History of Blowing Rock

Before 1752, when Moravian Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg visited the Blowing Rock area, the windy cliffs of the area were home to the Cherokee and the Catawba Indian tribes, hostile to each other, and the basis for the story of “The “Blowing Rock”. Two star-crossed lovers, one from each tribe, were walking near The Rock when the reddening sky signaled to the brave that he must return to his tribal duty, and the maiden urged him to stay with her. His desperation in choosing between duty and love caused him to leap from the edge of the gorge toward the rocks below, while the maiden beseeched the Great Spirit to bring him back to her. The famous winds of the John’s River Gorge blew her lover back into her arms, and this legend about The Blowing Rock is still told today. After the mid-eighteenth century, when the Scotch-Irish began to settle close to this area, the passes from southern Virginia into Kentucky attracted many colonists, farmers, hunters, and trappers who continued south to the mountains of North Carolina. The first family to settle in Blowing Rock were the Greenes who were established by the mid-1800’s on a site that would become the Green Park Hotel property. Other early settlers in Blowing Rock included the Hayes, Coffey, Bolick, Estes and Storie families. About this time, summer residents began to come up from Lenoir to enjoy the cool fresh air, magnificent mountain views and the wonders of nature. As word traveled to other parts of the South about the merits of Blowing Rock, more visitors began to arrive, first camping out, and later taking rooms at boarding houses like the Hayes and Martin Houses on Main Street. When the space to accommodate guests proved too little, many homes turned into hotels, and the Watauga Hotel, built in 1884, added cottages in 1888; the Green Park Hotel opened in 1891 and was followed eight years later by the Blowing Rock Hotel. Walter Alexander touted the clean air and healthy environment of Blowing Rock, as he developed the Mayview area, opening the grand hotel, Mayview Manor in 1922. Times had been tough during the Civil War, when many early settlers sought refuge from the great war between the North and South. Husbands sent their wives and children to the safest place they knew at the time, the mountains, while they left to fight for their beliefs. After the war many men joined the families who sheltered here, and made their permanent homes in the village. Shortly thereafter, on March 11, 1889, Blowing Rock was chartered and incorporated. “Uncle Joe Clarke” became the first mayor of this fledgling little mountain town with a permanent population just over 300 people. High on the list of issues at a time when financial conditions were at a low ebb, was the tourist economy and meeting visitors’ needs for cleaner, better streets (dirt roads were the norm of the day) and the issue of farmers’ rights and the expense of fencing and feeding animals who had wandered the open range where food was readily available. Debated from 1893 until an ordinance for fencing in livestock was passed in 1896, this issue was reaffirmed in a township vote in 1900 and again in 1901. Blowing Rock’s economy would now be tourist-oriented and hotels, inns, and boarding houses could prosper. Activities and amenities for visitors reached the epitome of the finest offerings in lodging, food and entertainment for guests, and were enjoyed by many summer residents as well. Blowing Rock was becoming a destination community for those who fled from the heat down the mountain and as far away as Florida. The introduction of the automobile and improved roads shortly after the turn of century further enhanced the journey to the “Crown of the Blue Ridge.” Blowing Rock’s growth encompasses 1500 full time residents and approximately 8000 summer residents. The village offers the best of small town living: cool climate, magnificent views, year-round outdoor activities, a safe environment, beautiful churches, an award winning school and the finest accommodations with superb restaurants and shopping. A major preservation effort has been in place for the past decade to protect the proud historic heritage of the village and maintain the community character that so enhances this little town.

More snow!



We missed more snow this weekend, per The Weather Channel app.  :(



Happy Anniversary, Riverwood!

Wow!  It was 12 months ago this month, that we closed on Riverwood.  I guess you could say I'm celebrating with an anniversary post.  Truth is, 2012 was such a whirlwind year for us, and I don't feel compelled to relive any of it here.  Suffice it to say, we welcomed 2013 with hearts a little bruised, but hopeful once again. 

I can say that we used the chalet as often as we had hoped, especially in the height of the summer when temperatures in Durham topped 100+ degrees.  Most weekends we hightailed it out of town, happily watching the car temperature gauge slowly tick downwards with each mile closer to Blowing Rock. 

2012 found me using my camera more, and have since amassed many photographs over the course of the 12 months that we've owned Riverwood.  I've included a handful here for your viewing pleasure. 

Thanks for a year's worth of delicious memories.  Happy anniversary, Riverwood!


Riverwood Chalet.  Summer, 2012.



Master bedroom.



Living. Dining. Kitchen.  Loft above.

Easter, 2012.  Linville Gorge hike.

January, 2013.  Sisters & cousins, post wine tasting.

Me & Jackie.  May, 2012.

Weekend with Nicole.  June, 2012.

Riverwood from the river.

View upstream from common area.

The lushness of spring.  May, 2012.

Three sisters.



Boone Farmers Market.  October, 2012.

Keith & his mom pick apples.  Oct., 2012.

Winter descends on Roaring River Chalets.  Jan., 2013.

Riverwood under snow.  Jan., 2013.

Yah, but how cold does it feel??

Upper balconies in snow.

Cozy by the fire.  Jan., 2013.

Loan approved!

Okay, so the excitement really is starting to build.  We received word last evening that our loan was approved.  We weren't concerned it would not be, but for some reason just hearing those words bring some degree of relief.  This means all that's left to do is close.  This is a good feeling.

Just thought I'd include one of the photos I snapped during the weekend we placed our offer.  It had obviously snowed a few days prior to our arrival, leaving a light blanket on everything.  We had all (the mom's, Keith and I) walked to the common area to nose around when I took this shot upstream.  Lovely day, and view.

Appraisal done.

Found the appraisal in my in-box this morning. Thumbs up all the way as far as we can tell. Since our lender does not require a traditional appraisal, instead accepting what is termed a drive-by appraisal, it did not include an assessment of value. According to Tim, our mortgage broker at America Select Mortgage (walks on water, by the way)-- these drive-by appraisals are rare. We're assuming it has to do with the uniqueness of property, not that we have any special credit halo or anything.

Also, on Friday I signed off on the insurance policies (flood & hazard). Things moving along briskly.

The anticipation is getting to us. However, we were talking last night, that it's not nearly as bad for me as when we bought Oakwood. Talk about a bundle of nerves. I was off the chain. This time Keith is much worse with nervous anticipation, than I. Just 13 days to close.

We close February 17th!

This picture was taken some time this summer, long before we laid eyes on it.  This is the image we have to look forward to this spring and summer.

Paul & Rick join us for a look-see and overnighter

We took a road trip with our good friends, Paul & Rick on January 21st to visit the house, now that we had it under contract.  As sweet as they are, they did all the driving, and indulged our excitement like true friends.  We enjoyed lunch at Six Pence Pub, spent the night at the LQuinta in Boone, and had a good ol' time.   

Rick, Keith, Paul and me (behind the camera) looking upstream.

Upstream with Riverwood on the far right.

The double balconies.  The upper is off the master bedroom, and the lower off the den.  We plan to sit here for hours...

The loft.

The open concept, living-dining-kitchen area looking toward the front door.  

The view upstream from the upper balcony, with Barbara's balconies to the right.

The dining-kitchen area looking back toward the master bedroom.  Bathroom is behind the kitchen, and the spiral staircase to lower level is just past the refrigerator on the left.  Ikea furniture to remain with the property, so we have little jump on outfitting the place.

I think we are beaming.