LOVE is still on a roll at Ponder Cove

The past four couples have either gotten engaged or married while visiting us here at Ponder Cove.  Melissa and Adam came up from the Bungalow just this morning to announce their engagement. It looks to me like we are the  destination for your romantic getaway. So gals….grab those guys and I’ll blast the Beyonce…”if you like it then put a ring on it..uh uh oh..uh uh oh”.

xxoom

I thought just the flowers were blooming…HECK NO…it’s LOVE. You won’t believe this bit of serendipity. Ok….I obviously knew John and Alexa were tying the knot on Friday at the Cove as I was throwing the wedding.

Then Scott gives a call and makes a reservation letting the cat out of the bag that he was proposing to Christa just before their arrival.

Well, we got up on Sunday morning and the third couple in the house…Brent and Ashley come down all beaming with news. He had just proposed to Ashley. Now how is that for a coincidence not to mention a wonderful story for me to tell.

So, Gary and I along with the Ponder Cove posse wish you the best of everything in your coming years together. xxoom

Congrats to Alexa and John

Oh my …did we have fun yesterday. It was our privilege to help tie the knot for Alexa and John. The bride looked divine in her  chiffon gown with v neck. The bodice of the dress was accented by a cummerbund giving the effect of an empire waist. Accessorized by a hat redesigned from one of her moms with pearls encased within the veil to set off the lovely strand around her neck.

The groom wore a stunning black suit. But I must say he was a bit upstaged by his groomsmen Shadow and Odin. As the “boys” preferred black tie for such a momentous occasion.

Martha Abraham
Ponder Cove Wedding Editor
Access John and Alexa’s photo album

Meet John, Karen and Dexter, the perfect mountain vacationers. They did not miss a trick while visiting and marveled at our mountains and all the fun offered. Check out their itinerary as you plan your next visit.

Day 1) First night they grabbed dinner at Stony Knob after a long days drive.

Day 2) Laurel River hike, Max Patch, a swing into Asheville where Karen  discovered the key-lime pie truffles from Chocolate Fetish , Dinner Carmels

Day 3) Horseback riding at Sandy Bottom.  They loved it….couldn’t believe our mountain vistas.  Came home picked up Dexter and dined at Blue Mountain.

Day 4) A day on the French Broad with Blue Heron Whitewater. Dexter again waited patiently but it was worth the wait. He knew he was joining them at Salsas, one of the many pet friendly restaurant choices.

Day 5) The Biltmore, the Blue Ridge Parkway and a wonderful trip up to Mt. Mitchell to  take in the Sunset and a swing by Weaverville for one more Blue Mountain Pizza.

What did they miss you ask…perhaps an eclair from Well-Bred. NOPE…They did that too and agreed SCRUMPTIOUS indeed.  Shopping at TOPS… Did you really think a lady would leave town without a new pair of shoes?

It was a pleasure watching them enjoy every morsel offered by Western North Carolina. Through new eyes I am always reminded of my luck. I live here. Come visit and let me show you.

Till then,
Martha and her Ponder Cove posse

Fun and Free

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to have a good time for your mountain getaway.  Why not look at this as your green vacation.  That’s right. You are going to enjoy the green of the mountains and save some green at the same time.  Check out all the “funness” you can have and save a dime at the same time.

YANCEY COUNTY is a great place to start. Check out the Ranger Station in Burnsville to gather a load of information outlining all of the great trails in Yancey and Mitchell County and Burnsville is the cutest town…not to mention…can you eat a hubcap burger? I will tell you where to get one. FREE!

PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT is just up the road a piece.  This wonderful treasure dates back to 1920 as a national center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives.  It is a wonderful experience to wander through the studios and gallery on this amazing knoll deep in our hills.  FREE!

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY is as green as you can get and it definitely doesn’t cost a dime.  Considered one of the top ten drives in the nation you will find breath-taking vistas.  Don’t just drive…stop and take in one or two of the trails.  We will even share our favorite ….SKINNY DIP FALLS. FREE!

MOUNT MITCHELL is the highest point on the east coast.  Most people think it is Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, but not so.  Meet up with the Blue Ridge Parkway and let it take you to this wonderful spot for the sheer pleasure of taking in these magnificent views. FREE!

WATERFALLS are a delight in North Carolina. Most are south of us but we are lucky to have Looking Glass Falls and Linville Falls within an hour’s drive.  This drive will take you into Mitchell County and more exploration of these hills. FREE!

MADISON COUNTY is our county and one of the most rural of the counties in close proximity to Asheville.  We are still lush with amazing country landscapes.  We can provide you with a our little map of drives and send you on your way to soak up some local color. FREE!

MAX PATCH is my favorite spot in all of Western North Carolina.  You will not believe the gorgeous vistas all the way to Tennessee.  You know the scene in The Sound of Music where Julie Andrews sings “The Hills are Alive”…..well, you would swear they filmed that scene right at the top of this incredible natural bald …AWESOME!  FREE!

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC is alive and rich in these mountains.  Right here in Madison County you can appreciate our new tradition of enjoying Bobby Hicks every Thursday night at ZUMA.  Of course there is the long standing tradition at the Depot on Fridays.  FREE!

FESTIVALS, so many you can’t keep up.  Belle Chere, L.E.A.F, and more.  FREE!

BOTANICAL GARDENS are a well kept secret here close by.  Part of the University of North Carolina, this hidden treasure boasts of 10 acres of native flora of the Southern Appalachians.

PONDER COVE……..or hang with us and do absolutely NOTHING!

Madison County has some hot stuff going on but nothing hotter than being the home of “Chicken on a Chain”. If you don’t believe me read ESPN’s article. It seems bull riding has become a rather large sport and we lay claim to its star.

The best story of all is the tale of how Madison County’s infamous celebrity got his name. As Jamey Bergman explains in his article….The bull, The Myth, The Legend from ESPN.com…There’s more to Chicken than his bucking — “that bull has a special quality which is hard to pin down. He’s just so big — he’s just a freak, He’s got the name and he’s got the look”.

“Every hero has their genesis myth, and for Chicken, that X-factor might lie somewhere in his name. Whereas in Greek mythology Athena sprang fully formed from Zeus’ forehead, in cowboy lore, Chicken on a Chain got his start by springing free of his pen.”

But much to his chagrin when he got out and he got tangled up with some fighting roosters and one of those roosters with a chain got caught on his leg. It took them three or four days before they caught him.

And on that day, the legend was born: Chicken on a Chain.

I have been watching these dirty birds all day and dang they won’t fly away.

Cute I must admit, watching mom come and go. But these little critters are as big as she is and it is time to fly the coop. They are nestled under the roof of the Max Patch room making a terrible mess.

Asheville area mountains are tops for bird watching. Between the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chimney Rock, and the NC Arboretum you will definitely have a “bird’s eye view” of the birds. But the best by far is right here at Ponder Cove. Come and see us.

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Finally got all the herbs and veggies in….on top of every herb imaginable I have 5 different tomatoes, yellow squash, zuccini, cucumbers, melons and a pumpkin patch. Now realize we are city farmers. So we could end up with nothing…but heh…we had some fun.

Not to mention so did Buck. My friend Mel told me to put powdered milk in the soil at the base of my tomatoes for stronger stalks. Buck dug them all up and ate the milk…..the little creep. All is back in the ground…wish me luck.

Paula and Clay Tie the Knot

Is this not the most scrumptious couple. We had a ball watching these two, seal the deal. There was no denying the thrill of it all. We wish them well and can’t wait to see these two again. If you want to share in their big day enjoy their pics. We love you two. xxoo