101 Things to do in Mitchell County

Well, folks, I don't think any of us expected this! It's early February and the 10-day forecast shows above average temperatures for the next 10 days. No snow, no below freezing temps, and highs in the 50's & to mid-60's! After record-breaking cold in December and January, we are now well on own way to seeing the Dogwoods and Daffodils in full-bloom soon. Now is the perfect time to book your Spring mountain vacation. In fact, check-out this wonderful 3bdrm/2bath cabin with amazing views and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway: www.houfy.com/3450. There's never any booking fees on Houfy and you can speak to the owners directly PRIOR to booking!

The great hummingbird migration has started and, soon, Parkway Peek will be alive with these fluttering beauties. Here's a shot of a little one feeding off of our deck last summer. For more information about these amazing creatures, check out this article from Hummingbird Central.

The Bare Dark Sky Observatory, located at Mayland Community College (just a 15minute drive from Parkway Peek) is a must-do for stargazers of all ages. This recent article published in Outdoor Adventure outlines the features of the telescope and it's uniqueness to our area. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children and reservations are for 2hour blocks. For viewing times and reservations, visit their website at Mayland Dark Sky Observatory.