Visitor Info / Blog

Watauga River Anglers

Watauga River Anglers is located several miles south of Boone on Hwy 105 near the traffic light of Broadstone Road ( where one would turn going to Valle Crucis ). Owner Steve Michel offers flyfishing guide trips on the Watauga River,South Holston,Watauga Tailrace,the New River,North Toe River, the Nolichucky and on private property streams. He offers instruction in casting techniques, he is superbly knowledgable of the current conditions & what the fish are biting and has a pontoon fishing boat for trips to Watauga Lake. Watauga River Anglers has a full retail shop where flyfishing supplies & licenses can be purchased. Hours of operation are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm daily ( closed Wednesday & open holiday weekend Sundays but guide trips can be arranged for anyday of the week). Call Steve for info and rates at 828-963-5463.

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Boone, North Carolina area land for sale

This property is located on Little River Road ( it has no physical address ) which connects to Watauga River Road in Valle Crucis, just 2 miles from the Mast General Store. This Watauga county real estate lot size is 8/10 of an acre, has a SUNNY south and east facing slope which is important in this mountain setting because of the passive solar energy benefit during sunny winter days and because snow would melt off a driveway quickly. This land is in Valle Crucis, NC a beautiful rural setting only 15 minutes from the town of Boone. Originally part of a 200 acre tract from the 1780’s, the property is adjacent to the Baird House Bed & Breakfast Inn, the oldest house in Watauga County and a Boone area bed and breakfast. The land has a view of the Watauga River and St. John’s Episcopal church which dates back to the 1860’s, is at an elevation of approx. 2,900 feet above sea level and is in a river valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge mountains. Ski resorts, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the town of Blowing Rock, Appalachian State University, Boone are all located within 30 minutes of the land. The asking price is $90K but is negotiable.The last lot sold next to this location sold for $75K but did not have the spectacular view of this one. A septic system & well would be needed. Would consider owner financing. Click to see the videoLand for sale near Boone,NC ( in Valle Crucis )

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games bed and breakfast

There is an ancient connection between the Scottish Isles, The Baird House bed and breakfast and these Appalachian mountains. John Baird left his ancestral home in Scotland in 1650 and sailed the Atlantic to New Jersey. 135 years later John’s grandson, Ezekiel Baird, traveled from New Jersey with his wife settling in what is now Valle Crucis building their home which is now the Baird House Bed and Breakfast inn ( the oldest house in the county ) near Boone, NC. As time progressed more people of Scottish & Irish ancestry settled in this area bringing with them a culture rich in music and tradition.

Probably the most influential family in this part of the Blue Ridge is that of Hugh MacRae who, in the late 1800’s bought & developed land in and around Grandfather Mountain. Following his death his family was instrumental in starting what is now one of the largest gathering of the Scottish clans in the world. The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is a 4 day celebration of music, food, sporting events and dancing beginning Thursday July 8th. Make your plans to attend the games and make your reservations to stay at the Baird House, a Grandfather Mountain bed and breakfast, a 20 minute drive from the games. Grandfather Mountain is close to many an Asheville bed and breakfast, about an hour and a half drive.

A Valle Crucis bed and breakfast

Video tour of the Baird House, near Boone, NC bed and breakfast

The Blood, Sweat & Gears bicycle race bed and breakfast page

At 7:30 am Saturday June 26th thousands of bicyclists will pedal away from Valle Crucis on a 100 mile race, some of the ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which will end back in Valle Crucis. For many years riders have stayed at the Baird House, a Valle Crucis North Carolina bed and breakfast, conveniently located 2 miles from the origin of the race. We serve a large hot breakfast at 6 a.m. to the participants to fuel them for their strenuous day, most of whom ride to the starting gate at the Valle Crucis Elementary school from this Boone area bed and breakfast. Sponsored by Watauga Red Cross.

Lots of “freebies” to enjoy near a Boone bed and breakfast

After a brutal winter of ice storms, frigid winds & 3 continuous
months of snow covered ground we welcomed Spring with open arms. The
snowy wet season resulted in a lush green season & cool evenings
around the firepit. Deede is readying her garden, preparing to plant
some vegetables and herbs.

Before telling you about some of the FREE events & activities in the
area here’s a reminder that we offer bed and breakfast gift certificates. These make
great presents for Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays,anniversaries,
weddings, for pastors & their wives, employee appreciation, to some-
one for their help or friendship. We can customize a certificate for
you to provide a night or 2 during weekdays or weekends or it can be
based on a dollar amount. Feel free to call us to discuss what you
have in mind for someone. 1-800-297-1342.

LOTS OF FREE MUSIC EVENTS THIS SUMMER

From Friday May 28th through September “Music in the Valle” begins.
Local musicians & bands perform FREE CONCERTS in the Valle Crucis
Park behind the Mast Store Annex starting at 6pm. Bring your own
chairs ( or you may use ours ) or a blanket and food if you like.
Some guests stop by the grocery store for cheese,breads,chips,
crackers wine or other adult beverages then go to the park to listen
to some good music prior to checking in.

Also, every Friday @ 5pm starting June 4th, at the Jones House in
downtown Boone, the FREE “Concert on the Lawn” series begins. Bring
a chair or a blanket. Visit joneshousecommunitycenter.org for more
info. Bring food & drink if you like or have your evening meal at
one of the many restaurants on King Street.

On Monday nights in Blowing Rock (June 7th, June 21st and July 5th))
begins the FREE “Monday Night Concert Series” held at the gazebo in
Broyhill Park off of Clark Street.Visit amymarieproductions.com for
more info. The Baird House is a Blowing Rock area bed and breakfast.

Always exciting is” Art in the Park” located in Blowing Rock.This is
a juried art & craft show featuring 100 artists starting May 15th
through October & held on Saturdays from 10 am ’til 5pm. Admission
is FREE & the shuttle service is FREE from the Tanger Outlet to
Blowing Rock. Visit blowingrock.com for more info.

Be sure to see the most recent Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report
at virtualblueridge.com. The Baird House is a Blue Ridge Parkway bed and breakfast.

If you are on Facebook please become a fan of the Baird House at our
FB page ( you know how to do it .

Finally, please visit our Visitor Information/ blog at
bairdhouse.com where we recently posted a video about our ride down
the Virginia Creeper bike trail. Also, see photos & a brief write-up
of a recent tour of Raffaldini Winery at exit 267 at Hwy 421 near
the Hwy 421/I-77 interchange. That is a great place/way to spend 1-2
hours on your way here or home.

Stay tuned for video of us riding the new zipline at Seven Devils.

A Sunday afternoon at Raffaldini Winery & Vineyard

[caption id="attachment_799" align="alignleft" width="533" caption="Inspecting young vines"][/caption]Our great friends, Lisa & Keith Carter, join us at Raffaldini for a tour of the vineyards and wine tasting which is located off Hwy 421 at Exit 267 between Winston-Salem and Wilkesboro, NC ( approx. 30 minutes from Winston and an hour and 15 minutes from the Baird House bed and breakfast) .The Raffaldini family dates back to the year 1348 in the town of Mantua, located in the Northern Province of Lombardy, Italy. The family made a decision to share centuries-old winemaking experience with the New World. After a long and exhaustive search for land that would reflect this experience, Raffaldini Vineyards was established in the Swan Creek area of the Yadkin Valley. There are 43 acres of beautifully maintained vineyards and property. Wine tastings are $5 per person ( you keep your glass); cheeses, breads, crackers, olives, tomatoes can be purchased in their store and there is an upstairs room with great views with tables & chairs to enjoy your wine and food. The staff is very pleasant and helpful. Our wine choices were the Fiori and Oneotria. A very nice way to spend 1-2 hours.Montepulciano grapes.

Click below for video of an early Spring ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail

An early Spring ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail
In late March we drove to Damascus, VA ( a 50 minute drive from the Baird House bed and breakfast into Tenn. then into Virginia, pretty close for a Boone bed and breakfast ), rented bikes & helmets from Adventure Damascus & took a van shuttle up to White Top Mountain to bike down the Virginia Creeper Trail. The trail is a former railroad line from White Top to Abingdon, VA.The ride down the mountain ( there is little pedaling because of the downward grade of the trail), which is 17 miles from White Top back to Damascus, took us 3 hours but we took our time. One can finish it quicker but why hurry? The trail goes down the mountain, through pastures, by huge rock formations, across the Appalachian Trail and across rivers & streams via restored train trestles. Take a picnic lunch & drinks in a backpack then stop along the way for lunch. Clean restrooms are located along the trail and a cafe or 2. We were really hungry after our ride so we ate at Quincy’s restaurant wh/ is right next door to our bike rental place. Burgers & pizza were our choices which were really good.
Riding the Creeper is a highly recommended activity, is reasonably priced & a great way to spend a day. A noontime departure gives one plenty of time to enjoy the ride.

Flyfish at a Valle Crucis bed and breakfast

Last weekend Jim, from Greer,SC and Derrick, from Summerfield, NC caught between them about a dozen trout in about an hour. Even though there were a lot of trout that got away these 2 guys had a blast fishing early before breakfast then later in the afternoon. One report I just read said fishing has been “phenomenal” lately for those using Frenchie nymphs, Copper Johns, pink pheasant tails, san juan worms and woolly buggers. I’m not a flyfisherman so I don’t know about the lures I just mentioned but I do know that rooster tails & small spinner lures have worked for me in the past.
Since the Baird House is the only Boone area bed and breakfast and only Valle Crucis bed and breakfast located on the Watauga River it may be the perfect place to lure in a Rainbow ( Tom, a friend from Greensboro, caught the largest rainbow of his life here…19 inches ) or a Brown because the inn is only 43 paces ( I just paced it off to be exact ) from the inn. How’s that for convenience & proximity? So, ladies bring your books ( the rocking chairs & porches are calling you ) and credit cards for shopping & guys bring your rods,tackle & waders.

Spring sprouts wine, music and trout

Even though Winter is not over ( and it has been a SERIOUS Winter
up here )it is on its way out so thoughts of Spring get us excited
and so do some upcoming local events. Before mentioning the events
let us remind you of our Spring Special when all room rates on any
day of the week are $129 nightly per couple ( there are NO 2 night
minimums ). This special starts March 7th and ends April 28th
( except March 19th & 20th, Bristol Race ).

Trout Fishing
Fishermen are eagerly anticipating the upcoming trout season.
Thousands of Brook,Rainbows and Browns are scheduled to be stocked
on the Watauga River very soon. The Baird House bed & breakfast is
the only inn located on the river which is why many flyfishermen
stay here. To read a local fishing blog see
http://www.foscoefishing.com/blog/.

The 5th Annual Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival….
kicks off April 15th in Blowing Rock. This 3 day event celebrates
the enjoyment of wine, explores the art of winemaking, offers
tastings & cooking classes. The “Fire on the Rock” Chef Challenge
will be held as well as late night entertainment & music. For more
information see www.blueridgewinefestival.com.

MerleFest…
is one of the largest, if not THE largest, folk music festivals in
the U.S. This 4 day long celebration begins April 29th in Wilkesboro
NC just 45 minutes from the Baird House. MerleFest mixes Bluegrass,
folk, jazz, Gospel, rock, Cajun and other other styles. Overall, the
music of MerleFest is considered as “traditional-plus”.
Here is a partial list of featured artists:
* Doc Watson
* Steve Martin ( comedian and banjo player )
* Taj Mahal
* Elvis Costello
* Sam Bush Band
* John Cowan
* George Hamilton IV
* Little Feat
and there are dozens more. See www.merlefest.org.

Congratulations to the winners of our email contest. Gina & Kent
of Winston-Salem, Kathy & Eric of Matthews and Lisa & Gary of
Mooresville will receive champagne & truffles upon their next stay
here. Many thanks to all of you who participated in signing up last
month.

If we may be of any service to you then please call or email us.

Deede & Tom
www.bairdhouse.com

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