Hawaii, Amalfi Coast and Asheville

21 Places We're Going in 2011 (click here) 

According to Fodor's Travel Intelligence Asheville is the place to go in 2011. Doesn't surprise me. As the Creative Director for Oceania Cruise Lines for the past 8 years, I have spent countless hours searching and publishing photos of the beautiful places around the world. Living in Western North Carolina I can't help but hold Asheville and WNC as a baseline comparison. It's got it all. And from the comments our guest leave in the guest books in our vacation rentals they are never disappointed. If you have a chance to travel here in 2011 (or anytime for that matter) do it.

Must See Spots - Craggy Gardens

The first day of spring - and we got a bit of a cold snap. Only about 54 degrees as we head out to Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway. By the time we reach the summit I believe the temp has dropped about 10 degrees and the clouds are rolling in over the peaks. We've set off down the trails with kids and dogs in tow - playing hide and seek in the rhododendron as we go. Not a great day for long range views, but a great way to start the spring hiking season. The trails are well maintained, and in the summer the fields are filled with blueberries. These images weren't taken today, but on a much clearer day in the summer.

For more information on Craggy Gardens click HERE or HERE.

Must See Spots – Chimney Rock Park

Let's see, how many times have we been to Chimney Rock Park? Well too many to remember - and it never gets old. We totally enjoy the hike to the waterfall, top or bottom, and dipping our feet in the cool mountain water. The kids have also taken a climbing lesson and thought it was great. Just about 20 minutes south of High Rock Rentals you wont want to miss it when you stay with us. Here are a few photos of our many visits here.

Click Here for Chimney Rock Park Website

Must See Spots - Mt. Mitchell State Park

Before we starting renting our vacation homes in Black Mountian we spent many summers coming to WNC from South Florida. I would like to begin sharing with you some of the places that we have enjoyed visiting in and around Black Mountain. It is easy to pick the first one .... Mt. Mitchell State Park. An beautiful drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway will get you to Mt. Mitchell from High Rock Rentals in less than an hour. Here are a few of our own photos from the top of Mt. Mitchell.

An amazing view!

 A short while later the clouds rolled in – below us!

Did you know you can see Mt. Mitchell from the deck of High Rock Haven, and Mitchell View.

For more information about Mt. Mitchell click here.