Grandfather Mountain Transfer Begins

Bills to formally authorize Grandfather Mountain State Park, setting the stage for creation of North Carolina's newest park alongside the famous attraction, have been introduced in both houses of the N.C. General Assembly, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Approval would formally name the new state park and allow the state parks system to designate as park land 2,456 acres to be purchased from the Morton family, according to a release from the state.

An agreement for the state to purchase the undeveloped, backcountry portion of Grandfather Mountain was announced in September. Funding for the $12 million acquisition will come equally from the Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds.

Meanwhile, the transition period means a new policy for hiking permits to Grandfather Mountain's trails. Currently, hikers wishing to access trails from the off-mountain trailheads will need to purchase a day hiking permit from the Grandfather Mountain ticket gate. Trails with off-mountain trailheads include the Profile Trail with access from Hwy 105 and the Boone Fork Trail with access from the Blue Ridge Parkway. After the sale of land to the State, no hiking permits will be required to access these properties from off-mountain trailheads.

The new hiking permit policy is only going to affect those hikers wishing to access trails from off-mountain sites. Visitors to Grandfather Mountain that wish to explore its extensive network of back-country trails from within the park can still do so by paying the general admission price of $14.

For 2009 all trails will continue to be maintained and monitored by Grandfather Mountain staff and state rangers.

Winter Color

Now that we've been through two months of winter, this is the time of year when people get a little anxious for a little more daylight, a little warmer weather, and a little spring color.

The daylight and weather parts we have to leave up to Mother Nature. But there is a place in Gaston County where you can get your fill of spring color, even in the midst of winter.

That place is the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, which features an 8,000 square-foot Orchid Conservatory. It is the only glass house in the Carolinas dedicated to raising orchids and other tropical plants. The conservatory is climate-controlled, so colorful blooms continue throughout the year. There's even a 16-foot high wall that is covered in orchids.

Of course, the rest of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is definitely worth seeing as well. There are ten acres of formal Italian-style gardens, and a series of events throughout the year... ranging from Spring Flowers and Mother's Day to 4th of July fireworks and Fall Butterflies. In 2008, the Garden began dressing up for Christmas, creating an amazing outdoor holiday display.

But if it's tropical color you crave in the dead of winter, the Orchid Conservatory has it in spades. Or is it flowers?

IKEA is coming!

According to local media reports, there are already people lining up for the grand opening of Charlotte's IKEA store, the first of the Swedish home furnishing chain to open in North Carolina and the 36th in the U.S.

The actual grand opening is Wednesday (February 18th) at 8:30am. Instead of a ribbon-cutting, officials are planning to do a traditional Swedish log-cutting ceremony to open the store.

The chain's web site says it is planning to 'do something special' for everyone on opening morning, not just the first few customers... so camping out is allowed, but not necessary.

The 356,000 square foot store will feature just about every furnishing imaginable except for toilets and bathtubs, all flat-packed and ready for assembly at home. It also features a 350-seat restaurant. Experts say if you come, wear comfortable shoes, bring a companion, and plan to spend a few hours.

The store is located on the northeast corner of Interstate 85 and City Boulevard in Charlotte.