Hiking News - Saturday 4 February 2012

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Historic Bear Mountain Inn to Reopen February 18

Friday, 3 February 2012

Historic Bear Mountain Inn to Reopen February 18

The historic Bear Mountain Inn at Bear Mountain State Park, which had been closed for renovations for over six years, will reopen its lodging facilities to the public on February 18, 2012.

Originally built in 1915, the Inn has been extensively renovated to include 15 luxury guest rooms and suites designed by Thomas Hamilton and Associates, and over 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible event spac e. Room rates will range from $189 -- $450/night. The Inn also welcomes guests to the 1915 Restaurant, which features a local and sustainable menu, and the Bear Mountain Trading Company, where visitors can find park souvenirs, crafts, local food items, and jewelry.

Bear Mountain Inn is an historic landmark, listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places, constructed entirely of stone and timber native to the area. Upon its opening, The American Architect declared the Bear Mountain Inn to be one of the "finest examples of rustic Adirondack architecture in America." Since that time, the Inn has hosted such dignitaries as President and Mrs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It has also welcomed the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, champion boxer Jack Dempsey, and entertainment headliners Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, and Kate Smith.

The Inn is part of Bear Mountain State Park. The beautiful facilities include playing fields, picnic groves, rowboat docks, a swimming pool and bathhouse, hiking trails that include the first segment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, an ice skating rink, basketball court, the Trailside Museum and Zoo, and the delightful Bear Mountain Merry-Go-Round and pavilion. Event catering is under the leadership of award-winning Executive Chef Michael Matarazzo.

The Bear Mountain Inn is managed by Guest Services, Inc., a private hospitality company that has provided excellence in food, hotel, resort and leisure services since 1917. The Fairfax, VA-based company and its subsidiaries welcome guests in more than 250 facilities throughout the U.S. www.guestservices.com . For more information about Bear Mountain Inn, visit www.visitbearmountain.com or call (845)786-2731.

Utah Entrepreneur Lands Endorsement from ATHLETA

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Utah Entrepreneur Lands Endorsement from ATHLETA

An innovator in the adventure travel industry, Sol Fitness Adventure’s Melanie Webb is one of 20 ATHLETA Featured Athletes. In exchange for a clothing allotment each quarter, Webb will contribute informational and inspirational content to the Athleta Chi Blog, participate in local Athleta sponsored events such as Iron Girl triathlons, and host and lead in-store events focused on fitness and health.

“I’ve been wearing ATHLETA clothing for years, so to be named a 2012 Featured Athlete is a career highlight for me, an athlete’s dream come true – I’m sponsored!”

Webb’s contributions to the Chi Blog and in-store presentations will highlight a variety of her expertise, including how to combine multiple exercise disciplines for optimum result, how to prepare for an adventure mentally and physically, and her intimate experience with the Zion National Park outskirts as a guide and former wildlife biologist.

About 2012 ATHLETA Featured Athlete Melanie Webb
Melanie Webb is a Utah-based fitness coach who specializes in exclusive and customized fitness retreats for adventure travelers to reach their goals mentally and physically. Former clients have included CEO’s and corporate employees; a dancer from Canada’s Winnipeg Ballet and an injured motocross star; a squash national champion and first time exercisers; socialite moms and a former U.S. Secretary of Defense. A world traveler, Melanie has stand up paddled Bali, Indonesia; snowboarded the Andes Mountains in Chile; hiked the Atlas Mountains of Morocco; biked Switzerland’s Ementaler valley; rock climbed Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and braved the elements of the Scottish Highlands. Webb’s fitness and outdoor expertise has been featured on Good Morning America and FOX Local News in Washington, D.C. and in Appalachian Mountain Club, Mammoth Sierra Magazine, 805 Living, Outside Magazine, Real Simple and more.

Top 10 Free Things to Do in the NC Mountains

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Top 10 Free Things to Do in the NC Mountains

Fun and memorable mountain vacations and romantic adventures don’t have to cost a lot. In fact, some of the best things to do near Asheville are free, according to the readers of http://www.RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide. Based on analysis of one million visits during 2011 to the 500-page online guide, here are the Top 10 free outings to the North Carolina mountains:

1. Fall Color: The lush Blue Ridge Mountains have one of the longest-running fall color shows in the country, starting in the highest peaks in early October and finishing in the lower elevations, including Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, in early November.

2. Festivals: Free outdoor festivals and events abound. The most popular outdoor event of the year is the Drum Circle on every Friday evening in downtown Asheville. Shindig on the Green, held on many Saturday nights during the summer, is a genuine glimpse into the local music and dance traditions. The biggest street festival in the South is Bele Chere, held each July. Other street festivals honor apples, international dancing, woolly worms and white squirrels. Even the outdoor Shakespeare Festival is free.

3. Hike: Explore the natural splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains by foot. There are hiking trails for all fitness levels, ranging from short woodland walks to strenuous hikes up mountain peaks. Many of the most popular trails are in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.

4. Waterfalls: Welcome to the “Land of the Waterfalls.” Most are free to visit, including favorites Linville Falls, Looking Glass Falls and the waterfalls in DuPont State Forest.

5. Blue Ridge Parkway: Drive one of the top scenic roads in the country with breathtaking views, picnic spots, exhibits, museums and other free attractions along the way.

6. Downtown Asheville: Browse hundreds of locally-owned shops, enjoy street entertainers, follow the Urban Trail with many art stations, appreciate the art deco architecture or relax in a park.

7. Mt. Mitchell: Drive to the top of the highest peak east of the Rockies and see panoramic views from the observation deck.

8. Art: See a huge variety of fine art without paying a museum admission price at more than 30 galleries in downtown Asheville and Biltmore Village. Tour the fascinating artist studios in the River Arts District. The Folk Art Center has free demonstrations and exhibits. Plan a trip around one of the many free art tours, including Center City Art Walks, Art in the Park, Village Art and Craft Fair, Weaverville Art Safari and River District Artist Stroll.

9. Small towns: Unwind with the slower pace of small mountain towns. Walk through their charming downtowns and neighborhoods. Chat with the locals. The most popular small towns to explore are Hendersonville, Waynesville and Brevard.

10. Great Smokies: Watch elk graze in the Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains, the most visited national park in the country! There are three entrances to the park within 50 miles of Asheville with many free historic sites, scenic views and more.

For more information on these and other money-saving tips for visiting Asheville and the North Carolina mountains, go to http://www.romanticasheville.com.

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