Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Connie Limon

This is Part 7 of a series of articles. Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina is a fun and educational trip for the entire family.

Land Rover Experience and Driving School at the Biltmore Estate

An experienced instructor will guide you along with Land Rover® vehicles regardless of your skill level while you navigate incredible off-road obstacles. This activity is subject to availability and will require specific details and reservations from the Biltmore Estate Company. The activity is offered daily (subject to availability). Start off with Driver Training School in order to learn the basic off-road driving techniques from an expert instructor. Cost for up to 3 drivers varies with time from 1-hour Land Rover Lessons to 6-hour full day lessons starting at $200 for 1-hour and $800 for 6-hour full day lesson.

Land Rover Ride-Along Expedition at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

An expert driver can take you over broken bridges, climb large boulders and rocks and go on sideways adventures tackling hills at all angles. A Land Rover ride-along expedition is available daily in July and August and Friday – Sunday during the months of September through June. Cost for the expedition is $20 per person in addition to estate admission in the year of 2007.

Kids Land Rover Adventure Course at Biltmore Estate

An advanced reservation is required for the kids Land Rover Adventure course that occurs daily. Children are allowed to climb behind the wheel of an electric mini Land Rover and drive through natural obstacles and gentle terrain. A qualified adult instructor will always accompany children. All the vehicles for children have limited speeds equal to a walking pace and also include instant remote cut-off. Cost per child is $49 in addition to the estate admission.

Equestrian Center at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

Would you like to explore more than 80 miles of estate trails on the same paths used by the Vanderbilts and their guest at the turnoff the century? This is possible in the year of 2007 at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The well-marked trails lead through pristine forests, green pastures, and along the banks of French Broad River. You have the choice from five different 10-30 mile loops. Several of the loops include optional jumps and are suitable for carriages.

Biltmore Estate Equestrian Programs

The Biltmore Estate equestrian program is based upon the Natural Horsemanship approach. The program centers upon communicating and developing respect and rapport with the horse.

Lessons in the Biltmore Estate Equestrian Program

The equestrian lesson at the Biltmore Estate provides a great way to build self confidence and increase physical fitness. Their team of instructors is highly qualified with years of experience teaching children and adults.

Private Equestrian Lessons

If you prefer learning privately rather than in a group, Biltmore Estate offers private lessons that are one-on-one intensive learning and undivided instructor attention.

Group Equestrian Lessons

One advantage of group lessons is that they give students a chance to compare and contrast their skills with other riders in a friendly environment.

Horse Boarding at Biltmore Estate

They currently (in the year of 2007) have 24 stalls available for year-round use. They utilized a specialized barn staff to care for your horses throughout the year. The staff feeds, turnouts, vet checks, observes shoeing schedules and provides special attention to your horse’s needs.

Horse boarding services at Biltmore Estate includes:

• Stall cleaning
• Shavings
• Morning turnout for winter months
• Evening turnout for spring and summer months
• Blanketing
• Hay and grain
• General horse care

Temporary Stalling

Bring your horse and enjoy more than 80 miles of well-marked estate trails. There is also limited primitive camping and a six-stall barn available at additional fees. Cost for a day ride pass is $25 per rider in addition to estate admission with a reservation required.

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about planning a trip to the Biltmore Estate visit http://smalldogs2.com/BiltmoreEstateTripPlan For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special sections of other topics visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

By Chris Robertson

If you’ve always wanted to relocate to the mountains, consider a move to Black Mountain, North Carolina. Black Mountain offers prime Western North Carolina real estate at affordable prices, whether you want secluded acreage with streams, hills and forests or a community where neighbors reside just a little closer. Black Mountain offers the best of both worlds.

Black Mountain (the city) is a small town with just under about 8,000 people. The average age of residents is 43. The average median household income was estimated in 2005 at $39,300 with the average home value being $133,400. Black Mountain is located just 16 miles from Asheville, NC. Many residents commute to work in Asheville or surrounding areas. Asheville real estate is also a popular choice for those seeking a mountainous residence.

Other cities near Black Mountain include Montreat (NC), Swannanoa (NC), Fairview (NC), and Lake Lure (NC).

Local Schools and Other Points of Interest in Black Mountain

Black Mountain area schools include Charles D. Owen High for grades nine through twelve with approximately 878 students, Black Mountain Primary with about 433 students, and Black Mountain Elementary with about 239 students. There are several private schools as well. Nearby colleges include Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, University of North Carolina at Asheville, and Spartanburg Technical College.

Black Mountain Industry

The most common industries in Black Mountain for males include construction, food services and accommodation, health care, educational services, public administration, textile, and food and beverage stores. For women, the most common industries of employment include food services, educational services, health care, professional and technical services, religious or civic professions, public administration, and insurance and finance.

Popular Real Estate – Secure a Lot or Home Now

Asheville and surrounding areas were chosen by AARP in 2005 as one of the top 15 Dream Towns, and also by Money Advisor as one of the five best places to retire. Recognition in these national publications has sparked tremendous interest in the area since that time, and mountain home seekers have been flocking to tour the homes and land lots in great numbers. Supply and demand has caused a tremendous increase in land and home values, but now is still a good time to invest in Western North Carolina real estate. Prices are still reasonable, but may not be within a few years.

Real Estate and Land for Sale in Black Mountain

Whether you’re seeking mountainous acreage where you can build your own dream home or seeking a home, cottage, or cabin that’s already complete, Black Mountain real estate agents can show you a variety of settings and homes. Like many Western North Carolina real estate areas, the homes and properties in Black Mountain come in different sizes, shapes, and with various scenes of nature’s beauty.

If seeking mountainous lots for sale, Asheville, Black Mountain, and surrounding towns provide a great starting point. Utilize online resources to view home listings, lots for sale, Black Mountain real estate pricing, and more.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Guide to Relocate to NC Mountains or Majon’s Real Estate directory

Chris Robertson
Level: Platinum

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the world’s MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies …