Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO

06/06/2024

When my Granddaughter, Anna, was about 4 years old, she observed "Papa, the mountains never change, but they change every day. That is so true!

I love to sit and watch the clouds dancing with the sun as it closes in on the horizon. And the beauty changes every minute, not just every day.

I do love

05/31/2024

A couple times a year our family gets to enjoy the Airbnb - we set aside a week or two to perform upgrades and maintenance on the house, all while soaking in one of the best views in the world!

Last summer a few of our big projects were installing a picnic table on the back deck, fixing the weather station on the roof, purchasing new games, and reflooring the basement. We've got great plans for this week and can't wait to share them with you! For now, enjoy the view :)

Book your mountain getaway on Airbnb or VRBO today!
Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QT-Pkxl14-vBC_w-CCvD2oehYDlrjjFowXOTmqt2FrYO8KtCB6E4xUaAnsdEALw_wcB&source_impression_id=p3_1717127029_ToFmnlmo9zgD5nFs
VRBO: https://www.vrbo.com/1642417

05/20/2024

Summer is one of our favorite times of year in the Blue Ridge Mountains! We still have some availability in July and August if you're looking for a way to cool down and recharge!
Book your retreat today on Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QT-Pkxl14-vBC_w-CCvD2oehYDlrjjFowXOTmqt2FrYO8KtCB6E4xUaAnsdEALw_wcB&source_impression_id=p3_1716169933_qtHeTFiXa95sbo%2Fe

PS: Average July temperatures in Spruce pine are a high of 83 degrees and a low of 60... how nice does that sound?!

04/24/2024

Summer is Coming! Book your vacation with Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO and relax in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains!

And if you love rhododendrons as much as we do, June is your month! Bakersville, NC will be hosting their 77th annual Rhododendron festival June 21-22nd but you can catch them all over town all month long 🙂

Fun fact, we’ve even planted several rhododendron bushes (sourced locally) off the back porch for you to enjoy!

Find us on Airbnb (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?source_impression_id=p3_1713984706_%2F9LXuBvV5O%2BKhs8n) or VRBO (https://www.vrbo.com/1642417)

12/02/2023

12/02/2023

We've had some mild rain today, but it's clearing up, and we are excited to announce that we're opening tomorrow. While there's some forecasted rain for tomorrow, we've got a solid snow base, and hey, it's the mountains—the weather can change on a dime.

See you at 9 a.m. tomorrow, and for all you early risers getting first chair, we've got some goodies and giveaways waiting for you!

Here's what's open tomorrow.👉

Lifts Open: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lifts:
Play Yard Carpet
Lift 1
Lift 3
Lift 5

Terrain Open:
Play Yard
Freestyle
Crossover
Upper-Lower Shawneehaw
Amenities:

Beech Mountain Brewing Company Brewhouse
Ski Beech Sports Retail
The Lodge Cafeteria and Bar
5,506'

Ticket and Pass Information:
Administration is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for season pass pick-up. If you purchased a ticket online, redeem it at the pick-up box (PUB) located at the upper or lower ticket booth.
Lift Schedule:

Important Note:
Early access for season pass holders starts on Saturday, December 9.

12/02/2023

The weekend is here and the Parkway is calling...

Scenes like this one, though, are more frequent in the winter and necessitate short- and sometimes long-term closures in the interest of public safety until the road is safe for travel. No one wants to come around the curve to a solid sheet of ice at nearly 5000' elevation. So, it's essential to proceed with caution and plan ahead.

Road status information is updated daily and is available on the Parkway's website at nps.gov/blri.

A parkway closed to cars offers a unique opportunity for hikers to enjoy a hike on the roadway itself. This gives a chance to enjoy the solitude and quiet of the parkway without vehicle traffic—including walking through and photographing tunnels and enjoying roadside vistas in peace. If you choose to recreate behind closed gates, remember to keep dogs on leash and be sure not to leave your car behind in a way that blocks parkway gates.



NPS Image - Blue sky pops through wintry trees that line a curved section of the Parkway. The milepost marker to the left of the scene indicates MP366, and the road is lightly covered with snow and ice. Photo taken November 28, 2023.

12/02/2023

OPENING DAY for the slopes. Thanks to this cold snap, 10-30 inches of man-made powder coat 6 of 20 trails: Northridge, Switchback, Upper and Lower Flying Mile, Easy Street, and Magic Carpet area. The high-speed, six-passenger Summit Express chairlift, four-passenger Easy Street chairlift and Magic Carpet conveyor lift are running. Today's high 22 on summit, wind chill around zero The full-day session of skiing runs 9 AM-4:30 PM. Half-day shift is 12:30-4:30 PM. Twilight and night skiing in coming weeks. Snowsports school, rental shop, sports shop and childcare are open. Ice Skating is open, the tubing park opens soon. See our Ski Resort Insiders Guide: https://seesugar.com/ski/

11/27/2023

This distinctive world of flora and fauna can be encountered throughout Grandfather Mountain’s 16 different natural communities. Even on the drive from the Entrance Gate to the Top Shop, visitors pass through at least four different ecological communities, including Northern Hardwood Forests and Acidic Cove Forests. On the walk from the Top Shop parking lot to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, visitors pass four federally listed endangered species in the High-Elevation Rocky Summit “community.”

To encounter the same breadth of biodiversity that exists on Grandfather Mountain, one would have to travel the length of the East Coast from Georgia to Maine!

For more information on our unique ecology, visit grandfather.com/ecology.

11/09/2023

Calling all waterfall lovers! Spruce Pine is a perfect central area for waterfall hikes in the NC Blue Ridge Mountains - here are some of our favorites near the house:

⭐️First Photo - Crabtree Falls - Moderate/Strenuous 2.5 mile hike to the famous 70 foot waterfall, we love how close you can safely get to the falls!
⭐️ Second Photo - Roaring Fork Falls - 1.3 mile out and back hike, relatively easy hike with a great payout view!
⭐️ Third Photo - English Falls - Short but very strenuous trail with some scrambling to a delicate waterfall on the BRP!
⭐️ Fourth Photo - Linville Falls - Less than a mile out and back to see three waterfalls in one from two different viewpoints! Great for the whole family 🙂

If you’re ready to book the trip to check waterfalls off your bucket list, we’d love you to consider our Airbnb for more local Blue Ridge recommendations! Link to our house: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?source_impression_id=p3_1699497075_URPDT%2FmF9KFDF1bH

11/06/2023

Sunrise yesterday morning at Altapass Apple Orchard on the Blue Ridge Parkway! We managed to catch it even with the time change!

If you’re looking for a getaway, we’d love you to consider our mountain retreat Airbnb so you can soak in more views like this! Link: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?source_impression_id=p3_1699299721_axbD1Ty76kmaNcVP

11/06/2023

We love watching for the train in downtown Spruce pine!

11/03/2023

Clara and I moved to Western North Carolina (Asheville) in 1972 and lived there until 1992, then moved to Haywood County in 1997. Living and working in the area was a dream come true. We truly loved our time there and climbed many of these peaks. Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO is a dream come true for us to experience the beauty of these magnificent mountains from our Retreat.

North Carolina’s Tallest Peaks:
North Carolina has its fair share of high points, including America’s tallest peak east of the Mississippi River. And it’s not just the summits that try to touch the sky. With the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Black Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachians, many cities are sitting high. Asheville, for example, is at 2,200 feet above sea level. Highlands is at 4,500 feet.
Here are North Carolina’s 10 tallest peaks:
🔟 Celo K**b
Height: 6,327 feet
Range: Black Mountains
9️⃣ Old Black
Height: 6,370 feet
Range: Great Smoky Mountains
8️⃣ Richland Balsam
Height: 6,410 feet
Range: Great Balsam Mountains
7️⃣ Mount Chapman
Height: 6,417 feet
Range: Great Smoky Mountains
6️⃣ Mount Gibbes
Height: 6,520 feet
Range: Black Mountains
5️⃣ Balsam Cone
Height: 6,600 feet
Range: Black Mountains
4️⃣ Mount Guyot
Height: 6,621 feet
Range: Great Smoky Mountains
3️⃣ Clingman’s Dome
Height: 6,643 feet
Range: Great Smoky Mountains
2️⃣ Mount Craig
Height: 6,647 feet
Range: Black Mountains
1️⃣ Mount Mitchell
Height: 6,684 feet
Range: Black Mountains
It is also the highest point east of the Mississippi River.

10/27/2023

The sun makes its annual migration south for the Winter solstice on Dec 23, then it starts it's migration of about 47 degress for the Summer's solstice on June 24. It is fascinatiing to be able to track the sunset from winter to summer.

10/25/2023

Late yesterday afternoon I was on the deck of Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO and heard a noise, seeming to come from the front yard. I peeked around the corner and there were 2 deer in the yard. I got this after one ran into the wood. We've had deer, bear, turkey and other critters show up over the past years. Always love to share my space with all these beautiful creatures.

10/24/2023

THE OLD COMPANY STORE at Emerald Village in Little Switzerland, NC takes on a special beauty when surrounded by pretty fall leaves, which are nearing their peak. The old store has been configured to be a whole miniature mining village in one small building, with the Company Store, Post Office, Assay Office, and Dentist Office, as well as the Mine Boss's Office. Although it's not big, it's crammed full of lots of 'good-ole' stuff on display, and best of all, it's FREE! But don't wait too long! Emerald Village is open daily but closes for the season after October 31st. You still time to come to the mountains and have a 'Gem' of a day! Thanks to those who have visited Emerald Village and had a fun time!

10/24/2023

Heirloom apples. Only one more week for picking and purchasing. Open 10 to 5 Wednesday-Sunday until the 29th. (U-picking 10 to 4)

10/24/2023

Tomorrow! Wednesday at 4pm! Come see Milky Way over the Mountains: An Appalachian Astronomy Story! This show will take visitors on a tour of the current evening sky as seen from the Blue Ridge Mountains. This stunning live presentation will keep guests engaged in this immersive program. Join your Space Ranger as you learn about the night sky, seasonal constellations, deep space objects and mythological constellation lore from groups around the globe. The natural progression of the ever-changing night sky is constantly changing throughout the year along with our seasons. Visitors will be able to leave the planetarium with the ability to locate stars in the evening sky and share this new information with their friends! This is a show that will keep you wanting to come back to hear more and you won’t want to miss it!
We hope to see you there! 📍66 Energy Exchange Dr, Burnsville NC
🎟️Tickets sold at the door!
$12 Adult $5 Kids (age 4-12) 0-3 Free $10 Senior/Military

10/19/2023

Anna, my Granddaughter is spending some time with me at the Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO. Yesterday we drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy some of the scenery.

10/19/2023

Amazing colors developing around Grandfather Mountain...
"This view from Cliffside Picnic Area and Overlook, looking up at Linville Peak, showcases fall foliage and the rich red hue of mountain ash berries brightening up the top of the mountain. This site is just one of a dozen scenic picnic areas in the park." - Leslie Restivo | GMSF

10/19/2023

If you’re hoping to catch the scenic fall colors NC has to offer, there’s still time! These pictures were taken on the Linn Cove Viaduct this morning only a 45 minute drive North of our Airbnb - soon, Spruce Pine will have the same bright colors!

If you’re looking for a foliage filled mountain getaway, we encourage you to check out our Airbnb and the town of Spruce Pine sometime in the next 1-3 weeks!

Airbnb Link: https://abnb.me/FFFz1ThN1Db

06/22/2023

Even though it was a rainy day, we loved sitting on the back porch doing puzzles, reading books, and watching the weather roll through! If you want to surround yourself by the sounds of nature, this retreat could be your perfect getaway! Book your stay with us today at https://abnb.me/JpJmJZdhLAb

06/18/2023

Tonight’s sunset view from the porch! If you’re looking for a blue ridge getaway, book with us today at https://abnb.me/L7IkF3JzIAb

05/19/2023

05/19/2023

Our favorite place

It's time to get away! Enjoy sunrise on the Blue Ridge Parkway this summer and stay at the Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain! Book your vacation with us today at https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21237355?source_impression_id=p3_1682628659_foPMKdj2XJabQfzB

05/19/2023

Can you imagine a better morning view while you sip your coffee on the back porch swing? ☕️ We sure can’t! Book your getaway with us today on Airbnb at https://abnb.me/5dnB5DlzVzb or feel free to comment/message us with questions!

04/29/2023

Calling all bird lovers!! It’s hummingbird season at Continental Divide Retreat on Apple Mountain Airbnb/VRBO! Come relax on the back porch and enjoy the sounds of nature! Book your vacation with us today at https://abnb.me/ba3RAIC7mzb