On your next visit to Asheville, you will want to add the Grove Park Inn on to your list of not to be missed activities. You’ll find this grand old inn surrounded by a neighborhood of wonderful Arts and Crafts style homes. Opening in 1913, the spectacular structure of granite boulders is unique to the area.

Upon your arrival, you have options. You could just take a leisurely stroll through the lobby known as the Great Hall. Check out the 24 foot ceilings and the two 14 foot fireplaces. Then, you can explore the public areas of the inn which will lead you to some wonderful gift shops that display original arts and crafts by local artisans. But, I believe when weather permits you should splurge on lunch out on the Sunset Terrace, a casual dining experience. Along with a charming setting and great service, the menu provides a wide variety of excellent choices.

Cataloochee Ski Area has much to offer. Snow making equipment in Maggie Valley, NC allowed for a 133 day ski season in 2008. Essentially, the computer test every element of the weather that creates the optimum climate for snow. By taking the human decision making out of the equation, the snow produced by 90 snow making machines is consistent and reliable. In 2008, 100,000 skiers took to the slopes at Cataloochee.

Covering over 45 acres with 16 trails, Cataloochee visitors will find two black diamonds, one with a 740 foot vertical drop. With 4 lifts, the skiing is easy at Cataloochee. Check it out for yourself.

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.

As of October 28, 2009 a rock slide on Route 40 has restricted access to Big Creek Trail. Until the road is repaired, this particular hike should not be attempted. If you are planning a vacation in Haywood County, there are many alternative routes to Haywood County when coming from the West. Haywood County Tourism Department provides detailed alternative routes on their website.

A great place for a picnic and in the summer a swim in the creek plan to spend at least a few hours at the trail head to Mouse Branch Falls . You’ll find a few picnic tables and barbecue grills along the riverbank. With a clean relief station close by, it is easy to make a day of it.

If you just have time for the hike, you will find that it is an easy flat trail. Approximately 1.7 miles into the hike you will arrive at Midnight Hole which is a great place to take a break. Our guide book suggested that some people swim in this big pool. We were happy just navigating down to the water’s edge to enjoy the refreshing coolness of the water.

Just another .3 of a mile down the trail you will arrive at Mouse Branch Falls For novice hikers this hike provides an easy walk and wonderful sights and sounds.

It is easy to find the trail head for Mouse Branch Falls on Big Creek Trail from Maggie Valley. The 40 minute ride takes you west on I-40 24 miles into Tennessee to exit 447. Then you double back on I-40 going East to exit 451 toward Waterville Road. From this point you are only 4 miles from the parking lot for the trail head. Stay at our cabin Mystic Mountain for convenience.

TIPS
1. Book in advance as availability is limited.
2. Mention the Scrapbookin’ Getaway to receive your free gifts from Mystic Mountain and Haywood County Tourism.
3. Decide in advance if you want to schedule a crop at Pretty Crafty.

I wanna scrapbook but can’t find the time. Check out the Scrapbookin’ Getaway for you and your girlfriends at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley, a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. At Mystic Mountain, you will find an assortment of cropping tools, idea books, and how-to DVD’s. Plus as a member of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority , Mystic Mountain will provide you and your friends with a wonderful Spa Gift with a retail value of $115 from HCTDA.

When you arrive, you will be treated to a Welcome bag with goodies for your first morning at the cabin. You also will find one of a kind scrapbooking gifts in your Scrapbookin’ Getaway Gift Bag along with a $40 gift certificate to Pretty Crafty, a wonderful scrapbooking supply store. Scrapbook uninterrupted from morning to night while you spend quality time with your girlfriends.

At a group rate of $174.83 per night (minimum of 3 nights) in a cabin that sleeps up to 6, you receive lodging, the spa gift, the scrapbooking gift and the $40 Pretty Crafty gift certificate. With 6 girlfriends splitting the cost, you could finally find the time to get all the scrapbooking done that you want for as little as $30 per girlfriend per night. Limited availability. Go to Mystic Mountain Cabin to check availability and book your Girlfriend Getaway now.