Wildflowers!

Judy & Robert Hotchkiss, innkeepers

A great vacation is just a short trip away. .. so close

and yet, so far!

Come enjoy it.

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Tuesdays and Saturdays in Season: Mountain City Farmer's Market, off Hwy.167, near Hwy. 421 at Shouns Crossing/ Mountain City

Fridays
Mountain Jam at the Todd (NC) General Store, 7 p.m. bring instruments, 336-877-1067- Country Music Jam, gospel sing and more jam session. Bring instruments or come and watch.

Mountain Jam at the Johnson County/Mountain City Rec. Center, College Street, behind Sheriff’s Department building, 6-10 p.m.

Auction – Mountain City, TN, area – Hwy. 421 south of Roan Valley Estates Golf Course and Maymead gravel plant, on left, 7 p.m. (open all year). Also small building beside gravel plant, same days, hours (newer things).

Saturdays

Live music in the pavilion at Trade Mill Park (6 pm) in season

Watauga Farmers Market at Horn of the West, Boone, NC, 8-noon, beginning in May. Runs through September. Flowers, plants, baked goods, fruits and vegetables, hand crafted items. Next to Daniel Boone Gardens (may be toured).

Mountain Music Jamboree at Burgess Barn in Laurel Springs, NC, 7-11, 800-233-1505

Foscoe Flea Market - Hidden Valley Antique Mall, Foscoe, NC, 828-963-7450

Weekend Flea Markets - Elizabethton, TN, just 30 miles from the inn. Saturdays.

Unscheduled
Birding Trips with Adventure Damascus, Va. (888-595-2453). Call for details.

Butterfly and Birding Trips, rural hay rides, by appointment, Shady Grove Gardens, Vilas, NC

828-297-4098 www.shady-grove-gardens.com

Mountain Jam at the Johnson County/Mountain City Rec. Center, College Street, behind Sheriff’s Department building, Fridays from 6-10 p.m.

Birding Walk – Valle Crucis (NC) Unity Park, mornings, 828-265-0198 Watauga Farmers Market, Horn of the West in Boone, NC, 8-noon, summer only.

Auction House – Mountain City, TN, area – Hwy. 421 south of RedTail Mountain Golf Course and Maymead gravel plant, on left, Fridays at 7 p.m. (open all year). Also small building beside gravel plant, same days, hours (newer things).

- Always phone ahead. Inn is not responsible for vendor changes in schedules.

Great Things to Do Near Prospect Hill
Bed & Breakfast and A Cottage in the Woods

   In NE Tennessee, Southwest Virginia  and High Country/Boone, NC

Click on topic to quickly move to information down the page:

Appalachian Trail | Birding | Biking | Boating |Boone/Banner Elk/Blowing Rock, NC |Cherokee National Forest | Christmas Trees & Holidays |Elopements & Weddings | Festivals | Fishing | Fossils | Grandfather Mountain | Golf | History |Horseback Riding |Massages | Motorcycling | Mountain scenery | NASCAR at Bristol | Trade Mill/Historic |Retirement real estate | Shopping | Theater & Regional Entertainment |Virginia Creeper Trail | Watauga Lake | Whitewater | Wildflowers and Plant Nurseries | Wineries | Winter sports/Skiing | Weddings in Tennessee | Waterfalls | Wildflowers

    A great selection of activities in three states. Use our list below to help plan your vacation, getaway, anniversary trip or honeymoon (even your wedding).

Birding	Biking	Boating/Tours	Elopements	Fishing	Golf
History	Hiking	Holidays & Christmas trees	Horseback Riding	Race Driving / NASCAR	Theatre
Other Activities Relaxation	Winery Tours	Wildflowers	Whitewater	Destination Weddings	Winter sports
Local festivals	Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk	Quilt Trail	Born to Ride Motorcycles!	Shopping	History/old mill

Birding
Bird watching in the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia offers a rare treat. Because of elevation changes from low valleys to the mountain tops, you can view birds that would normally range from southern Georgia to Canada all within a few miles. Any season gives you an abundance of birds to see. Migrations of birds in the spring and fall through the mountains offers another excellent chance to see species passing through.

Birding Trips with Adventure — Damascus, VA — 888-595-2453 Call for details.

Biking & The Virginia Creeper Trail
Virginia Creeper Trail is a multiple-use National Recreation Trail connecting Abingdon, VA, with the Virginia-North Carolina state line approximately one mile east of Whitetop Station, VA. Inn guests usually start their trail experience in Damascus, VA, just 17miles from the inn.   Here's a list of all five outfitters who rent bikes and transportation to the top of the virginia Creeper Trail. Outfitters

Trail info: for a great place to rent bikes, ride/coast downhill and see great scenery and then some. INFO

Blue Blaze Bicycle & Shuttle Service — 226 W. Laurel Ave., Damascus, VA — 800-475-5095 or 276-475-5095
Blue Blaze offers bike rental and shuttle service for the Virginia Creeper Trail--an enjoyable rails to trails just 17 miles from the inn.   List of all five outfitters in Damascus. Outfitters

Adventure Damascus Bicycles
Damascus -- Full service bicycle dealer and largest bicycle rental and shuttle facility on the trail (serving Damascus, Abingdon, Whitetop and all stops in between). Fat-seat comfort rental bikes. 128 West Laurel Ave, 888-595-BIKE.
www.adventuredamascus.com

SunDog Outfitter
Damascus -- Full service outfitter for the Creeper Trail and the Appalachian Trail. Bicycle rentals and shuttles year round. Camping, Hiking, and Cycling gear for novice to enthusiast. Maps, advice, and info. 331 Douglas Drive, 866-515-3441.
www.sundogoutfitter.com

Born to Ride - Motorcycles

The nearby (1/4 mile) Striped Snake is an incredible over-mountain ride. And there are nearly a dozen fabulous rides in our region. Check out the Johnson City Chamber's site (NOT to be confused with the Johnson COUNTY Chamber which serves Mountain City directly). Ride The Snake road, Route labeled #1.

Fishing

Appalachian Angling Adventures - Owned and operated by Thomas Moore, a native of East Tennessee and a resident of Kingsport, you will be guided by an accomplished fly fisherman with over 20 years of experience. This region's rivers and lakes have been his passion for the past 13 years. Thomas has spent countless hours studying and getting to know the area waters so he can help anglers of various skill levels catch quality fish! Contact him directly to set up your schedule while using Prospect Hill as your home base (many prime waters are a drive of 20 minutes or just a little more.  423-323-9454 or 423-967-4053  appalachiananglingadventures@embarqmail.com

Foscoe Fishing Company & Outfitters — Half and full day wade trips and full day float trips.
9400 NC Hwy. 105 S., Foscoe, NC — 828-963-6556
Not listed on the site: The full day float trips ($300/1 person/$400/2 persons) is in Tennessee and requires a 3-day Tennessee fishing license ( approx. $33.50). Use the other two days for stream and lake fishing while staying at the inn.

Picture yourself standing mid-stream watching a fish softly sipping from the surface.... Troutfishers Guide Service, (423) 360-1468, fishwithrandy@embarqmail.com

Boating/Tours
Watauga Lake (pictured right, photo byChuck Eckstadt ) is only 20 miles away and offers boating and lakeside enjoyment. It has the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River. It has the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River. Watauga Reservoir is arguably the most scenic in the Tennessee River watershed. It offers access to the Appalachian Trail. Below Watauga Dam is a wildlife observation area where visitors have a chance to view unique species of waterfowl.

     Wilbur and Watauga Reservoirs are located almost three miles from each other on the Watauga River in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed. The reservoirs are surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and flanked by the Appalachian Mountains. Even in the dog days of summer, Wilbur and Watauga remain cool, with a constant breeze blowing through the Watauga River gorge.

Fish Springs Marina — 191 Fish Springs Road, Hampton, TN — 423-768-2336
Boat rentals all year, on Watauga Lake. Closest facility to the inn.

Lakeshore Marina — 2285 Highway 321, Hampton, TN — 423-725-2223 On Watauga Lake, 22 mi. from inn. Hourly and day rates, pontoon and ski boats. Always book ahead for weekends.

Watauga Lake Tours — 423-768-2548
Tours on a skippered pontoon boat (right), out of Fish Springs Marina.

Local Festivals

     Sunrise/Sunflower Festival:  Usually in July in Mountain City.  Mountain City's Pumpkin Festival - usually 2nd weekend in October  (Oct. 15-17, 2009), along with Wooly Worm Festival (and racing) in Banner Elk, NC. Cranberry Festival, Shady Valley, Johnson County, TN - October 9 & 10, 2009:  Friday 5-10 pm Bean Supper and Auction at Shady Valley Elementary School, Hwy. 133, near Hwy.421.

     The Cranberry Festival has been called the "Best Little Festival in Tennessee." Second weekend in October. On Saturday it is an all day event starting with a parade featuring the Pride of Johnson County Band, floats, clowns,and horses.The day long festivities at the school grounds include live country, gospel and bluegrass music; great festival food, local crafts, children's activities. Our autumn leaves and mountains make a beautiful setting for this festival which raises money for the WPA-era stone school (open for tour) and a scholarship fund. jcwc@highcountryonline.net 

Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, NC

     Entertainment is one of the hallmarks of the towns of Boone, NC, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock. From the Thursday late afternoon concerts at the Jones House in downtown Boone to the monthly arts festival in the park in Blowing Rock,there's lots to enjoy.

     Home of Appalachian State University, Boone hosts the Appalachian Summer Festival as well as championship sports teams. West King Street is home to Mast General Store (yes, you can find that candy you loved as a child in their huge candy shop!). Across the street are superior fine arts galleries, antique stores and shops of all kinds.

     Similarly, the towns of Blowing Rock and Banner Elk offer a wide selection of shops and restaurants. Prospect Hill's Day in North Carolina includes a visit to the original Mast General Store in Valle Cruces, NC, a stop at Grandfather Mountain, a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, shopping for fine crafts at the Moses Cone Mansion and dinner in Blowing Rock.

Grandfather Mountain

At over a mile high, you can see nearly to Charlotte. The mile-high suspension bridge tests your nerves. The small zoo of rescued native animals provides entertainment. Plan to hike some of the trails in this private Biosphere preserve, the only one in North America. A naturalist is on duty to teach about the native plants found only in these mountains. The mountain hosts the Highland Games in July and nature lovers all year round (except then the wind is too strong — clocked a few times at over 200 mph!) www.grandfather.com Location: Linville, NC.

Golf
Bring your golf clubs to a superior course with the best mountain views in the region: Red Tail Mountain Golf Course, formerly Roan Valley Golf Estates designed by Dan Maples, is on the edge of Mountain City, TN. The course features newly renovated greens with new challenges as does the steep grade on the back nine. An 18-hole, par 72 course with incredible mountain views. Greens and pro shop now open. Home lots now for sale. 423-727-0121. See the course, home sites and related activities.

Pet Care / Pets Welcome

     Your pet is welcome at our Cottage in the Woods; only service animals may stay at the inn.

Doggie day care is available in Damascus, Va (useful while you ride the Virginia Creeper Trail). Contact  info@appletreebnb.com  276-475-5261 .

     Staying at the inn in Mountain City? Valley View Kennels nearby offers boarding and day care facilities for dogs and cats. Kandy Clark has a climate-controlled facility with indoor and outdoor runs. Open 7 days. 423-727-7479.

Hiking
Our area offers a variety of hiking opportunities, from the world famous Appalachian Trail to hiking paths through state parks and some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see. Here are just a few of the hiking options:

As a very rural county, Johnson County surrounding Mountain City offers a wide selection of hiking trails as identified and mapped for you by the Johnson County Trails Committee. (map and trail info)

Rogers Ridge Trail Mountain City, TN (Hiking)
This trail runs along bald ridge tops, offering beautiful views all year long.

Mountain Scenery

It's beautiful around every corner! All the innkeepers to suggest wonderful, seasonal selections for hikes, drives and views.

Waterfalls

Amost every creek or river has a waterfall of some sort. Our private 45 acres in Pandora on Hwy.67 have--as part of the property--the falls where tom dooley was arrested (the start of what became his last days before justice was done). It's a very small waterfall.

Elsewhere:  the falls in the Cherokee National Forest at Backbone Rock, Hwy.133, southwest of Damascus, VA or NE of Shady Valley, TN. $2. Length of trail:  1 mile

Gentry Creek Falls, off hwy. 91, north of Mountain City and sotuh of Damascus, VA 

Iron Mountain Trail which adjoins our Cottage in the Woods.

Linville Falls, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, south of Grandfather Mountain

Other waterfalls in NC We are within 10 miles of the northwest corner of North Carolia

Southwest Virginia LINK is a photo album of waterfalls in the vicinity of Abingdon, VA.

Roan Mountain State Park in Roan Mountain, TN - 1015 Hwy 143
Roan Mountain, TN 37687 (423) 772-3303, Toll Free: (800) 250-8620

Roan Mountain grows the largest natural display of Catawba rhododendron in the world. Beautiful any season of the year, the gardens come into full bloom in mid-June.
The 2,104-acre park includes 6,285-foot Roan Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the eastern US. Atop the mountain is a 600-acre garden of rhododendron, in bloom late June (see ANNUAL EVENTS). Swimming pool; fishing. Nature trail. Cross-country skiing. Picnicking, playground, snack bar. [Rhododendrons shown at right.]

First you visit the Tennessee state park for Roan Mountain then you go on up to the top, which is in North Carolia. We are 1 hour from this park; Asheville is 2 hours. Good website, though:  LINK

Appalachian Trail
For great hiking, there's the Appalachian Trail in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Near the Summit of Mt. Rogers, you can sometimes see wild ponies grazing in high meadows. There are paths through wild flower beds, by small waterfalls and among rhododendron thickets (see at right).

Cherokee Forest

Other Activities

Autumn Only — Fall Leaf Changing — Come see the beauty of the Autumn in the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains. Generally changing in October, the russet and gold hues spread down the mountains surrounding our Inn. It's a season not to be missed.

Massage

BodyMind Dynamics-Therapeutic Massage by Michael Kopacka www.bodyminddynamics.com 423-727-6803 michael@bodyminddynamics.com. Just a short 2 miles from the inn at 2820 Hwy. 67 West, Mountain City. Please call ahead. Simultaneous couples massages available. 

Therapeutic Massage Rachel's Therapeutic Massage, 6262 Hwy. 91, Laurel Bloomery. Please call ahead 423-727-4288

Abgingdon, VA only 40 minutes away
The Barter Theater, shops, historic buildings and museums, Martha Washington Inn and The Tavern, both a good place for dinner, and several new shops:
Wines of Distinction located at 230 East Main Street http://winesofdistinctionva.com   276-623-0001
Hidden Memories located at 246 West Main Street http://hiddenmemoriesantiquesandart.com 276-628-5377

History

Trade Mill/Trade Days Festival - new grain mill run by water is now open most days. About 2 miles from the NC/TN line on Hwy. 421.   Trade Mill   

     Stretching across Doe River, Elizabethton's Covered Bridge is one of two such bridges in Tennessee.   Built in 1882, it is believed to be the oldest such bridge still in use by pedestrians. It spans the river for 134 feet, resting on earth and limestone abutments.

     Colonel Thomas Matson, who had engineered the elevated railroad tracks in New York City, designed the bridge and served as construction chief. The original structure was made entirely of wood; mainly mountain oak and white pine beams that were hauled down the steep slopes of the mountains by draft horses and mules, weatherboard of mountain poplar, and chestnut shingles cleaved by mallet. Hand forged steel spikes and hand threaded bolts fastened together the massive pieces of oak flooring. Termed an "engineering feat" and listed in the Historic Engineering Record, the Covered Bridge survived numerous floods, including the great flood of 1901, which destroyed all the other bridges in the county that crossed the Doe River. 

     Elizabethton. Covered Bridge Celebration (festival) - Mid-June, annually.

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Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area and Park

This park was built around a re-creation of historic Fort Watauga at the head of the shoals on the Watauga River by the Watauga Historical Association to preserve one of the few remaining sites of the early frontier. The Wataugans settled this land and proclaimed their independence in 1772, against the British Crown, Virginia and North Carolina. They built their fort to protect them against threats and attacks by the Indians.

     Today, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is used as a backdrop for one of Tennessee's longest running outdoor dramas "Liberty: The Saga of Sycamore Shoals," in it's 30th year - 2008 www.sycamoreshoals.org which runs each July.

The Wataugans and Indians (above)

Holiday Outings — Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
The Tennessee and North Carolina mountains are home to Fraser Firs and other types of Christmas Tree farms, offering cut your own outings to build lasting memories. Choose a cut tree or select your own, wreaths and roping, too.

Wintergreen Farm — 223 Waddell Road, Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee — 423-727-2593 Cut & Choose, Fresh trees and wereaths, dried wreaths, other plants.

What Fir! - between Mountain City and Boone. Free cider; watch wreath making, specialty items.
Bickerstaff Trees — 866 Hwy 18 South, Sparta, NC — 336-372-8866

Pre-Holiday Getaways - Prospect Hill is open all holidays.

Horseback Riding
     There are multiple options for horseback riding, including mountain trail rides, that are near Prospect Hill B7B Inn. The nearest is Dogwood Springs Ranch Horseback Trail Rides — Great fun. Reserve ahead — it takes over 2 hours to ready the horses. Located less than 15 minutes from the inn.info@dogwoodspringsranch.com 423-768-2050 

     Dutch Valley Stables — 4365 Hwy. 194 South, Valle Crucis, NC — 828-963-5399   http://www.dutchcreektrails.com  Trail rides, instructions, carriage rides.

Quilt Trail

Quilt trail - huge, colorful quilts (paint instead of fabric-) are attached to historically significant buildings throughout the region. To see the "trail" through Johnson County select QUILTS

Speedway in Lights
Enjoy the spectacular light show and actually drive on the track at Bristol Motor Speedway, nightly, now through the first week of January. The inn is about 50 minutes from the track.

Race Driving Training
     Have the need for speed or just want to ride along on the fastest half-mile track in the world at Bristol Motor Speedway? Then you can try out one of the race driving schools offering sessions from a half-day to multiple day training.

Racing Realities — 401-333-8500
Buck Baker Racing School — 800-529-2825
Richard Petty Driving Experience — 704-454-6277
(photo at right courtesy of the RPDE)
Fast Track Driving School — 704-455-1700
Dale Jarrett Driving Adventure — 704-489-8001

Retire to the Mountains

This is a great place for a second home or retirement relocation

Prudential Mountain Properties is there to help. Benchmark Realty Mountain City.

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Shopping
Mountain crafts, a 1900s country general store, modern outlet malls and much more are all within easy driving distance of the Inn. What ever you are looking for, you probably can find in Mountain City and the surrounding areas of Boone, Valley Crucis and Blowing Rock, NC; Damascus, VA, or Johnson City, TN.
(photo at top of page shows the In the Country Crafts shop in Damascus, VA)

Skiing and Winter Sports

Four ski slopes in nearby North Carolina to choose from. North Carolina Skiing  

White Water and Canoeing
There are good opportunities to enjoy white water rafting and canoe trips in the area.

Theatre
Heritage Hall Theatre 211 N. Church St., Mountain city, TN, in the School System building, behind the Library. 423-727-7444 (box office)
Live performances nearly every weekend: From Celtic to Bluegrass, plays to musicals. Check the brand new Heritage Hall Theatre website or answering machine for the current line up.

Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA Live performance theater, state theater of Virginia.

Wildflowers
Look around--they are everywhere, from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the side of the road. Special wildflower hikes by Shady Grove Gardens, www.shady-grove-gardens.com 828-297-4098

Wineries with Tasting Rooms
Abingdon Vineyard & Winery — 20530 Alvarado Rd, Abingdon, VA — 276-623-1255
Open March 15th to December 15th.

North Carolina Wineries (more to be added by Oct. 1st)
Alleghany County, NC
Thistle Meadow Winery — 102 Thistle Meadow, Laurel Springs, NC — 800-233-1505
Photo shows the Thistle Meadow Tasting Room at right

Surry County, NC
Shelton Vineyards — 286 Cabernet Lane, Dobson, NC — 336-366-4724
Stony Knoll Vineyard — 1143 Stony Knoll Road; Dobson, NC — 336-374-5752

Wilkes County, NC
Elkin Creek Vineyard - 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road, Elkin (Wilkes County) - 336.526.5119
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery - 450 Groce Road, Ronda (Wilkes County) - 336.835.9463

Yadkin County, NC
RagApple Lassie Vineyards — NC Hwy 67 at Rockford Rd, Boonville — 336-367-6000

Gray Fossil Site - Most Significant North American Finds, New Discoveries Often
     What is over 4.5 million years old and only 60 minutes from Prospect Hill B&B Inn?.... The East Tennessee State University and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum and Visitor Center at the Gray Fossil Site opened in the Tri-Cities region of East Tennessee, Aug. 31, 2007. The locals call it the Gray Fossil Site.

     It features colorful interactive exhibits, beautiful murals, and dioramas featuring examples of discoveries from the ancient dig discovered in the year 2000.

Tennessee state road crews discovered a five-acre site containing the fossilized remains of an entire ecosystem of plants and animals from the late Miocene period. With less than one percent of the site excavated to date,thousands of specimens have been recovered, including such large mammal species as the saber-toothed cat, short-faced bear, ground sloth, rhino, camel, shovel-tusked elephant, horse, red panda, Eurasian badger and the world’s largest collection of fossil tapirs. Other discoveries include numerous smaller mammals, as well as birds, reptiles, alligators, fish and amphibians.

The museum is located on State Route 75, about two miles west of the I-26 Gray Exit 13 (old Exit 42). The facility is open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Last tour of dig starts by 4 pm. 866-202-6223, www.grayfossilmuseum.org

Cherokee National Forest

Well over 50% of Johnson County, TN, (where Mountain City and Prospect Hill are located) is part of the Cherokee National Forest.  while the Smoky Mountains are the most famous park-within-a-park, the Cherokee includes some of the most rural parts of the Appalachian Trail, an astoundingly beautiful bunch of scenery and a multitude of outdoor activities from mountain top to lakeside.

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