It's almost fall color time here in the NC mountains!<< MORE >>

Summer in the Mountains

Summer here in the mountains of North Carolina is usually cool at night and warm during the day.  But this year, is has been hot during the day and warm at night.  Boy, have those of us who wear fur coats really sufferred!  The good thing is that we get to go out in the woods and wade in those cool creeks up here in the mountains!  Check out these photos of my family and I playing in the water.  
 
                                

Water is really essential for us on these hot days.  Oh, and by the way,  you wear shoes, but I don't and that asphalt pavement is really, really hot!  I really appreciate not having to walk on those parking lots or cement sidewalks for very long.  The Best Western has a big grassy area that is perfect for walks and play. 

Speaking of heat, it gets really hot inside a car too.  I've heard that the temperature can get well over a hundred degrees in less than 15 minutes - that's just too hot for anybody!  Please take us with you or make arrangements so that we don't die from the heat (or get sick either).

July 4th was really great!  There were bunches of people, great food, and a lot of fun entertainment.  If you didn't get here, you really missed a wonderful event.  We have lots of festivals in the area coming up - it's a great time to come visit the mountains of Western North Carolina.  The next one is on Sept 4th - the annual Heritage Day Festival.  There is lots to do, from great food to music, to historic tours and of course lots of great crafts from our local artisans.

Not all hotels in Murphy are pet friendly, but I really look forward to seeing other critters come to visit the Best Western.  I usually keep some treats under the counter for our four legged visitors.  I am looking forward to fall.  I am sure that you will be amazed at all the colors that show up in these mountains.  I really enjoy digging in the leaves to see what is underneath.  I am sure that you and your pet would really enjoy a hike through the mountains this fall.  Speaking of hiking, the Best Western has some great package deals for hiking, biking, driving, and rafting.  All of them include all meals and all maps, books, fees, etc.  You need to call the hotel and ask about the adventure packages - I think you will be surprised at what all is offered. 

   

Well, I guess it's about time for my nap - you know a girl needs her beauty sleep!  (I must be really beautiful since I sleep at least 18 hours a day!)

What a couple of weeks here at the Murphy Best Western!

The B.A.B.E. (Big Apple 2 Big Easy) rally got here (well most of them did anyway) in pretty good shape.  This is a really fun group of people that buy a junk car for less than $500, fix it up to be road legal, and then drives it from New York to New Orleans, partying along the way.  The folks are really nice - they made sure that I got to share in the ham, hamburgers, and steaks they cooked in the parking lot.  I know I enjoyed it and I think they did also.  Mom got to sample the 'homemade apple juice' that came in the van - she said it was really smooth and tasted great.  I've got some pictures here of some of the cars.

            Aren't these a trip?

       

The "wrecks" left on the 10th and the Bikes got here on the 16th.  This group is called the Hard Chargers and they are prison guards and personnel from all over the country.  They have chapters all over the country and get together to go on awesome rides once a year.  This year, they stayed with us and saw some of the wonderful country around Murphy. 

Yesterday, they rode the Dragon (Deal's Gap) and today they were headed out to Cherokee and Maggie Valley.  They have been having a good time sitting around the pool at night and riding out during the day.   Best Western is motorcycle friendly and lots of bikers like to stay with us.   When I go out to walk around the hotel, the bikers all stop and pet me.  I like that, but I really don't like the loud noise when they fire up their engines.  I prefer to be inside my office when that happens.


         Heading out for the day!

Next week, we have a group called Heaven's Saints Motorcycle Ministry coming in.  They are a christian motorcycle group that does a prison ministry, toy runs, feeding the homeless, and other good works.  Their annual international rally is held in Murphy at the Peace Valley campground.  Our Best Western is the group's hotel for those who are not camping out.  We look forward to seeing them every year.  I'll post some pictures later, but for now, you can go to the website for some really great pics!

It is Hot, Hot, Hot here in Murphy this week.  I have trouble walking across the parking lot because the black asphalt gets too hot for my little feet, so my Mom carries me or makes sure I walk in the shade.  I hope other Moms and Dads think about the hot pavement and their dog's bare feet.  I will talk about how to help your pet travel in the heat on my next blog.

Got to go - Mom just "popped the top" of my lunch - I love these little cans of turkey and gravy with their pop tops - it makes it easy to get fed.

See you later.

Wow, I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted anything.  Well, a lot has happened around Murphy and the hotel.  The Snow and cold finally moved out, but left lots of rain behind.

I traveled to a couple of graduations - one for college and one for high school.  For me, it was pretty boring - just sitting there with nothing to do, but my Mom seemed to like watching her grandchildren graduate.  Then I got to go to a Bridal Shower - that was pretty fun- everyone wanted to talk to me and give me little treats.

The Ride-4-Life poker run was pretty successful - and the party at Doyle's was neat.  I had a little problem with a cute black pom who was flirting with me.  He got pretty insistent, but my friends held me out of reach until his Mom came and got him.  Boy, when you're as cute as I am, you just have to fight the fellas off!  

Memorial Day was really busy here.  We had lots of really nice bikers who came to ride the Dragon and take in some of the other, less known, great bike rides in the area.  That Tail of the Dragon is something else!  It has 318 curves in 11 miles!  Riders come from all over to be able to say that they "Tamed the Dragon."  But that isn't the only great ride around here.  We keep maps at the front desk and my Mom gives people directions to lots of other great areas to explore.

This weekend, I get to attend my first wedding.  That ought to be interesting.  Maybe I will get to sample some of the great food afterwards (but not at the event).

If you are wondering why I get to go to all these great events, it is because I am not just a pet, but a registered service dog.  I keep an eye on Mom and let her know when she is about to get into trouble medically.  I like my job because I can help her and go to all these neat places that most dogs never get to even think about.  One day I will talk all about service dogs.

Next Wednesday, the B.A.B.E. rally will be in town.  BABE stands for "Big Apple to Big Easy" and is a road rally like no other.  The vehicles cannot cost more than $500 original purchase price.  That means they are pretty much "clunkers."  Then people spend lots of money fixing them up, decorating them, and otherwise making them road worthy.  The group leaves New York City and makes their way across the country earning points along the way.  Here are a few pictures from last year.....

       

Some of the cars get really wild.  Wish you could see them!

We have put together some really neat package deals for the summer.  There are combination Hiking, Biking, and Rafting deals that include all meals, lodging, rentals & fees.  Call the hotel to see what all is available.

Well, got to go now - will try to get the paws back in gear to post more often.

I want to share who my family is with you all today. << MORE >>

Snow, snow, snow!   It snowed again yesterday here in Murphy, NC.  The flakes were just huge and stuck to my face when I went outside.  The good thing is that it didn't seem to stick to the ground very much.  In fact, today it is supposed to get up to almost 70!  What a year for weather it has been.




What's happening around Murphy?  Well, Saturday was the Empty Bowls meal at the John C Campbell Folk School.  That's where local potters make beautiful bowls and people buy tickets for $25 to get a great meal of soup and bread at the Folk School.  Then they get to pick out a bowl to take home with them.  All the money raised goes to local food banks to help feed the hungry folks around here.  If you missed it this year, make plans for next year - it's really a great outing and a greater cause.

Saturday was also the Bridal and Special Events Fair at the Macguire Mill Race Farm.  I got to go and show people all about the Best Western hotel in Murphy.  The Business Women of Cherokee County put on a fashion show of the pretty dresses at the Princess Closet.  That's another great project.  Girls who cannot afford to buy a dress for their prom can pick one out from the Princess Closet and, for only a $30 deposit, can be outfitted with a beautiful gown, shoes, and jewelry to wear to the event.  

Sassy's did a fashion display of the new trends in Spring clothing and ended with a really neat wedding gown.  There were displays by photographers, cake makers, event organizers, retreats, clothiers, intimate apparal retailers, and lots of good information.  There was lots of great food displayed and sampled.  George's Butcher Shop had smoked ribs, chicken, and pulled pork and Macguire's Mill Race Farm had some of the best lasgna, rolls, and turky dressing casserole to sample.  That, combined with the candy and cake samples made for a great day.  It's just too bad that all I am allowed to do is look, I don't get to sample.  The whole event was organized by a team called "Bosom Buddies" from the Relay For Life.  All the money raised goes to the American Cancer Association to fight cancer.

I supervised the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Biz2Biz on Thursday.  Lots of the Chamber members get together to see what is going on and to network with each other.  This time it was at Highland Realty on US 64.  I met some really nice people and helped greet people as they came in the door.

The local Farmers Market will be opening on Saturday, April 3rd in the pocket square downtown Murphy.  My people have participated in that for years selling local, free range eggs.  I am going to try to go some this year.  It should really be fun to see what all is grown and made around the area.

As always, wish you were here!

Did you know that people play poker by riding their motorcycles around the countryside? Check out the Ride 4 Life Poker Run.<< MORE >>

Wow, I can't believe a whole week has gone by since I posted.  We went to Chattanooga on Friday.  Since the road through the Ocoee gorge is closed for a rock slide, we went south through Ellijay and up across Fort mountain to Chatsworth.  There was still 6 inches of snow on top of the mountain!  On our way back, we came through Cleveland and went north to get around the gorge.  There are definitely some curvy roads through these mountains.

Murphy has had some nice weather this last week - up into the upper 60s and sunny.  It has been great for getting outdoors and into the woods.  The trees are already putting on buds and the birds are starting to come back from their winter vacation spots. Boy, do I love barking a welcome to the birds in the yard.

We are having a special price for March 21 - 28.  If you mention the "Blog Special", you will get an extra 10% discount on your pet friendly rate.

Looking forward to seeing you then!

I can't believe that the sun is actually shining!  I was beginning to feel as if it had gone forever into the land of snow, ice, and rain.

Today is a slow day around here.  I guess people are holding back on traveling until the weather is more stable.  Well, have I got news for them!  This weekend is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous!  The temperatures are going up into the 60s and the sun is hanging around for a bit.  What a great time to go hiking with your dog.

Speaking about hiking with your best friend, here are a few tips for you humans.  Please remember to take water for your canine friend as well as for yourself.  We get thirsty and a bowl of water really does feel good after a long climb up the mountain.  You might also want to think about bringing a towel or cloth to dry Fido off after a stream crossing - the temperatures are still a bit cool to air dry.  Snacks for both should be included when packing up - keeping the energy up helps make the day more fun.

Remember that the Best Western in Murphy takes pets up to 50 lbs.  Of course there is a fee that is based on size, but it is well worth it to have a nice, warm, clean room to crash in after the day's activities.  I look forward to meeting you and giving you the low down on all the neat smells around the grounds.

Looking forward to seeing you in Murphy this weekend!

I went out this morning to inspect the yard and came in all wet from rain.  By the time I went out to the car to go to work, I got covered in the biggest flakes of snow you ever saw!  Some of them were as almost as big as the top of my dog food can.  Getting to work was a bit scary 'cause I couldn't really see to navigate with all those big snow flakes hitting the window.


           

It was really pretty at the hotel with all the big trees covered in snow, but I really don't like getting my feet cold and wet when I patrol the grounds.  By late afternoon it had all melted and turned into one big puddle.  I think it is supposed to snow again later tonight after it gets colder.

Too bad you aren't here to see all this - I bet you would really like it!

Talk to you later......