When thinking about vacation, sometimes images of Chevy Chase slugging a giant anthropomorphic moose statue come to mind, and that “Holiday Road” song’s playing in the background. But that’s nothing therapy or a DVD player can’t fix. Like Chase’s fictitious Griswold family in the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” series, we’ve come to realize that vacations can often be more stressful than relaxing, what with the planning, hiring various sitters, soaring gas prices, travel expenses, the widening income gap, strict itineraries, Guantanamo Bay and thinking you’ve left the toaster oven on. So, maybe it’s time to vacation locally in the mountainous backyard we call the High Country. Your Mountain Times staff loves this backyard, so please forgive us for that shoddy mowing job last Saturday – it was humid, and Jason nearly got stung by a yellow jacket. But this yard is large, and there’s plenty to do here in the summer. Here are some of our favorite things to do:
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Jason Reagan: Non-Video Intensive Format

Ghostbusting is all fun and games until one of the friendly ghosts gets hurt.

For me and Mrs. Reagan, the main priority for the summer is simple: Keep our kids entertained in a non-video intensive format — something educational; and do it using as little money as possible. Here are a few tight-budget but fun activities that will keep your brood happy and relative whine free.

The Hidden Side of Blowing Rock: The small but charming town of Blowing Rock offers many clearly visible enticements for the average traveler — Shoppes on the Parkway, Chetola, an eclectic variety of shops on and around Main Street; not to mention a first-class town-square park. What many people may not realize (it took us a year of residency here to find it), is that the village also boasts enchanting Broyhill Lake. Located roughly behind the town park — follow a wooded trail behind a recycling and parking area — the lake includes a gazebo, a paved walking trail, flower bedecked picnic alcoves and an extra path leading to more hiking trails and breathtaking Glen Burney Falls. Oh, and the fishing’s pretty good if you use live worms.

Ghostbusting: While this area oozes with ghost-stories and “haint” tales, there’s no reason to summon tormented spirits to enjoy a ghastly good time. Try playing a little Ghost in the Graveyard — basically, a nighttime version of hide-and-seek,

Find a “graveyard” (like a park area or playground) that’s level, free of sudden drops or gorges and familiar. The Daniel Boone Park on Horn in the West Drive in Boone is a perfect location. After darkness falls, choose one person to be the Ghost Hunter (essentially the well-known “It” from hide-and-seek) and establish a well-lit area as home base. Everything else is like hide-and-seek. The Ghost Hunter becomes a hiding “ghost” when she tags a “ghost.” It’s not only great aerobic exercise and a challenge in problem-solving, but Ghost in the Graveyard also helps Mom and Dad connect with the kids and recapture a little youth. And, a plus in the Reagan Family Fun Index is the fact that it’s FREE!



Melanie Davis: Strolling on King Street

A street fit for a king. Or a crime reporter.

Saturdays in downtown Boone make the summer so enjoyable. I am a creature of habit and the average day downtown doesn’t change much. About once a month, I take the day to walk King Street and visit my favorite shops.

It always starts with breakfast at Melanie’s. The location is ideal for enjoying King Street and the food is fantastic. I have never had a bad experience there.

I sit on the deck and watch the charm that drew me to Boone is the first place. I admit to being a people watcher, and King Street has it all, from dreadlocks to an “I Love Tampa” visor.

From Melanie’s, it is off to stroll through the shops. The first time I visited King Street, I was amazed by the fact nearly every storefront is full and occupied by a locally-owned business.

My hometown is an Anywhere, USA, ruined by the interstate. The only options to eat are chains or fast food restaurants and shopping is only at the outlet mall. There is no Terrapins, Tupelos, Snow Paws or beansTalk.
The beauty of these businesses is knowing that a dollar spent there will actually benefit a person or family, not a CEO who doesn’t really work. These businesses also have the nice-to-see-you-again feel. They may not remember me or know my name, but the friendliness is there. So much better than the cranky teenager working a drive-thru window.

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Caroline Monday: Let’s Go Canoeing!

Meet Dick and Jane. See Dick canoe. Canoe, Dick, canoe.

By far my favorite thing to do in the summer in the High Country is to go canoeing.

I first learned to canoe as a Girl Scout and it is something that my family continues to do together. Sometimes the whole Monday side of the family goes out to the river together, other times it’s just me and my dad.

After dozens of canoe trips over the course of my life, I have come to associate the activity with family togetherness. Nothing says “I love you Aunt Connie” like a water fight.

On these outings, I’m usually paired with my younger sister. She’s the bossiest, so she always steers in the back. The little kids in the family bring water guns that are passed from canoe to canoe throughout the trip. And everyone makes bets on who they think will tip their canoe first.

When it’s just my dad and me, it’s a different experience. It’s quiet and meditative. No matter how many times we go, I never take it for granted that this is a special time for us.

Canoeing is not hard, really anyone can do it. I think it’s a great way to take advantage of the natural beauty this area has to offer.


Jeff Eason: You Say Tom-ay-to, I Say Tuh-mah-to

This tomato from Jeff’s garden last year fed a family of four for two days.

In case you haven’t heard, there is conspiracy going on and it involves our beloved tomato. For the past two decades, restaurants and grocery stores have been systematically replacing tomatoes with pale, tasteless substitutes that are an insult to our very taste buds. Hard and mealy, these faux maters have all the scrumptiousness of a piece of Styrofoam.

That’s why every summer I grow as many different kinds of tomatoes as possible in my garden. Last weekend, I put in 12 different varieties: Black Krim, Roma, Mr. Stripey and Lemon Boy, to name a few. We always end up with way too many tomatoes in August, so my wife and I can dozens of quart jars of tomato sauce and salsa. That way we can enjoy summer tomatoes all year long.

This August, I plan to use these tomatoes to construct the world’s most delicious tomato sandwich. It will include Duke’s Mayonnaise and freshly ground black pepper. Then I will eat that tomato sandwich in a fast food restaurant in front of diners who are stuck with tasteless corporate tomatoes. It’s a summer tradition!