For what it’s worth, we are aware that we have a stuck camera. We’re working on getting out to the site to fix the East Cam, but unfortunately there seems to be a huge festival going on all around it. That makes it a little difficult to get to the camera quickly, but rest assured we are on our way.
UPDATE: Camera’s fixed, now I’m heading out to get some more pics of this madness!
Setup for Bele Chere 2011 is officially in full swing as the downtown area prepares for the biggest festival of the year. Here at AshevilleLiveCam, we’ll be adjusting our cameras to give you the best views of the festival as it progresses. If you can’t be here, then you can beat the heat by sitting back and watching the festival unfold from the comfort of your own home. If you’re coming out, then you can see how thick the crowds are and plan accordingly. As always, we’ll still be focusing our west cam on the Westgate Bridge every so often so you can check the traffic.
We’ll be posting lots of pics of the festival, and hopefully a video or two. We’ve got some helpful festival links on the right side of the page, including links to the official Bele Chere site (which is currently getting hammered, so it’s kind of slow), and the official street guide and entertainment schedule. There may also be a surprise or two in the offing, but shh… can’t talk about that.
Be sure to check back often to see what we’ve got in store for you today at AshevilleLiveCam.com!
UPDATE: I’ve uploaded a large gallery of high resolution images captured this morning as the vendors were still setting up. Check it out below.
[slidepress gallery=’bele-chere-2011-setup’]
Asheville may soon have a new draw for tourists and locals alike. Plans are underway for a zip line/canopy tour at the Crowne Plaza Resort, off the Westgate Bridge. It would be the first in the city limits of Asheville.
If approved, the course would overlap an unused, 9 hole golf course and venture into the woods. The 9 zip lines would range from 200 feet to 800 feet in length, and utilize trees with decks built around them, 3 yet to be built towers, and suspension bridges.
According to the Asheville Citizen Times,
“This is good for our guests and good for the whole community,” said Angela Beattie, spokeswoman for Crowne Plaza, adding that the zip line would be open to the public.
“It is just another thing to draw people here to Asheville, and for visitors who are only staying one or two nights in town, it’s something close by Asheville they can take advantage of.”
Once approved, Adventure America Canopy Tours hopes to have the course up and running by June, 2011.
Jeff Greiner is president of Adventure America Canopy Tours, which has built four other zip lines, including its first, Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours, in the summer of 2009.“We’ve been friends with the Crowne Plaza folks and (owner) Dennis Hulsing for a long time,” Greiner said. “I mentioned something about their property, which has got some really neat features to make it kind of an urban course. We decided to go into a partnership. We will manage the daily operations, staff, training and marketing.”
If approved, this would be another feather in the cap for tourism in Asheville. Unusual tours like La Zoom Comedy Tours and the Brews Cruise, 2 distinct walking downtown areas- downtown Asheville and Historic Biltmore Village, the Biltmore House, Grove Park Inn, and the hundreds of biking and walking oportunities make Asheville one of the South’s best destinations.
Image via Wikipedia
Kona Village Resort Update (March 18, 2011)
Big Island of Hawaii – March 18, 2011 – Kona Village Resort, one of the iconic vacation destinations and resorts of Hawaii, today announced that it will close for an extended period of time due to the significant structural and property damage it sustained during last week’s earthquake-generated tsunami.
“We are very sad to close Kona Village Resort for an extended period of time, but the damage to the property from this natural disaster is severe enough to render it inoperable,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hualalai Resort/Kona Village Resort. “We are fortunate that our guests and employees were evacuated safely. Our hearts are heavy with this decision’s impact on employees and loyal guests who have visited us over the years. Our thoughts also are with the people of Japan during this difficult time.”
The 45-year old resort sustained significant structural damage from the storm surge, including more than 20 Hale, the resort’s bungalow-style, thatched roof accommodations, some of which were completely removed from their foundations based upon the force of the water. Other damaged buildings or attractions at the 82-acre resort include the Hale Moana and Hale Samoa restaurants, Hale Ho’omau, the Shipwreck and Talk Story bars, reception and main office as well as the Ocean Activity Center on property.
Image via Wikipedia
Isn’t the weather gorgeous? Whether your a visitor wanting to take in everything you can, or a native who hadn’t done any sightseeing in your own backyard for a while, now is the perfect time to get out there and enjoy all that Asheville has to offer. Walking, or as it’s now know, Step Counting, is a great way to add more movement into your life. The daily recommended dose of steps is 10,000 per day.
Here are the top 10 ways to get steps into your Asheville adventure.
o-1000 Steps
1100-2000 Steps
2100-3000 Steps
3100-4000 Steps
4100-5000
What’s your favorite walk? If we missed it, let us know!
For more ideas, visit www.exploreasheville.com
