Last week, my wife and I hiked up to Calloway Peak (5,964 ft) from the Blue Ridge Parkway (near mile marker 300) which is the highest point of Grandfather Mountain. For the most part, it was a fairly easy hike, and about 3.5 miles one way. Total round trip was about 5 hours (taking time to enjoy the views) and some where near 1,700 ft elevation gain. Calloway Peak (the crest in the photo) does not look so impressive from this angle, but the hike up offers many great views. The best view certainly is on the top of Calloway. From Boones Fork Parking area we followed NUWATI TRAIL, crossed over on CRAGWAY TRAIL and then up DANIEL BOONE SCOUT TRAIL to the peak. We picked up a really good (free) map at the little office at the entrance to Grandfather Mountain Park which is on Hwy 221 between Linville and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our favoite part of the hike up was on Gragway trail. There are two really good vistas on Cragway (Top Crag and Flat Top). From Top Crag you can see Julian Price Lake to the south. Further up (on Boone Scout trail) we got a very good look down onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. We wish we had more time on Calloway Peak but it was getting late the Lori was a bit miffed that I did not prepare better and pack her a "hoggie". 
After we got off the mountain, we stayed in Linville at the Pixie Motor Lodge which is at the cross roads of Hwy 105 and 221. Just down the road (about 6 miles) is Banner Elk. The Pixie is an older hotel, but we stayed in the newer section. The room rate was around $50. It was ok, but it is not the Ritz. On our way down the mountain we discussed what we were going to eat as a reward for our hard work and the absence of a "hoggie". Pizza was the verdict! The clerk at Pixie told us about Bella's Italian Restaurant in Banner Elk off Hwy 184. It was a good call. The pizza was authentic and really good. For me though, the beer was the most memorable. I had a great IPA ("Mojo"). Ok, I did not have "a" beer. I may have had more than one. The waitress also lead me to another great find in Boone, Peabody's Wine and Beer. What was really neat about Peabody's (for me) was the original and extensive selection of beers. I always lean towards the IPAs and they even had some triple hop IPA. The wine selection is quite extensive as well. This is a good spot to stock up and only 40 minutes from my home in Collettsville. 
To cap off our little adventure, Lori and I had breakfast at The Tartan in Linville. We were told by the motel clerk that the owner of the Pixie owned just about every building in Linville and that there will never be a McDonalds or any fast food chain in Linville as long as he was alive. I think he is in his 80's, so you better hurry if you want to see Linville in it's unspoiled state. Anyhow the breakfast was awesome. We had huge blueberry pancakes along with the traditional bacon and eggs. My wife was very happy. If you did not know, a "tartan" is a pattern of cloth used to distinguish Scottish clans. Linville has a rich Scottish heritage. If you have not yet experienced The Highland Games, you really should at least once in your life time. It's a blast. The 2010 games are at MacRae Meadows (on Grandfather Mountian) July 8-11th, 2010. I hope to see you there. 
My given name is Christopher Columbus Lee Ellis Powell Creekmore. The "Ellis's" are clan cousins to Clan MacPherson. Pronounced "Mac-fer-son" because there is no fear in MacPherson. Our Motto: "Touch not the cat, bot (without) a glove (wildcat's paw)" refers to the ungloved paw of a wild cat. A wildcat without a glove is when the claws are unsheathed. Come take a hike with us...I promise to wear my gloves.
