Western North Carolina round-up?

This idea has been tossed around but now I have a plan. I would love to have a round-up at the beautiful Western NC Arboretum near Asheville. I'd love to have everyone in the lower part of WNC to attend, say from Marion down to the state line and east a bit to places like Forest City, Rutherfordton, etc. This would also be easy driving for folks in the Upstate of SC, such as Greenville, Spartanburg, Greenwood, Anderson, Laurens, Clemson, 99, Traveler's Rest, 6 Mile, Pendelton, Easley and other towns in that area. Of course, anyone is welcome but that is the area I'd like to cover. There may be one in Boone again and of course the one in Georgia, but I think within a little closer driving area to us would be nice. There are some good campgrounds about and also some fairly inexpensive hotels.
We might want to take in the Biltmore House and Gardens the day before , after everyone arrives or after the round-up. Another possible activity is coming over to Transylvania County and touring "The Land of Waterfalls" with me. I have e-mailed several folks but decided this would be an easier way to inquire. Let me know here and if we get enough interest, we will start a threat in the round-up forum.

This message was edited Dec 28, 2006 10:53 AM

I would love to come if you dont mind. Biltmore is on the list of must do, but have read that some time frames are better then others. When are thinking of holding this???

Probably late April or early May. Yes, the folks in upper South Carolina would certainly be within easy driving distance and I hope they will want to come too. In fact I have changed my original post to include them.
Biltmore does have seasons that are more spectacular than others in their year. Azalea time is spectacular, spring bulb time, too. But I can promise you that something will be blooming there and also the house, itself takes up quite a bit of time to browse through. There's so much to see that usually i go early enough and take in one part, do lunch at the 3 restaurants on the grounds and then visit other areas I missed in the morning. This year I plan to start with the gardens.

If you get enough interest...count me in, I would love to come and I never get tired of the Biltmore Estate!

I'm not sure about the arboretum yet. I have a call into them. There is a parking fee of $6, I think, but I am going to see if we get a special deal. I have another idea if this site doesn't work out.

It all sounds good to me - the arboretum, Biltmore Gardens, waterfalls. What exactly is a round-up?

Essentially it is a regional get-together to swap plants. Usually the swap is in the morning followed by lunch and perhaps another activity. Some of the folks come the night before and stay in a motel or campground and we often meet at the campground and socialize that night - maybe do a cookout.There is a thread that will be posted in the Round-up forum about details and another thread to list the plants you have to swap and the plants you want. When someone asks for a plant you are bringing, you tag one for her/him. Of course, we bring extra, last-minute plants too for anyone who wants them.
I think after we eat lunch, we will go visit the Biltmore House and Gardens. If enough people are interested, I will try to get a group rate. Also, if enough want to stay in a motel, I will try to get a group rate there, also. So watch for the threads in the Round-up forum. I will wrap up details with the arboretum today and start the threads then.

May be interested in attending-we have family in Sylva. Thanks for putting this together.

kwz, sorry I did not contact you e-mail like a lot of the others. I didn't know where Clemmons was. I got confirmation today from the arboretum and will post the thread regarding the round-up in that forum tonight. Just go there and you will learn regarding round-ups. I can't wait!

the round-up forum has been posted and so has the swap list. Please let me know if you are going and save a place in the swap list for plants you have and those you have yet to decide if you have enough to trade.