A Forest Exploration and then a little wine!

A short 4 mile drive off of the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina will lead you to The Cradle of Forestry.

Blue Ridge Parkway views

This American Heritage Site is the location of the first School of Forestry in the United States. The Biltmore Forest School was founded in 1898 by Dr. Carl A. Schenck on the property of Biltmore Estate owned by George W. Vanderbilt.

The location in the Southern Appalachian Mountains was perfect for Dr. Schenck to operate his “practical forestry” school. A native of Germany, he believed that a hands on approach paired with classroom learning was the best way to create knowledgeable foresters. The US Forest Service and The Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association jointly manage the 6500 acre historic site.

Forest Discovery Center

Biltmore Campus Trail

A historic 1 mile paved trail that has many original buildings to the Biltmore Forest School.

The trail includes a tunnel under the road above.

Cradle of Forestry-7

The Ranger’s Dwelling constructed in 1882 housed Vanderbilts rangers and 8 forestry students.

Peaceful paved trail

Golden ragwort

Rock House Creek Lodge and Cantrell Creek Lodge are two Black Forest Lodges. These lodges are post and beam construction and built imitating the architecture of Germany’s Black Forest lodges.

Rock House Creek Lodge

Cantrell Creek Lodge

Interior of Cantrell Creek Lodge

The Forest Festival Trail

A peaceful trail with the sounds and smells of a vibrant forest with active study sites.

On the way to the trail you pass the Moon Tree. The seed for this tree orbited the moon in 1971 with astronaut Stuart Roosa, a former Forest Service smoke jumper.

asasa

Peaceful pond and retaining area.

Life and decay!

Forest of beauty

A trial area to see what grows best.

Pink flags mark newly planted trees.

A 1914 Climax logging locomotive was restored and brought to the site to teach about the logging industry.

Unfortunately, the school closed in 1913.

Cradle of Forestry-25

After a morning of exploring, I was off to Victoria Valley Vineyards in Cleveland, South Carolina. This European styled vineyard and “chateau” is a perfect place to relax and enjoy some wine.

Victoria Valley Vineyard-9

European styled “chateau” awaits you

Unique flights for wine tasting.

Stunning interior in the tasting room

Unique wine tasting flights. Stunning tasting room!

Beautiful views from the outdoor patio.

To create your own forest adventure, check out http://www.cradleofforestry.com

Head to http://www.victoriavalleyvineyards.com to plan your next outing.

Where the River Floods

South Carolina’s first and only National Park is an amazing adventure. Congaree was named a National Monument in 1976 and then a National Park in 2003. It is also a National Natural Landmark, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Globally Important Bird Area. This floodplain forest is flooded approximately 10 times a year by the Congaree River and has several of the tallest bald cypress trees in the world. You can walk the wooden boardwalk trail, which can be flooded at different times of the year, hike trails, or go canoeing or kayaking. Which ever you choose you are in for a magical and mystical exploration.

Congaree 2-6