The New & Improved Mellow Mushroom Restaurant in Boone, NC

It was a sad day when the beloved Mellow Mushroom here in Boone closed its doors. Since then, many people have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of this newly renovated restaurant. Not too far from their previous location, the new and improved Mellow Mushroom will reside right on King St. across from the courthouse. The days of anticipating the opening are almost over!

While they don't officially open until August 1st, Mellow Mushroom hosted a “soft opening” for family and friends last night. I was neither, however, Cody (my bf) did happen to work with a crew who did a lot of the woodwork seen throughout. The bar they completed is absolutely beautiful along with everything else they did. That's why we were invited.

It was a great deal bigger than I imagined it would be based on the outside of the building. The new dining room is definitely larger than the old Mellow Mushroom restaurant. And the décor is stunning! So many different people came together in order to make this place possible. It was wonderful being able to see the result of what I've heard some much about from Cody along the way. Really, the restaurant looks fabulous, and I love the finished product.

A perk of being invited to the “soft opening” was an opportunity to sample the food for free. We are very familiar with Mellow Mushroom food, so we already knew what to expect. However, there were a few new things that we tried. Our table ordered Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Cheesy Garlic Bread, the Stuffed Portabello Mushroom, & Doughnads for our appetizers. Everything tasted amazing! We also ordered a few pizzas, The Mega Veggie, The Magic Myster Tour, and the Mighty Meaty. I can only vouch for the Mighty Meaty, which I thought was really good, but the rest of the table had no complaints about the pies. We finished nearly everything. It was a great meal, and the service we received was stellar, too. Our server Zoe was awesome.

We'll definitely be going back, so that I can take proper pictures of the food and such. It's going to be a new favorite restaurant of ours here in Boone. I have no doubt that it will be extremely popular with other locals and tourists, too. The new and improved Mellow Mushroom will quickly become the fixture that Boone so dearly missed during this time of transition.

It's coming back bigger and better than ever! A big thank you goes out to the Mellow Mushroom team for a wonderful evening, and I offer my gratitude to all those who worked so hard to make it happen. You guys ROCK!

Are you excited about going to the new Mellow Mushroom in Boone? 

Please share in the comments or on the WW Facebook page! 

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Andi & Ryan {Engaged} | Sneak Peek

 

On Memorial Day, I had the opportunity to do a photo session for a newly engaged couple that happens to also be my neighbors. We scheduled the shoot at a nearby trail since both Andi and Ryan are pretty active people who spend a lot of time outside. An outdoorsy session surrounded by lovely scenery was the perfect backdrop for their photographs.

We incorporated their bikes since it's something they enjoy doing together. While it was a bit challenging for Andi to ride a bike with a dress on, she managed to do so with grace (and without flashing anyone). We worked up a sweat moving all over the place. For Boone, it was pretty hot outside, so we stuck to the shady areas.

At the beginning of our session, I asked how lovey-dovey of a couple they were and whether or not they are the type to make out in public. They shyly responded by saying that really wasn't their style. Although I couldn't get these two to stop kissing the whole time! (hehe...I kid) They were adorable and I had a lot of fun with them during the session. Along with lots of kisses, we also had a lot of laughs!

I couldn't stop smiling when I got back home to look through their images. Hope you enjoy the sneak peek of this fun-loving couple!

Wayfaring Wanderer is a natural light photographer specializing in family portraits (including newborn & maternity photography), and is located in Boone, NC. Instead of shooting in a studio, WW has a lifestyle photography approach and prefers to have a photosession in surroundings that you are comfortable in--whether that be in your own home or another location of your choosing. A dedicated photography website is currently in the works, however, if you are interested in family photos to document your life and think that my style will suit your needs, please inquire via email (wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com) or through my Facebook page. 

The Hidden Benefits of Massage

I didn't realize how many knots I had until my Megan began working her magic. One after another she attempted to release the tension that was binding my neck, shoulders, and back. Lucky for me, the chronic pain that I used to experience on a daily basis is a thing of the past. However, that doesn't excuse me from feeling the negative effects of my neck surgery every now and then when I've spent too much time on the computer and no time exercising.

While I may have a heightened awareness about my body most of the time, this massage made me realize that there are underlying issues that I am completely clueless about as well. Our bodies are capable of enduring all sorts of physical challenges, and it has the capability to heal itself in ways that many don't fully comprehend. That's why it's important to seek out ways to help nurture ourselves and our bodies, so that they can perform to the best of their abilities.

The majority of the public believes that getting a massage is only something you do to pamper yourself, or treat yourself to on special occasions. And the advertising we see on TV and in other ads (magazines, newspapers, etc.) reinforces that fallacy even further. The reality is that massage should be treated as much more than a mere indulgence. You might be surprised to hear this, but regular massage is actually part of a healthy lifestyle.

Not only is it a soothing way to reduce stress, pain, stiffness and soreness, but it also has a myriad of other benefits to be aware of as well. It's too bad that most health insurance coverage doesn't include these beneficial treatments. However, that doesn't stop medical practitioners from prescribing this to their patients anyway. Research suggests that massage can relieve insomnia, control blood pressure, manage anxiety & depression, boost immunity, improve circulation, and promote joint flexibility to name a few of the positive effects experienced as a result of a professional rub down. Megan was extremely mindful of my comfort levels and did a wonderful job of lessening the tension in my neck and back. I'm ready to go back in for another treatment already! 

I felt like a new person after my massage therapy session. Overall, the experience I had was soothing and relaxing. Little did I realize at the time that I booked the appointment that I was in such need of her services. It didn't take me long to see that it's something that I need to do more often as a way to continue on my path to happy healing. If you ask me, it's something we should all do! Some of you might be thinking about how costly massages can be, and sometimes they are, but maybe you're looking in the wrong place?! For instance, upscale spas here in Boone, NC (in most cases) charge significantly more than the rates Megan charges at the salon. It doesn't hurt to shop around to ensure you're getting a price you can comfortably afford. This may not be something that I could do weekly, but I definitely plan to get treatments at least monthly.

Megan Ward is a licensed massage therapist here in Boone, NC, who recently opened her new business, Every Body Massage & Bodywork Therapy, in the Shear Shakti Salon located in downtown Boone. Her Therapeutic Integrative Massage technique incorporates Trigger Point Release, Swedish massage, & Deep Tissue work. It's apparent that she loves and enjoys this type of work, and that energy comes across in the way that she moves and manipulates your body. I felt so at peace that I nearly fell asleep during our session!

To the lucky few who read my blog that live in (or around) my hometown, Megan has offered one complimentary 60-minute massage as a giveaway! How awesome is that?!? If you'd like to be considered for this random drawing, please leave a comment here or on the WW Facebook page answering this question:

“Have you had the opportunity to experience a massage from a licensed professional? If so, what was your experience and how has it helped you?” 

Even if you aren't eligible for the giveaway, I'd still love to hear your responses! For those who can enter, if you'd like to receive an extra entry, head on over to the Shear Shakti Facebook profile and become a friend. Just leave a comment here once you've done so.

Related Links:

• Every Body Massage & Body Work Therapy (Megan's Website)
• Shear Shakti Salon | Boone, NC (Website)

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10 Reasons to Visit the Farmer's Market | Boone, NC

This is such an exciting time of the year for me because I've been waiting months for the growing season to begin again. I'll admit that my household's healthy eating habits have been in decline since winter began. There's really no excuse either. It's not like we can't go and buy veggies at the grocery store, but it's just not the same. The quality is far less superior than what we can obtain directly from the local farmers in our town. You'd be surprised by the noticeable difference.

Last week I talked about “Celebrating Spring” and how I plan on getting outside and taking photographs of some of my favorite subjects, flowers. Over the past week, I have been doing just that. However, I celebrated spring in a different way recently by heading to the opening weekend of the Watauga County Farmer's Market here in Boone, NC. Judging by the amount of other shoppers shuffling around the stalls, they really missed the weekly market, too! 

{10 Reasons to Visit the Farmer's Market}

1. Support the Local Economy – Investing your dollars back into the community by shopping at the Farmer's Market helps to keep small farms thriving while also supporting sustainable growing practices.
   
   
2. Get to Know your Farmer – Having the ability to cultivate a relationship with our local growers is an opportunity that I relish. I feel a deeper connection to the food that I am putting in my body as a result of the friendships we have forged. 
   
   
3. Freshest Food Available – One of the greatest benefits to shopping at the farmer's market is having the ability to obtain fruits and vegetables that were picked just the day before or, in some cases, that same morning! The same surely can't be said for something shipped from California.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. More Bang for your Buck – There are many misconceptions about how expensive produce from the Farmer's Market can be. In my experience, I have found that shopping at the local market is significantly cheaper than the grocery store. Buying directly from the farmer cuts out the middleman (putting money straight into their pockets) and it also eliminates additional expenses incurred from shipping items from miles away.
   
   
5. Organic Options a Plenty – Organic is not a gimmick for farmers who genuinely care about the environment and are aware of how harmful pesticides can be to it and our bodies. Many of the growers at our farmers market don't chemically treat their crops and they've been doing it that way before eco-friendly became a buzz word. Just be sure to clarify before assuming they organically grow their crops.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Connecting with the Community – One of my favorite things about going to the farmer's market is the chance to see some friendly faces. There are many times when trips to the market will include more socializing than shopping! The Watauga County Farmer's Market has such a lively atmosphere, it's a great way to spend a Saturday morning regardless of whether or not you need to shop :D
   
   
7. Better for the Environment – Shopping at the Farmer's Market will prevent you from purchasing items that have been shipped in from miles and miles away. It's more sustainable due to the fact that less resources are used, such as those required for packaging and fuel. Plain and simple, food that is grown in your community doesn't have to travel as far, which puts less stress on the environment.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Try New Things – Seeing all of the bountiful baskets overflowing with fresh produce may be a great way to encourage you to eat more fruits and veggies. But it's also a good way to expand your culinary horizons, too. You're bound to find something you weren't familiar with that piques your interest. Don't be afraid to experiment with uncommon items!
   
   
9. Reduce Supermarket Shopping – Going to the Farmer's Market can significantly reduce how often you venture to the grocery store, which can help save you money and assist you in making healthier choices as well. Grocery stores are filled with processed foods that aren't good for you, so it's better to avoid them as much as possible. 
   
   
10. Much Much More – Along with fresh fruits and veggies, specialty items can be found at the Farmer's Market as well. You can find basket makers, flower growers, bakers, photographers, the best coffee in Boone, and a whole lot more!

There are so many great reasons to venture to your local Farmer's Market. It offers a unique shopping experience to say the least. I could probably keep going with this list if I thought about it long enough, but I'll stop here.

Do you go to the Farmer's Market? 

Please share your experience in the comments!

Want to know if there is a farmers market in your area? Go to localharvest.org and with a zip code entry, you will get a list of local farmers and other sustainably grown food vendors.

Related Links:

• Fresher Food For Less - Details about CSA's {Community Supported Agriculture}
• Celebrating Spring with Shutterfly {A Giveaway}
• Food, Fresh Air & Fun on the Farm - Open House @ Creeksong Farms

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Places To Eat Sweets in Boone, NC | Foodie Friday

During my trip to San Diego, CA for the Sony Foodie event, I connected with some lovely ladies who work with a website called Foodspotting. Upon visiting this website, I was instantly hooked because I love love love food photography and this place was filled with images of meals from people all over. Instead of using a review based website where you take the good with the negative, Foodspotting focuses solely on the things that people LOVE, not what they didn't like. It's not a review site in the traditional sense. If you ask me, it's better! Due to the fact that I am such a visually oriented person, this website appeals to me in ways that most of the other food review sites can't. There aren't enough people using it here in Boone, NC, but I'm aiming to change that, which is why I am sharing my new favorite website with you today. 

Beware! Foodspotting is highly addictive, and you may be shunned by embarrassed friends who don't understand why you feel the need to shoot photos of your food. Don't say I didn't warn you :D 

 A couple weeks ago, I had a nasty little sweet tooth that I had difficulty satisfying. It seemed like I wanted to try a new treat everyday. This made me realize that it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be to come up with new ideas when my sweet tooth decided to strike! While there are quite a few places that we frequent here in town when we have a craving, I also felt like mixing it up a bit in an effort to discover something new. After making my way to several different shops around town, I thought that it would be fun to compile a guide of all the sweet spots here in Boone, NC that I like to visit. The on-going guide can be followed through Foodspotting (click the title below for link), and I plan to continue adding places as I visit them. There are many other places to delight a demand for dessert, and I have goals to conquer those, too! However, for now, here's a short list:

{Places To Eat Sweets in Boone, NC}

 

Espresso News Coffee Shop | 267 Howard St. Boone, NC

As far as I know, this is the only place in town where you can get homemade chocolate confections. I bypassed trying them on my first visit, but I couldn't stop thinking about them, so I had to go back for a taste. Espresso News is mainly known for their coffee, but the chocolate is noteworthy as well!

Higher Grounds Coffee Shop | 201 New Market Center #10 Boone, NC

Located not too far from Downtown Boone, NC, this coffee shop is tucked away in a shopping center. You'd probably miss it if you didn't know this gem was hidden there. The Caramel Frappes are a pleasing pick-me-up. I also recommend trying the chocolate covered espresso beans, they are yummy!

 

Stick Boy Bread Company |  345 Hardin St. Boone, NC

This bakery has more than delicious chocolate chip cookies, they bake fresh bread daily, make cakes and other desserts, and serve coffee too! A great place to stop in and grab a treat. The cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing are ridiculously decadent and delicious, so be sure to get one of those, too!

Scoops Cafe | 450 New Market Boulevard Boone, NC

This is the only place in Boone, NC where you can get homemade Gelato. They have many flavors to choose from that are all great. They make it difficult to decide on which one to get! Many people might overlook this establishment because it's off the main strip, however, it's in the same shopping center as Higher Grounds. How about you visit both during the same trip?! We did :D

The Custard Depot | 228 Howard St. Boone, NC

In the heart of Downtown Boone, this shop dishes out scoop after scoop of the creamiest custard in all the land. Not that they have any competition, since they are the only place to get custard as far as I know. It's thick and creamy, and I love how they only make a couple flavors everyday, so you know it's super fresh. I'm always on the lookout for the flavor-of-the-day, they like to keep things interesting!

Where is your favorite place to get a sweet treat when a craving strikes?


View Places to Eat Sweets in Boone, NC in a larger map

All of the images in the blog post were taken with the Sony Cybershot WX9. It's an awesome new point and shot that takes HD videos and 3D still images! If you are interested in finding out more, please visit the recent review I posted here: "10 Reasons Why You Want to WIN a Sony WX9".

Foodie Friday is a new feature that I want to share on Wayfaring Wanderer every week. It won't always contain lists of places to eat, although it will always be food related! If you are interested in participating in FF, please let me know in the comments. I'd love for others to join in, too!

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Holy Ghost Tent Revival is Coming to Town | Boone, NC

Sometimes the name of a band alone is enough to intrigue me. I remember seeing the name Holy Ghost Tent Revival and how it propelled me to find out more about who this band was. As usual, I looked them up on myspace to listen to a few tracks, and I was instantly smitten and quickly converted to a fan. It was a while after I first listened to their music that we were actually able to see them play a show. It just never worked out when they were coming through town. That (finally) changed last year during Music on the Mountaintop festival here in Boone.

Chaos ensued as they tore up the stage, and you can see that they pour their heart and soul into their performance. The explosive energy they exude is visible by the amount of sweat they collectively produce, which is a LOT. By the end of it, though, you're sweating just as much as they are because of all the bouncing around you've been doing.

It's really really difficult to put their music into any particular category because it's intertwined with a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but there's one thing I know, it's all good! Seeing them live adds to the experience because they are an extremely animated bunch who put on a spectacular show. Since the Music on the Mountaintop festival, I've seen them play twice. And I'm glad that they are coming to Boone once again to grace us with the gift of another intensely energetic show that I know won't disappoint!

Holy Ghost Tent Revival will be playing at Boone Saloon with Uncle Mountain at 9:00 pm on Saturday, March 5th.

Related Links:

• Listen to Holy Ghost on Myspace
• Find Holy Ghost on Facebook
• Official Website of Holy Ghost

Gallivanting Around Green Knob | Blue Ridge Parkway | Boone, NC

With every passing week, I can feel that spring is getting closer. I suppose that making a point to go on a weekly hike is helping me to notice this a little sooner than I normally would. While I love winter and the snowy, cold weather that it brings, it can sometimes cause me to stay stuck in hibernation mode. Lately, though, I've been a whole lot more motivated to get outside and enjoy the warm weather we are awarded instead of being a hermit.

This week's hike was the Green Knob Loop Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 295.9) in Julian Memorial Price Park. I've always liked hiking this trail because it's only moderately strenuous, and because it offers a variety of habitats to experience in a short 2.1 mile round trip trek.

Starting at Sim's Pond, where you can oftentimes find anglers casting away, you'll pass the pond and travel through a rhododendron lined path that takes you into a forest of mixed hardwoods. As you find your way further into the woods, you'll come across some impressively large hemlocks towering over above head.

During this hike, there are a few creek crossing that require a little rock hopping, but nothing major to contend with. The first half is pretty mild, actually, and is a pleasant way to commune with nature since you can stroll at a snail's pace. For hikes that tend to be more strenuous, I find myself not wanting to stop and take pictures as much as I do when I'm hiking one that's easier. This way, I have more time to focus on the tiny details that can often be overlooked when all I care about is the next level surface to catch my breath.

Around the half-way point of the Green Knob Trail, the forest will recede and present an open pasture to meander. You'll pass through the fence stile to enter the meadow. This area is oftentimes littered with grazing cows. However, I imagine that it's probably too early in the year for that. As you ascend the gently rolling hills, follow the concrete trail markers to continue along the proper path. This would be a very nice spot to pop-a-squat if you felt like taking a break, though. There's also a bench beneath a tree if you don't want to spread out on the grass for fear of coming in contact with colossal cow patties.

As you leave the pastoral landscape you'll reenter the woods after a slightly steep ascent. This was the only part of the trail that got me huffing and puffing, although it still wasn't hard to reach the top. From there, it was all downhill. There's one point where you can see Grandfather Mountain & Price Lake, in the distance, as you're descending the trail. And the ridge line of Grandfather Mountain comes into an even better view once you're a little further along.

After leaving and reentering the forest through a couple more fence stiles—before you know it—you've reached the end! It spits you out on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is slightly disorienting. However, your car is just across the street. Compared to the Elk Knob hike I did the week before, the Green Knob trail was easy peasy. The elevation gain for this hike was only 460 feet while Elk Knob was approximately 1,000 feet, and it was only 1.3 miles long, whereas Green Knob was 2.1. Green Knob probably should have been my first hike of the season to break back into it instead of killing myself on Elk Knob!

There are many hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway that are close to Boone. This is one that I hike a few times each year because of how varied (and moderate) it is. And it's even more beautiful during the Spring and Fall because of the pretty wildflowers that appear. According to the things I have read about Green Knob, it's best to hike in April or August during the peak bloom times. I know I'll be going back to see what shows up!

I highly recommend the Green Knob Loop hike for people of all ages and fitness levels. It would be a great family hike. While this particular Blue Ridge Parkway trail doesn't have the same long range views that many of the others have, it's still a really enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. I'm thinking that when I go back in the Spring we'll bring a picnic to snack on—that is, if the cows aren't around! 

Related Links:

•  If you missed last week's hike, click here: My Quest to Conquer Elk Knob

My Quest to Conquer Elk Knob | Boone, NC

The trail was like a snowy slip-n-slide, making proper balance next to impossible during some parts of the hike. We were utterly surprised upon arriving at the trail head to see that the ground was still blanketed with snow—any snow around our house has long since melted. It escaped our minds that Elk Knob was at a higher elevation, and that it would be a little cooler (and windier) up there, so snow definitely didn't occur to us either.

While the snow did add another challenging element to this already grueling hike, we steadily stayed the course at a pretty fast pace. Granted, I was a lot further behind the group I was hiking with because I kept stopping to take pictures, but I still kept up pretty well (most of the time).

This seemingly short 1.8 mile hike made me feel like I was really out-of-shape. I mean, it has been quite a while since I've done a hike and for Elk Knob to be the first one I take on this year probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. I know that I'm making this trail sound really bad, it's not horrible, but I did feel like I was dying at a certain point. (Maybe just a tad bit dramatic.)

At least I conquered it this time, though! Cody and I attempted to hike this trail back when it first became a new addition to the NC State Park system in 2009. We got very close to the summit, but I started feeling sick and couldn't push myself to finish. This time, though, I was determined to make the climb to the top, but I needed some (a lot ) coaxing. The newly built trail that volunteers have helped to construct has made the Elk Knob Summit Trail a much more enjoyable hike. Now, it has switchbacks instead of making you trek straight up a super steep rocky road.

To reach the 5,520 foot peak (the second highest in Watauga County) you really have to push yourself to surmount the last 200 feet. It's the only remaining portion of the trail that takes you straight up the old road, and it's a doozie! I'm pretty sure it was the part I couldn't overcome the last time I tried to hike Elk Knob. My first failed attempt made reaching the summit much sweeter this time around. For so long I avoided this hiking trail because I wasn't able to complete it the first time. Cody thought he'd never get me to go back! Having finished it this time around, I don't think it'll be that difficult to get me to go back, especially since it's the closest hiking trail in Boone (aside from what's along the Blue Ridge Parkway).

Spending the day trudging through Elk Knob's hardwood forest and taking the time to reconnect with the splendor of nature was exactly what this hibernating homebody needed. And pushing myself to finally triumph over this trail was an added bonus! Now, it's getting me to think about all the places I want to venture to as spring approaches. Thoughts of camping, road trips, and more hikes on the horizon are getting me very excited about planning outings for the new season. I'm ready to spend more time outdoors! How about you?

What are you getting excited about as spring approaches? 

Langhorne Slim Unplugged | Boone, NC

It's not often that Boone has the honor of hosting a big name act passing through North Carolina. What's even more rare than attracting popular musicians is an opportunity to see them perform in a more intimate setting with far fewer people than they are used to playing for.

Last week, Langhorne Slim found his way to our town to play his first show in Boone. Apparently, he had never even been to Boone, and I suppose that he decided to make up for such a travesty by not just playing one show, but two. I was well aware that they would be playing a show at Boone Saloon in the evening. However, I didn't know that they were going to be putting on yet another show for the townies to enjoy earlier in the day.

It was only 4 hours before their afternoon show that I had even heard about it. I wasn't really prepared to drop what I was doing to attend, but I agreed that this was an opportunity that doesn't often appear, so I decided to make an exception and take advantage of it. A bonus, was that the earlier show being held at the 641rpm Record Shop was FREE!! I mean, you can't beat that.

Because the record shop was a small venue, there were only about 50 people packed into the place. Unlike what we would be seeing later at Boone Saloon, this show was more of an unplugged set, no room for amps or other bulky equipment. I rather enjoyed this pared down version of a concert. The raw emotion in Langhorne's voice and the un-amplified sound of the instruments were a refreshing change from what I'm used to witnessing.

Although that's not to say that I wasn't equally excited about the show that they'd later be playing at Boone Saloon. I enjoyed and appreciated getting this up close and personal preview of what was to come later in the evening.

You'll often hear me complain about how Boone doesn't get any good shows (or at least bands that I want to see) coming through as much as I would like, and I'm glad that—for a change—I was proven otherwise. While at the show I met people who had driven several hours to come see Langhorne. Normally, we're the ones who have to drive long distances to see the big name bands that are passing through NC. I felt extremely lucky to have him come to Boone and not only see him once, but twice in one day.

It's always nice coming into contact with a celebrity of sorts who is humble, friendly, and approachable. Before the shows, I was familiar with Langhorne's music, but I didn't know him by name. Now, I don't think that I could forget after seeing him play twice in one day. The soulful songs he serenaded us with have been stuck in my head for days— not that it's a bad thing. If you aren't familiar with Langhorne's music, I strongly suggest that you take the time to listen to a few of his songs. Before you know it, they'll be stuck in your head, too! 

Related Links:

• Listen to Langhorne Slim on Myspace
• Langhorne Slim's Official Website
• Langhorne Slim on Facebook
• 641rpm (Record Shop in Boone) on Facebook

Wintry Weather in Boone, NC

The carefully constructed layers we took 20 minutes to compile took mere seconds to remove. We were beginning to sweat underneath the heavy clothing from the tiring walk we had just completed. It ended in the nick of time, too, because as soon as we got inside the toasty house the wind picked up and blew even more furiously than it already was.

The snow, I love, but the wind, mmmmm not so much. Sometimes, I wish that I could pick the perfect snow day where the photo ops are plentiful and extreme weather isn't threatening to damage your photographic equipment.

On a perfect snow day, for me anyway, it would be bitter cold so that the snow was sticking to everything, and the flakes would be floating around like feathers as they made their way to the ground. It would blanket our valley and the surrounding hills; everything would be covered in a sheet of white.

There would be no massive gusts of wind knocking you every which way, and the snow wouldn't be coming in sideways pelting you in your frozen face. Yesterday was pretty unbearable in terms of going for a nice stroll in the snow like I did a few weekends ago. The wind was howling non-stop and forced us to walk with our heads down for most of our trek.

The rare moments where I did whip out my camera to capture some wintry images, I made sure my back was to the wind so that it wouldn't get too wet. A futile effort, for sure, but I still managed to get what I went out there for. At least I didn't get all bundled up and freeze my butt off to come home empty handed.

Snow days are exciting because you have no idea exactly what they will bring. The conditions can vary a great deal. I know that I'll get many more opportunities this winter to experience all that Boone weather decides to drop on us. Although I'm not sure how long my motivation to get out and shoot winter scenes will last, but I do know that I'd be more apt to sticking with it if this relentless wind would take a hike! Until then, I'll just stay indoors where it's nice and cozy :D

What are you doing to stay warm?!

Saturday Stroll in the Snow {Part 2} | Boone, NC

  

 

With yet another forecast calling for copious amounts of snow, Boone weather is steadily doing its best to test our ability to endure a true winter. It has caught many of the blue ridge mountain residents completely off guard, too, because it doesn't typically start this early. People are scrambling to get preparations in order and we are no exception. This past weekend, we finally winterized our windows to help keep our precious heat from escaping -- it makes such a big difference. Just thought I'd share some additional images from the snowy stroll I took last weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting out and capturing some more of the winter scenes the the Boone weather brings. What's the weather looking like where you are?

Related Links:

• Saturday Stroll in the Snow {Part 1} 
• WW has a Facebook Page now! Follow me here: http://www.facebook.com/wayfaringwanderer

Saturday Stroll in the Snow | Boone, NC

 

Yesterday, here in Boone NC, we had our first substantial snow of the winter season. When I say substantial, I mean a few inches, but it did snow all day long and throughout the evening. I managed to tear myself away from my movie marathon to take a walk along the Greenway Trail near my house.

The snow was steadily streaming from above as I attempted to capture the winter scenes. It wasn't the light and fluffy kind that gently floats down to the ground either. Instead, I had to endure being pelted by tiny balls of ice that were determined to drench me and my camera.

Since the conditions weren't favorable I had the entire trail to myself. I didn't pass a single soul during my walk through the winter wonderland. I could tell, though, that people had braved the snowy conditions at some point because I saw many sets of footprints during my trek.

It feels like it's been too long since I've set out to take any nature pictures. And it's been even longer since I've had the opportunity to get any pictures of snow. Hopefully, this season I'll have the chance to get out and shoot all sorts of winter photos.

While I am looking forward to copious amounts of snow and the changes that the season brings, I am also thinking about how I'll combat the inevitable blues that will ensue at some point. Taking snowy strolls with my camera in hand to capture winter pictures is definitely something I'll be encouraging myself to do more of, that's for sure.

What is your take on snow? Love it? Hate it? Have you had any snow show up in your neck of the woods yet?

Music on the Mountaintop Festival Boone, NC

It was evident that the hardworking folks putting this shindig together learned quite a bit since last years festival because this one ended up being bigger and better in many ways. As diligent as the staffers were, there were some things, though, that they just didn't have any control over, and that was the not so favorable weather! Unlike the clear blue skies experienced the year before, the majority of our day was spent beneath an overcast sky. Mid-afternoon, we had to dodge a light rainstorm, thankfully, it didn't last very long. One thing the dreary weather didn't do was dampen the spirits of the carefree crowd. I did my best to hang around the outskirts of the madness because I really wasn't in a party-time state of mind. Last time we were very close to the front, in the thick of it, but not this time. After waking up at 6:30am that morning, the only thing I really wanted to do was kick back and relax in my crazy creek chair, and I did so, waaaaay in the back.



In addition to listening to some live music, we also had plans to consume mass quantities of vendor food (as usual), which we successfully achieved! They had so many vendors to choose from at this years festival that it was very difficult to decide on what we would feast on. But that quickly turned into a dilemma we didn't mind dealing with because we just sampled as much as our tummies could take! Well, and then some. I am almost ashamed to list everything I ate.



Food Consumed: gyro with grape leaves, chicken on a stick, 2 orders of sweet potato fries, funnel cake with all the fixin's, famous grilled cheese, & a pesto quesadilla!! Yeah, I know, I paid for it a little bit at the end of the night. Talk about going overboard!

One thing, though, that I really liked about some of the food vendors were those who were a little more conscientious about what was being served. For example, the food made by students using locally grown produce, and another who offered antibiotic/cage free chicken. Small things. But a step in the right direction. It was refreshing to have these types of options at a 'green' event such as this.



I was also pretty impressed with the emphasis they put on recycling with signs and stewards who walked around passing out personal trash bags for groups accumulating cans and other garbage to help cut down on litter found later on. I was extremely pleased with the extra measures put in place. The Music on the Mountaintop Festival is clearly becoming a great example in keeping the focus on sustainability.



The musical line-ups seemed to be a series of crowd pleasers because they kept the crowd steadily swaying down in the 'pit'. I, on the other hand, kept my distance, viewing from afar. I didn't even attempt to venture down to the crowd below until it got dark. It was then that I figured the least I could do was try to get a few shots of the main stage closers, Sam Bush & Keller Williams. One thing lead to another, and the next thing I knew, I was standing only one row away from the stage. Taking photos was no easy undertaking either, especially with silhouetted heads popping up in the frame! It was fun being in the pit though, even if I didn't get any great photos!



At one point, after Sam Bush played, I had to run to our home base in the very back of the grounds to grab a fresh battery and memory card since I was on the brink of exhausting both. In a matter of minutes, and without too much resistance, I got my spot back down in the depths.



Ideally, the crowd would have hoped to dance the night away, but local law enforcement didn't allow the party to go on past midnight. As a matter of fact, they were forced to pull the plug early! It was sad, actually. The crowd was chanting Keller's name in hopes for an encore, but no amount of noise would bring him back out on stage. Not the best possible note to end on, but it was a great day despite the few uncontrollable conditions threatening to thwart our good time.



We are definitely looking forward to next year's event!


Did you see last year's photos? I was definitely a lot happier with those!
Wanna see?! Click Here (Post of Main Event) & Here (Favorite Photo 2008)

Bluebird Box Building

Recently, Cody and I attended a meeting with PACT, a local chapter of the NC Wildlife Federation. The weekend following our first meeting was met with an opportunity to help build bluebird houses for a project that an ASU professor is conducting. The boxes will be placed in various locations so that she may gather information regarding reproductive behaviors. Current experiments indicate that the more colorful males are the ones who, to put it plainly, "get the girl". How the bluebird chooses a mate is one of the primary research interests. By taking them into a controlled environment they can manipulate the birds' colorings so they can gauge reactions to those changes. It's a little more in depth, but that was one major point I found quite interesting.



There were approximately 20 helpful people who came to the event despite the unfavorable, wintry weather conditions.



In three hours we built a little over 100 bluebird boxes!



As scary as it sounds, I used some power tools! Once Cody and I found our groove we were able to finish the boxes pretty quickly. I manned the drill while Cody held the pieces in place. We made for a great team and completed somewhere between 15-20 boxes. It was fun to help out and share, we enjoyed ourselves.



Being involved with PACT is something we look forward to continue doing.They are a group of likeminded people who can potentially raise awarness about issues affecting our environment. Those are definitely the types of induviduals I want to be associated with.

PACT stands for Protecting, Advocating, and Conserving Together.

Providing places for birds to raise their little ones will bring your yard one step closer to becoming a an environmentally friendly habitat. If you are interested in providing shelter for your birds to nest in there are many plans on the internet available for download. I found this bluebird nesting box plan by doing a google search. We're going to build some, too!

Posted in Photostory Friday & Hooked On