Asheville Adventures Year-Round, by Iris Dean

Ready for a challenge? Head to Asheville where you'll find heart-pumping action activities such as mountain biking, rock-climbing and kayaking. The three-day Mountain Sports Festival brings competitors from all across the country each summer for a variety of outdoor competitions and sporting exhibitions and clinics in Asheville.

Events during the festival including a 24-hour adventure race, a two-day climbing competition, mountain bike racing, and a sea-kayak race, test the endurance of the hardiest athletes. Other competitive opportunities in the area include the annual Shut-in Trail Run at the Arboretum in April and the grueling 115-mile Assault on Mount Mitchell cycling challenge in May where competitors can take an off-road adventure through the highest peaks of the Eastern United States.

Hands-On Farm Tours - HandMade in America hosts visitors from around the world who come to see the workings of both historic Southern Appalachian farms and cutting-edge new farming methods and niche crops right here in the mountains. There are a variety of tailgate markets, organic farms, bakeries, breweries, cheese makers and restaurants where you'll find fresh produce and tasty samplings of homemade goods. Experience everything from milking, jam-making and crafting organic cheeses to growing shitake mushrooms. This unique, hands-on, educational experience connects visitors to Western North Carolina’s culture and the people whose lifestyle keeps long-standing family traditions alive.

On a quest for adventure the kids wanted to try surfing, which was entertaining for us to watch while they tried to master the waves. The simple pleasure of relaxing on the shore while the kids splashed in the waves was great. We tried our hand at Surf fishing for red drum, flounder, puppy drum, and blue fish, available at the three area beaches before visiting the Carolina Beach State Park.

North Carolina's In Bloom - Nature's welcoming embrace spreads across the mountains of Western North Carolina where each spring the vibrant greens of spring and pastel colors of native flowers begin creeping their way up the highest peaks east of the Mississippi. Explore the regions most popular gardens at a variety of special events including Biltmore Estate’s Festival of Flowers, the Naturalist Weekend at Grandfather Mountain and one of the largest herb festivals in the southeast at the Farmer’s Market. To catch the peak of the beautiful native rhododendrons take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the country’s oldest and longest scenic byway to Craggy Gardens located just 20 miles north of Asheville.