FALL COLOR UPDATE - October 31, 2018

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

Valle Crucis/Boone – I am running out of ways to describe this fall. This week I’ll say it’s highly unusual. In the areas that I frequent, I didn’t notice hardly any color at the higher elevations. The mountainside behind the Mast Store home office is usually one of the most beautiful sites anywhere, but this year, the color is very subdued. That being said, there are still places in the middle elevations where you’ll find a surprising amount of color – mostly yellows and a few reds and oranges. There’s even some green about. Amazing!

Most of the photos in this report are in Boone and Valle Crucis proper – you can see that the hillsides are preparing for “stick season” while closer in there’s still color here and there. This weekend, you’ll probably still see colors in the valleys and protected areas, but it will be more plentiful from overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway where you can see it headed down off the mountains.

The weather should be a little more seasonable with highs in the 50s and 60s and lows in the 30s and 40s. It looks like there might be a little rain on Thursday and Friday, but the weekend looks a little better and cool. You can get an updated forecast from our local weatherman HERE. 

There are some very interesting events to enjoy this week here in the High Country. The Boone Film Festival is already underway and has an incredible slate of films that share stories of Appalachia. You can watch the trailers and get your tickets HERE. 

Learn more about the Brown Mountain Lights at Scholars & Scones on November 1, 11 a.m. at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Dr. Daniel Caton, who teaches astronomy and is the director of observatories at Appalachian State University leads this discussion. For more information, click HERE. 

It’s First Friday in Downtown Boone! Stop in at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, the Jones House Galleries, Hands Gallery, and enjoy live music at many restaurants and other venues in the downtown area. Many businesses remain open until at least 8 p.m.

That’s a wrap for this week. I can’t wait to see what the next week holds.

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Asheville - We’re continuing to have cooler weather here in Asheville, and the leaves have continued to change accordingly. This week’s temperatures are going to vary from the mid-sixties to seventies earlier in the week, to the upper fifties by the end of the week. Lows are going fluctuate between the upper thirties and the fifties, along with a chance of showers predicted on Thursday, so be prepared for a wide range of temperatures on your adventures. For a more detailed weather report check the National Weather Service’s website.

This week I traveled to French Broad River Park in West Asheville. This park is one of five parks that run along the French Broad River here in Asheville. The French Broad River Greenway connects these parks, starting with Carrier Park and its Velodrome (Asheville’s old  Speedway Racetrack) and ending with Hominy Creek Park. The Greenway is perfect for people who want a flat area to run, walk, bike ride, or simply hang out on benches overlooking a gorgeous riverside view.  The parks also have a number of river access points for the avid kayakers out there. 

Unfortunately, the leaves were still mostly green in much of the park. It seems like some areas of Asheville are still stuck in early fall weather, and this was one of those places. But that didn’t stop it from being gorgeous with the golden light of late afternoon filtering through. And even though it was mostly green, I did find some trees that had changed, mostly into reds and oranges (with some yellow), on the far side of the French Broad. This patchy color change seems to be the norm for Asheville this year, and it may be a close to peak as we’re going to get, but there is still a beauty to it, especially if you come in the late afternoon like I did.

With Halloween events extending through much of the week, as well as many other fall-themed events scattered throughout the area there is a lot to do in the city. However, if you are interested in looking past Halloween, the Biltmore House is starting its Christmas at Biltmore events this weekend. Every year the Biltmore house is filled with 55 elaborate hand-decorated trees, and its ever-popular 35-foot Fraser Fir in its Banquet hall. The official Christmas Tree raising at the Biltmore house is on November 1st, so if you are ready for the Christmas season to begin that this may be the right event for you.

Some other non-holiday themed events that are happening this weekend include: the Weaverville Art Safari, a self-guided art tour of over fifty artists through the towns of Weaverville, Barnardsville, and the surrounding rural areas, and Burnpile Harvest Fest, a celebration of the fall harvest from more than 20 local breweries, with music and special seasonally-inspired beers made just for the occasion. If you like art festivals or are a fan of unique beers then one of these events may be for you.

I had hoped for more of an update for you, especially as we near the end of this year's Primer, but the leaves just don’t want to cooperate this year. But even with their delay there is still so much beauty in the area to explore.

Until next time! 

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Hendersonville - Dear Fall Foliage Friends, Frosty nights and cool days have certainly made a difference in the leaf colors. Many of the maples are showing off their fiery red finery while oak trees and dogwood are turning a dark mahogany. Tulip poplars are starting to boast a beautiful  butterscotch yellow, much to the delight of everyone. Thank you Jack Frost!

We are still not at peak color here in Hendersonville, but this next week promises to be closer to it. The weather will be clear and cool most of the week, except on Halloween when it promises to be a little warmer, about 70 degrees. Some rain is forecast for Thursday and Saturday but Sunday will be sunny and bright! You can check the latest local forecast HERE. 

Don't forget the Trick or Treat Street on October 31^st on Main Street, it is the spookiest event around. Look HERE for more information. 

On Saturday, November 3rd, at the Henderson County Library, there will be the Tar Heel Tellers Storytelling Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is open to the public and free. Sponsored by the North Carolina Storytelling Guild, this year's event celebrates the 20th anniversary of the founding of the guild. Check it out HERE.

The 18th juried Art and Craft Festival will be held on November 3rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Over 50 artists and crafters will attend and be showcasing their work. There will be wood carving, jewelry, photography, fabrics and much more. You'll find more details HERE.

 A wonderful new green space has opened in Hendersonville. It is called Rhododendron Lake Nature Park. It is a lovely 10-acre park just off of Laurel Park Highway. It has almost a mile of walking trails, a fishing pond, and a picnic area. This historic park has been reopened after years of neglect and everyone is excited to create new memories at this wonderful lakeside park. Find out MORE.

Have a spooky, weird, and crazy Halloween everyone!

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Knoxville -There is nothing like the beautiful blue sky of October. We are happy to report that we are making our way toward peak colors here in Knoxville. We noticed the Dogwoods and Sugar Maples being extraordinarily bold all of a sudden. 

The weather this week will bring a mixed bag of temperatures and possible thunderstorms. Anything from breezy days in the 70s to clear cold mornings in the 40s. We often tell people if you do not like the weather here in East Tennessee just wait 5 minutes, and it will be different. To get an updated forecast so you don't have to guess, check out the weather from our friends at WBIR. 

If you are looking to find beautiful views around the city, I would encourage you to try a fall color cruise on the STAR OF KNOXVILLE. It's a whole new view of the colors from the river.

If you are looking to show off your BIG ORANGE spirit, don't forget to celebrate UT's Homecoming with a parade on November 2nd. The parade will begin at 4 p.m. The parade showcases student organization floats, community vehicles, and floats, and includes the eighth annual Little Vol Walk, featuring children ages 10 and younger riding on decorated wagons, strollers, or tricycles. Get more information HERE.  

Don't forget that our beloved Tennesee Theatre is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. There will be a FREE open house tour for you to enjoy on November 3rd. 

We are lucky here to have a big range of elevations and types of topographical areas. This week ahead will be a great time to get out and see the colors in these various areas. Wherever you choose to visit, we hope you have a great time celebrating Fall in East Tennessee. 

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