Our State Magazine's 2010 Reader Photo Contest Winners Announced

Our State Magazine - Reader Photo Contest 2010

One of the perpetual searches that drive readers to this site is the Our State Magazine’s Reader Photo Contest. Well the winners have been announced and you can check them out at the magazines website…Here is what they had to say…

With more than 1000 entries in this year’s Reader Photo Contest, selecting a winner in each category was challenging. Karen Doody from Morehead City was this year’s Grand Prize Winner with her image, Snow Dreams.

To see a photo gallery of all of this year’s Photo Contest winners, click here.

Because our contest was so popular, we added a category to let you have a vote! We’d like your help in selecting this year’s online favorite photo from our contest entries. We’ve selected 5 images here and you can cast a vote for your favorite. We’ll collect votes through August 31 and we’ll announce the winner on our website on September 1.

You can enlarge each image by clicking directly on it.

Let me be one of the first to congratulate each of the winners. Beautiful pictures, one and all. I look forward to my copy of the magazine showing up any day now…

All of you winners feel free to add links to your websites (if you have one) in the comments to this post.

via July Web Exclusives | Our State Magazine.

Looking For A Good Time This Weekend?

Take a look at the Toe River Storyteller’s Festival in Spruce Pine…

Featuring David Holt

with

Michael Reno Harrell at the Toe River Storytelling Festival from Michael Reno Harrell on Vimeo.

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Blue Ridge Parkway 2010 Operating Dates and Times

FACILITY OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

CAMPGROUNDS – Open – Close

  • Linville Falls – 04/02/10 – 11/01/10
  • Otter Creek – 04/02/10 – 11/01/10
  • All Other Parkway Campgrounds – 05/14/10 – 11/01/10

PICNIC AREAS

  • Price Park Open year-round - (weather permitting) (Full Service Restrooms and Water Fountains open April 30)
  • Peaks of Otter 04/09/10 – 11/15/10
  • Humpback Rocks 04/09/10 – 11/15/10 (Port-a-Johns will be used April 8 to May 7, and October 23 to November 16 at
  • Humpback Rocks and Peaks of Otter Picnic Grounds
  • Linville Falls 04/09/10 – 11/01/10
  • All Other Parkway Picnic Areas 05/14/10 – 11/01/10

VISITOR CENTERS Hours

Humpback Rocks

April 23 – May 26, 7 Days a Week – Closed for Lunch (12-1) 9-5
May 27 – October 31, 7 Days a Week
Last Day Open: Oct 31

James River

May 27 – October 31, 7 Days a Week 9-5
Last Day Open: Oct. 31

Peaks of Otter

April 30 – May 26, 5 Days a Week, Closed Wed & Thurs 9-5
May 27 – October 31, 7 Days a Week 9-5
Last Day Open: Oct. 31

Explore Park Visitor Center (operated by Roanoke County)

May 1 – October 31, 7 Days a Week 9-5

Rocky Knob

Weekends Only (Sat, Sun): May 8, 9; May 15, 16; May 22-23 9-5
May 27 – October 31, 7 Days a Week 9-5
Last Day Open: Oct 31

Blue Ridge Music Center

April 30 – May 24, 5 Days a Week, Closed Tues & Wed 9-5
May 27 – Oct 31, 7 Days a Week 9-5
Last Day Open: Oct. 31

Moses Cone

(Information desk and bookstore)
May 27- Oct 31, 7 Days a Week 9-5
NPS Desk: Last Day Open Oct 31 (EN may stay open weekends in
November, but will make that decision later in the season.)
Moses Cone Concessions
(Craft Center open April 2 – November 29) 9-5

Linn Cove

April 23 – May 26 Closed for Lunch (12-1) 9-12, 1-5
May 27 – Oct. 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week 9-5
Last Day Open: Oct. 31

Linville Falls

April 23 – May 26: Closed for lunch 12-1 9-12, 1-5
May 27 -Oct. 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week 9-5
Last Day Open: Oct. 31

Museum of North Carolina Minerals

Open Year Round
(Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day)
Oct 31, 2009 – May 26, 2010: Closed for Lunch, 12-1 9-12, 1-5
May 27 – Oct 31 2010 9-5
Nov 1, 2010 – until 2011 spring season: Closed for Lunch, 12-1 9-12, 1-5

Craggy Gardens

Weekends April 10-11, 17-18 10-4
April 23 – May 26 10-4
May 27 – Oct 31 9-5
Eastern may stay open a few weekends into November, weather permitting.

Folk Art Center

Open Year Round
(Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
January 1 – March 31 9-5
April 1 – December 31 9-6

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

Open Year Round
(Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day) 9-5

Waterrock Knob

April 23 – May 26, 7 Days a Week 10-4
May 27 – Oct 31, Full Time, 7 Days a Week 10-5
Last Day Open: Oct 31

Parkway in Fall

CONCESSIONS FACILITIES

Otter Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop – Milepost 60.8

May 1 – October 2
Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
October 3 – November 1
Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Peaks of Otter Lodge/Restaurant/Lounge/Gift Shop – Milepost 85.9

Lodge, Restaurant and Gift Shop: Open Year-Round
Peaks Country Store: Saturdays and Sundays in May -
May 9 & 10, 16 & 17 and 23, 24 & 25
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Daily
May 30 – November 1
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sharp Top Bus Service: Same dates as the Peaks Country Store
10:00 am to 5:00 pm (bus trips on the hour)

Rocky Knob Cabins – Milepost 174.1

April 23 – November 2

Mabry Mill Restaurant/Gift Shop – Milepost 176.2

Mabry Mill

April 23 – November 2

Bluffs Lodge/Restaurant/Gift Shop – Milepost 241.1

April 23 – November 2

Price Park Lake Boat Rentals – Milepost 297.1

Weekends: May 15 – 16, and weekends between September 12 and October 25
Daily: May 22 – September 6 (Memorial Day – Labor Day)

Crabtree Meadows Snack Bar/Gift Shop/Camp Store – Milepost 339.5

Apr 23 – October 23

Northwest Trading Post Gift and Craft Shop – Milepost 258.8

April 16 – November 15

Parkway Craft Center at Moses Cone Manor House – Milepost 294

April 2 – November 29 (closed Thanksgiving Day)

Folk Art Center – Milepost 382

(Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
January 1 – March 31 9-5
April 1 – December 31 9-6

Pisgah Inn/Restaurant/Gift Shop/Country Store – Milepost 408.6

March 23 – November 2
Brinegar Cabin

The Smoky Mountain Soul Sweepstakes

Visit North Carolina is having a sweepstakes…

Breathtaking scenery. Outdoor adventure. Cultural treasures. Authentic handcrafted arts. North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains are all of this and more, offering a family vacation value unlike any other. When you experience the mountains of Western NC, you take a vacation that truly touches your soul.

Now, you can win a great getaway to the North Carolina Smoky Mountains, and sample the adventures and attractions that make this region so special. The winner receives a week-long class at the John C. Campbell Folk School, lodging and meals included. Then, bring the family back for a four-day adventure, including three nights of lodging, four tickets for the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, 2 Go Blue Ridge cards, and your choice of Cherokee cultural experiences. You’ll also receive a $500 travel voucher to help get you here!

Enter to win today! The sweepstakes ends July 31, 2010.

via The “Smoky Mountain Soul” Sweepstakes.