2009 Biltmore Christmas

This year’s Christmas Theme: A Gilded Age Christmas
Guests can take a step back in time when they visit Biltmore House for the 2009 Candlelight Christmas Evening season. Guests will experience an array of activities and that Mr. Vanderbilt offered to his own family and friends. Guests enjoy a self-guided walking visit that takes them through four floors and the basement. The self-guided visit requires the ability to maneuver approximately 400 stairs throughout the visit. An elevator is available for access between the first and second floors of the House (wheelchair accessible), but the third and fourth floors and basement will require maneuvering approximately 60 stairs (30 up and 30 down) per floor.
November 6, 2009 – January 2, 2010
Entry times vary and may begin as early as 5:30pm
Candlelight Christmas Evening not available on the following dates: Tuesday, November 24; Thursday, November 26;
Thursday, December 24; Friday, December 25

TOP 10 HIKES

1. Gorges State Park: New parking and trails open in May for much better access to rugged river gorges. Hike along the Horsepasture River to see several waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls.
2. Mt. Mitchell: After enjoying the 360-degree vistas from the new observation deck atop the highest peak east of the Rockies, head to the Deep Gap Trail and hike over four more peaks over 6,000 feet.
3. Craggy Gardens: The Blue Ridge Parkway reopens here in May after more than a year of repairs. The Craggy Gardens Trail takes you across a rhododendron bald, and a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to Craggy Pinnacle offers breathtaking panoramic views.
4. Point Lookout Trail: This new 3.6-mile paved greenway climbs 900 feet in elevation in the Pisgah National Forest. Bike or hike from Old Fort and enjoy great views along the way.
5. Dupont State Forest: The best waterfall hike is a three mile trail to three waterfalls, including the impressive 150-foot High Falls with great places for wading, swimming and waterside picnics.
6. Max Patch: Hike the loop around the summit or continue further on the Appalachian Trail to enjoy breathtaking views from this bald mountaintop.
7. Cold Mountain: This famous mountain offers a strenuous 10.6-mile roundtrip hike to its summit through the wilderness area of the Pisgah National Forest. The hike includes a 2,800 foot altitude gain to the 6,030-foot peak.
8. Graveyard Fields: This highland hike features beautiful views in a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by 6,000-foot peaks. With an easy four mile hike, you see two nice waterfalls.
9. Black Balsam Knob: Hike across more spectacular mountain balds. These treeless mountaintops in the Pisgah National Forest offer sweeping views and alpine-like appearance. Hike three miles without dropping back into the trees.
10. Urban Trail: If you are looking for an urban hike, walk the 1.7-mile journey that showcases the art and history of Asheville, with 30 downtown stops, each with public sculpture.

LET IT SNOW

Gorgeous, or what???? We went out and would you believe it stopped a mile down the road. We went on to Asheville and enjoyed a sunny afternoon and came home to 5 inches. So, we have our own little private winter wonderland.

THE SPIRIT IS UPON US!

This is waaaay too good of an idea for December. Come on to Ponder Cove and hunker down by a warm fire and I'll serve up a toasty breakfast. We have had 3 little snows so far and we are hoping for a whopping good one before long. Then go into Asheville one night to enjoy all the citified festivities. Toooooo much fun. Enjoy the below news....hot off the press...

"Holiday nights in downtown Asheville get a glitzy makeover this December with Asheville Seasonal Sizzle: 21 days of not-so-silent nights. Merrymakers will enjoy free fireworks, live entertainment, seasonal appetizer specials at local restaurants, and extended hours of evening shopping in downtown Asheville's eclectic boutiques and craft galleries.

Included in the festivities, visitors will find:

* Weekend firework displays sponsored by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa -Seasonal Sizzle at Seven - will take place on Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. in downtown Asheville.
* Participating independent restaurants will feature "Appy Hour" appetizer specials on Thursdays, Dec. 1 through 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Local restaurants will also offer "Sizzle Specials" on the Saturday evenings with fireworks (Dec. 6, 13 and 20).
* Asheville visitors will receive a warm holiday welcome as "Downtown Docent" guides walk the downtown streets directing guests to Seasonal Sizzle festivities, holiday happenings and other points of interest."

COLD FRONT ON THE WAY

Things are winding down after a somewhat strange Fall. It has taken forever for the leaves to change. A cold front is on the way and I am sure that will take care of what is left and make way for a splendid winter. It is so pretty here no matter the time of year and we just pinch ourselves still that Ponder Cove is our home. Looking forward to a couple of special guests showing up any minute. For any of you dogster fans.....Lisa and Horst are coming. They are the infamous bloggers from dogster.com. It is Lisa's birthday and Horst is surprising her. Can't wait to meet them. In the meantime enjoy the view from the deck today. I swear I didn't photoshop the blue sky but I do believe the camera did something magical. m

BILTMORE CARPET OF FLOWERS

This is a must to see...the Biltmore has built the most amazing carpet of flowers. Come soon and come often and take advantage of our mid-week special at pondercove.com.

DOG CALENDAR ENTRY

MACK, Labrador

Randall & Angela Wilson, Owner

In early 2007 we lost our nine year old Labrador, Annie to cancer. Our family (my husband, our rat terrier, Jasmine, and I) were lost and devastated. I found Labrador Friends of the South (LFS) through an internet search as we began to talk about possibly rescuing a Labrador. Last June, we decided to attend a LFS adoption day in Atlanta. I had been feverously scanning their web site, and had noticed Mack. He didn't have a foster family and had been kept in a kennel for several months.

My husband wasn't sure we were ready for another lab, so we really weren't sure that attending the adoption day would result in finding a good match. Our rat terrier, Jasmine attended the adoption day with us. She has pretty discerning taste, and she immediately let us know that some of the labs did not feel right to her - then she met Mack - a 55lb (he was a little thin) Labrador with sweet submissive energy.

Like many rescue dogs, Mack came to us with his own set of issues. He was left in a shed in Atlanta with no food or water for over a week when a landlord found him and contacted LFS. He was obviously abused and while he bonded with us from the very beginning, we soon saw signs of him not trusting people, especially if they tried to approach him.

We brought him home to our farm Hartselle, AL where he had 20 acres and a really big pond to explore, but despite the safety and comfort of a forever home, his struggles in meeting people continued. Not willing to give up on him, and with the help of LFS we took him back to Atlanta to meet with Susie Aga, the Atlanta Dog Trainer. We were complete novices in how to deal with a pooch who had not been well socialized. Since that time, we work with him constantly on being comfortable with people he doesn't know and helping him understand that WE are the alphas and its our job it is to protect the pack.

He has come such a long way. In December we took him back to Atlanta to LFS's Christmas party and fundraiser. Outside of a very rainy and cold December day, we were thrilled at how he trusted us and that he was able to be around a large group of people (we think it helped that everyone smelled like wet dogs)

As you can see from the photo, Mack loves the outdoors and would stay in the pond through all seasons, if we would let him. We chose this photo to reflect the calm silent strength and beauty of the Labrador retriever.

He has come such a long way and we would love to have him as part of your 2009 calendar.

RECIPE...TRY IT YOU'LL LIKE IT

Just in from the infamous Tom Turner...he not only is the best porcelain maker we know but heck he can cook.

3 cups self rising flower(or flour)
3 tbs sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp dill
1 tsp dried onion
1 12 oz. dark beer

Mix ingredients and spoon into a buttered bread pan, let rise 10 minutes, bake at 350 for about 45 minutes, (drink second beer), take out and spread butter all over the top, put back in oven(turned off) for 10 minutes, let cool and devour.

Moochy mamma baby!

KUDOS TO PONDER COVE

"wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed ourselves(food , company, setting, conversation....great tranquil location...I can go on....anyhoo....I will pass this info on to friends.

ALso, what beautiful photos and marketing you have done...and your blog is a hoot..superb!" Terri and Steve

Max Patch

Had to tell you about our recent trip to Max Patch....you know that scene where Julie Andrews sings The Sound of Music....well you would swear it was filmed on Max Patch. This is definitely my new favorite place in all of North Carolina. Ponder had a blast and we enjoyed the most amazing view we've seen since living here...a must on your next trip. See you soon. m