RomanticAsheville.com Fall Color Report September 30, 2015

See our latest fall color report for Asheville and the North Carolina mountains from our trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway today. For more info, go to http://www.romanticasheville.com/fall.htm.

Roy's Folks: Mark File Chases Fall Colors

Check out this fun news story about Mark File, owner of www.RomanticAsheville.com, chasing fall color in the North Carolina mountains. Roy's Folks is a longtime favorite series on FOX8 News in High Point, NC, by Roy Ackland and David Weatherly.

NC Mountain Fall Color Updates

We are posting fall color reports and photos to keep you updated on the autumn hues in the North Carolina mountains near Asheville. When will peak color be? The fall leaves are turning about a week early in many locations. Peak color in the highest elevations is still expected in early October, progressing into the lowest valleys by late October. See the reports at www.romanticasheville.com/fall-color-report. 

Fall Color Report for Asheville 2015

Watch my fall color report on FOX8 news this morning in High Point NC. Color has started a little early this year. See my full fall foliage forecast, tips and events for Asheville and the North Carolina mountains at www.romanticasheville.com/fall.htm.

Afternoon Tea with Llamas

Looking for interesting company for tea and scones? Head to Cradle ofForestry in America for Afternoon Tea with Llamas on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 11 AM and 2 PM. The llamas will carry your lunches or snacks on this easy walk along the Forest Discovery Trail at the Cradle of Forestry. Ice tea and cups will be provided.

The programs will be led by George Appenzeller and Sarah Meadows, founders of Challenge Adventures, a nonprofit organization experienced in leading hiking and camping adventure programs for youth groups. Since 1989, they have involved over 4,000 young people in educational experiences in the outdoors with llamas. Before each walk, they will explain traits that make llamas good pack animals, and also good trail companions. Visitors will hear about the llamas' cooperative social structure that presents humans with an example of teamwork and caring.

As the group walks the Forest Discovery Trail, children can take turns leading the llamas. The group will stop and picnic along the trail. This moderate walk through scenic woods and by the 1914 Climax logging locomotive is about 2 miles roundtrip.

Admission to the Cradle of Forestry is $5 for adults. Youth 15 and younger are admitted free. Golden Age passports and America the Beautiful passes are honored. In addition to the llama program, this fee includes the Forest Discovery Center with 15 hands-on exhibits, two films, historic cabins and antique equipment on two paved trails, the Adventure Zone, and living history interpreters.

The Cradle of Forestry is located on Hwy. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville in the North Carolina mountains, four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.