Winterfest fun in Blowing Rock

Well, I was planning on doing this blog before Winterfest to provide some much needed information on the event but time escaped me like it so often does so here is my post-Winterfest blog. And now I have pictures to show.

The skies were gray this past Saturday in picturesque downtown Blowing Rock but the temperatures weren't cold enough to keep people inside or out of the Chetola Lake for the annual Polar Plunge for that matter. Those people are crazy! They're a special breed.

My husband and I loaded up the baby and the dog and joined the  hundreds of ramblers, meandering through the town on a crisp winter's day. We drank hot chocolate, strolled through the park and enjoyed all of the sightseeing that our hometown has to offer. I guess I can't technically call it my hometown since I grew up on the other side of North Carolina in Southport, but hopefully baby Harrison will proudly call it his.

Other fun activities of the day were ice carving, free hay rides, kids activities, and a chili cook off. The Meadowbrook Inn took home the trophy this year for best chili in the High Country. Canyons (where my husband and I work part-time) is foiled again.

 I was lucky enough to enjoy a rare night out and was able to catch the John Cowan Band at the Performing Arts Center. They were well received by the sold out crowd as they have been for the past 3 years. I have great memories from my younger years listening to these guys while goofing off and cooking breakfast on lazy Sundays with my family. Needless to say, it's always nostalgic to see them when they come to town. John has a loyal following from his years with Sam Bush, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn, as the groundbreaking New Grass Revival. The set was a great mix of new and classic songs. The guys even walked down from the stage into the crowd and John sang an unplugged version of "A Good Woman's Love" in his soulful tenor. We hope to see them back next Winterfest.

All and all, a storybook day. It makes me remember how lucky I am to live in this remarkable little corner of the world. If you come to visit, I promise there are no shortages of things to see and do, to occupy your time no matter what season it is. Come and enjoy.