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October 29, 2019 13 minute READ

Fall Foliage Primer - October 30, 2019

tags Fall Foliage Primer
locations Asheville | Annex - Valle Crucis | Boone | Greenville | Hendersonville | Knoxville | Original - Valle Crucis | Waynesville

We are reaching the peak! All locations can safely report that Fall is HERE! Some locations - like Valle Crucis and Boone - are just past peak, but still have pockets of incredible color, while other locations - like Greenville and Knoxville are just beginning to reach their highest color show. And there's lots in between in Waynesville, Asheville, and Hendersonville. It's our favorite time of year! Colder weather is on its way everywhere this week, so no matter where you're visiting, be sure to bring a jacket, a fleece, and a raincoat. The weather this time of year changes quickly. Take a look to see the fun activities to enjoy this week. 

 

FALL COLOR UPDATE - October 30, 2019

Choose your report:
Valle Crucis/Boone • Waynesville • Asheville • Hendersonville • Greenville •  Knoxville


Boone-Valle Crucis Week 6

Valle Crucis/Boone – All I can say is “wow!” Sunday was a beautiful day to get out and see the leaves. We took a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway up toward Jefferson and West Jefferson with a stop off at E. B. Jeffress Park and the Holy Trinity Frescoes in Glendale Springs. It was warm enough to have the top down in the convertible, which made viewing the leaves all the more beautiful.

While some areas are a bit past peak color, there are many trees whose leaves are in mid cycle. One mountainside could be all the way into stick season while a facing hillside is in full color. We traveled down the Blowing Rock mountain toward Lenoir and found the leaf color to be stunning!

The weather looks to be a little more seasonal with highs in the mid-40s to mid-60s and lows in the 30s. There may be a little rain Thursday, but then it becomes sunny and cool. The forecast can always change, so be sure to check for an updated one HERE.

For events this week, start off with a Halloween night football game. The Mountaineers take on their long-time rivals from Georgia Southern in a Sun Belt showdown. It’s nationally televised, but it’s a lot more fun at the game. Kick-off is at 8 p.m. You can get info and tickets HERE.

Stop by the Farmers’ Market at the Horn in the West grounds on Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon. My favorite things to pick up this time of year are Pink Lady apples (oh, and Honey Crisp, too), winter squash, and some potatoes. After you walk through the market, take a tour through the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum and maybe wander through the Daniel Boone Native Gardens.

We’ve got one more week to go with this year’s primer. I can’t wait to see what happens with the color!

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Waynesville Week 6

Waynesville - It is been another week of moderate temperatures, but a front is headed our way bringing some much-needed rain as well as some cold air with it! I would have to say we are near full bloom here in Waynesville and the combination of rain and cold should bring us to a peak for sure.  With temperatures in the low 30s and upper 20s over the next few days, I am looking forward to bundling up and enjoying some hot chocolate! (Check HERE for a forecast for this weekend.)

Regardless of the weather, we are still having some fun here on Main Street. “When witches go riding, and black cats are seen. The moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween!" Tomorrow night is our annual Treats on the Streets gathering, where we close Main Street to provide a safe environment for trick or treating from shop to shop. I like this event because the parents can treat themselves as well! The event will run from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., and most shops will be handing out sweets to anyone in costume! This is a great idea for a rainy Halloween as you can walk under awnings and hang out in the local shops without having to stand in the rain.  

This Friday, the Haywood County Arts Council will have their monthly celebration of local artists during “Art after Dark!” All participating galleries on Main Street are open from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. with demonstrations, storytelling, and buskers here and there sharing their talents. It is a wonderfully relaxed event that is perfect for a rainy-day stroll. 

Lastly, another great way to enjoy the peak leaf season with something unique to our region is to go check out the elk! Yep, not deer, elk! They are in full swing right now fattening up for the winter and you can see them throughout the county. Check this WEBSITE out for the best viewing spots and times.  

As always, we would love to see you here on one of your days in Waynesville. Please drive safely this weekend, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

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Asheville Week 6

Asheville - If you’ve been driving around Asheville at all this past week you’ll see that we’ve reached peak color at last, and wow is it vibrant! It’s all thanks to the cooler temps and rain we’ve been having the last couple of days. This week will be slightly warmer, staying in the low 70s to 60s for most of the week with showers predicted on and off. This weekend though the temperatures will drop drastically, with highs in the 50s and lows in the mid-30s, so be ready. You can find a local forecast HERE

Despite the cold, this is the week to travel around Asheville if you want to see fall color. It’s enough for me just driving to and from work, but if you want a specific location you should try some of the area's city parks. Asheville is home to quite a few great parks, but many of my favorites are nestled along the French Broad River. French Broad River Park, in particular, is one I go to a lot. It's small but boasts a large dog park and beautiful shaded paths that are perfect for a casual stroll or a morning jog. The trees that fill the park are always amazing to look at, but this time of year, they practically glow. There are also a number of stop-off points that give nice views of the French Broad River and the surrounding forest areas. But French Broad River Park is just one of a number of interconnected parks along the River’s banks, and you can visit one or all of them in a single trip by following the French Broad River Greenway.

Another favorite park of mine to visit is Ledges Whitewater Park, in the town of Alexander. While also on the French Broad, this park feels a little more off the beaten path. The water is a bit choppier here, which makes it an ideal location for kayakers and whitewater rafters. It may be small, but it has great views of the river and the surrounding mountains just west of Asheville. For more information on the French Broad and its numerous Parks check out this WEBSITE.  

It’s Halloween weekend, and in Asheville that means there are a ton of options to dress up or simply add a spooky note to your adventures. If you want something simple, try out one of our Haunted tours. You can either go the funny route with LaZoom Haunted comedy tours, or take one of the city’s haunted walking tours and see some of the most haunted locations in Asheville. For more information on these tours, or other activities to do downtown this weekend go HERE

If you are more a fan of the classics, then try out Pinhead’s Graveyard Outdoor Haunted House in Candler. As one of the highest-rated haunted houses in North Carolina and is a must-see for those of you that love a good scare on Halloween. Here's where you can LEARN MORE

I hope everyone has a great Halloween. Don’t forget during your adventures to turn your clocks back this Sunday when Daylight Saving Time ends, and I hope you are all able to get some great fall color pictures as we near the end of this autumn season. See everyone next week!

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Hendersonville Week 6

Hendersonville - Wow! Yippee! YaY! Can you believe it? Autumn colors are here, and they are beautiful. The sweet gum trees have turned the color of zesty salsa, right along with the glowing sugar maples. The dogwoods are claret red, and the tulip trees are butterscotch. It’s a lovely kaleidoscope of color out there. Many of our patrons have been coming in these past few days to rave about the wonderful hues on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so I surely recommend a drive along there.

Although the week starts off a bit cloudy, by Saturday we are in for beautiful blue skies, crisp cool temperatures and truly awesome autumn days. Check the local forecast with a click HERE

DuPont State Recreational Forest is a wonderful place to go for a tramp through the woods. It is open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The forest has over 10,000 acres and is located in Henderson and Transylvania counties. It includes many waterfalls and 80 miles of roads and trails wandering through mountainous terrain. The movie, The Hunger Games, was filmed entirely in North Carolina. Many scenes from the movie were shot in DuPont State Recreational Forest and you can download a copy of the film locations HERE.   

Don’t forget Halloween is on Thursday! The Hendersonville Library, on Washington Street, will have a Halloween Bash on Thursday, October 31st from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. A free event for the little ones, kindergarten to 5th grade, there will be spooky crafts, mini-golf, a photo booth, and prizes! A great start to trick or treating.

The Treat Street Carnival on Main Street, also on Thursday, starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. It is free for everyone and includes a costume contest, music, a dance, and a family-friendly Halloween movie. No matter what your age or interest in dressing up, this festival is as much fun to watch as it is to participate in! Look HERE for more information.

Just in case you haven’t gotten your fill of celebrating Halloween, take a ride out to Serpentarium Magic in Mills River for a special free family trick or treat event. Enjoy candy, snacks, and the scariest and coolest reptiles ever. Even a two-headed snake! Open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This special serpent collection is well worth the drive. Check it out HERE

The First United Methodist Church on 6th Avenue West will be holding their 19th Annual Juried Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday, November 2nd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Forty artists will have handicrafts and artwork for sale, just in time for the holidays. Everything from jewelry, paintings, pottery, and holiday decorations will be available. This event is free and the proceeds benefit local mission activities.

It seems like there will be an event, festival, or happening to entertain children of every age this week. So, come and join us!

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Greenville Week 6

Greenville - Some of the trees in the Greenville area can now, finally and officially, be called “beautiful.” Those that are brightest right now are Liquid Amber trees, which are known for their fall brilliance earliest in the “turning season.” Check out the Table Rock webcam for the latest changes in that area as an indication of where we stand. 

Greenville’s fall activities continue with a fan favorite this weekend – The Greenville Classical Academy’s (CGA) Fall Festival and Holiday Market is this Saturday, November 2! GCA describes the festival as a family-friendly, community-focused event featuring 80 vendors, concessions, and an awesome Kid Zone. Parking on campus is for handicapped visitors only. All other parking will be next door at Woodruff Place and at Advent Methodist, where a free shuttle will be available to the event. Event entrance is free of charge, but donations for education are appreciated! Food Vendors will provide lunch ($5-$12) and the Greenville Classical Academy Moms out-do themselves at The Sweet Shop!! Bring the whole family & plan to stay! We also recommend having cash on hand, some vendors will accept credit/debit cards, but not all. Pets are allowed if on a leash or in a stroller.

Swamp Rabbit Trail - Great area for biking or walking. The trail goes from Downtown Greenville, SC through Cleveland Park and then through beautiful scenic countryside, forests, through swamps past Furman University, through Travellers Rest, and then several miles beyond. Easy free parking at the Greenville Zoo or many other locations along the trail. It's one of the best ways to see fall colors on foot. 

Halloween Trick or Treat at the Children’s Museum! Come in costume and fill your sacks with treats to experience Halloween like never before at a safe, indoor trick or treat event. Featuring special guest fire breathers from The Secret Cirkus, owls and animals from Wildlife Rehab, Reedy from Greenville Drive, performers, music, and more. Child tickets required for kids ages 1-15. Under 1 and adults are free. Adults are required to attend with children. Tickets will also be on sale at the door. 

For more Fall activities, visit Yeah, That Greenville! I hope you'll get down to see us soon. The turning leaves are making it an even more beautiful destination! 

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Knoxville Week 6

Knoxville - The weather here in Knoxville has kept us in a constant state of surprise this past week. Temperatures have varied from the mid-40s all the way up to the mid-70s! What was supposed to be a very wet and rainy weekend suddenly turned out sunny and pleasant! Next week’s forecast looks to be all over the place and could likely change. Best pack a variety of clothing options in case you go out. Here's a handy LINK to find out the latest in Knoxville. 

This week was a busy one, so we kept our outings close to home. Many of these shots were taken around the UT campus and near World’s Fair Park with one venture to Fort Dickerson Park about a mile south of town. This park encompasses a Civil War-era earthen fort. There’s a quarry there that has filled in with water to form a clear little lake. It’s open to the public for swimming and boating and is one of the best-kept secrets in Knoxville. To learn more about this park, click HERE.

In Knoxville, the one color you’ll see most prominently in the autumn is orange ... UT Volunteer Orange. And you’ll be seeing a lot of that this weekend as this is UT’s Homecoming! There will be a variety of events all week but the highlight will be the Homecoming Parade that begins on Friday, November 1 at 4:00 p.m. Click HERE for more details.

The Vols will be playing their Homecoming game against the University of Alabama-Birmingham at Neyland Stadium Saturday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. For game day information, follow this LINK

One thing that can be said about UT fans, even when the team is having a lackluster year, their spirit and dedication to the team shines through! Go Vols! See you next week.

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