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.
Golfing at the lovely Maggie Valley Club or Lake Junaluska Golf Course just to name a couple of courses.
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.

A Long Story Short
My husband and I became the proud owners of what we consider the perfect Maggie Valley cabin in 2005. I would like to be able to say that Mystic Mountain Cabin was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. But, in our lives nothing really has ever happened in such a normal progression. Hindsight always seems to be 20/20 for us.

Historical Perspectives
Back around 1956, my recently widowed aunt and my widowed grandmother loaded my two sisters and myself in the circa 1950s sky blue Studebaker for a vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With the unexpected failure of the transmission, the ride on the two lane mountainous roads proved to be fairly unnerving and memorable. We arrived safely in Cherokee where a wonderful native American innkeeper and his wife put us comfortably to rest in their motor lodge. They then sent the Studebaker to the repair shop and within 24 hours we were on the road again. Now, I look back on my first visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a prelude to our becoming part time residents of Haywood County.

1980s GSMNP Visit
I returned to the park some 30 years later with two children of my own. It was during the Boy Scout/Girl Scout period of our lives. Naturally, we camped in the park. As novice campers, we set up our tent and leaving the flaps open set off for some dinner. A very strong evening storm came along and left everything in the tent soaked. After dinner, we spent the rest of the evening drying out the sleeping bags at the laundromat. Even the very leaky tent and rough night’s sleep couldn’t derail this adventurous return visit to the Smokies.

Why Smoky Mountain High Blog
Smoky Mountain High is an opportunity for explorers who have traveled to Maggie Valley and the surrounding area to share their experiences with other vacationers. For those of us who love the Great Smokies and the adjoining parks, communicating our adventures is a close second to enjoying the people, places, and natural beauty of this dynamic area.

We return visitors know that it would take several lifetimes to get to all the waterfalls, scenic vistas, and hiking trails of Western North Carolina. This blog is just one additional resource to help us decide which activity to add to our limited vacation schedules.

Spectacular views from your car
With easy access and a short car ride from Mystic Mountain cabin , the payoff at Waterrock Knob, a spectacular four state view, only gets better when you time your visit to coincide with sunrise or sunset. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find the parking overlook at mile marker 451.2.

Alternate 1.1 mile strenuous hike
Along with an awesome view, the parking overlook includes a Visitor Information Center and Comfort Station. Waterrock Knob accommodates young and old alike. For the hiker, a moderately strenuous 1.1 mile hike takes you to the highest elevation of the Parkway at 6,400 feet.

Best views on a clear day
Keep in mind that if you are planning an evening picnic highlighted by a spectacular sunset you need to choose a sunny day. Showing up on one of those misty days that give the Smokies their name, you will be hard put to determine where the sun is actually setting. Believe me because I actually showed up on a smokey evening. What was I thinking? What did you like best about this overlook? Do you have any tips that would help future visitors make the most of their trip to Waterrock Knob?

TIPS
Before you rent:
1. Review photos carefully.
2. Review guests comments.
3. Establish an internet relationship with the owner.
4. Pick up the phone and talk to the owner.
5. Pay over the internet through a secure credit card processing company.

Renting a vacation home from a private owner does not have to be a leap of faith. We take a number of steps at Mystic Mountain Cabin to eliminate the doubts.

On a Local, State, National, and International Level
1. Membership in the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce shows that we are serious about our business and the community in which we operate.
2. Listing on several prominent websites including VRBO and the HomeAway networks requires a substantial financial commitment, an indication that we are a stable owner.
3. A personal website provides an additional resource for information about Mystic Mountain Cabin and the owners.
4. Registered with the state of North Carolina as a vacation rental property owner, we are listed with the Haywood County Tourism Agency.
5. Linked to a credit card processing company, we are able to accept credit cards – an indication of our stability.

On a Personal Level
1. We encourage our guests to provide feedback. Check out previous guests comments at Mystic Mountain Cabin .
2. We answer your initial inquiry in a timely manner, usually within hours, another indicator of reliability.
3. We keep an up-to-date calendar so that you can easily determine availability.
4. I maintain an internet connection with future guests by providing travel information, calendars of events, and updates on activities in and around Maggie Valley.
5. We also have a toll free number so you can request additional information free of charge.

If you look for many of these indicators, you will not be asking yourself as vacation time approaches, “Is this vacation rental for real?” You’ll know that “yes, it is.” What do you look for when choosing a vacation rental? What would you find reassuring as an online renter?