Windsor Run	UPDATED: Thursday, October 16, 2008
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Time to go leaf peeping

Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008

By Kenneth S. Allen
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

It is autumn in North Carolina, and that can mean only one thing: fall foliage!

Nearby eye candy
One of the attractions of living in Piedmont, N.C., is the proximity of the mountains. From the Brushy Mountains that rise up in Wilkes County through the Blue Ridge Mountains on into the Nantahala National Forest in the far western part of the state, visitors can experience a variety of scenery and elevations.

For people in the Charlotte area, the most accessible route to good leaf viewing is to head out of Charlotte on I-77 North to Wilkesboro, where you take U.S. 421 North into Boone. The drive takes about 90 minutes, and you will go from about 850 feet above sea level to about 3,270 feet above sea level.

Leaves begin turning first at the highest elevations then work their way down into the Piedmont area. Your trip will give you a good selection of early and late colors, with quite a bit of travel in the peak of the color.

Beautiful routes
Phyllis Coffey is an information specialist with High Country Host, which represents tourism-related businesses in a six-county area of the Blue Ridge. “Normally the peak of the leaf season around here is the second and third weeks of October,” Coffey says. “Now we don’t know how the drought will affect the leaves this year, but the second and third weeks of October are traditionally our times.”

Coffey suggests taking U.S. 321 South out of Boone, toward Blowing Rock, and entering the Blue Ridge Parkway where it crosses U.S. 321. Go south on the Parkway (if you go north, you will have to detour around some construction).

“That is just a beautiful drive,” Coffey says of the southern route. “You go past Grandfather Mountain and across the Linn Cove Viaduct.”

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Coffey suggests following the Parkway to Linville and exiting onto U.S. 221 South toward Morganton. In Morganton you can pick up I-40 East back to I-77 in Statesville. For the more adventurous, there are many scenic roads running out of Boone that will give you sharp hairpin turns and dramatic views of peaks, valleys, and leaves.

One of those roads is NC 194. Take that to Valle Crucis (about 10 miles), and make a stop at the historic Mast General Store. While there are several other locations of the venerable emporium, this is the original and worth the trip.

Mountain fare
Of course, man cannot live on leaves alone. He must have lunch. And there are several good places along the way.

One of the mainstays of traditional mountain fare is the Dan’l Boone Inn, where heaping platters of country food are served family-style in rustic surroundings. It is located in downtown Boone. Be prepared to wait, though—it’s very popular.

In Boone there is also the Peddler Steak House. It is locally owned and has a reputation for fine beef.

If you venture down U.S. 321 into Blowing Rock (about 10 miles), you can dine at Canyons Restaurant. The restaurant perches on the side of the mountain with breath-taking views of Linville Gorge. The food is casual American—sandwiches, soups, and the like.

For a more elegant meal, try the Manor House Restaurant at Chetola Resort, which is just off U.S. 321 in downtown Blowing Rock. Get a table by the window and watch the geese cruise the lake.

A day in the mountains during leaf season is ritual for people living in the Carolinas. If you go during the week, the traffic will be less. But anytime is a great time for leaf peeping in the Blue Ridge.