Black Mountain; The perfect Blend of Nostalgia and Innovation

Ahh, Black Mountain. What can I say? This sweet little mountain town has me swooning! Each time I go up to visit, I am filled with a rare and palpable resonance of warmth and intrigue. With a deep-rooted appreciation of its mountain heritage and community wide indulgence of the arts, this little town invites nostalgia of the sweetest kind. 

A walk through Black Mountain gives me that old timey feeling. Especially when I cross over the (still functional) railroad or stop to rock with my baby on one of the painted rocking chairs scattered around downtown. With a satisfying mix of high mountain sunlight and a cool valley breeze, afternoons in Black Mountain hold a special tone for me. A visit here always charms my heart, filling me with a sentimentality that sounds like hammer dulcimers and tastes like freshly made, spiced apple cider. Forget chicken soup - this town is biscuits and marmalade for the soul!

But Black Mountain is more than dreamy aesthetics and charm- 

Back in the 1930s, some of the town's visionary pioneers created Black Mountain College, an institute committed to exploring new ways of education with its “learning by doing” approach. Teachers and students were equal and each lesson was experimental, democratic and always centered in artistic expression. Their progressive approach was a bit revolutionary for the times, and its radical dedication to creativity continues to echo through the heart beat of the town. 

To this day you will find scholars, poets, painters, potters, story tellers, musicians and philosophers alike wandering the town and weaving art into their daily living. Me, I’m a generally curious person and I LOVE to open my mind with unique perspectives and new stories. In this town, I am almost eager to stand in that insanely long line at The Dripolater and strike up a conversation with a local (while  shameslessly eyeing their drool-worthy pastries). More often than not, I walk out of there, perfectly caffeinated, and with a little nugget of wisdom, history or perspective that I get to mull over for a while.   

You can feel the obvious community pride and creative impulse that drives the town when you visit its unique shops. Almost every store in Black Mountain is locally owned and features some crafts, art, home goods or products made by local residents. The entrepreneur spirit here is strong, which, as an entrepreneur myself, I have a deep respect for.   

My family and I are nature lovers, above all. So Black Mountain is an all around good day trip destination for whatever mood we’re in. Turn in any direction and there's a trailhead somewhere down the road. One of our favorite hikes are up in Montreat. It’s a summer haven, tucked within rhododendrons and pines with a crystalline river coursing beside us as we climb. It's pure magic up there! And my kids, well, they love to be monkeys up at Robert Lake Park. In a modern world filled with plastic and metal, the rustic feel of their wooden jungle gym is very refreshing. And again, another throwback kind of feeling.

So whether you’re an artist, a nature lover, or an entreprenuer - Black Mountain’s got a little something to make anyone feel at home. Not just another tourist destination, but a pretty magical place to live as well. Where the past dances gracefully with the present, and the bonds of community are as strong and vibrant as the mountains that surround it! Moving in or just coming for a visit, the result is the same; Black Mountain is going to make an imprint on your heart.