Summer of FUN

Great times at the Second Annual Kids Naturalist’s Rally, or as we like to call it Xtreme Roan Adventures!

Mountain Art – Studio Tour

It’s that time again. Time for the Toe River Arts Council Studio Tour.

Nestled in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains are Yancey and Mitchell Counties.  There be artists there!

Two plus days of meeting artists and seeing their work in their native habitat. Not restricted be gallery rules and limitations. This is wher you can see where they are at their creative best.

Here is a link to the huge 30-page Studio Guide The maps are on pages 25 – 29.

CLICK HERE > TRAC Studio Tour June 2010 Guide.

• Start early.
• Take a friend/navigator.
• Bring snacks.
• Have fun.

 ’see you on the mountain!

Ken

Mountain Art – Blacksmithing Festival

“Fire on the Mountain” this Saturday! This is one of my favorite town festivals.

1. Small town in the mountains of North Carolina = Spruce Pine
2. Manly Arts = blacksmithing. (Not horseshoeing! That is a farrier. Blacksmithing uses real imagination.)
3. Family Encouraged = Kid friendly, hands on blacksmithing! How cool!

This Saturday, April 24, is the Spruce Pine, NC, “Fire on the Mountain” blacksmith festival. Plenty of time to see everything: 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Tip 1: When you get there, sign the kids up for the Penland School’s hands-on forging. Since this is a favorite, the line gets long in the afternoon even with four anvils ringing.

Tip 2: Check the demonstration schedule and record when your favorite demon

stration is scheduled at the main tent. There are hourly demonstrations throughout the day. Fascinating. This is the How-To. Learn how the artists make their metal sculptures. Check out the vendors and load up on the blacksmith hammers and anvils and forges so you can make your own art when you get home.

 Tip 3: Explore the lunch offerings from the street vendors or the downtown restaurants or picnic right on the street while you watch the demonstrations.

Tip 4: Broad brim hat. If it still gets too hot for you, check out the art galleries on the upper street. This is where the best of the art is displayed.

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Tip 5: Be sure to check out the great video on their web-site: Toe River Arts Council – Fire on the Mountain

‘ see you on the mountain.

Ken

Goat vs machine – Grays Lily

Here is a quick 4 minute video with Jamey Donaldson, Research Biologists and Manager of the Baa-tany Goat Project.

You will learn one advantage the goats have over the machine in restoring the grassy balds of Roan Mountain.

Learn how the goats create an advantage for the rare Grays Lily.

If you would like to be a part of this restoration project, download the Goad Adoption Form.

You can adopt a goat for the 2010 season. You get to name the goat and receive a certificate of adoption and a lock of your goats hair. Pretty cool.

But there are a limited number of goats for adoption.  Adopt yours today.

Check it out here:  Baa-tany Goat Project Adoption Form.pdf

And I hope to see you on the mountain.

Ken

ken@MountainTips.com

Baa-tany Goat Project and Jamey Donaldson

While you are snuggled up by the fire (again), waiting out another snow storm, here is something to get you thinking of warmer days and getting on top of a mountain.

Here is a short video with Jamey Donaldson of the Baa-tany Goat Project.

Go here for the Baa-tany Goat Project

Go here for the Friends of Roan Mountain

If you have questions email me: ken@MountainTips.com

What a great winter it is!

How about this. Another "weekend" snow storm! Great timing.

Instead of calling in to work to say the raods are too bad, we can go skiing!

Last weekend’s snow storm was another good time.

   It has been too long since I went cross-country skiing on top of Roan Mountain.

 The antique 1980′s cross-country skis that I still use, were noticed and commented on.

And don’t forget next weekend’s Winter Naturalist’s Rally, Saturday at Roan Mountain. Great Outdoor Education:  brochure,  registration

Registrater by Feburary 9.

Outdoor Adventure and Learning at the Winter Naturalists ‘ Rally

The days are getting longer.
The sun seems to shine brighter.

Let’s go outside and do something!

If you have blown your recreation budget on lift tickets already, then I have a deal for you!

Saturday, February 13, The Friends of Roan Mountain Annual Winter Naturalists’ Rally

Jam packed into one day are: three speakers (INDOORS) and choice of two hikes (OUTDOORS)

Go here: Winter Rally Brochure

Go here: Registration

Kid friendly, and always a learning experience!

I hope to see you ON THE MOUNTAIN!

Mountain Artists and Craftspeople – Studio Tour December 5 – 6

The wonderful Southern Appalachian Mountains have been the source of inspiration for many artists and craftspeople for generations.

This weekend, December 4 -5 -6, 2009 you can meet the artists and see where they do their thing. Learn more about the Toe River Arts Council here.

Go here to get you map of the Toe River Arts Council studio tour map.  More than seventy studios are open for your exploration.

Start early. Open studio hours are only 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

Centrally located in the heart of the western North Carolina mountains, Yancey and Mitchell Counties have some of the best kept secrets in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Notice: some studios are "artisticially" located.  Good walking shoes are a good idea. A navigator with an open mind for roads less travelled is good too.

Enjoy!

Roan Mountain Goat Project – Update

On Labor Day weekend, I had the honor and the privilege to be a temporary goatherd.  Yes, I know what you are saying: “Why?”

  Baa-tany Goat Project.

This is the second year of the Baa-tany Goat Project to restore the grassy balds on the Roan Highlands.  This is along the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap, at the North Carolina – Tennessee state line to the slope of Grassy Ridge to the east.

Why? Because I see what will be lost in a few short years if nothing is done.  Jamey Donaldson is the research biologist in charge of the Baa-tany Goat Project.  He presented a pictorial record at one of the Naturalists’ Rallies.  You could see and compare the pictures for yourself.  Or, if you have hiked the grassy balds over  any length of time, you have seen for yourself the ever invasive blackberries growing where there used to be open grassy areas.  If you get a chance to see Jamey’s presentation, you will be stunned by how rapid the invasion really is.

 
So that is why I am interested in helping with the Baa-tany Goat Project.  By goat-sitting for a weekend, Jamey got to go off the mountain for a while.  I got to camp in the gap between Grassy Bald and Jane Bald. And do a little bit to help restore and preserve these wonders.

 Xtreme Roan Adventures

What a great day!

Saturday, August 1, Friends of Roan Mountain held their first Youth Naturalists’ Rally.

Listen to these enthusiastic kids after a full day on the mountain and ending their day with a 3 mile hike over the grassy balds:

 End the day interview with some great kids. [7:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Register now for the 47th annual

Fall Naturalists’ Rally

coming September 11-13: Friends of Roan Mountain.

Schedule of activities here.

‘see you on the mountain.

Ken@MountainTips.com

http://www.MountainTips.com