Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Jane Kayton

In 2007 the preservation of the Earth’s natural resources and construction of sustainable communities have become a way of life for many people. Western North Carolina is a magical place where the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains meet. Many residents choose to live in Asheville and surrounding towns like Black Mountain, Weaverville and Woodfin because of the exquisite mountain views, lush forests and clear mountain rivers. Nature’s beauty is an integral part of every day in Asheville, NC so it makes sense that protecting nature has become a lifestyle and a community effort.

Make Your Best Effort to Live Green: Every Little Bit Counts!

Living Green means different things to different people and no one is perfect. Every effort made, regardless of how big or small, can make a difference. Imagine if everyone just stopped littering! The world would be a different place. If you are considering the best way to begin a green lifestyle there are a wide variety of options to consider.

Blue Ridge BioFuels–A Local Alternative to Regular Gas and Kerosene

Blue Ridge BioFuels is a worker-owned business in Western North Carolina that specializes in producing and distributing biodiesel to gas stations in the region and biofuels home heat to WNC residents. Currently Blue Ridge BioFuels provides nine area gas stations with a variety of biodiesel blends and has a home heat deliver service. According to Blue Ridge BioFuels “biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel produced from plant oils or animal fats…Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend.” Biodiesel is not the same as driving a veggie oil car, unlike straight veggie oil (SVO) it can be used in any diesel engine including trucks, cars and farm equipment without any vehicle modifications.

Purchase Green, Eco-friendly Homes and Land Near Asheville NC

How can you find the perfect, green Western North Carolina property for sale? Simply look around. Western North Carolina is full of eco homes; everything from green built real estate developments to energy efficient condos in downtown Asheville. According to the NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program and the Western North Carolina Green Building Council, http://www.wncgbc.org, there are currently 82 certified HealthyBuilt Homes and 470 more are in progress right now. There are also eco-friendly real estate developments outside of Asheville in small towns like Black Mountain, Marshall and Leicester, NC. Living in a green community usually includes a variety of luxury amenities like a pool, hiking trails, water access and a community lodge. Homebuyers interested in larger, private residences can find green homes throughout Western North Carolina in areas such as Mars Hill, Maggie Valley, Highlands, Burnsville, Sylva and Hendersonville just to name a few.

Living a green lifestyle does not have to be a chore. If you are not ready to drive using alternative fuels or purchase a healthy built home consider what you can do at home now. Purchase energy efficient appliances when you can, compost food instead or throwing it away, recycle clothes and household items at the Salvation Army or Goodwill. All of these small efforts add up in the end and the world can become a healthier, more sustainable place for you and your children to live.

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

By Connie Limon

This is Part 5 of a series of articles. Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Ashefield, North Carolina is a fun and educational trip for the entire family.

Bike Rental Details

The Biltmore Estate Company offers bike rental daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The rental fee includes bicycle, an estate bike pass, helmet, trail map and basic instruction. Guests of bike rentals are required to check in at the Explore Biltmore Outdoor Center. The rental cost is $10 for one hour, $20 for half-day (up to 4 hours) and $40 for a full day (up to 8 hours). These prices are in addition to the initial estate admission fee.

Guided Bike Ride

A two-day reservation is required for the guided bike rides. The guided bike rides occur daily. A knowledgeable guide will design a biking adventure for you lasting up to two hours. Cost for the guided bike ride is $35 per person in addition to estate admission. You can add a bike rental for $10.

Biltmore Estate’s Recommended Cyclist’s Checklist includes:

• You must check in at the Outdoor Center
• You can bring your own bike or rent a bike from Biltmore Estate
• Don’t forget your water bottle, sunscreen and comfortable biking clothes
• The Biltmore Estate Company requires you wear a helmet at all times while riding on Biltmore grounds.
• All children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult
• Youth ages 15 to 17 are required to have an adult sign their liability release
• The access to trails is limited and weather dependent

Hiking Expeditions

Hiking activities occur daily at the Biltmore Estate free with estate admission. You can stop by the Explore Biltmore Outdoor Center for information and a detailed trail map. Take a gentle stroll or a serious hike along Biltmore Estate’s many trails.

Guided Segway Tours

The guided Segway tours occur daily. A reservation is suggested from the Biltmore Outdoor Center. A 2.5 hour guided tour on a smooth trail along the French Broad River on your all-terrain Segway includes a training session for the cost of $65 per person in addition to estate admission.

Advanced Guided Segway Tours

There is advanced guided Segway tours Friday through Sunday with an advance reservation. These tours are unlike any other Segway experience. They are 2.5 hours in length along the French Broad River, up the challenging Deerpark Trail to the south terrace of Biltmore House. Prior Segway experience is required and includes a refresher training session for the cost of $75 per person in addition to estate admission.

Biltmore Estate Suggested Segway Rider’s Checklist includes:

• Bring along your water bottle, sunscreen and comfortable clothes
• Biltmore Estate provides helmets that are required when riding Seyways
• Participation requires you must be at least 13 years of age, a minimum weight of 100 pounds and a maximum weight of 260 pounds.
• All children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Youth under 18 must have an adult sign their liability release
• You must be able to step up 8 inches unassisted and maintain balance
• In the event that a guest is unable to complete the training session, a full refund is made
• Be aware that tours may be cancelled for weather conditions

Sporting Clays

Sporting clays occur daily and require two-day advance reservation. You will learn the techniques of shooting clay targets with a high-quality Beretta shotgun in two-hour lessons with an expert instructor. The cost for this activity is $135 per person in addition to the estate admission.

Biltmore Estate Sporting Clays Checklist includes:

• All the necessary equipment is provided to you
• All participants in the Sporting Clays activity must be at least 12 years old
• The participants 16 years old and younger require a parent or guardian present.
• You will need to take some sunscreen, bug spray and weather appropriate clothing as these items are not provided by Biltmore Estate

Continued in Part 6

Important Disclaimer: The web site address listed in the resource box of this article is not associated with the Biltmore Estate or any of its employees. This article and the web site are for information purposes only.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

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