To get the most out of your vacation days advance planning is essential fun. Enhance the time spent daydreaming about your upcoming trip by reviewing these helpful travel websites.

Area Information
A very active and well maintained website, Welcome to Maggie Valley, developed by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce, provides a wealth of information that is updated daily. This website provides local weather reports along with links to live webcams and a critical events calendar. It also provides tips for hikes, scenic drives, and entertainment within minutes of downtown Maggie.

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority provides an extensive overview of activities in the Maggie Valley area. Developed locally by people in the know, it links to activities that are off the beaten path as well as information about the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and local waterfalls.

Guided Hikes
A visit to Maggie Valley/Waynesville would not be complete without a visit to see the elk of Cataloochee Valley. Cataloochee Valley Tours will take you there. April through October the valley is host to a variety of natural beauty. Along with the elk you can see unique wildflowers and birds in April and May and the show of the synchronous fireflies in May and June.

Motorcycle Tours
For motorcyclists or for anyone who wants to find great loop tours in the valley check out America Rides Maps. Wayne Busch, “The Map Guy,” has covered thousands of miles to develop maps that take riders on the most scenic and challenging rides in the area. The website provides custom designed maps, tutorials, and links to Wayne’s blog.

Fly Fishing
For beginners to experience fishermen, the people at Waynesville Fly Shop are your connection to successfully fishing the Haywood County area.

This nationally maintained website Trails.com should be a go to for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. With detailed information on trail heads and maps for hikers, bicyclists, campers, scenic drivers, Trails.com is an essential resource for planning a visit to Haywood County.

Max Patch is a hike that should be on every visitor’s to-do list. The novice hiker has the option of an easy to moderate 1.4 mile loop with a magnificent payoff. The summit affords the hiker 360 degree long range views. If you are looking for more of a challenge, there is a wider loop that encompasses 2.6 miles of trail. Finally, the experienced hiker can choose the Cherry Creek Trail/Appalachian Trail Loop. All trails lead to the summit for a panoramic experience you will not forget.

A bald, Max Patch, is covered by beautiful native grasses. A mystery to scientists, these balds are a conundrum. The moderate climates should support heavy tree growth but none exists. However, this lack of trees at the summit results in tremendous views and a great place to enjoy a picnic.

Hiking Max Patch takes you into the Pisgah National Forest by way of Interstate 40 west when coming from Maggie Valley, NC. Take exit 7 to access Cold Springs Creek Road and turn to your right. A hundred yards down Cold Springs Creek Road ends and becomes F.R. (Fire Road) 148, a gravel road. Travel 6.1 miles to S.R. 1182. At this writing the sign marking the left turn onto S.R. 1182, Max Patch Road, is down so keep track of your mileage. S.R. 1182 ends at the parking lot, a 2 mile ride.

In and around Haywood County birders will find three excellent viewing opportunities.

Devil’s Courthouse Trail, located near Milepost 422.2 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, provides an opportunity to view the Peregrine Falcon, Alder Flycatcher, and Northern Saw-whet Owl. The .4 of a mile hike to a rocky outcrop at 5,720 feet is very steep but short. The long range views are spectacular. The best time for birding is late spring through early summer. You’ll find details of this hike on this page at Trails.com.

Heintooga Spur Road is located on a spur of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Wolf Laurel Gap (Milepost 458.2). In this spruce fir and hardwood forest, you will find a variety of species common to elevations of 3,800 to 5,400 feet. For a list of the birds and hiking details check out this page at Trails.com. The best viewing takes place between mid-April to mid-October.

If you are searching for Golden-winged Warblers and Least Flycatchers, Max Patch Road and Bald provides an excellent environment for these species. Located off Interstate 40 at exit 7, an easy hike takes you to the top of the bald. The 360 degree long range views entice you to sit and stay awhile so bring a blanket and a snack. Although the views are always worth the trip, the birding opportunities are best between mid-April and June. See details of this hike on this page at Trails.com.

Need a place to stay? Check out Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley, NC within 30 minutes of each of these locations. The front porch is a great place to sit back and watch the birds come to you.

In Western North Carolina, Fall puts on a beautiful show. In Haywood County there are fabulous overlooks on the Blue Ridge and wonderful hikes through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest.

But, if you just want to kick back, relax and enjoy Fall’s splendor from a rocking chair porch, Mystic Mountain Cabin is the perfect place to do that.

The views surround the house and you can enjoy the beauty from every room.

If and when you feel rested up enough, there are several wonderful hikes within walking distance of the cabin. Hike up to a small waterfall that cascades along a wooden staircase to the water’s source.

Or take a hike up Creekside to the top of Killian Knob to overlook Maggie Valley.

In the community of Lake Junaluska, within minutes of Maggie Valley, you’ll find the Corneille Bryan Native Garden. You can easily locate the garden within a short walk of the rose garden on Stuart Circle. Best known for its collection of native vegetation including wild flowers, trees, and shrubs, this little gem can be quickly traversed within minutes or explored for hours.

The conservators of the garden do an excellent job of identifying and tagging the extensive variety of plants. Consequently, the garden provides an easy way to view and identify the native plants of the area. Walking the garden is a great way to begin your study of the beautiful wildflowers of the region. Seeing them in the garden should make identification in the wild a little easier for the novice.

Seasons in a Wildflower Refuge provides an index of all the plants in the preserve and highlights the seasons in the garden. Written by Lake Junaluska residents, Janet Lilley and Linda McFarland, members of the garden committee, the guide will enhance your walk through the garden.

A tour of the Corneille Bryan Garden is an activity that you can squeeze in on a down day. Take along your camera even an amateur photographer like me can find success photographing the jewels of the garden up close and personal.

As always we would love to have you stay with us at Mystic Mountain during your visit to Maggie Valley and the surrounding area.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway rides rated in the top ten in a survey in April’s 2011 issue of American Motorcyclist Magazine. Wayne Busch of America Rides Maps has been detailing these rides for years. Stay in Maggie Valley, NC and all these roads can be on your to do list.

From Maggie you are minutes from the Soco Gap entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 455.7. Head west to the southern entrance/exit of the park way at mile marker 469.1, you will find yourself 2 miles south of Cherokee. Head east from Soco Gap, your first stop should be Waterrock Knob. But, you won’t want to linger too long. This stretch of the Blue Ridge has much to offer including Richland Balsam Overlook, the highest point on the Blue Ridge. At mile marker 417, you’ll find Looking Glass Rock. Mount Pisgah Inn is a must do at mile marker 408. Grab a meal or just pause to take in the view from the “Peak of the Parkway.”

The Cherohala Skyway meanders through the Nantahala National Forest on the North Carolina end of the ride. You’ll enjoy long sweeping curves and spectacular views on this challenging ride. Photo ops are prominently marked along the way. Other than a couple of restrooms along the 36 mile ride, it is pure wilderness so be sure to top off your gas tank. Riding on this $100,000,000 skyway, you won’t be disappointed with views that compete with those of the Blue Ridge. Allow a full day for this ride if you are traveling from Maggie, an 80 minute ride one way. The ride begins out Robbinsville, NC.

You’ll find the Tail of the Dragon adjoining Cherolala Skyway. This challenging 13 mile stretch of road is said to have as many as 318 curves. To protect riders the 55 mile per hour speed limit was lowered to 30 miles per hour in 2005 with stepped up law enforcement on the Tennessee side.

For up to the minute travel information on all of these rides check out America Rides Map. Wayne Busch designs these custom maps to help you plan out the best route and key you into some little known side tours that you won’t want to miss.

If you are looking for a comfortable and affordable place to stay with easy access that is always clean and well maintained please check out Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley, NC.

The Problem
When the original 28″ drop-in range bit the dust at our vacation rental, we discovered that the standard 30″ range would not fit in the 28″ opening left behind. That necessitated moving the existing cabinets or replacing them. Since in the original install the sink cabinet was not centered on the window and the sink was not centered in the cabinet, it definitely made sense to update the cabinets before replacing the tired almond colored laminate counters and installing a new free standing range.

The Goals
Our goals were threefold: to refresh the kitchen and improve the footprint, to limit the amount of refuse going into the landfill, and to do all this within a limited budget.

The Solution
To the rescue came Jeana Burnette and the wonderful people at Jennings Builders Supply and Hardware. Jeana understood our desire to work within the existing footprint of our charming country kitchen and salvage whatever we could. Saving the upper oak cabinets which were still looking good was an obvious and easy step to take.

With Jeana’s help we decided to install oak lower cabinets for continuity. Then, we chose a painted finish that would work with the existing tile floor. The Medallion Oak Cabinets in the Seagrass finish were the perfect pick. Retrofitting the new cabinets into the existing footprint and on the recently installed tile floor required an expert carpenter. Jennings definitely had the right man for the job.

Jeana came up with an affordable option to link the upper oak stained cabinets with the lower painted oak cabinets. She suggested adding the wooden doorknobs stained to match the lowers on both upper and lowers. The uba tuba granite tied the entire project together.

We improved the footprint by moving the new energy efficient dishwasher from one side of the sink to the other. The change allows for two people to work in the kitchen now. Much more efficient.

We pride ourselves on providing the best place to relax and enjoy the mountains of Maggie Valley and the surrounding area of Haywood County at an affordable price. Check out our new kitchen and everything else that is great about Mystic Mountain Cabin. We’d love to have you visit with us any time at our Maggie Valley cabin rental.

Although cold weather dominates the days and nights in Maggie Valley and the surrounding area through January and February, you can still find plenty to do in this mountain friendly place.

In the Snow
Cataloochee Ski Area is still in high gear and should continue making snow through March. Cataloochee offers a FREE beginner lesson with all Cataloochee rentals any non-holiday Monday through Thursday, all season long!! This free lesson is for 1 1/2 hours and you should be present 30 minutes prior to your chosen lesson time to sign up! Lesson times run 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 7:15pm. No excuses. Get out there and give it a try.

Looking for a tamer way to enjoy the snow. Check out Tube World. The experts at Cataloochee Ski Area know how to keep the snow in shape for a perfect tubing experience. Because of the carpet lift that takes you back to the top of the run, you get that much more time to spend tubing. With a dedicated Wee Bowl Snowplay area even the tots can enjoy the snow. Tube World will keep you in the snow from the middle of December to the first of March.

Cold Weather Avoidance
Head on out to the historic Biltmore House in Asheville. With admission discounts through to March 31 when ordering tickets online and 7 days in advance plus kids’ 16 and under admitted free through March 31, this is an indoor activity that guarantees to entertain.

Visit us at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley and ask about winter discounts.

Although you don’t have to be an avid golfer to enjoy the great food at the Pin High Bar and Grille at Maggie Valley Country Club in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, you certainly would be a happy golfer. The front nine of Maggie Valley Club’s 6,500 yard golf course are flat. The back nine provide spectacular views with a rise of up to a 3000 foot elevation. At that elevation you overlook North Eaglenest Mountain, part of the Plott Balsams, a range of the Appalachian Mountains in Haywood County, and less than a mile north of Eaglenest Mountain.

A face lift of the course and the clubhouse was completed in 2009. The clubhouse architecture exemplifies a classic Arts and Crafts style. The pub setting includes well upholstered and comfortable chairs and booths. With lovely views onto North Eaglesnest Mountain in the background, you can’t go wrong with a meal at the Pin High.

We enjoyed a delicious and reasonably priced lunch. My partner ordered the Maggie Valley Club Sandwich for $7.95 which was piled high with the thick cuts of ham, turkey, bacon, swiss or american cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on your choice of bread. I enjoyed the Chicken & Vegetables in Puff Pastry for $7.95 with chicken, celery, carrots, cream sauce wrapped in puff pastry. Although the puff pastry was a little soggy on the bottom the cream sauce was nice and light and the chicken was moist and flavorful. With both of these meals, we enjoyed the traditionally southern sweet tea.

During our next visit to the Pin High we enjoyed a relaxing Sunday brunch. We both ordered the Western Omelette with hash browns and a choice of toast or english muffin. Both the omelette and potatoes were lightly seasoned with butter. In the comfortable atmosphere, the Pin High was a great place to relax and enjoy a leisurely Sunday.

You will be welcomed with or without your clubs at the Pin High Bar and Grille. However, you choose to arrive you will be glad that you did. From Mystic Mountain Cabin, you can take a short hike down to MVCC and the Pin High.

The Winter holidays descend upon Western North Carolina in an intimate, small town tradition. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, you can create holiday memories that will last a lifetime. Here are 5 events you will definitely want to experience.

Christmas at the Biltmore
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC gets decked out for the holidays in early November. With spectacular Christmas trees on display throughout the 250 room chateau, the artistic displays are guaranteed to inspire your creativity and to enliven your spirit. Shop for unique holiday gifts at the Biltmore gift shops. Your day pass also provides access to Antler Village for dining, shopping, and historical exhibits.

Grove Park Inn: “Gingerbread is in the Air”
The Grove Park Inn of Asheville, built during the heyday of the Biltmore Estate, provided accommodations for many of America’s luminaries including William Jennings Bryan and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You won’t want to miss the expansive Great Hall, 120 feet across with 24 foot ceilings and two grand 14 foot fireplaces. At the Inn, the annual national gingerbread house competition highlights the holidays.

“A Night before Christmas” in downtown Waynesville, NC
A fun night in this charming mountain town with hayrides, caroling, live music, Santa, and more. You’ll feel like you have taken a step back in time when you visit Waynesville especially for this celebration. Main Street is closed to cars and the street scene exudes holiday cheer.

All Aboard the Polar Express
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad brings to life the new modern Christmas classic book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. What better way to experience the holidays with your children than traveling to the North Pole to meet Santa. The train departs from Bryson City, NC for a scenic ride through the spectacular Smoky Mountains.

Dance Your Way into the New Year
Join the surge in ballroom dancing and bone up on your moves during a dance camp then end 2010 with a celebration of dance and music. Not interested in the dance camp, you can still reserve a seat and spend your New Year’s Eve at the Crowne Plaza Resort of Asheville enjoying the big band music of the 30s and performances by international dance champions.

Stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley to be conveniently located for each of these holiday events.