Month: September 2023

From egg to caterpillar, and chrysalis to butterfly, the monarch has one of the most incredible migration stories in the animal kingdom. You may have seen a few of the orange and black-laced beauties around our grounds, floating from flower to flower under the magnificent blue skies of Lake Toxaway.

Monarch butterflies travel over 3,000 miles during their annual fall migration from Northern Canada to their overwintering locations in Southern Mexico and Californian coastline. The monarch is a symbol of spiritual ancestry in Mexico, as they return every fall during the celebration of Día De Los Muertos, remembering the family members that came before. They plant their eggs exclusively on milkweed, a decreasing biomass in many regions throughout the U.S. and Mexico due to over-logging and toxic herbicides. So, how can we help? Planting monarch-loving perennial flowers like milkweed ensures a healthy habitat for thriving butterfly populations.

Each fall season, the monarch graces our presence with colorful splendor; standing out beautifully against a luscious backdrop of changing leaves. As you enjoy your morning coffee, embark on crisp morning walks around the property, remember to look up and appreciate the seasonality of the natural life that surrounds us. Want to learn more? Visit monarchwatch.org to see how you can help the monarch population flourish.

Clay pottery is the one of the earliest forms of human artistic expression. Before words were even formed, communication and storytelling was expressed through artisan creations of sun-dried clay and, later, wood-fired bowls, vases, and more. For thousands of years, indigenous tribes–predominantly Cherokee–inhabited these luscious forests we still call home, and used theses earthen materials to create masterpieces from the mountains.

Nestled in the quaint mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina lies a small local pottery studio called Mud Dabbers Pottery, where the designs of Potter’s Name come to life in the same way these earthen works of art have been for thousands of years. Located just a short drive from The Greystone Inn, Mud Dabbers Pottery boasts one of the largest selections of locally-produced pottery in the mountains of Western North Carolina. “They offered an apprenticeship to me, and about a month later, I came on full time,” says Will Weigle, one of Mud Dabbers’ lead potters. “It felt like I had an opportunity to follow my dream, and now ten years have passed,” he continues.

“In pottery, it’s so easy to have variance. I weigh my clay out, but they’re all a little different. It’s an organic thing,” Will remarks. While mass-production of uniform objects has become the norm in modern society, the magic of Mud Dabbers Pottery becomes most evident in the tiny details that make each piece come to life with a unique story and characteristics. “Every time is different. There’s a little nuance in each one. You have a little more creative flexibility,” he says.

In an exclusive collaboration with The Greystone Inn, Mud Dabbers Pottery has crafted a custom hand-thrown mug complete with rich, earthen colors. For those who want to take a little bit of The Greystone Inn back home with them, this thoughtfully-crafted piece serves as a warm reminder of time well-spent at The Greystone in the heart of Western North Carolina. With every savored sip, this one-of-a-kind mug takes one right back to the cool mountain air and refreshing shores of Lake Toxaway.

If you take to the Blue Ridge Parkway to check out the foliage this Autumn, make sure to stop by the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk ArtCenter in Asheville, and learn more about other local artists.

North Carolina ranks among the top ten producers of apples throughout the United States. Coming in seventh in the nation, the peak harvest season for this classic fall fruit runs from mid-August through October. With an abundance of health benefits, it’s no wonder these crisp, round delicacies maintain their age-old adage of “keeping the doctor away.”

From a fresh apple straight from the tree to applesauces, juices, pies, ciders, and beyond, there are many ways to enjoy an apple. With hundreds of varieties grown across the world, enjoy this glimpse of just a few kinds grown right here in North Carolina.

Hungry for more? Learn more about the world of apples by visiting NC Apple Growers or visit the Haywood Apple Harvest Festival on October 23 in nearby Waynesville, NC.

Quench your thirst at The Bar or The Restaurant and discover our current selection of seasonal ciders and rotating favorites this fall. [View menu]

As summer bids farewell and the days gradually grow shorter, nature paints a breathtaking masterpiece across the landscape. The vibrant greens of summer foliage transform into a mesmerizing array of reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a picturesque scene that captures the essence of autumn in Western North Carolina.

While coniferous trees like evergreens keep their green needles, deciduous trees with large, broad leaves change their color each fall. Chlorophyll is what gives our trees their luscious green color. In the shorter, darker, cooler days of fall, chlorophyll disintegrates, allowing brilliant red, orange and yellow hues to take form as a result of this annual chemical change. The phenomenon of changing leaf colors is not only a visual delight, but also a fascinating reminder of the intricate relationship between trees, seasons, and the environment. As chlorophyll production wanes and other pigments take center stage, the landscape transforms into a symphony of colors, evoking feelings of nostalgia, warmth, and wonder.

Leaf peepers travel far and wide to catch a glimpse of the beauty that engulfs The Greystone Inn during the fall months. Embark upon a leisurely walk through the property that envelops The Greystone during this breathtaking season, and take a moment to bask in the scientific marvel happening all around–a testament to the beauty and complexity of our natural world.