- August 16, 2016
- NPS Centennial: The Grand Canyon, an Ethereal Visit
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Zephyr-roughened and patinaed cliffs began to narrow all around. I watched for the indications of our journey’s end, read where we were in the encyclopedic rocks in my enfeebled way. Past the friable Tapeats Sandstone, fascinating Vishnu Schist was yards First time reactions differ. The Grand Canyon. One of the World’s Wonders. Stillness pervades my whole self.
- August 15, 2016
- NPS Centennial: Bikecentennial '76 Memories
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I participated in the Bikecentennial ‘76. This landmark event consisted of a series of bicycle tours on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail across the United States in the summer of 1976 in commemoration of the bicentennial of America's Declaration of Independence. Best of all, I was able to enjoy several national parks from the comfort of my bicycle.
- August 14, 2016
- NPS Centennial: Wildlife Encounters in Rocky Mountain National Park
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“Whoa, what is that?” I screamed with excitement. “It’s an elk,” my friend Cathy responded. I had never seen such a creature. It was amazing, and what made it even more amazing was the beautiful alpine tundra on which the elk and its counterparts were standing. We had made it…Rocky Mountain National Park. This place was not like anything I had ever seen or experienced before.
- August 12, 2016
- NPS Centennial: Honeymooning in Glacier National Park
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This summer, my wife and I drove 2,210 miles to Glacier National Park in Montana for our honeymoon. We chose Glacier because we had a friend in Bozeman, Montana that told us about her experience there. After we did some research, we decided that traveling to Glacier National Park would be out perfect honeymoon destination.
- August 10, 2016
- NPS Centennial: All Things Beautiful and Blueberry in Maine
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My husband and I recently went to Acadia National Park for our 5th wedding anniversary. It was the best trip we’ve ever taken. Spectacular views, warm sun, cool breeze, and flowers in abundance… It couldn’t have been more perfect!
- August 8, 2016
- NPS Centennial: Endless Exploration on the Blue Ridge Parkway
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My favorite National Park is the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s wonderful to be able to experience it by car for as little or as long as you'd like. You can take a short drive to refresh your mind when you've got just an hour, or you could spend entire weeks driving and stopping at all the overlooks and park attractions.
- August 7, 2016
- NPS Centennial: Treasures Abound at Cape Lookout National Seashore
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Cape Lookout National Seashore includes a Visitor Center on the Mainland at Harker’s Island, North Carolina, as well as Shackleford Banks and North and South Core Banks. You can reach the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford by ferry (from Beaufort or Harker’s Island), or if you are adventurous, by paddling out on a kayak.
- August 5, 2016
- NPS Centennial: American Pride at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
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The first time I viewed the Statue of Liberty, I was sailing into New York harbor on my way to Montauk, NY. That was nearly three decades ago. We slipped beneath the Verrazano Bridge and there she was. I was awestruck. The next occasion was a fly over nearly a decade later, but the same feeling was evoked. However, it wasn’t until June of this year that I actually visited Lady Liberty in person. I was again awestruck.
- August 3, 2016
- NPS Centennial: Finding Peace in Shenandoah National Park
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Shenandoah National Park is a family favorite and we travel there often. My husband, Eric, and I love it so much that we got married in the park - right off Skyline Drive at Timber Hollow Outlook. As you see in the photos, I got married in a gray wool suit. I am not very “girly” and it was late November.
- August 1, 2016
- NPS Centennial: Honeymoon Adventure in the Western National Parks
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For our honeymoon, my wife, Michelle, and I went on a journey westward. We started in Colorado and looped our way through Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Utah visiting friends, family, and National Parks along the way. It was truly an adventure, and a magnificent start to the real adventure that is the rest of our lives.
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- July 27, 2016
- Valuable Advice for Incoming College Freshmen
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Embarking on a college career is an exciting, and often daunting, venture. Few folks forget the mixed emotions we felt as we prepared for our freshman year in higher education. As the new school year edges ever closer, we’ve reached out to our Mast Store associates for their best advice for incoming college freshmen. Our contributors attended universities, as well as technical and community colleges. From college seniors, newer college graduates, and those who've completed their education a few years ago or many decades ago, we hope you or someone you love will benefit from their words of wisdom.
- July 7, 2016
- Grandma's Cures for Summer's Bumps & Bruises
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We all enjoy getting outside and taking advantage of the longer daylight hours in the summertime, but an abundance of outdoor activities often leads to the need to give our bodies a little extra TLC. Thankfully, grandma’s old timey cures have withstood the test of time. From soothing sunburns and softening “gardener’s hands” to helping heal cuts and repelling pesky mosquitoes, we offer a few of our favorite cures for summer bumps and bruises: grandma approved! And best yet, all of these cures are made in the USA.
- June 21, 2016
- Volunteering in the National Parks
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Throughout 2016, we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System by exploring the history of the parks, offering ideas about how to Find Your Park in the southeast, as well as tips to help you make the most of your park adventure.
- June 14, 2016
- The Mast Store Knife Shop Celebrates its Grand Opening at the Original Store
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This Father’s Day weekend, we’re celebrating an exciting new addition at Mast General Store. The Knife Shop is re-energizing what was once a feed/potato-grading room in the Original Store. This upcoming weekend officially marks the Knife Shop Grand Opening in Valle Crucis, with three days of events that will surely delight the dads, as well as knife enthusiasts, in your life.
- May 25, 2016
- 24 Hours in Hendersonville, NC
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We at Mast General Store feel so lucky that many of our stores are located right in the middle of vibrant urban settings. There’s so much to do and see outside the doors of our stores. We’re excited to share a small selection of our favorites with you! This year, we’re offering a series that features a day’s worth of places to enjoy within walking distance of each of our urban Mast Store locations. Over the past few months, we’ve taken a stroll through Greenville, SC HERE and Waynesville, NC HERE. This week, we’re exploring Hendersonville, North Carolina. Won’t you join us?
- May 10, 2016
- Find Your Park in Tennessee
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Throughout 2016, we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System by exploring the history of the parks, offering ideas about how to Find Your Park in the southeast, as well as tips to help you make the most of your park adventure.
- April 13, 2016
- Southland in the Springtime
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It’s been said that “there’s something about the southland in the springtime.” New baby goats are arriving weekly at the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site in Flat Rock, NC. A pair of house finches who crafted a tidy nest on my porch weeks ago are now awaiting the arrival of their 5 chicks. The cherry blossom tree in the front yard is heavy with pink blooms. Everywhere you look, new life is bursting forth as winter transitions into spring. Our Mast Store communities are also celebrating the season with activities the whole family will enjoy. Below is an offering of a few of the many events we’re looking forward to enjoying this April.
- April 6, 2016
- Find Your Park in South Carolina
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Throughout 2016, we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System by exploring the history of the parks, offering ideas about how to Find Your Park in the southeast, as well as tips to help you make the most of your park adventure.
- March 22, 2016
- Mast Store Waynesville's Fascinating Location History Revealed - Part Two
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Last week, we dug into the early years of Waynesville’s Mast Store location and the incredible life of the doctor whose home once stood there. To read about Dr. Rogers, his life and home, click HERE. This week, we’re exploring 63 North Main Street as it becomes a place of commerce.
- March 17, 2016
- Mast Store Waynesville's Fascinating Location History Revealed - Part One
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Mast General Store owners, John and Faye Cooper, have been committed to selecting older, often historical buildings, for our store locations from the very beginning. The Original Store in Valle Crucis first opened its doors for business in 1883. The store served as the hub of commerce in the heart of the Valle for decades, but was temporarily closed for several years in the late 1970s. Thankfully, the Cooper’s unique vision led them to reopen the store in 1980, nearly 100 years after Mast General Store was originally built. Since that time, our company’s leadership continues to select older buildings for new store locations. Just like the Original Store, each Mast Store building has its own incredible history. Today, we uncover a Mast Store mystery that’s eluded us for 25 years… the exciting history of the Mast Store in Waynesville, North Carolina.