Butterfly Hill Cottage is located in the Celo area of Yancey County, a rural area known for its natural beauty, outdoor opportunities, and high concentration of artists/craftpersons. From the cottage, you can enjoy great views of the Black Mountains, which includes the highest peak in the Eastern U.S., Mt. Mitchell (Elevation 6684 ft.). The Blue Ridge Parkway, only 15 minutes away, is a great way to arrive.
The postcard-scenic village of Burnsville, the county seat, is 15 minutes away. Discover the small-town charm as you stroll the streets that surround the old-fashioned village green. Make sure to drop in some of the shops and galleries. Visit one of the family-owned hardware stores. Go antiquing. Enjoy a meal at one of the local cafes or restaurants, where you can feast your palate on everything from home-cooking to deli sandwiches to Barbecue to Mexican to Chinese. During the summer take in a performance at the Parkway Playhouse For the really adventurous, visit Fox Brothers Country Store, and mingle with local farmers as you peruse the aisles stocked with overalls, tin buckets, livestock feed, fertilizer and seed, work jackets and boots. Unlike many "touristy" mountain towns, Burnsville is a town where locals are the majority, but visitors are warmly welcomed.
Yancey County is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast! Go hiking on one of the many trails in the Black Mountains, part of the Pisgah National Forest, and only minutes away. Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you might end up at the Historic Orchard at Altapass or Mt. Mitchell State Park, home to the tallest peak in the East. Try your hand at fly-fishing in one of the many local wild trout streams or the pristine South Toe River. Tube or swim in the South Toe . Cycle the Blue Ridge Parkway, or get off road on your mountain bike. Golf at the stunningly beautiful Mt. Mitchell Golf Course; or Grassy Creek Golf Course, just over the mountain in Spruce Pine. Spend the day rock climbing at nearby Table Rock. Enjoy a day of whitewater boating - bring your own gear or let the local Nantahala Outdoor Center guide you down the Nolichucky River on one of their guided rafts. As avid outdoor enthusiasts themselves, Rush and Lisa are happy to help your chart your adventures!
''Mondays'' Clay and Acryllic by Lisa DeHart
It is said that this area has the highest per capita concentration of artists and craftpeople in the country. Or, as Rush would put it, "you can't swing a cat without hitting an artist." He should know; he is married to one! Artists run the gamut - glassblowers, potters, jewelers, painters, quilters, basket weavers, furniture crafters, sculptors, you name it, we've got it. Their styles run from mountain traditional to crazily comtemporary. Many came here to study for a couple of weeks or months at the internationally known Penland School of Crafts and never left. Others are carrying on the same local craft traditions that ancestors began generations ago. Some are emerging artists, others have works in the Smithsonian and collections spanning the globe. Most either have work in local galleries or are happy to welcome you right into their studios. As an artist herself, Lisa is happy to help you plan an "art day" of visiting some of the dozens of galleries and studios. And, if you are lucky enough to visit during the first weekend of December or second weekend of June, you can enjoy the Toe River Arts Council Studio Tour, in which over 100 artisans open their studios to the public for two days.
Should you feel the urge to venture beyond the immediate area, opportunities for enjoyment abound. Consider the following:
Asheville Recently dubbed "the San Francisco of the South," Asheville manages to balance a funky vibe with southern charm in a mix that offers something for everyone. Visit the biggest house in America, the Biltmore Estate. Spend the morning browsing the eclectic shops and galleries of downtown; follow with lunch at one of dozens of eateries. Visit the Grove Arcade, a recently restored architectural gem, now housing a small village of shops and cafes. Take the kids to the Nature Center to see animals local to the area, from bears to wolves to goats. Stop by the Thomas Wolfe House, childhood home of the famous N.C. writer. Take in some music at one of the local pubs. Sit on a downtown bench and just absorb the energy of one of our most diverse Southern cities, housed in some of the best preserved Art Deco architecture in the country. One hour away.
Grandfather Mountain the legacy of Hugh Morton, one of our N.C. conservation pioneers. Walk the mile-high swinging bridge. Take in the gorgeous views. Visit the black bears and otters. 45 minutes away.
Linville Caverns underground caves with blind trout. Located off the Parkway. Bring a jacket. 45 minutes away
Roan Mountain one of few ranges in N.C. topped with grassy balds. Short hike to the top. The Appalachian Trail crosses here. Amazing Rhododendrons in June. 45 minutes away.
Boone/Blowing RockBoone is home to Appalachian State University; Blowing Rock is an upscale village with many shops and restaurants. Nearby attractions include Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park, the "Horn in the West" outdoor drama during the summer, and Moses Cone Park, located off the Parkway. One hour away.
Linville Gorge/Linville Falls scenic wilderness area; the falls are located off the Parkway and are easily accessed via a paved trail. 45 minutes away.
Chimney Rock Park private park with trails and great views. 1 hour away.
