Hi Bum....Don't tell me you live in NC and have never visited the mountains!!!!?? It's beautiful there! 1 of my GF's moved to NC from Fl and I picked her up and she came to the mountains w/ me...OMG! We had lots of laughs...she had never been there either....we had lunch in Blowing Rock and I was shocked that I had to drive down Main St 3 times before I found a parking spot....there is alot going on there all year round! I even got to see snow and trust me....after living in Fl for over 20 years...it was a thrill! Annie