Fall in the Mountains

 

Today we wanted to take a moment and share a beautiful photo taken by photographer Rick Anderson. This shot is a great view of early Fall foliage in the mountains at Second Falls & Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This year is shaping up to be one of the best yet – and provided our weather holds out, we can expect more stunning colors each day!

 
If you have never experienced Fall in the mountains you are REALLY missing out! Our hotel is right in the middle of everything Western North Carolina has to offer, including countless hiking and waterfall trails. We especially love the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park this time of year. The deep colors of red, orange, and yellow are breathtaking!

 

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Reflecting on 2011

The new year has been a fabulous one for us so far! At the beginning of each year we find time to reflect on the previous year and how absolutely thankful we are for the amazing people we have met along the way. Our business has remained steady, even in a down economy. For this – we thank you. It is our pleasure to be your personal riverside escape!

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our hotel, customize your guest experience, and ensure you will return in the future. If you ever have any suggestions or ideas, please let us know! By taking feedback to heart and making appropriate changes we will continue to be a top notch hotel.

There is always so much going on the mountains of Western North Carolina. We are thrilled to be able to share our little piece of serenity overlooking the river. We know you have a choice when making reservations and we’re delighted that you choose us.

Jam-Packed Independence Weekend!!

Ready for a fun filled weekend in the mountains? There’s sure plenty to do! In fact – you probably won’t have enough time in the day to do everything our area has to offer … but you can try!

Friday marks the weekly Concerts on the Creek at Bridge Park in Sylva. This week’s event will feature The Elderly Brothers, and admission is FREE! Bring a lawn chair and enjoy this fabulous event!

The 3rd Annual Cashiers Mountain Music Festival will be held July 2nd & 3rd. On the first day Balsam Range will be the headling act, while bluegrass legend Doc Watson will close out the second day followed by fireworks. There won’t be just music to enjoy at this event! There will be food and beverages, a kids zone, a car show, vendor area from local merchants, and an arts and crafts show. Tickets if purchased in advance are $25, the day of tickets will be $30. For more info call 828-743-5191.

Enjoy browsing and buying authentic crafts from the hands of 100 local artisans at the Summertime Art & Craft Show in Cullowhee! The event will be held at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center. Admission is $3, with free parking. Mountain artisans will even be outside demonstrating blacksmithing and chair caning. An event not to be missed!

To finish off a spectacular weekend, head to Dillsboro on Monday during the 4th of July Celebration for a wide assortment of activities for the holiday. From a Carnival to pie baking competitions to apple bobbing to cornhole championships - come on out for good old fashioned fun!  And be sure to stay with us at the BEST WESTERN PLUS River Escape Inn & Suites – where you can leisurely sit from your guest room’s private balcony (or our main deck) and enjoy the fireworks after dark!

Concerts on the Creek – every Friday night!

23rd Annual Easter Hat Parade

Saturday, April 23rd, marks Dillsboro’s 23rd Annual Easter Hat Parade. What originally started out with seven people has turned into an event that attracts hundreds. There will even be an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny! Arrive in town at 10am to work with others preparing the perfect hat for the occasion – and sign-up for the parade by 11am. At 2pm the parade will officially start, led by antique cars! There will be prizes for hats in a wide range of categories - from ugliest, prettiest, fluffiest, and everything in between.  Your four-legged friends are welcome to join you, too!

Spend some time in our quaint historic village of Dillsboro. There is something about the town that draws people together, and we know if you visit us just once you’ll experience the magic for yourself and want to come back year after year. For more information about the Easter Hat Parade contact the event coordinator, Teresa Dowd, at 828-586-5700.

And while you’re in the area don’t forget about the day-long street festival in neighboring Sylva - Greening Up the Mountains! It’s an event not to be missed with a focus on the revival of native and heritage crafts and traditions. On Main Street in Downtown Sylva from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Opening of Trout Season & Other Fishing News

This Saturday, April 2nd, marks the opening of trout season in NC’s hatchery supported waters. Between this month and June there will be over 49,000 brown, rainbow, and brook trout stocked in the waters along the WNC Fly Fishing Trail.

Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains has became quite popular, especially with the creation of the WNC Fly Fishing Trail. Now, on a waterproof map, you can see exactly where the best fishing spots are and what fish frequent there. To request a map, go to their website.

Rules and regulations regarding fishing in North Carolina can be found on the NCWRC website. There are several local fly and tackle shops that offer the required fishing license, or you can even purchase them online.

Western North Carolina offers many exciting activities for nature enthusiasts to enjoy. While you’re in the area keep us in mind for accommodations. The river is (literally) in our backyard and we are the perfect base camp for adventure.

Our Feathery Friends

Have we mentioned yet that we have some very strange (yet absolutely adorable) residents at our hotel? Okay, okay. So maybe “residents” isn’t the best choice of words. Shall we say … parking lot invaders? No, no, NEIGHBORS! Yes, these feathery friends can best be described as neighbors.

These ducks, who tend to travel in a packs, have decided that our riverside retreat is just what they need after a long day (or night) floating down the river. A child with an extra biscuit from breakfast becomes their new best friend … and trust us, only bribes get them settled into a safety area where there is no traffic interruption.

And have we mentioned they take cover under our canopy everytime it rains? Being a duck you would assume they enjoy the rainy weather. Absolutely not so … just ask one of our many guests this week who were taking pictures of our huddled friends. And sure enough, as soon as the sun is back out, they scurry towards the river and are on their merry way.

Even though they know how to work us - we can say we’re  happy to have these ducks invade our parking lot on occassion, “beg” for leftover breakfast, and chill out under the canopy when it’s raining. Our feathered neighbors are quite amusing, and very friendly. Won’t you come visit them?

Spring gets closer and closer!

The weather here has been stunning and it’s clear spring just gets closer and closer each day! After a very turbulant winter everyone in Western North Carolina is looking forward to more warm weather and sunny skies.

With spring there are many fun events in the area coming up, an exciting one is the 1st Annual Cherokee Trout Tournament this month. It certainly sounds like a lot of fun …

Beautiful Weather!!

 

Here at the BEST WESTERN PLUS River Escape there are many things we are thankful for … today it is the absolutely beautiful weather we have been experiencing! Even though it is technically still winter we’ve certainly been blessed with sunshine and warm weather!

Looks like this weekend the warm temperatures will remain, providing the perfect opportunity for a weekend getaway by the river! There is a lot to do in the mountains of Western North Carolina, even during the winter. Explore the quaint village of Dillsboro, enjoy fantastic dining, and win big at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. There is always something going on in this region!