Naples+Illustrated+201812

54 NAPLES ILLUSTRATED

ESCAPE

VIBE: An adult summer camp

BEST TIME TO GO: May

through October. The fall foliage

is simply magnificent.

HOW TO START THE DAY:

Walking around the back nine

of the golf course followed by

some homemade granola.

GO-TO RESTAURANTS: Belve-

dere in Linville Ridge (linville

ridge.com). It has fabulous

views, award-winning food, and

an impressive wine list. Another

favorite is the Artisanal Restau-

rant (artisanalnc.com) in Ban-

ner Elk. Its rolls and butter steak

are incredible, and served in an

authentic Blue Ridge Mountain

converted barn.

UNWRITTEN RULE THE LO-

CALS LIVE BY: If you can’t re-

lax here and have a good time,

you can’t relax and have fun

anywhere.

WHERE TO SHOP: DeWoolfson

(dewoolfsonlinens.com) in Ban-

ner Elk sells the most luxurious

fine linens and handmade down

pillows. Mast General Store

(mastgeneralstore.com) in Valle

Crucis is a must for old-fashioned

candy barrel shopping.

WHERE TO STAY: Eseeola

Lodge (eseeola.com) in Linville

is a century-old lodge blending

historic elegance with modern

luxuries and picturesque views.

For a quiet and relaxing stay,

The Inn at Little Palm Farm

(ncinn.com) in Valle Crucis is a

treasure. Another favorite is the

Westglow Resort & Spa (west

glowresortandspa.com) in

Blowing Rock. This impressive

destination is set in an updated

Greek Revival mansion.

A FUN CULTURAL EXPERI-

ENCE: The Penland School of

Crafts (penland.org) in Spruce

Pine is a cultural mecca with gal-

leries, workshops, and artists in

residence. Wander into studios

to watch the artists at work.

MUST-HAVE HOMETOWN

GOODS: Handmade shawls

and scarves from Crossnore

Weavers and Gallery (cross

nore.org) in Crossnore.

BEST SEAT IN TOWN: By the

window or on the deck at View

180, with views of the Blue

Ridge Mountains.

FOR A SOLO outing: Drive or

ride a bike along the Blue Ridge

Parkway.

ROLAND SCARPA

Linville Ridge

ESCAPE

An indigenous split rock marks the entry to Simone and Scott Lutgert’s summer home in

Linville Ridge, North Carolina. Here, in one of the most captivating geographical areas in

the country, the view extends past Grandfather Mountain and into Virginia and Tennessee.

“In the 1980s, Scott developed this breathtaking Linville Ridge Golf Course Community that

has the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River, proffering magnificent views from

every hole,” explains Lutgert. “Naples is our home, but we love coming here in the summer.

Our family and friends are always milling around enjoying the laid-back atmosphere and

the perfect weather.” A friendly community, majestic vistas, stellar climate, and lots of family

activities is the recipe for la dolce vita, Appalachian style. —Carla Evans

The Appalachian WAY

TRAVEL JOURNAL

Artisanal Restaurant

Crossnore

Blue Ridge Parkway

View 180 Mast General Store

Eseeola Lodge