FALL COLOR UPDATE - October 17, 2018

Choose your report:
Valle Crucis/Boone • Asheville • Hendersonville • Greenville • Knoxville

Valle Crucis/Boone – The colors may be a little behind, but I think things are going to get back on track this week. I can’t remember an October when it has been this green this late in the month. By the time the weekend gets here, you’ll probably see a lot more color on the mountainsides. It’ll be perfect for the festivals this weekend. Some of the photos this week were taken around Linville Falls. I didn’t head down to the big falls that rush through the deepest canyon this side of the Mississippi River. Instead, I took the shorter trail that goes out to the Dugger Creek Falls.

The weather is definitely feeling a little more like fall. Temperatures are going to be in the 40s and 50s for highs and 30s for lows through the end of the week. It’s a little more seasonable, but I sure do wish that we’d been eased into it instead of summer one day and hello fall, and late fall at that, the next. There’s a chance of showers later in the week, but I don't think it'll be an all-day washout. Check the local forecast with a click HERE. It can change quickly.

This weekend is going to busy, so please make sure to make a reservation if you’re planning to stay overnight. Let’s begin your itinerary on Friday at 11 a.m. with the Scholars and Scones program at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. This week’s speaker will be Bill Moretz, who owns and operates the Moretz Apple Orchard. He’s going to bring some heritage apples to taste and will share some of their stories and what it takes to operate a mountain orchard. Admission is $5.

On Friday night, you have two choices. The North Carolina Symphony is performing at the Schaefer Center. The concert starts at 7 p.m. and will feature two selections from Aaron Copeland, one of my favorite composers. Follow this LINK for more information and tickets. Another option is the Jimmy Smith Maranon. It’s a running event that anyone can do – 3 benches, 3 rocks, and a distance of .00333. Run a little, then enjoy live music, food, and locally-brewed craft beer. Learn more HERE. 

Saturday is extra busy with the Valle Country Fair happening in Valle Crucis. Hosted by Holy Cross Church and the Valle Crucis Conference Center, the fair features over 125 craft booths, food (of course), and local entertainment. All funds raised go back into the community. It’s free, but there is a small parking fee.

Just up the road a piece is the Woolly Worm Festival. Worms race up strings for the right to predict the coming winter’s weather. If you want to race, you can bring your own worm or you can purchase one from one of the “worm stables” at the Fair. You’ll enjoy live music, crafts, and food on the festival grounds. If you miss it on Saturday, don’t worry, you have another chance on Sunday.

The Appalachian State Mountaineers take on the Ragin’ Cajuns from Louisiana in a Sun Belt Conference showdown. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. It’s Family Weekend, so the Rock should be rockin’. Get a game-day update HERE.

Whew! What a weekend. See you again soon!

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Asheville - It looks like fall weather has finally hit Asheville at last, with last weekend giving us nights in the forties. It was definitely a welcome reprieve from all this heat. This week seems to continue the trend with highs in the low seventies to mid-sixties and lows in the fifties, gradually falling to the forties by the end of the week. There is a small chance for rain early in the week with more predicted for this weekend. With the rain comes another cold front and the possibility of our first frosty morning of the year, sometime early next week. For more on the local weather check Ray’s Weather.

This week I took a trip over to UNC Asheville’s campus in the hopes of seeing the “turning of the maples.” However, like much of the Asheville area, not a lot has changed yet. Much of the campus was still green with a few of the Japanese Maples sporting their deep red color. Other trees, other types of maples, sourwoods, etc., had a little color at the tips of their leaves, but most have not even started. I’m hoping that with this prolonged cooler weather we will start to see the colors spread a bit more rapidly. 

One thing the UNCA campus has a lot of, however, are interesting looking trees and flowers. While some of these may be ornamentals, one tree in particular caught my eye, the waxy leafed Southern Magnolia. This native Evergreen tree has its fruit blooming this time of year, a cone-like seedpod with bright red berries, and they seem to be flourishing on the tree that I saw. Other flowers and flowering trees like Black Eyed Susans and the Crepe Myrtle were also blooming in full force. For more information on UNC Asheville and its Campus check their website. 

There are a number of things to do this weekend in Asheville. The Southern Highlands Craft Guild is having their 71st Annual Craft Fair at the U.S. Cellular Center in Downtown Asheville. It is a place where the 170 artists of the Guild can showcase their work. The Fair prides itself on artists from a variety of mediums, as well as a number of interactive craft demonstrations that are available to the public. 

Starting Thursday, visitors can also head to the LEAF Festival at Lake Eden (near Black Mountain). LEAF happens every May and October and celebrates the artistic culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains with over 100 vendors, 400 performing artists, and dozens of interactive activity centers. If you happen upon this festival be prepared for the weekend of a lifetime.

Let’s hope that next week brings some of our anticipated fall color. Until then, come enjoy what Asheville has to offer. 

See you next time!

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Hendersonville - Dear Fanatics of Fall, Wow, that was quite a blow we had last week! The wind and the rain seem to have pushed the remnants of summer clear out the door. It was about time, too. I love summer as much as the next person, but enough is enough, I want some fall weather. The forecasters say we are in for some awesome days with highs in the upper 60s to 70s and lows in the 40s and 50s. We may have some rain early in the week with clear sailing after that. The forecast can change often, so get an update HERE. 

With such a nice shot of cold air, I expect to see some leaf color appearing pretty quickly around the area. I have finally noticed some blushing across the tops of the sugar maples and the dogwood trees are turning red as well. A few yellows are trying to pop out on the tulip poplars, too.

All the beautiful weather calls for some fun outdoor activities.

The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site celebrates its 50th anniversary on October 17th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be music, poetry, an open house with historical objects, and birthday cake. There are some wonderful hikes and scenery on the property. Be sure to take a walk around the lake and bring some bread crumbs to drop off the bridge. The fish will love you! Bring your binoculars because the bird watching is amazing. For more information and directions visit this WEBSITE. 

Down on our historic Main Street in Hendersonville the Bearfootin' Public Art Auction will take place October 20th from 3-5 p.m. All of the gaily hand-decorated bears will be auctioned off to help support local non-profit organizations. Anyone can make a bid on the bear of their choice and maybe get to take it home! Come to preview our bears and help support the community. More information can be found HERE. 

Downtown Hendersonville has three great craft breweries you can visit. Southern Appalachian Brewery, Triskelion Brewing Company, and Sanctuary Brewing Company are all within walking distance of Main Street. So, stroll around the street, sampling our craft beers, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Hendersonville.

Happy Fall y'all!

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Greenville - Birds are whistling and crickets chirping as my alarm goes off. It’s Monday morning and a crisp cool air fills my heart with fall delight as I sip a cup of joe on my front porch before heading in to work. 

Fall for Greenville is over for another year, but it seems to have begun the cooler days as highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s look to be the new trend for the week. Here’s to hoping it’s even cooler next week as my iPhone app suggests. HERE's a link to a forecast to get updates. 

The event-crazy city slows down for a while after such a big event like Fall for Greenville but some awesome staples can still be visited. Take the Upcountry History Museum for example. The display of photographs from Vietnam in ”Picturing Nam” can be seen through the 21st of October. Or weekly trivia at any number of local Greenville establishments. As always the Bon Secours Wellness Arena has events as well. This weekend it's the soulful sounds of the Gaither Vocal Band.

If the outdoors is more your thing, it’s great weather for walking the city with man’s best friend by your side. And many state parks are just a short drive away, such as Paris Mountain State Park and Table Rock State Park. Both offer a variety of trails from moderate to difficult and wonderful landscapes to behold.   

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Knoxville - The first half of this past week, we were still experiencing high temps in the mid-80s . Then just like THAT, on Thursday a front moved into our area to provide the magical cooler fall temperatures. Check out a forecast from our local TV station WBIR. 

Since the colors of the leaves are put on a delay for now, I decided to take a trip to Clingmans Dome to see if I could experience fall colors in the highest elevation of the Smokies. The beech and birch trees are starting to become more golden along the roadside. You can also see Witch-hobble turning all sorts of pretty shades in the woods. Small Asters along the roadside are a pretty reminder of how wonderful Mother Nature is.

One of our area's biggest attractions is no doubt Dollywood. If you have not attended the Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin Illuminights, I highly recommend it.  Dollywood is truly fun for all ages because there is something to do for everyone. The pumpkin displays are spectacular and only featured during this time of year. The music is great; the food is great, and it's like being a kid all over again. More information for Dollywood can be found HERE.   

Another fun event that will be celebrating its 3rd year is Costumes and Classic Cartoons Open House at the Tennessee Theatre. The event is free and everyone is encouraged to dress up in their family-friendly Halloween Costume to enjoy the fun.  

The Three Rivers Rambler is our local train attraction in Knoxville; it's been doing scenic train tours since 2000. On October 19th, they will be operating a special All Hallows Eve train ride. All passengers are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costume to experience a spooky 2-hour ride out to the Forks of the River.  

Reports have stated that we will start to see changes in colors this week due to the continuing cooler temperatures. I am feeling confident that I will be able to report changes by our next leaf report. Until then, enjoy the cooler temperatures and the emerging colors. 

We'll visit again next week.

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