Boone Featured in US Airways Inflight Magazine

January 2008

All photos and illustrations from US Airways Magazine (see links at end of the article)

The January 2008 US Airways Inflight Magazine included a large feature section on Boone and Blowing Rock.

"The allure goes beyond low taxes and a pioneer work ethic. 'It's clean air, it's quality of life. It's no crime. Can't beat it,' says Charles E. Hardin, executive director of Blowing Rock's Chamber of Commerce. Watauga County, where both Boone and Blowing Rock are located, typically ranks among the lowest of North Carolina's 100 counties for employment as well as property taxes. The public schools rank among the very best in the Tar Heel state."
    ~ US Airways Magazine January 2008 pg. 159 (see link at the end of the article)

Some featured businesses and events included in the article:

• Samaritan's Purse
• "Beginning in December and sometimes continuing into March, Operation Christmas Child distributes roughly 8 million shoeboxes to children in 110 countries and territories on 6 continents. Each shoebox contains gifts and essentials, from teddy bears and toothpaste to soap and Slinkys."
• Mast General Store
• "The powerhouse chain has eight folksy outlets in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. "It's all about community,' says (VP operations Fred) Martin. 'The foundation of Mast General Store and the spirit of the High Country is that people's individual passions and their activities are important.'"
• Blowing Rock Jazz
• "After a glance at the lively arts scene in Blowing Rock, it would blow you away to learn that the town's population in roughly 1,500. One of the community's highlights is the Blowing Rock Jazz Society, which offers concerts every second Sunday of the month at the Meadowbrook Inn."
• Blood Sweat and Gears Cycling Event
• " . . . Blood, Sweat and Gears, a 100-mile cycling race that demands more than 13,000 feet of hill climbing . . . "

Other highlights:

• Ray Russell and RaysWeather.com
• "For nearly 10 years, the amateur meteorologist has predicted the precipitation, wind, frost, and freezes for the region. Playing off area residents' passion for being outdoors, he gives each day a certain number of golf balls on his website."
• The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
• "At Appalachian State, the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is the largest hall of its kind in western North Carolina . . .The center is also home to an Art-O-Mat machine. The project started in 1997: 400 artists from ten countries have packaged work to be displayed in - and purchased from - retired cigarette vending machines."
• Belk Library at Appalachian State
• "Belk Library and Information Commons at Appalachian State University offers student group seating for collaborative learning, wireless Internet access, and stunning views."
  (see US Airways photo at the end of this article.)

Hotels featured:

• Broyhill Inn:
• ". . .the ideal choice for both business travelers on the go and parents visiting their children on campus . . .. "
• Chetola Resort
• "This luxurious historical icon, overlooking 87 acres of serene Blue Ridge Mountains . . . "
• Gideon Ridge Inn
• "The gleaming 1916 mansion holds luxurious guest rooms, quiet dining and reception rooms and a serene sun-drenched library."
• The Mast Farm Inn
• "The Mast Farm Inn's roots date back to the 1700s, and the Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . . ."
• Westglow Resort and Spa
• "A stay here includes a plush Egyptian cotton robe, a pair of monogrammed slippers, and bedding made from European beechwood stuffed with Brazilian eucalyptus."
  (see US Airways photo at the end of this article.)

Featured Restaurants:

• The Gamekeeper:
• "The menu features classic mountain cuisine such as grilled duck, ostrich, and venison. "
• Bistro Roca Antlers Bar
• "Who knew figs could be so fancy?"
• Dan'l Boone Inn
• "Country cooking never tasted so good."
• Dominic's Table Restaurant (at the Crestwood Inn)
• "...(it) will capture your heart with its captivating mountain views and good food."
• Sonny's Grill
• "Known for its ham-biscuits and sweet potato-pancakes. . . "
• The Village Café
• "Follow the stone pathway on Blowing Rock's Main Street to find this breakfast and lunch favorite "
  (see US Airways photo at the end of this article.)

Interesting links related to this article . . .

• US Airways Magazine on-line
• Appalachian State University Belk Library
• Blood, Sweat and Gears Bicycle Race
• RaysWeather.com
• Turchin Center
• Broyhill Inn
• Chetola Inn
• Gideon Ridge Inn
• Mast Farm Inn
• Westglow Spa
• Gamekeeper Restaurant
• Bistro Roca Restaurant Antlers Bar
• Dan'l Boone Inn
• Dominic's Table
• Village Café