DYK: Forestry started here?

"Every tree is a manifestation of the Divine." Carl A. Schenck, founder, The Biltmore Forest School

In this month's blog:

• It's 1908 again: Forest Festival Day at the Birthplace of Forestry 🪓🪵🌳
• Oktoberfest in the mountains; How to Create Your Own Beer Tour 🍻
• Unique ways to see the Fall Leaves 🚁
• ABBA News: Welcome Inn at Amaris Farms! 👋
• Innkeepers ride the purple bus. 😄

Forestry in the USA & Fall in the Mountains

Fall is our favorite season in Asheville and as you know, attracts many visitors from all surrounding states to view the beautiful array of changing leaves.  It's not just the natural mountain ranges that provide this colorful array but we owe some of this spectacular display to  Carl A. Schenck who was brought to The Biltmore Estate in 1896 to help manage the vast estate which was formerly managed by Gifford Pinchot.  It was Schenck who started the first forestry school in the US after working with local volunteers as he introduced new scientific management and practical forestry techniques. His teachings are the foundation of today's forestry techniques. The Biltmore Forest School is located inside The Cradle of Forestry, a 6500-acre estate (which was also formerly part of The Biltmore Estate) within minutes of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville, NC and is known as "the birthplace of forestry." As you stand at the overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (pictured below), you overlook this 6500 acre public lands and the fall foliage display.  If you want to read the Carl Schenck's biography which provides a lot of early Biltmore Estate history, you can get it here.  Thank you to our foresters!

Forest Festival Day

Take a step back in time: on October 7th, you can take part in "Forest Festival Day" where students in forestry gather for a family and fun-filled day of activities that commemorates the traditions of mountain living and craft in a unique and beautiful setting.  This event has roots dating back to 1908 when the first Biltmore Forest Fair was held. At today's festival, onlookers cheer on area college forestry students as they compete during the Woodsmen’s Meet, an old-time lumberjack competition archery, axe throwing, crosscut sawing and pole felling. You can view details and purchase tickets here ($5 for Cradle passholders, $10 regular admission). It's sweater weather! What a way to celebrate the fall, enjoy the scenery and take part in a festival dating back to the early 1900s.

Details Matter (and a Deal). Your stay is a part of your entire vacation experience, not just a place to sleep.

Wake up feeling refreshed and well cared for at our member B&Bs.  Whether it's a personal fireplace, comfy robe, delicious treats, spa treatments and gourmet breakfasts, you'll rave about your stay as much as your trip. View all of our  Bed & Breakfasts members.

3 Night Fall Special

Speaking of details, Wildberry Lodge, located just west of Asheville, has a 3 Night Fall Special just for you. Stay 3 nights and receive 2 logo mugs, hot spiced apple cider and fantastic fall mountain sunsets (free, of course).  This special is valid November 1 through December 14, 2023  – Stays must be reserved by October 31, 2023. Book direct here: https://wildberrylodge.com/specials

Oktoberfest - Create your own Beer Tour

but first, get in the fall spirit with smores, pumpkins and Halloween themed bites.

Of course,  you can't be in Asheville without bringing up beer. It is Oktoberfest after all! When it comes to beer Asheville is a definite winner.  In this year’s ‘Best of craft beer scene’ Asheville breweries were nominated in 3 categories:  Best Beer City (Asheville overall); Best Beer Bar (The Whale); and Best Beer Tours (all 3 are located in Asheville). Regardless of who won, this year’s nominees for NC’s Best Brewery Tours are ALL located in the Asheville area so why not create your own Beer Tour:

• • Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp, Asheville (1 hour tour, limited group size, reservations required)
  • New Belgium Brewing Company, Asheville(5 kind of tours to choose from)
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Mills River (5 kinds of tours, plus a special one for October)

Should I drive or fly? Creative ways to see fall foliage

Many come here to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway but how about truly making it unique?

• (Let someone else drive) Take a Jeep Tour - https://www.ashevillejeeptours.com/ or
• (Get off the road and into the sky) and view the fall leaves like a drone with a Chimney Rock Helicopter Tours and other Asheville Tours by Helicopter https://scenichelicoptertours.com/asheville/

ABBA Member News

We would like to welcome new ABBA member, Inn at Amaris Farms, a modern farmhouse set in the rolling hills of Weaverville, NC. Wake up to panoramic views of the Appalachian mountains and enjoy a warm up of our house-blend coffee. Indulge in a delightful farm-to-table breakfast, where fresh, locally sourced ingredients take center stage, highlighting the flavors of the season.

Innkeepers Social Hour

Being an Innkeeper takes a lot of support including the support of other Innkeepers.  We get together once a month to have fun, socialize and support one another.  Like many of you, just because we live here doesn't mean we always get to partake in the activities.  So, last month the members took a LaZoom Tour.  How fun it was to pass by some of our own member's B&Bs!