5 minute read
A MYSTICAL LEGEND
An Intriguing, Mystical Legend
THE BLOWING ROCK FEATURES GORGEOUS VIEWS AND MORE
By G. CLEVELAND KILGORE
The Blowing Rock, located along the Blue Ridge in Western North Carolina – near the town of Blowing Rock, NC – is both mystical and a phenomenal quirk of nature, and features gorgeous views tied to a long-held legend.
And it is definitely worth a visit.
According to legend, a young Native American brave, due to a conflict of loving a local young maiden versus returning to his homeland in the West, jumped from a distinct rock outcropping and disappeared into the gorge below.
The grief-stricken maiden prayed for many days to the Great Spirit for her love’s return – until one evening with a reddening sky, a gust of wind blew her lover back onto The Rock and into her arms.
The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff 4,000 ft. above sea level, overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 ft. below. The phenomenon is so called because the rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the northwest wind sweeps with such force that it returns light objects cast over the void.
The current of air flowing upward from The Rock prompted the Ripley’s “Believe-It-Or-Not” cartoon about “the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.” And from the cliffs, it’s almost as if you can see forever.
“The views are second to none,” said Charlie Sellers, whose family started The Blowing Rock tourist attraction in 1933. He noted that visible from down the gorge to the southwest are Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock – and to the west are Grandfather Mountain (the highest peak in the Blue Ridge) and Mount Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Mississippi).
The Legend of
The Blowing Rock
‘It is said that a Chickasaw chieftain, fearful of a white man’s admiration for his lovely daughter, journeyed far from the plains to bring her to The Blowing Rock and the care of a squaw mother.
One day the maiden, daydreaming on the craggy cliff, spied a Cherokee brave wandering in the wilderness below and playfully shot an arrow in his direction. The flirtation worked, because he soon appeared before her wigwam, courted her with songs of his land and they became lovers – wandering the pathless woodlands and along crystal streams.
One day a strange reddening of the sky brought the brave and the maiden to The Blowing Rock. To him it was a sign of trouble commanding his return to his tribe in the plains. With the maiden’s entreaties not to leave her, the brave – torn by conflict of duty and heart – leaped from The Rock into the wilderness far below.
The grief-stricken maiden prayed daily to the Great Spirit until one evening with a reddening sky, a gust of wind blew her lover back onto The Rock and into her arms. From that day, a perpetual wind has blown up onto The Rock from the valley below.
For people of other days, at least, this was explanation enough for The Blowing Rock’s mysterious winds, which at times cause even the snow to fall upside down.’
This information courtesy of The Blowing Rock – open year-round near Blowing Rock, NC; for more information, call 828-295-7111 or visit theblowingrock.com.
The Blowing Rock attraction is not only
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But The Blowing Rock attraction is not just the legendary rock and the sweeping views. In addition to the abundant photography opportunities of the high-country views and The Blowing Rock itself, visitors can enjoy a lot more, including:
n A half-mile nature trail and other walkways. n An observation tower, for even more views. n A picnic area. n Beautiful gardens and grounds throughout the attraction. n A new Waterfall Garden. n A well-stocked snack bar. n And a gift shop filled with local and regional handicrafts, souvenirs, and gifts. n A historical photograph gallery and museum, with history of the area and local attractions.
919 INSIDER TIP
Grover and Lena are The Blowing Rocks’ resident pet felines. Named in honor of the attraction’s founder and his wife, the cats have their own room with computer, television and litter box – and regularly greet visitors.
In fact, The Blowing Rock grounds are “critter friendly”. Leashed pets are welcome to join their human families during visits to The Blowing Rock grounds – except during special events (and dogs must be friendly with children, cats and other dogs).
The grounds are 70 percent handicap accessible – and leashed, well-behaved dogs are acceptable. And a spacious annex is available for special events, such as weddings, meetings or reunions.
Obviously, there is plenty to keep visitors of all ages busy and intrigued by both the mysticism of The Blowing Rock and the beauty of the Blue Ridge – and, if they’re lucky, they might even see it snowing upside down.
The Blowing Rock is located at 432 The Rock Road in Blowing Rock, NC. For more information, call 828-295-7111 or visit theblowingrock.com.
THE BLOWING ROCK
OPENING DATE: 1933 LOCATION: 432 The Rock Road, Blowing Rock, NC HOURS: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., April-Oct SUMMER COST: April-Nov (Thanksgiving) – Adults (age 13-up), $9; students with ID, $8; Seniors/Military, $7; children (age 5-12), $3; children (under 5), free * WINTER COST: Nov-Mar – Adults (age 13-up), $7; Seniors/Military, $6; children (age 5-12), $2; children (under 5), free ATTRACTIONS: Spectacular views; historic photo gallery; souvenirs and gifts; Garden Waterfall; Observation Tower; new Nature Trail; Picnic Area; Snack Bar; and more ALSO: Grounds are 70% handicap accessible; pets on leash acceptable; gorge view annex available for special events ADDRESS: 432 Rock Road, Blowing Rock NC PHONE: 828-295-7111 INFO: theblowingrock.com * Tour and school group rates available 919 Magazine Photos
