FALL COLOR UPDATE - October 24, 2018

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

Valle Crucis/Boone – I can’t believe I’m writing this, but baring a wind storm, super heavy rain, or a blizzard, we could have pretty decent color through the first weekend in November. We had winds over Saturday night into Sunday that made me think I was going to wake up in Oz, so it’s good that we hadn’t had much cold weather until then. With a couple nights when we had frost over the weekend, which is going to supercharge the leaf color. My bet is that this weekend may be peak color, although a little muted, for this area – about a week to week and a half later than usual.

The weather looks to be sunny to partly sunny midweek, but on the weekend, it looks like rain is likely. Highs will be in the 40s with lows in the low 40s. Don’t let the rain deter you from coming up to see the colors; sometimes the colors can be heightened by cloud cover and a little “glisten” from rain. The forecast can change often, so check in at Boone Weather to see what’s expected NOW. 

For things to do this week, don’t miss out on Ghost Train at Tweetsie. It’s the last weekend for this haunting experience that’s fun for all ages. Buy your tickets ahead of time AND dress warmly. 

If you enjoy a little physical activity, throw your hat in at the Spooky Duke on Saturday morning. It’s a certified 5k and 10k run that benefits the Parent 2 Parent network here in Boone. There’s a free costume march and contest for kids, adults, and pets. Creativity is encouraged. You can learn more about the race HERE. 

In keeping with the frightening theme, head on up to Grandfather Mountain for their Beary Scary Halloween. Overcome your fear and learn a little about animals and more that tend to be creepy and crawly. This event is included with admission and more information can be found HERE.  

That’s it for this week. Bundle up, and I’ll see you soon.

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Asheville - We’ve finally hit a cold snap at last, and with it has come some of our highly-anticipated fall colors. Temperatures look like they’re going to stay low as well, with highs in the 60s early in the week, and the upper 40s by the end of the week. Lows are going to fall into the 30s most nights, so make sure you grab your warm jackets if you’re going out anywhere early. We do have some rain predicted later this week, coinciding with some of the colder days, so be prepared. For more on the local forecast check Ray’s Weather Center.

The colors have finally started to pop here in Asheville. I can especially see it when I look out the window of my apartment toward Mt. Pisgah. While the colors are still muted for this time in October, it is nice to see colors other than green. Trees along roadways seem to have changed the most, with reds and oranges giving way to hints of yellow. I can’t wait for the color changes to continue. 

Other areas that seem to be showing a lot of color are the Woodfin area of Asheville, and some of the more local areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The Woodfin/Weaverville area is small, but it is home to some of the nicest hiking areas near Asheville. If you’re looking for less strenuous hiking, Woodfin is home to a number of gorgeous parks, many of which have nice walking trails, bike trails, and dog parks for your furry friends. One of the most well known of these is Lake Louise Park. The town of Weaverville maintains the park, which covers about 15 acres with the five acre lake at its center. The park also has the historic “clubhouse,” playground facilities, and other outdoor park activities. Lake Louise also allows fishing for permit holders. Other parks in the area include Roy Pope Memorial Park, Woodfin River Park, Geneva Maney Park, and others. For more information on Woodfin’s City parks, check their Town of Woodfin website.

If you want to travel on the Parkway, but don’t want to travel too far, there are a number of hikes very close to Asheville and Weaverville that could give you access to some of the fall color. The Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) is a thousand-mile-long trail that spans the entirety of North Carolina, but much of it parallels the Parkway in the Asheville area. The trail can be easy or strenuous depending on which section of it you take. One of the most popular areas to hike along the MST is the Rattlesnake Lodge Trail. The trail starts about 14 miles north of Downtown Asheville and takes you on a 2.5-mile hike to the ruins of an old lodge built in the early 1900s. It is one of the Parkway’s shorter hikes, but gives you access to some unique areas. 

There are a number of events happening in Asheville this weekend with Halloween so close at hand. Many of our local businesses are holding their annual Halloween parties, specifically breweries and certain restaurants. If you are someone who enjoys the spooky side of any city, try some of these events out, or try some of our haunted tours, whether in the city of Asheville or Black Mountain"s Historic Haunted House Tour. For more information on Asheville’s Halloween scene, check the Explore Asheville website.

Also happening on Saturday is the Brewgrass Festival at the Salvage Station. Known as Western North Carolina’s original Craft Beer festival, it is now home to over 200 breweries and Brew Pubs, as Asheville has grown as a popular beer city. If you like local beer and love festivals, this is the event for you.

I’m glad to have some color to share with you at last, and I hope we get more as fall continues to progress. 

Have a wonderful week!

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Hendersonville - Dear Fellow Leaf Lookers, What a turn the weather has taken since last week! We have had frost on the pumpkins and lawns too. The nights are flannel-sheet worthy, and the days are clear, cool, and gorgeous. Looks like some rain on Friday, but the rest of the week will be in the 30s at night and in the 50s to 60s during the day. Sounds like hot cider weather to me. Check the local forecast from Ray HERE.

Fall leaf color is finally starting in the sweet gum trees and the sugar maples. Main Street looks wonderful with all the reds and oranges decorating the trees along the street. The yellow colors of the tulip poplars and beech trees are lagging behind, and we are still remarkably green for this time of year.

There are lots of fun things to do this Halloween week in Hendersonville.  The Henderson County Crafters Association will be sponsoring a free Fall Crafts Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 27th at the NCNG Armory. Look HERE for more information.

Also on October 27th, there will be a free Halloween Carnival at Jackson Park from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Lots of fun activities for the family and a movie at 7:30 p.m. Here's where you can learn MORE.

Don't forget to bring your frisbee when you visit the park, there is a top-notch 18-hole disc golf course there.

The awesome and amazing annual Trick-or-Treat Street will be on October 31st on Main Street. The costume contest registration starts at 4:30 p.m., and trick or treating on the street starts at 5 p.m. After the costume judging, there will be a Monster Mash Street Dance for all ages! Check it out with a click HERE.

Looking for a great place to walk the dog, let the kids play on a fantastic playground, and enjoy the outdoors? Try the Park at Flat Rock. It is a 66-acre green space with a pavilion, a large play structure, and mostly level walking paths that wander through meadows, past ponds, and a lazy river. Here's where you can plan your VISIT.

Keep on looking at those beautiful mountains!

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Greenville - We are holding true to our name as there is still an abundance of green in Greenville. However, a big change in temperature this week should produce some color in the weeks to come. The latter part of the week will bring highs in the 50s and lows in the mid 40s. Rain on Friday and a good clear weekend are being forecast. Get an update HERE. 

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play SWEAT by Lynn Nottage is at the Warehouse Theatre, October 25-28. This is a story with tremendous heart about the struggles and successes of friends while working on the factory floor. A good bit of history can be taken from this work as Greenville was the heart of textile production in the past. To find out more about times and tickets, follow this LINK.  

Boo in the Zoo is happening October 26-28. It’s a family-friendly event at the Greenville Zoo for children 12 and under. Trick or treating, booths, and an un-haunted house welcome you. Learn more HERE. 

Come to Runway Park at the Greenville Downtown Airport this weekend to see rare WWII aircraft.  The Wings of Freedom Tour will bring a B-17, B-24, B-25, and a P-51 to the airport October 26 through the 28. Aircraft tours will be available for a nominal fee. Enjoy a meal at the Runway Café or enjoy playing in the park while visiting. Get the full scoop HERE. 

Halloween at Heritage Park will take place in Simpsonville on Saturday, October 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be inflatables, vendors, and games. Trick or treating is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the events. 

Also on October 27, you can meet outside the visitor’s center in Greenville at 3:30 p.m. to register for a Twilight Tour of three unique Greenville breweries. Meet the owners, hear their stories, and make new friends while being transported in a 12-passenger van.

Catch you next week!

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Knoxville - The weather here in East Tennessee has come around. Fall seems to be here to stay. However, the leaves' color is still mostly on hold here. The cool nights have helped the sugar maples and dogwoods to start turning. A great place to take a walk and see some of the changes here in Downtown Knoxville is World's Fair Park. It features one of the city's most photographed areas - the Sunsphere from the 1982 World's Fair.

The week ahead will feature cool, sunshiny days with chilly mornings, and that should prompt the leaves to truly change. Our temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s for highs and lows in the 40s, which seems a little cool, even for the fall. There looks like a little rain will be around on Friday with a slight chance on Sunday. Check the 10-day forecast from WBIR for more updates.  

If you are looking for an alternative to traditional Trick-or-Treating, UT botanical garden's is hosting an event called Bewitching Beasts. It is a chance to learn more about nocturnal creatures that reside in our area.  There will be demonstrations, raffles, arts and crafts, and more. Everyone is encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes for the celebration.  Learn more HERE. 

If you want to celebrate Halloween in the old-fashioned way, I suggest visiting the Museum of Appalachia on October 26th and 27th for the Haunts and History Experience. The event includes hayrides, storytelling, pumpkin painting, and demonstrations of apple cider pressing, blacksmithing, and more. Here's a LINK to more information. 

If you would like an opportunity to visit Seven Islands State Birding Park, you should join the ranger-led Sunset Hike on October 26th. This park is only a 20-minute drive from Downtown Knoxville and has a lot of beautiful views of the mountains.  

We are excited about how much the leaves will be change by this time next week. Until then enjoy the beautiful weather.  

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