Thunder in the Smokies Motorcycle Rally rumbles through Maggie Valley the last weekend in April. Sponsored by Handlebar Corral, this event brings in riders looking for a unique and challenging riding experience. With exciting rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tail of the Dragon, and Cherohala Skyway, this event in biker friendly Maggie has been bringing in riders since 2003.

To make sure you get the most out of your riding experience hook up with Wayne at America Rides Maps for the best in touring maps for Maggie and the surrounding area.

Along with some great riding, the event calendar includes The Alabama Blues Brothers and Amanda Overmyer, American Idol finalist.

Don’t miss out on all the action the weekend of April 23 through April 25, 2010. And if you are looking for a place to stay that provides easy access check out Mystic Mountain Cabin. With sleeping for up to 6 adults, its comfortable and affordable.

With limitless activities in Maggie Valley and the surrounding areas of Haywood County, the choices can overwhelm first time visitors. Repeat visitors also can use guidance in seeking out unique things to do in the area. A few good guide books certainly can help you make the most of vacation time. Wireless internet and a comfortable work area to plan your travels also contributes to a fun time in the Smokies.

These are a sampling of the guide books that you will find at our vacation rental cabin, Mystic Mountain Cabin.

North Carolina’s Best Wildflowers Hikes by Kevin Adams has always been my favorite. The hikes provide a variety of options for the novice to the experienced hikers. Plus it is almost inevitable that the wildflower hikes will also include waterfalls, streams, old growth forests and the like. Organized by the months of the year, you can always find a wonderful hike but April is by far the best month of all in Maggie Valley.

Best Hikes of the Pisgah has several fun hikes. We did the Lovers’ Leap hike in Hot Springs and the Max Patch hike in Haywood County. Both of these hikes provide spectacular views- Lovers’ Leap of Hot Springs and the French Broad River and Max Patch of miles of multiple mountain ranges. The only caveat with this book – you need to double check on directions to the actual trail head.

You can’t go wrong with any of these books. Purchase them in advance of your trip or stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin and put them to work for you after you arrive.

Tips
1. Make the most of your long weekend by planning ahead.
2. Confirm travel times with a mapping program.
3. Confirm restaurant times.
4. Click the links below and familiarize yourself with activities in the area.

Leaf season, a wonderful time for a long weekend in The Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding area. Visitors to Maggie Valley, located in the Smokies, can spend a lifetime walking the hiking trails, visiting the antique shops and arts and crafts stores, and taking the spectacular driving tours. But, if you only have a long weekend these outings will give you a real taste of the valley and leave you wanting to return again.

Waterrock Knob for Your First Night*
Located at mile marker 421.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterrock Knob captures the true beauty of the mountains with 50 mile views of the highest peaks in Smokies. Access this spectacular panorama by driving west through Maggie on US 19 5 miles to the southern entrance to the Parkway. For the ambitious, you can add in a moderate 1.2 mile hike to the top of the 6000+ foot peak. A classic and romantic way to begin your first evening in the valley. On your way back into the valley, Garlic Knots at 3946 Socco Road has great Italian food along with beer and wine. *Waterrock Knob open 7 days a week between late April and October 31.

Cataloochee Valley on Your First Day
For first time visitors a must do includes visiting the Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see the elk and explore the Boogerman Trail. Access to the valley takes you over a regularly used dirt road, a scenic ride that takes you back in time. Once over the mountain the paved valley road brings you face to face with white tailed-deer, wild turkeys, black bear, and elk. Arrive early to see the elk grazing, then catch the trailhead for Boogerman trail, an easy 4 mile hike that takes you through an old growth forest.

Pisgah Inn for Your Final Day*
Start you final day in the valley with a drive to the Pisgah Inn, located where the first inn was erected in 1919. Before sitting down to enjoy lunch at the Pisgah Restaurant with its panoramic views, hike the Graveyard Fields Trail . This easy 3.2 mile hike takes you to one of the many waterfalls in the area. On your way back to Maggie take a leisurely stroll through Waynesville. *Pisgah Inn is open March 30 through October 31.

Travel Guides
Stay with us at Mystic Mountain and you will find area maps and guide books. Another excellent and reasonably priced resource, America Rides Maps provides custom maps for tours in and around Maggie.

TIPS
1. Check the weather. Afternoon showers are possible.
2. Start your tour from the gardens for a change of pace.
3. Grounds workers and signs will direct you to the garden parking lot.
4. Prioritize your walk. Which gardens interest you? Butterfly, Shrubbery, Italian, Rose to name a few.
5. Plan to end your walk at the stables for a meal or a snack.

I was prepared for the palatial beauty of the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, NC. I wasn’t prepared for the fantasy life created during my stroll through the gardens and around the grounds.

On our last visit to the Biltmore we planned specifically to visit the gardens. That decision led us directly to the parking lot behind the garden gift shop and the conservatory and to a private walking tour around the gardens. To add intimacy to the experience we went directly to the garden tour and skipped the shuttle bus.

Once on the grounds we were allowed to roam around independently. Oddly enough, after we settled into the experience it began to feel to me like my own secret garden. The feeling of ownership took me completely by surprise. My own little fantasy.

The exploration took us eventually to the rear of the house and up the back steps as one would imagine the Vanderbilts and their guests might have done. From there we briefly toured the first floor of the house. Then, it was off to the stables for coffee and dessert.

The employees at Biltmore are very gracious which adds to the illusion that you are guests of the Vanderbilts. In reality, you are! The descendants of George and Edith Vanderbilt are involved in the daily operations of the Biltmore House and Gardens. They truly are committed to providing a warm and welcoming experience to each of their guests.

Plan to stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin when planning your visit to Biltmore House and Gardens.