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Valle Crucis’ New Website

Check this out at www.vallecrucis.com.

Trout fishing, hiking, playing music, R & R and big breakfasts

Trout fishing, hiking, playing music and big breakfasts Fishing for trout in our front yard, getting caught in a hailstorm while hiking, playing music on the front porch, taking time for R & R by a waterfall and having lots to eat at each breakfast is what this group of friends did last weekend at the Baird House bed and breakfast.

Merlefest 2011 bed and breakfast

The Merlefest music festival www.merlefest.org  will again be held at Wilkes Community College ( Wilkesboro, NC ) April 28, 29, 30 & May 1st. The Doobie Brothers,Robert Plant & Band of Joy ( I saw them recently  in Charlotte…fantastic ) Randy Travis, Lyle Lovett, Doc Watson, John Cowan Band ( amazing ),   Sam Bush and dozens of other musicians will be performing. There are plenty of  fine motels & hotels in the Wilkesboro area but those looking for an historical bed and breakfast( 1790 ) in a quiet, serene riverside location should consider the Baird House bed and breakfast www.bairdhouse.com. This inn is located in Valle Crucis, elevation 2,850 feet, in the Blue Ridge mountains about 45 minutes from Wilkesboro. Baird House still has a few rooms available. 

 

NC Skiing

Winter started early in December and we’ve already had about 19 inches of fresh snow during the last several weeks. Christmas is promising to be a “white” one with several more inches expected. This is great for skiers, snowboarders, snow tubers and anyone who enjoys seeing and being in the white stuff. We’re fortunate to be close to Ski Beech ( 14 slopes are open with a 40-70 inch base ), Sugar Mountain ( 15 slopes open with a 38-72 in. base and 5 700 foot tubing lanes are open plus ice skating ), Appalachian Ski resort ( 12 slopes open with a 57-85 in. base plus ice skating ). Hawksnest Resort boasts a 20 lane tubing park with lanes up to 1,000 feet long ! These resorts are a 30 minute drive from our inn except for Beech Mountain which is about 40 minutes away. Whatever your favorite snow activity is there’s plenty of action nearby.

Boone NC Fly Fishing

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). All guides are certified with the American Red Cross in adult CPR/AED and first aid. Every guest that we have sent here has returned saying great things about Steve, his staff and the services he provides.  Call Steve for info and rates at 828-963-5463. www.wataugariveranglers.com

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 in July of each year. 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.

A Valle Crucis bed and breakfast video tour

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 25th thousands of bicyclists will pedal away from Valle Crucis on a 100 mile race, some of the ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway, up to Snake Mountain and back to  Valle Crucis. For many years riders have stayed at the Baird House, a Valle Crucis North Carolina bed and breakfast near Boone NC, 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.Showers are available. The Baird House B & B is 1.5 miles from the starting point. At this writing we still have some room availability. 1-800-297-1342.

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.1-800-297-1342.

LOTS OF FREE MUSIC EVENTS THIS SUMMER

Beginning  on Friday’s in  May  “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 in June , 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 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 in May
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.

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