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

Tom — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:01:22 +0000

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

Tom — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:26:54 +0000

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

Tom — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:15:20 +0000

Overlooking 43 acres of vineyards

[caption id="attachment_799" align="alignleft" width="533" caption="Inspecting young vines"][/caption]

At Villa Raffaldini, Ronda, NC

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

Tom — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:49:40 +0000

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.

Spring sprouts wine, music and trout

Tom — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:57:09 +0000

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

Spring has finally arrived!

Tom — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:37:50 +0000

The Blue Ridge mountains have finally come alive with the arrival of spring! The multi-shades of green from the new growth on the trees and the flowering accents of the wild dogwoods and fruit trees presents a magnificent array of color. We hope you will come & stay with us at The Baird House Bed and Breakfast this Spring! The High Country kicks off the spring season right with the Farmers’ Market, Art in the Park, Live Music, Live Entertainment and don’t forget all the beautiful flowers in bloom!
Check out our list of events below.

Watauga County’s Farmers’ Market

– May 2 – October 31 – Fresh vegetables and fruits, canned goods, flowers, plants, handmade furniture, fresh milk and cheese, and always good conversation can be found at the Farmers’ Market at the Horn in the West Grounds. The market is open on Saturdays through October and on Wednesdays from mid June through mid September. The hours are 8 a.m. until noon.

Art in the Park:

A series of art and fine handcraft shows featuring juried artisans. Now in its 47th year, Art in the Park features 100 exhibitors in each of six shows May through October. Work includes: painting (oil, watercolor and acrylic), etching, stained and blown glass, basketry, wood carving and turning, clay, photography, fiber, jewelry and more. Dates for 2009 are May 16th, June 13th, July 18th, August 15th, September 12th, and October 3th. Shows are 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Satellite parking available at Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway and Food Lion Shopping Center. Free transportation on a comfortable trolley available to the downtown and art show area available from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

MUSIC IN THE VALLE
VALLE CRUCIS COMMUNITY PARK
Summer 2009
Music Begins at 7:00pm*
FREE ADMISSION !

May:
22nd Randy & Deborah Sheets
29th Family Ties
June:
5th Upright & Breathing
12th Sugar Grove Sweet Talkers
19th Rock Hill
26th Surefire
July:
3rd Steve & Ruth Smith
10th Kent Doobrow & The Other Brothers
17th Bob & Ellie with Patty
24th Full Throttle Bluegrass
31st Tommy & Patty Calahan
August:
7th The Neighbors
14th The Blue Notes Dixie Land Jazz Band
21st Family Ties
28th Forget Me Nots
September: *Music begins 6:00pm
*4th Upright & Breathing
* 11th Randy & Deborah Sheets

HAYES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center is a year round facility that is the home of the Blowing Rock Stage Company. The Stage Company produces professional theatre, develops new plays, and teaches the next generation of theatre performers and artists through a variety of outreach programs. In addition to live theatre, the facility presents a variety of musical, comedy, and dance performances as well as a classic film series. The center also offers a gathering place for civic and cultural activities as well as a resource for local commercial interests with its meeting facilities and hosting capabilities.
Web: www.brcac.org for calendar of events

Guests staying both Friday and Saturday may stay Sunday evening at half-price based on availability. Offer is not valid during special events, holidays or any time in October. This does not apply with any other specials or discounts.

Returning Guest Special

Share all you love about The Baird House with your friends and experience us again at ½ price. Simply bring another first time guest(s) along for your next visit and we’ll show you our appreciation by discounting your rate.

OR.

Receive a 10% discount off of your next stay year round, except October.

Offer is not valid during special events, holidays or any time in October.

A two-night minimum is required for either option. This does not apply with any other specials or discounts.

Honeymoon Special

Book three or more nights in any of our guest rooms and receive a complimentary bottle of champagne, a dozen roses and your choice of a box of handmade chocolate truffles or a selection of seasonal fruits.

Add-On Amenities

Special Treats and Temptations:

Wine and Cheese

While lounging in your room or relaxing on the porch, enjoy a wine and cheese tray. It features a bottle of your choice of red or white wine w/cheese, crackers and seasonal fruit. $40

Champagne and Chocolates

A chilled bottle of champagne, seasonal fruit or a box of six decadent handmade chocolate truffles will be awaiting your arrival. $45

Flowers and Chocolates

Surprise your sweetie with a box of six decadent handmade chocolate truffles and a fresh bouquet of flowers or a dozen roses – complete with a note from you. $45

Celebration Cake

Freshly baked at our local bakery, surprise your special someone with a 6″ four layer cake uniquely scripted to include your own personal message. Your choice of white or chocolate. $30

**Please order at least 3 days in advance of arrival.

Beautiful Spring Day at the Baird House Bed and Breakfast inn, Valle Crucis

Tom — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:43:42 +0000