Summertime has arrived. The call of the road lures us out onto the open highway. Road Trips can be a great way to get away from it all if you can divorce yourself from all your electronic gadgets. You really can be unreachable. To avoid the Road Trip from hell keep this story in mind.

A Car Bigger Than a Tin Can
After spending a decade uneventfully driving up and down Interstate 95 between Orlando and Philly with my husband and my young son, I decided to branch out and explore with my older sister and our two six year old boys, Jason and John. The first outing with her was in a car called a Datsun Starlet, a car about the size of a VW bug. It was a new car for her so I didn’t see it until she arrived from Key West to pick us up for the ride to Pennsylvania. What a shocker! Not much bigger than a tin can. Keep in mind I didn’t usually travel in luxury. At the time, my husband and I owned a Ford Fiesta before it was fashionable. Just think smaller than a Ford Fiesta.

Get me to the demerol
First stop Durham, NC to visit an elderly, childless aunt who is one of those superb southern cooks and an avid reader of Southern Living Magazine. My son who to this date eats a very select diet would devour Aunt Imogene’s fried chicken, garden fresh green beans, and home made biscuits just to get a piece of her fantastic chocolate pound cake. Unfortunately within 24 hours of our arrival, I came down with a bladder infection severe enough to make it into the Guineas Book of World Records. It necessitated a trip to my aunt’s doctor and a prescription for an antibiotic and demerol for the pain if you can believe that.

Full out assault
Our trip to Pennsylvania was delayed a day. The two six year old cousins who had always been inseparable found themselves to be arch enemies after spending 11 hours crammed in the back seat of the Starlet and then having to be on their best behavior at Aunt Imogene’s. An afternoon trip to the mall to get the active boys out of Aunt Imogene’s resulted in a full out assault in the back seat. My son Jason, yes, my quiet, peaceful son, attacks my nephew and actually rips his T shirt off. Shocking to see since he had never raised a hand to anyone ever. In my son’s defense his cousin had a major problem with motion sickness and to combat it was constantly in motion in the car – lying upside down one minute, backwards the next.

Look out he’s going to blow
A day on Demerol and we were back on the road again to our final destination Grandmom and Granddad’s house in Levittown, Pa. Needless to say getting my son back in the car took some real fast talking. Two hours into the second leg of our trip, we hear coming from the back seat. “John is going to blow up. John is going to blow up all over my blanket.” Jason still traveled with his blanky. Upon turning around to figure out what in the world John was doing, I realized blow up really meant throw up and I didn’t have anything handy for him to blow up in. I grab and empty some small Tupperware container. Fortunately, Aunt Imogene’s Southern hospitality always compelled her to send food along for the ride. The food was not what we needed but thank goodness for that Tupperware. There we were on 95 heading through downtown Baltimore when my sister quickly exists the road so John can empty his stomach.

The rest of the ride to Pennsylvania was uneventful thanks to a McDonald’s Happy Meals promotional that included plastic blocks called Popoids. By the time that trip was over we had a complete set of Popoids and a desire never to set foot in a McDonalds again. By the end of the trip, we were trying to distract the two cousins whenever we passed a McDonalds billboard. To no avail.

Oh no, not again
Of course, I discovered the day after we arrived at my parents that I am severely allergic to Sulfa, used to treat bladder infections. I find myself covered from head to toe in hives, itching, intolerable hives. This time I am off to my parents’ doctor. And of course our trip to start back to Florida is delayed again.

When we finally start our journey back home, I am groggy on antihistamines and covered with calamine lotion. Even though I was a married Mom, it was still very embarrassing every time we stopped for a Happy Meal. In retrospect, the best part of that trip for me was the complete set of popoids that we collected along the way.

My advice to anyone traveling with children includes:

1. If you have a child who you know suffers with motion sickness, check in with your doctor before beginning your trip. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

2. Make sure that you have your health insurance card with you when you travel. Understand your benefits when you are out of network. My bladder infection could have been a very expensive problem without those benefits.

3. Make sure that you pack according to the size of your car. With today’s hand held electronic game devices that certainly is easier to do. But, remember kids need space and time to get out and run around. Allow time for those stops in your travel plans. Check out Moms Minivan for fun games and toys to make and use while in the car.

4. Finally, McDonald’s provided a great treat for the boys while traveling. It was something for them to look forward to. Just make sure to have a variety of foods in the car and decide ahead of time how often the children get to choose the place to stop for meals. For some off the interstate eateries, check out Roadfood.com.

We know that for many of you this may be the first time you have stayed at a vacation rental home; so, at Mystic Mountain we make every effort to put any uncertainties you may have to rest.

Here are just a few ways we show our appreciation for your business:

Mystic Mountain Regular Updates
When you book a stay at Mystic Mountain, we keep in touch. From your initial inquiry to your check in and check out, we make sure we are there for you. We keep you in the know through each step of the process with email notifications of receipt of deposits, payments, and lease agreements. We also provide you with a variety of websites in each email to help you plan your visit.

Mystic Mountain Welcome Package
At Mystic Mountain, we want you to have all the details you need to feel secure in your decision to stay with us sight unseen. Our informative Welcome Package includes:
1. Entry information
2. Directions to Mystic
3. Important emergency contact numbers
4. Facts about the cabin that will help you settle in
5. Travel brochures to help you plan your visit

Mystic Mountain Welcome Bag
We know that many of you are traveling long distances. So, we want to make sure that if you arrive too late to hit the grocery store you have breakfast covered. In the Welcome Bag you will find everything that you need for a continental breakfast – coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a muffin mix (you just add water and bake).

Haywood County provides fertile grounds for a group of artists with diverse talents from mountain music to concert music to live theater. You will want to schedule time to experience one or several of these live performances.

Mountain Music
Mountain music has been in the heart and soul of Haywood County since before the Revolutionary War.

In Canton, there’s “Pickin’ in the Park,” held outdoors each Friday night at the Canton Recreation Park from May through September.

In Maggie Valley, from April through October, each night Tuesday through Saturday, there’s music and dance at the Stompin’ Ground, known as the “Clogging Capital of the World.”

There’s bluegrass music at the Maggie Valley Opry House nightly April through October.

Every other Friday July 4th through August, downtown Waynesville closes off part of its Main Street to have square dancing and old-time music.

The Haywood Community Band

If you are in Maggie at the Maggie Pavilion on the third Sunday evening at 6:30 P.M. from May through October, you are in for a musical treat. The Haywood Community Band performs a varied repertoire including music from Cole Porter, Johann Straus and John Philip Sousa. You can catch them at other venues throughout Haywood County during their performance season.

The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART)

The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre born in 1997 is a volunteer supported community theatre. Stage performances are in the James Auditorium, a 255-seat traditional proscenium space that operates April through November. In the winter, productions shift to the 75-seat Feichter Studio Theatre for a second season of more experimental work. The theatre built in the style of 1920s Summer Stock theatres enhances the experience.

Dinner and the theater is a distinct possibility in between exploring the great outdoors of western North Carolina. What a fun juxtaposition!

Surrounded by mountain streams, creeks, and rivers, Maggie Valley provides beautiful spots to relax from the summer heat in natural swimming holes. Because mountain rivers can rise suddenly due to flash flooding, swimming in mountain rivers can be dangerous. Do try these recommended spots to safely enjoy the mountain waters. Remember that most of these swimming spots do not have lifeguards on duty. Keep a close eye on the kids. Bring or wear your swim clothes which are required.

1. Graveyard Fields
Graveyard Fields Trail, an easy 3.2 mile hike, ends at the base of a waterfall. In the parking lot you will find a map of the trail system. If you take the Second Falls hike which is only .3 of a mile, you end on a large observation deck. From the deck you can view the falls from below. Here there are swimming areas where you can wade into cool mountain pools of water.

Directions:
Take US Highway 276 to the junction with the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Graveyard Fields Overlook at milepost 418.8 where the trail begins.

2. Oconaluftee Islands Park
You can end your walk around Oconaluftee Islands Park on Tsali Blvd in Cherokee by wading into the river. As the Oconaluftee flows through Cherokee, it creates two small islands that are accessible by footbridges. The islands are surrounded by great shade trees, picnic tables, benches, barbecue grills and pavilions. Bring your swimsuit and plan to make a day of it.

Directions:
From Maggie, take 19 into Cherokee. Make a right onto US 441N/Tsali Blvd. About a 17 mile ride.

3. Sliding Rock
Water Parks have nothing on Sliding Rock, a natural rock formation spewing 11,000 gallons of water per minute. The water jets down a 60 foot rock formation and ends in six feet of cool, clear water. For school age children who like to swim and adults who are kids at heart, this is a thrill a minute natural slide. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer months.

Directions:
Take US Highway 276 S. Turn right at US-276 S/US-64 W. Sliding Rock will be on your right.

If you are interested in hitting Harrah’s, the quickest way to Cherokee from Maggie Valley is definitely US 19. But, if you are interested in the cultural side of Cherokee, the Blue Ridge Parkway takes you on a direct route to a wonderful day of exploration.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, Scenic Ride to Cherokee
The Blue Ridge Parkway provides a unique and scenic access to Cherokee from Maggie Valley. Traveling from mile marker 455.7 in Maggie to mile marker 469.1, you will arrive at the southern entrance/exit of the Parkway. With beautiful overlooks along the way, the 30 minute ride to Cherokee is spectacular. As you exit the Parkway, you will arrive at the Oconoluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This stop is worth the ride with a Mountain Farm Museum to explore and a gentle hike along the Oconoluftee River to take.

Museum, Art Galleries, and Live Performances
But, you won’t want to linger too long. Because as you continue along US 441, 2 miles south, you will enter the cultural side of Cherokee.

One of your first stops should be the Native American Craft Shop, as much a gallery of native American art work from around the country as a retail store.

Not far up the road you will encounter the main cultural intersection .

Everyone of these activities is well worth your time.
1. “Unto these Hills: A Retelling” provides a live reenactment of Cherokee history, the second longest running outdoor drama. Summer performances only
2. Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, the oldest and leading Native American Arts Cooperative in the United States, represents a wide variety of artisans. Open year round
3. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian retraces the 11,000 year history of the Cherokee of western North Carolina. Open year round
4. Oconluftee Indian Village recreates the lifestyles of the Cherokee in 1759. May through October

Light show starts in mid June
Unless you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia this year, the only way you will get to experience the synchronous fireflies is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Appalachian Voices provides an excellent explanation of the natural phenomenon. Catch a photographic view of the natural light show at the Knoxnews Blog.

Elkmont Historic District
If you are looking for an excuse to start your trip to the mountains in June, this rare event can be viewed for two weeks in mid-June at the Elkmont Historic District in GSMNP, a wonderful collection of abandoned cabins. The cabins began as part of a logging camp at the turn of the 20th century. Eventually, the area evolved into an elite club for the wealthy of East Tennessee. In 2009, the park service decided to restore these buildings that are now on the National Historic Register.

So, if you can’t time your trip to arrive for the synchronous light show of the fireflies, Elkmont and the Little River Hike should still make it onto your to do list when you visit Mystic Mountain and the Great Smokies.

Maggie Valley provides crafters with some excellent resources that rival products found in the craft stores of large metropolitan areas.

Meet the Reviewers
To evaluate the quality of the shops in Maggie my sister Nancy with 50 years of crafting experience and I took a tour. A few of Nancy’s talents include an expertise in jewelry making, painting, and paper crafting. I was a Creative Memories consultant for five years and enjoy scrapbooking. Additionally, I have been sewing clothing and interior decor items for 30 years. With these skills on our resumes, we felt qualified to offer reviews of the Maggie Valley shops.

Scrappin in the Mountains
Our first stop Scrappin in the Mountains provided an exciting assortment of papers. Rather than overwhelming, the artfully arranged selection makes finding the perfect papers a pleasure. What fun scrapbooking your trip to Maggie with the custom designed diecuts including the iconic Maggie herself along with the Elk of Cataloochee! If you come for a Scrapbooking Girlfriend Getaway, the light and bright work area would add to the fun.

Pretty Crafty
Our next stop on the craft store tour took us to Pretty Crafty. Darlene the owner is usually on site and is extremely knowledgeable. In addition to a good basic selection of scrapbooking supplies, Pretty Crafty includes products for a variety of interests. Nancy found some great beading tools and some helpful tips from Darlene. If you have varied crafting interests or you have kids stuck for a rainy day vacation activity, Pretty Crafty should be on your vacation to do list.

Quilters Quarters
Within a stone’s throw of Pretty Crafty lies Quilters Quarters. Walk through the door of this cabin shop and you are guaranteed to be inspired. The fabrics are not only artfully displayed but creatively organized. Selecting the colors for your first or next quilt will be a joy. The extensive product line brings regular visitors from throughout the southeast to Sandy’s and Alyson’s doorsteps. They eagerly take suggestions for classes and have a very strong class schedule for beginners to intermediate to experienced quilters.

With so much to do in and around Maggie Valley, visiting the craft shops would not ordinarily make it onto your vacation to do list. But, these privately owned shops emphasize quality and unique products with talented displays. Stop in when you are out and about; you won’t be disappointed.

Never underestimate the value of the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce. The visitor center provides a variety of rack cards or information cards that highlight activities from all over western North Carolina. You will find visitor guides from the traditional like the Blue Ridge Parkway to the exotic like Santa Land. There are suggested activities for visitors of every age and every interest.

And if you are feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices, Jena and Nancy are there to help. They base their information on the feedback from the guests who have been coming back to thank them for the great tourism tips that they have been sharing with Maggie Valley visitors for years now.

The ladies’ number one pick for kids in the summer – Sliding Rock.

Make sure to stop by and introduce yourselves to Jena and Nancy and explore the many resources of the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center.

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.

Small town Maggie with a population of around 800 year round residents offers the punch of big tourists areas without the congestion.

Looking for the ideal vacation spot? Asking yourself what Maggie Valley has to offer?

How about minutes away from:

the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
the Blue Ridge Parkway,
the Pisgah National Forest,
the Elk of Cataloochee.

Don’t forget trout fishing in the Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Check out a map of the actual fishing areas in Maggie.

Move away from the naturalist’s pursuits with the following:

Antiquing around Maggie and Waynesville.
Ghost Town in the Sky provides a taste of the traditional amusement park.
Great live productions at Eaglenest.

For a great way to check out all the details please go to maggievalley.org . Please stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin so you can be where the action is.