Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Jane Kayton

In 2007 issues like pollution, cancer and global warming are found on the American news every week. In the last five years these universal problems have been acknowledged and started to emerge in mainstream consciousness. Solutions such as renewable energy, green building and organic farming are now hot topics being talked about on TV, in newspapers and on the radio. In order to preserve the planet for future generations, it is essential that natural green building is embraced and eco homes and other green practices become the standard. One community that is leading the way is a beautiful city nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains: Asheville, North Carolina.

Working Together to Preserve Western North Carolina

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of WNC environmental concerns are a top priority. Preserving the natural environment of the mountains insures the health and safety of communities throughout the region. The city of Asheville, along with other counties and towns in WNC, like Black Mountain, recognizes that green space, green building and alternative resources are the wave of the future. Asheville is home to numerous green projects and initiatives. Blue Ridge BioFuels is an organization that has opened six biodiesel pumps at gas stations in the area. Blue Ridge BioFuels also supplies BioHeat for furnaces. Home delivery and competitive prices make it simple to begin using alternative fuels at home and on the road. Green building also plays a huge role in preserving local natural resources. Use of recycled construction materials, rainwater collection systems, and solar power all benefit the forests, animals and people.

The Possibilities Are Endless With Green Real Estate in Asheville, NC

In December of 2006 Asheville joined about fifty other municipalities across the country and passed a resolution stating that all new municipal buildings will be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications. LEED is a nationally accepted green building rating system created by the U.S, Green Building Council, http://www.usgbc.org, and sets the standard for the design, construction and maintenance of energy efficient homes and buildings. Asheville is also home to the Western North Carolina Green Building Council (WNCGBC), http://www.wncgbc.org. WNCGBC educates local contractors and builders about the latest green building techniques and practices. WNCGBC also works with city, state and county officials to make eco-friendly recommendations for local building standards. In Asheville, NC homebuyers searching for eco houses or green home building projects have a variety of options from downtown apartments to eco-friendly, real estate developments.

Sustainable Green Building: Find the Perfect, Eco-Friendly Real Estate in Western North Carolina

In Asheville, NC many homeowners, architects and builders work diligently to follow eco-friendly building, design and maintenance plans. To complete a green building project specific topics must be addressed including:

-Sustainable Development

-Alternative Energy

-Energy Efficiency

-Green Building Materials

-Forest Preservation

-Renewable Resources

Whether you are searching for a green condo centrally located in downtown Asheville or an eco home in a private, gated community you can find the perfect green real estate in Western North Carolina. In the mountains it is simple to contribute and help preserve Asheville’s excellent quality of life for years to come.

Jane Kayton is a real estate agent with Century 21 All Seasons based in Asheville, NC. She specializes in helping her clients find the perfect mountain homes and land near Asheville. Jane is also an avid whitewater rafter and hiker. To learn more about real estate in Western North Carolina visit her web site http://www.JaneSellsAsheville.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Kayton

[tags] Asheville, green real estate, NC green real estate, mountain homes, mountain land[/tag]

By Connie Limon

Cherokee, North Carolina is a Smoky Mountain vacation destination with plenty of fun activities that include:

• Museums full of Cherokee Indian Culture
• Amusement parks
• Casino
• Hiking, biking and horseback trails
• Scenic drives
• Great shopping with unique Cherokee Indian jewelry and much more
• Fishing and water tubing

In Cherokee, North Carolina you will have the opportunity to sit by beautiful waterfalls and/or a stream flowing swiftly. The area is full of lush landscapes where you can stroll along at your leisure or enjoy a picnic if you prefer.

Cherokee, North Carolina is conveniently located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Maggie Valley, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina and Cades Cove. All of these vacation ideas are suitable for the entire family to enjoy, and within a short distance of each other.

The Cherokees in Western North Carolina today are the descendants from those Cherokees who were able to remain on the land one way or another after the government forced the removal of the Cherokees Indians to Oklahoma. As you visit the Cherokee Indian lands you will be able to experience their culture firsthand, and they are very happy to share their culture with visitors.

Cherokee, North Carolina historical attractions include:

• “Unto These Hills” is a drama of the Cherokees’ tragic “Trail of Tears.”
• Oconaluftee Indian Village is an authentic Oconaluftee Indian Village with live demonstrations
• Visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian to experience Cherokee history

If you love the outdoors, Cherokee, North Carolina destinations are great vacation ideas. Enjoy a hike along the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail provides a beautiful view of the vista from Charlie’s Bunyan. Charlie’s Bunyan is one of the most popular overlooks in the Smokies. At Cherokee, North Carolina you are right in the middle of the scenic beauty of the Appalachian mountains.

Vacation ideas you can enjoy include:

• A walk along the Oconoluftee River Trail
• Stop for a picnic at Island Park
• Be sure and visit Mingus Mill
• There is Trout fishing and Whitewater rafting at Cherokee, North Carolina
• Try the sport of tubing
• Hike the Appalachian Trail while you are there
• Don’t overlook visiting the Mountain Farm Museum
• Enjoy rugged mountain biking at Tsali Trails
• There are Ski & snow tube activities in the winter season
• Horseback riding is a favoirte among many visitors at Cherokee, North Carolina
• Golf on their golf courses
• You can also enjoy a nice boat ride on Fontana Lake at Cherokee, North Carolina

Additional Vacation Ideas in Cherokee, North Carolina Include:

The trout fishing is said to be especially good in the well-stocked Cherokee tribal waters. No license is required to fish in Cherokee Reservation waters. A tribal permit is required for $7 per day with a creel limit of ten. Permits are not required for children under 12 if accompanied by an adult with a permit. The 11-month season begins at the last weekend in March.

Cycling is a popular sport in the Smokies. There is very little flat terrain in Cherokee, North Carolina Smokies area. It is an area where just about all biking is mountain biking. If you are up to the challenge and demand of mountain biking, the Smokies in Cherokee, North Carolina is the perfect place for you to enjoy this activity.

Some of the more popular mountain biking trails are the famous Tsali trails that overlook Fontana Lake just west of Cherokee, North Carolina. There is also a 42-mile network of multi-use trails that offer a variety of challenges from mild to extreme.

Hiking in the Smokies at Cherokee, North Carolina is also a very popular activity. Hikers can use the Tsali trails any day of the week.

There are also many miles of not so crowded back roads in the Cherokee area for road biking. Roads that follow a river are generally the least-mountainous.

Guided horseback rides of one to four hours to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are available. The horseback rides through Cherokee country offers visitors a unique view of the beautiful scenery of Cherokee, North Carolina.

Cherokee, North Carolina destinations are excellent family vacation ideas.

Source: Cherokee Smokies Online

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more Vacation Ideas visit http://smalldogs2.com/VacationIdeas For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special topic articles rarely seen elsewhere visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

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