculpture is showcased at various outdoor sites throughout the town, featuring artists such as Julia Burr, Julia Stout, Dan Howachyn, Tekla, Carro, Dave Taylor, and Marty Cain.

The public is invited to an opening event featuring live music on Thursday, June 18, 7 p.m. at Lake Tomahawk Park, which joins in with the kick-off for this year's Park Rhythms.

Presenting the artists and their sculptures:

1. Julia C. Burr
The Ripple Effect
Sponsored by A Supporter of the Arts
Located at the corner of Sutton and Dougherty Streets.

2. Julia Stout
circa cinq
Sponsored by Black Mountain Beautification Committee
Located on Midland Ave. in front of Town Hall

3. Dan Howachyn
Having Fun
Sponsored by The Madison Inn
Located at Lake Tomahawk Park between Laurel Circle Drive, Rhododendron
Ave., Tomahawk St. and Cragmont Ave.

4. Tekla
Arches Over Water
Sponsored by Acoustic Corner and GreyBeard Realty
Located at Lake Tomahawk Park

5. Carro
Ancestor Totem
Sponsored by Merchants of Downtown Black Mountain
Located at Lake Tomahawk Park

6. Dave Taylor
Sea Monster
Sponsored by Seven Sisters Gallery and Divine Connection
Located at Lake Tomahawk Park

7. Marty Cain
The Labyrinth
Sponsored by Ed Woerz
Located at Lake Tomahawk Park

For more information, contact one of the coordinating organizations: Black Mountain Town Beautification Committee, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, or Black Mountain Recreation and Parks.

Today's Visitor

We had a visit today from an old friend we met two years ago. Long time, no see, buddy!



This is by far the largest turtle we've seen here at the Inn on Mill Creek. We wonder if he'll be spending the summer with us and the ducks...