Healing Hearth

Greg Fishel is salivating over the latest long range forecast showing a sharp downturn in temperatures next week. Greg's wintry glee reminded me of a recent NC Division of Tourism online story on North Carolina's Fabulous Fireplaces. The writer listed some of the best places to curl up with a book or friends for a warm and cozy evening by a crackling fire. I've had the pleasure of visiting several of these healing hearths. The great stone fireplace at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville is incredibly inviting especially when pianist Bill Covington is hammering out some soothing tunes. Another one of my fireplace favorites is Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock. Here individual fireplaces can be found in guest rooms. Plus there is a marble hearth in the inn's third-story library. NC Tourism says another great library and fireplace can be found in the Balsam Mountain Inn built in 1908 off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tourism leaders also recommend The Lodge on Lake Lure as among the finest fireplaces in the mountain region. Other toasty hearths making the list include the Augustus T. Zevely Inn at Old Salem, The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Chatham County and the Graystone Inn along the coast. For a complete list check out the following link:

http://www.visitnc.com/home_article_detail.asp?ArticleID=974§iongroupid=20

What about you? What are your favorite fireplaces and memories by a crackling blaze?