Mountainboarding? What will they think of next?

Well, it seems that ziplines are not the only new thing to come along for adrenaline junkies visiting Beech Mountain. We've learned that Ski Beech is finding new ways to share the mountain's challenging terrain with a whole new crowd of warm-weather sports enthusiasts: Mountainboarders, also known as riders.

Normally known as just a ski resort which keeps pretty quiet once the snow has gone, Ski Beech is branching out into the warmer seasons with a new park called "The Dirt." It should be noted that this new park is mountainboard specific, meaning that mountainbikers have a separate track of their own.

I had heard of Grass Skiing, which involves short skis that have rolling treads on them, like a tank - and sometimes wheels. (I am told that there was Grass Skiing at Ski Beech in the past.) However, Mountainboarding - which, according to Wikipedia, is also known as Dirtboarding, Offroad Boarding, Grass Boarding, and All-Terrain Boarding (ATB)- is an extreme sport that was inspired by Snowboarding in the early '90s. I found a photo of a mountain board, and it looks to me like a very intense skateboard clearly designed for very rough terrain. There are going to be a number of competitions and other events for Mountainboarders at Ski Beech over the Summer (Three race dates are set for the 2009 Triple Crown: June 27-28; August 8-9; September 5-6), several to run concurrently with the Mountainbiking events up there. Although, I do not think I'll be strapping up to try it out myself any time soon, I am looking forward to watching the experts.

Meanwhile, check out the details at the Ski Beech site: http://skibeech.com/news/

The 1881 General Store Near Grandfather Mountain: A Piece of Mountain History Restored

Along NC-105, marking the last half-hour of the drive back to our condo on Beech Mountain, the family and I discovered a remarkable rebirth of yet another piece of North Carolina mountain history. Formerly a ramshackle junk shop on the side of the road, a familiar sight on our trip up the Mountain, the freshly-stained boards and twinkling lights in the windows caught our attention. "Look!" my husband said, "Someone has fixed that place up!" Spotting a small neon sign in a side window, my daughter yelled out "They have Ice Cream!!!" Naturally, we stopped in the next day to take a look.

Just a few hundred yards up the road from Grandfather Trout Fishing, 1881 General Store proved a convenient place to refresh ourselves with a treat and some leisurely shopping. Entering from the newly-built side porch, we discovered a charming little counter for coffee and ice cream, surrounded by attractive displays of old-fashioned candy and local-made preserves. Passing into the adjoining high-ceilinged main room of the store, we were delighted to find a warm and inviting space, generously stocked with handmade items arranged on its beautifully-restored counters and shelves. Items available for sale ranged from heirloom-quality furniture, clocks and textiles, all the way down to tasteful, yet affordable, trinkets and old fashioned toys (much to the delight of my daughter, who had money from the grandparents burning a hole in her pocket).

After browsing to our hearts content, we returned to the ice cream counter and ordered ice cream (Notably generous scoops are served here.) and some excellent coffee. (There were also slushies and milkshakes available, a temptation that I am sure I will not be able to resist the next time we visit.) We spent an enjoyable time chatting with one of the new owners, who regaled us with stories of the building and the adventures his family experienced in purchasing and restoring it.

I predict we will be frequent visitors to this lovely store the next time we're up.

1881 General Store at Grandfather Mountain
10882 Highway 105 South
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-963-6200

June 27th's Kiddo Fishing Derby

One of the nice things about staying on Beech Mountain over the Summer is the constant stream of local events, both in town and just off the mountain. So there's usually something fun for the family to do together nearby, without necessarily having to visit to some high-profile festival with large crowds and scarce parking. The Annual Kiddo Fishing Derby coming up on June 27th at 9 a.m., is just one example of a smaller-scale event sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce that will entertain the kids without exhausting the parents.

The Kiddo Fishing Derby is open to all children ages 4 to 12 (with adult supervision), and there is no charge to participate. You just need to register for a place in the contests. Just bring your fishing gear and favorite bait. Prizes and trophies are awarded for boys and girls who catch the first trout, largest trout, heaviest trout - and there's also a speed contest where the winner is the first to catch 4 trout.

Call the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at (828) 387-9283 or(800) 468-5506 to register and to find out more.