Blowing Rock, North Carolina (NC) Vacation Homes Real Estate, Homes, Lots, Communities and Property

Therealestatehomeguide.com features North Carolina Vacation HomesHomes, Homesites, Property, Lots and Land for Sale.

Blowing Rock, NC sits like a crown jewel at the highest point of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Mountain. The village is North Carolina’s oldest travel destination since 1933 and has been a sanctuary long before throughout history. During the American Civil War Blowing Rock became the local refuge for families who were looking for a safe haven to escape fierce clashes between Union and Confederate supporters in the mountains of North Carolina. Native American peoples of the Catawba and Cherokee tribes roamed these lush forests and spectacular mountain cliffs before the mid-eighteenth century, when Scots-Irish settlers began to build their farmsteads in the area. Trappers, hunters and other settlers followed suit and arrived through the mountain passes from Virginia in the North as well as from Kentucky in the West. Access was arduous back then along narrow trails and rocky winding paths rising to steep elevations, however since the arrival of the automobile in the early 1900’s, roads were built and travelers flocked from far and near to enjoy the splendid scenery at Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

The name Blowing Rock stems from an old legend which describes how the upward blowing winds at this protruding rock formation have saved the lives of two desperate lovers. A Chickasaw Chieftain’s daughter - who had been brought to this hide-away location in the mountains by her father in order to avert the advances of her white suitor at their home in the plains – had subsequently fallen deeply in love with a brave young warrior of the Cherokee tribe. When her lover was eventually torn between his duty to return to his tribe and his promise not to leave his maiden, he leaped in despair off the immense cliff formation of Blowing Rock, which overhangs the Johns River Gorge at 4,000 feet above sea level. This geological gneiss formation with its craggy ridges and folds creates a unique atmospheric feature by forcing winds sweeping up from the gorge through a flume thereby funneling them into strong upward flowing gusts that can carry objects aloft and return them atop the cliff. The vertically upward blowing winds are said to have saved the warrior and his maiden, who according to some variations of the legend had reached out in an attempt to rescue him. The mysterious winds caught the Cherokee brave and deposited him safely into the arms of his maiden on top of the rock. He took this as a sign to remain with his true love. This meteorological phenomenon is known to produce a surprising visual spectacle of rain and snow rising upwards. Blowing Rock, NC is known to be the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.

Today Blowing Rock is one of North Carolina’s favorite tourist destinations, providing respite from the summer heat of the plains and attracting visitors from as far South as Florida as well as from all over the world. Exquisite Restaurants, quaint little coffee shops, chic Boutiques, traditional Arts and Crafts stores, inviting Hotels and charming Inns line the winding road through the picturesque town of Blowing Rock. Winter skiing in this beautiful alpine setting provides fun and adventure for any type of winter sport enthusiast. A wide array of scenic landmarks, cultural attractions and festivals draw visitors to Blowing Rock all year round. The Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s favorite State Park Drive, and nearby Grandfather Mountain is the crowning pinnacle where scanning the vast mountain ranges with their dense forests and lush valleys deeply invokes the breathtaking feeling of being on top of the world. The cozy appeal and spectacular natural beauty of the surrounding has tempted many tourists to purchase summer homes or year round residences in the area of Blowing Rock, North Carolina.