FALL COLOR UPDATE - October 10, 2018

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

Valle Crucis/Boone – I was out on a hike to the fire tower on the Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend. I saw some yellows and golds with some sourwoods showing off their beautiful red leaves, but overall, there’s not a lot of color to be had. We have yet to have nighttime temperatures that have dipped below the 50-degree mark, so the conditions aren’t quite right for the oranges and reds to begin appearing with any regularity.

These next two days are going to make color season very interesting. The weather is supposed to be very rainy with a likelihood of LOTS of rain. If Michael takes the same route as Ivan (back in 2004), we could see lots of rain and wind – not good for the leaves. Fortunately, not having had a frost is going to be helpful in maintaining the leaves on the trees. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens, but I’m hoping for not too much wind and less rain than they are predicting. Oh, and one more thing, we are going to see more seasonal temperatures over the next several days. Highs will be in the 60s and lows in the 40s. As of right now, the weather for the weekend looks awesome! Follow this LINK for an updated forecast. 

If you’re visiting this weekend, you’ll find lots of events to enjoy. This Saturday, October 13, is the Annual Todd New River Festival. Held right on the banks of the world’s second oldest river, you’ll enjoy live music, crafts, festival food, and fun kids’ activities. It starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m.

Do you like scary fun? Then give the Haunted Horn a try. This year, the Haunted Horn is taking the idea of an escape room to a whole new level – the setting will be under the stars. Can you help Luna escape the settlement bedeviled by witchery? You’ll have to use your wits! Follow this LINK to find out more or to purchase tickets. 

Maybe you’d like to take in the scenery and learn a little about the flora and fauna while you’re out on the trail. Then the Fantastic Fall Color Ramble at Grandfather Mountain is made for you. Led by one of Grandfather’s naturalists, you’ll learn the science behind the season. Learn more HERE. 

Of course, there’s always shopping! This weekend is the beginning of the week-plus long Tent Sale at the Mast Store Annex in Valle Crucis. Stop by to see what’s under the tent – and it’s all 50% OFF the suggested retail price. You can learn more with just a CLICK. 

See you next week!

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Asheville - As hard as it is to believe, we are in our third week of leaf season here in Asheville. The heat just doesn’t want to let up, although if the rumors are to be believed, that may change by the end of this week. Most of the week will continue to be in the upper 70s, with the lows in the upper to mid-60s. There will be an increasing chance of rain as the week goes on, as weather from tropical storm Michael heads toward Western North Carolina. The bulk of this rain is set to hit on Wednesday night and Thursday. One good thing about the rain is a cold front is coming with it. By the end of the week, temperatures should move into the 60s during the day, and the 40s and 50s at night. Let's hope these cooler temperatures bring with them the fall we are all waiting for. For more information check Ray’s Weather Station.

Even though the leaves are slow to change this year, I am starting to see some hints of fall on the trees around my apartment. Many trees are speckled with yellows and reds, while others, small bushes and trees, have almost changed completely. It is nice to see some fall appearing, even if it is much slower in coming this year. I’m hoping now that things have begun to change, things will start to move faster. Eventually, I hope to see the color all around when I look out at Mount Pisgah from my back porch.

If you want a closer look at the Pisgah, the mountain that can be seen from most of Asheville, you can take the Blue Ridge Parkway south from Asheville or even from towns further south like Brevard or Waynesville. At higher elevations, the leaves have changed a little bit more, although they are still muted for this time of year. It is another place you’ll want to check again as the weather cools off. But Pisgah is a great place to visit at any time of the year.

Near the base of the mountain is the Pisgah Inn, this is a great place to stop if you want to break up your drive along the Parkway. Not only does the inn provide a great place to spend the night, it also has an amazing restaurant, with a spectacular view to boot. It is a perfect place to sit out on a rocking chair and revel in the silence that nature provides. If you want to do a little more exploration, the trail up to the peak of Mount Pisgah isn’t far off, you actually will have passed it on your way to the inn. If you backtrack about a mile, you can find the trailhead, and after hiking a moderate three miles up and back, you’ll find yourself with amazing views. It is one of my favorite hikes and will be even more spectacular if you can catch it at that ideal leaf-peeping time. For more information on the Pisgah hike or for more strenuous hiking options in the area, check the National Park Service website.

If you are in town and looking for something cool to do this weekend, check out the Grey Eagle. This small music venue is a great place to visit if you want a low key place to enjoy a concert. This weekend though it is home to the inaugural RADfest, a two-day music and arts festival featuring a number of local and nationally-acclaimed musicians and artists. The festival is meant to highlight the unique area that is known as Asheville’s River Arts District. So come out, enjoy the numerous art exhibits and concerts, and explore one of the most interesting places Asheville has to offer. 

There is also the Eliada Corn Maze, a yearly event open just down the road from my apartment. Open through the end of October, it provides kids and their families with all the excitement that fall has to offer, with hayrides, corn cannons, and more. With so much of fall still to come, this is a great place to come and enjoy a day playing in the sun with your kids.

I hope you guys have a great week, and I hope to have more to show next week, when the weather has cooled off a bit.

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Hendersonville - Dear Fall Aficionados, Another week has passed, and we are still anxiously awaiting the return of cool weather and autumn leaf color here in the mountains. They say the unseasonably warm temperatures will only delay the leaf looking season, not eliminate it. We are counting on it!

The weather report this week is very interesting. While we are predicted to have showers the beginning of the week, by Thursday they will taper off. This will keep the temperatures in the mid 70s. By Friday, a cold front, (YES!) will take evenings down into the 40s and 50s and daytime temperatures will be in the high 60s to low 70s. Now, that's what I want to see! The weather changes all the time, so check HERE for a local forecast. 

This weekend will be the perfect time to visit one or more of our lovely apple orchards. Each orchard is celebrating the fall season with different family activities like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, pies, jellies, cider and apples for eating. You can pick your own apples or choose from many varieties that are already picked. Look HERE for more information on our local orchards.

If you are in the mood to get spooky, take a guided tour of historic Oakdale Cemetery. Visit the famous “Look Homeward Angel” statue and learn its story. Discover our old grave markers that whisper secrets and tell haunting stories about Hendersonville’s buried past. The cost is $10 and it is from 2:15 to 4 p.mm on October 14th. Please meet at the cemetery on the corner of Valley Street and U.S.64 west.

The Rhythm and Brews Concert series in Downtown Hendersonville ends the 2018 season with the popular Asheville band Tellico on October 11th. The concert is located on Main Street on the 200/300 blocks. Great local foods, craft beers, hard ciders, wine, handmade ice cream, and a children's activity booth are all available. Check it out at with a click HERE.

As I was out on a walk through the woods, what did I spy, but some wild turkeys taking a walk, too! They remind me of cool evenings, crisp fall days, and that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

What a wonderful season this is!

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Greenville - The temperatures are predicted to be a little cooler this week in Greenville, so more color may be in the forecast as well. It is still quite green here with a few leaves showing red. Highs in the 70s and lows in the 60s are forecasted with rain in the middle of the week. Nicer weather should return by the weekend. HERE's where you can check the forecast. 

Autumn activities are in full swing, however, as our annual BB&T Fall for Greenville takes place October 12-14 on Main Street. This highly anticipated event includes over 40 of Greenville’s restaurants offering tasty menu items along with craft brews in the Beer Garden. Six stages will provide free musical entertainment, a variety of rock, country, jazz and blues for everyone’s enjoyment. 

Travelers Rest is just up the road from Greenville and on Thursday, October 11 they will host their Fall Bluegrass and Harvest Market celebration at Trailblazer Park from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, as well as craft beer and wine will be available. Enjoy the bluegrass Thursday night in TR! 

Traveler’s Rest will also be the site of Artoberfest on Friday, October 12 from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. It’s a celebration of local artists from the area. Vending starts at 5 p.m. with music from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Food will be for sale from Upcountry Provisions as well as wood-fired pizza, beer, and wine. Link: 

On Friday, October 12, Taylors will open Taylors Mill for their 2nd Friday event. Twelve Stripes Brewery will offer the music and Farehouse will provide food. Open studios at the Mill and a vendors market event will be from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. 

The Simpsonville Farmer’s Market will be held on Saturday, October 13th in Downtown Simpsonville. They offer a variety of products from local produce to eggs, artisan cheeses and locally-roasted coffee. The market runs from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday morning. It's always a great place to meet farmers, your neighbors, and new friends. 

The Hyatt Regency at NOMA Square in Greenville will be hosting the Great North Main Paint Out on Saturday, October 13 from noon until 4 p.m. Admission is free. Over 75 artists from the community will participate by setting up their easels and stands and encouraging everyone to meet them. Children are welcome as well as four-legged friends. 

While enjoying the cooler temperatures, be sure to plan a visit to lovely Lake Jocassee and enjoy the many trails that they have to offer. Just 35 miles from Greenville, the area offers the highest point in the state of South Carolina on Sassafras Mountain. It is accessible by car and a short pathway from the parking lot leads to the top of the mountain. There are many trails available to give you a chance to enjoy the beautiful gorges and even a waterfall or two.  If you would like to rent a kayak and have a naturalist guide you through the area, they offer Sunday kayaking tours to take you to favorite and remote places along the lake. Learn more HERE.  

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Knoxville - Here in East Tennessee, it has been another repeat of last week with very warm, summer-like temperatures. This has been delightful for the people here who favor warm sunshine. 

However, the experts have warned, this will significantly delay the fall colors here in the valley as well as in the Smoky Mountains. The good news is the weather forecasters say we could see our leaf season extend well into November this year. We hope so. 

The local meteorologists say the weather will be cooling off perhaps the middle of next week. We are still awaiting our typical fall weather, but there are still fun things to do outdoors as we squeeze a few more days out of summer. The next several weeks will be pleasing as we see the colors emerge and the temperatures beginning to drop. See what the day-to-day forecast is during your visit with a click HERE.  

If you go walking along the Greenway or along the Song Bird Trail at Norris Dam State Park, you can see small glimpses of fall. It is reassuring that the season will be heading our way soon. We enjoy seeing the bright red berries appear on the dogwood trees and the fluffy plumes of Goldenrod blooming along the trails and roadsides.  

Many schools in East Tennessee will be on Fall Break this week, so we have included some activities that will be good for the young ones in your life. 

Our Knox County Library is hosting Movies on Market Square for the 14th year in a row. There are two Friday night shows left for the year. It is a free event, and you are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on while you watch a movie under the stars. More information about this event can be found HERE.

On Saturday, October 13th, the Tennessee Valley Authority is presenting a free for all ages STEAM carnival celebrating Science and Technology at the Muse Knoxville. There will be a planetarium show, music, face painting, arts, crafts, and even robotics competitions. Follow this LINK to learn more.

From October 15th until October 28th, you can take a scenic boat tour around Norris Lake with the Family. There are several "Color Cruises" scheduled at various times throughout the day. A ranger will lead the hour-long boat ride and point out wildlife and foliage during the trip. You can find times and registration information HERE.

I hope you enjoy an outing or two with your fall breakers (or by yourself). See you next week. 

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