In the midst of the Pisgah National Forest, the rushing waters of Neil's Creek flow past the back porch and into the beautiful South Toe River not far upstream. The South Toe River Valley is known for its arts, crafts, and pottery along with golfing, hiking, fishing, tubing, kayaking, and skiing.

One of the nearest attractions is virtually unknown: it's Roaring Fork Falls, located a scant couple of miles from the cabins. It's about a mile hike up to the Falls as shown on the web site, and then you can hike further to the top of the Falls. Other falls nearby are Whiteoak Creek and Setrock Creek Falls.

Linville Caverns, North Carolina's only underground caverns, were carved by streams running under Linville Mountain. The cavern has a storied history as a hideout for robbers and Civil War deserters from both sides.

The Blue Ridge Parkway ambles through the mountains just south of the cabins. While locals will tell you that it isn't the quickest way to get anywhere, it is certainly the most beautiful.

Penland Art Center holds auctions featuring student and instructor work every other Thursday, all summer long.

Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River, is almost literally in the backyard. Here's a link to the State Park site for Mount Mitchell.

Roan Mountain is a 6,285-foot ridge straddling the North Carolina and Tennessee State line.

Grandfather Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad are about an hour away, near Boone.

Here's a site which gives you information on fishing the South Toe River.

Do you love wildflowers? Here's a site for Southern Appalachian wildflowers that features awesome photography of the species you might encounter.

Nearby towns include Boone, Blowing Rock, Linville Falls, and Little Switzerland.

And speaking of Little Switzerland, there's the really sweet Little Switzerland Book Exchange, if you want to track down a good read.