
Relax and Recharge
Season 19 Episode 22 | 25m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
NC Weekend explores ways to relax and recharge around the state.
North Carolina Weekend explores ways to relax and recharge around the state with visits to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, the elegant Heights House Hotel in Raleigh, Boone’s Fly Shop, Coffee and Arts at Swindell’s Store in Bath, and sample wines at Stony Ashe Vineyards in Hendersonville.

Relax and Recharge
Season 19 Episode 22 | 25m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
North Carolina Weekend explores ways to relax and recharge around the state with visits to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, the elegant Heights House Hotel in Raleigh, Boone’s Fly Shop, Coffee and Arts at Swindell’s Store in Bath, and sample wines at Stony Ashe Vineyards in Hendersonville.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[piano intro] - Next on "North Carolina Weekend," join us from the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, as we show you places to relax and recharge.
We'll visit the elegant Heights House Hotel in Raleigh.
Go fly fishing in Boone, and unwind at a cafe in Bath, coming up next.
- [Narrator] Funding for "North Carolina Weekend" is provided in part by Visit NC, dedicated to highlighting our state's natural scenic beauty, unique history, and diverse cultural attractions.
From the Blue Ridge, and the Great Smokey Mountains across the Piedmont, to 300 miles of barrier island beaches, you're invited to experience all the adventure and charm our state has to offer.
[lively music] ♪ - Welcome to "North Carolina Weekend," everyone.
I'm Deborah Holt Noel, and this week, we are at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, in Fayetteville.
Filled with beautiful plants and serene fountains, this impressive 80-acre natural beauty is a wonderful place to relax and recharge.
We'll explore the garden more throughout the show.
But first, let's head to Raleigh, where a young couple has completely transformed an 1820s mansion, into a beautiful new boutique hotel.
[classical music] ♪ - [Jeff] When someone comes and stays on our property, we want them to feel like they are welcomed, we want them to feel like they're at home, you know, it's like a we want there to be a weight lifted from their shoulders when they step through the door.
You're greeted with a glass of champagne.
- Cheers.
- [Jeff] You know, we've got a wine and cheese hour, and that's all complimentary.
And really, we just have a, the spaces that we designed on the front, are very much they're supposed to be welcoming, they're supposed to be community-driven places, a place where you can sit down, and have a conversation with somebody, with either the person you're traveling with, or with another guest of the hotel.
- [Deborah] You couldn't feel more welcome here at the Heights House Hotel.
And the interior design elements, from the color, to texture, to decor, are all beautifully incorporated, to create a sense of luxurious comfort, while also honoring the historical architecture.
- [Sarah] The Heights House Hotel is a historic house, that was built in 1858, that has now been restored lovingly into a nine-room boutique hotel, and event venue.
[mellow music] - [Jeff] Oh man, I can remember when we first laid eyes on it, probably 15 years ago now, and when we saw it, it was a beautiful building, I mean, the architecture stands out like, and is very unique for the area, but, it needed some love, but even when we walked through it for the very first time, we we thought it was just it's so, it's so amazing.
It's so beautiful in here, and and you know, the architecture, they just they don't build houses quite like this anymore, and we liked the idea of the elevation.
This house sits on one of the highest locations in Raleigh, so we like that kind of Heights feeling, right?
Like and and it's the Boylan Heights neighborhood.
So we we took from that, and wanted to embrace, and we took that and and made that into our name.
- [Sarah] We wanted to keep all the original architectural pieces that we could, or restore them, the molding, the floors, the doors, the fireplaces, things like that, but we didn't want it to feel dated, so intacting, you know, keeping those intact, and then bringing in modern elements, just really trying to make that mesh meet, and and it it hopefully worked.
We definitely wanted to work with as many local businesses as we could, and individuals.
We worked on the design, I did it with Brian Castello.
Some of the furniture in here is made by Tactile Workshop, so we had the parlor bar that they made, our reception desk, and the buffet in the dining room.
The front four common spaces were originally used as the dining room, which we're sitting in now, the library, the parlor, and the drawing room, which is just a main sitting room.
And we're using them all exactly as they were intended originally.
They're great spaces for events, which we do too, you know, small events, to weddings, and we're sitting where we have our guests have breakfast every day, and get coffee.
- [Deborah] Keeping it local, coffee by Durham-based Counterculture, is available to every guest, with this automated server you can customize, for lattes, espresso, and other coffee drinks.
Your overnight stay includes an elevated continental breakfast, featuring organic artisan breads and pastries, from the neighborhood's Bolted Bread, fresh local fruits, and amazing quiches, stuffed with goodness, by A Place at the Table in Raleigh.
This is the common space experience, but the guest rooms are anything but common.
- [Host] You will be staying in the honeymoon suites.
- Wow.
- [Host] Very lavish.
[Host laughs] - [Deborah] Now I'm not on my honeymoon, but, sometimes you just have to treat yourself.
I'm gonna show you around.
The first thing I noticed, was just how light and airy it feels in here.
Thanks to all of the natural light, that's streaming through these windows, and also the high ceilings.
[light music] Come this way.
A separate water closet for privacy, and a perfect blend of the old and the new.
Beautiful marble sinks and brass fixtures, I love it.
And, behind this pocket door, a whole 'nother room.
A sitting area, lots of space, gorgeous chandelier, and, just check out this tub.
A clawfooted tub, again, with the gorgeous brass fixtures, and there's even a rain shower head.
And I love that there are full-sized amenities.
These are brought in from Italy, because this is an Italianate mansion, and this smells heavenly, like rose and bergamot.
Oh God, it's gorgeous.
There's no question the Heights House Hotel offers an impeccable stay for overnight guests.
It's also within perfect proximity to lots of Raleigh attractions and restaurants.
- [Sarah] Downtown Raleigh has museums, shopping, wonderful restaurants.
We're big foodies, so I like to suggest the restaurants to eat dinner when you stay here.
- [Deborah] For me, they suggested a local pub, that was just a short stroll across the Boylan Bridge.
Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing, the perfect casual spot to meet with friends, for craft beer and cocktails.
I invited my buddy, Heather Burgess, of "My Home, NC," to nosh with me.
- [Both] Cheers.
- [Deborah] Thanks for joining me.
Everything on the menu here is made from scratch.
Bright, full of flavor, and just delicious all around.
Add in outdoor seating, with spectacular views of the city, and Wye Hill really captures the life, and diversity of Raleigh.
Fits right in with a stay at Heights House Hotel, a relaxing stay, surrounded by tasteful elegance, crafted from a relic of history, in the heart of the capital city.
The Heights House Hotel is at 308 South Boylan Avenue in Raleigh.
To book your room or event, give them a call, at [919]594-1881, or visit them online, at heightshousenc.com.
Right now, I'm with Meg Suraci, the development manager here, at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens.
Meg, where are we right now?
This is sort of a new place, and it's just incredibly beautiful.
- Hi, Deborah.
This structure is part of the Eleanor and Raymond Manning's Children's Garden, and we opened it in September of 2020.
It has about a 1 1/2-acre footprint.
There's the elevated walkway, down below there's nature play aspects, there's a slide, there's a sand pit, there are water features.
We want children to come out and play in nature, probably like you and I did, back when we were little kids.
- [Deborah] Meg, how big is the garden?
Tell me about some of the plants that we'll find here.
- [Meg] The garden has 80 acres.
We have some specialty gardens, with heirloom plants, perennials, annuals.
We also have a lot of native plants.
We have specialty trees.
- [Deborah] Are there some favorite spots, that people like to go, to rest, or relax, or recharge?
- We have a reflection garden, which is perfect for relaxing.
There's a nice bubbling fountain.
There are beautiful trees, a nice circular seating area.
There's also the River Trail, people can get away.
Wooded area, take a nature walk down to the river.
And our Heritage Garden has old buildings, an old farmhouse, an old general store, a little bit of a walk back in time.
People also enjoy seeing the Heritage Garden.
- [Deborah] Meg, thank you so much.
I cannot wait to explore the garden to recharge myself.
- Well, thank you for coming.
We hope that a number of your viewers would like to come out to Fayetteville, and enjoy the garden also.
- [Deborah] The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is at 536 Northeastern Boulevard in Fayetteville, and it's open daily.
For more information, give them a call, at [910]486-0221, or visit them online, at capefearbg.org.
There's nothing more meditative than fly fishing.
And in Boone, you'll find miles of pristine trout streams you can drop your lure in and explore.
And whether you're new to fly fishing, or an experienced angler, you will find everything you need at Boone's Fly Shop.
[light music] ♪ - [Alex] Boone is a small mountain town.
We also got a university right in the middle.
We have access to some beautiful streams, beautiful mountains.
- [Narrator] Located just a short drive, from some of the best trout streams on the east coast, a visit to Boone's Fly Shop and Guide Service, is a good way to start your high country adventure.
- [Alex] Yeah, we are a full-service fly shop.
We offer all the gear, the flies, leaders and tippet that you'd need to hit the water.
- This fly shop is a Southern incarnation of the biggest, baddest, Western fly shop that you're ever gonna walk into.
I mean, this building was built in 1914.
We've got doors that are over 250 years old.
Once you come through there, and you see what we are trying to build here, it really resonates as a a fly shop that you would imagine in your head.
- [Alex] Most of the rivers up here are cold enough to to sustain trout year round.
That's not very common for the southeast here.
We're about as far south as you can go, to enjoy cold, clean water that that promotes healthy wild trout.
Look at that mayfly sit sitting on the surface.
- [Narrator] Guided fishing trips are available through the fly shop.
These seasoned pros know how to put folks on to fish, and to ensure a good day on the water.
- [Alex] So yeah, we'll meet here, we'll get everybody, you know, supplied with their boots, their waders, their rods and everything.
We, you know, typically offer anywhere between a four, to an eight hour trip, that's walking wades in the river, where we get you boots and waders, of course, to to walk up the river.
- [David] In the mountains of North Carolina, we actually have an opportunity to do something that you really can't do anywhere else in the country, honestly.
The techniques and the tactics that you're using to sneak up on some of these wild trout, although you can compare them to other places, it is not the same.
Not a single day is the same, and every experience that I have, especially with new people, I mean, it you you can start your day, thinking one way that the day's gonna go, and it typically goes in a completely different direction.
- [Narrator] In addition to fly fishing, back at the shop, you can try your hand at tying your own artificial flies.
- [Alex] The part of the sport that's not required, of course, you can buy your own flies, one that's that brings more art to the sport, that brings even more, you know, alone time and and and time to to be artistic, to enjoy another part of the sport, which is fly tying.
- I'm gonna take some copper tinsel, and I'm gonna wrap that in the base.
And all that fly tying is, is basically just a bunch of layering.
So we tie our materials in at the back of the fly, and then we work them up to the front of the fly, and that's how we finish back kinda where we started.
And then I'm gonna snip that thread real close, and then there we go, a nice, just a olive soft hackle, with a little bit of flash to it, and then that orange hotspot.
- [Alex] We like to say we we offer, you know, an experience, one that isn't just about catching fish, it's about enjoying the river, understanding, you know, what the trout are doing, where the food comes from, what their habits are, and then, you know, from there, experiencing the the outdoors, in in the way that we like to, which is fly fishing.
[tranquil music] ♪ - Amazing thing about fly rods specifically, is you you have a connection.
You you're you're basically fishing with your hands, so when you do experience those feeding fish, and seeing those, you know, bites and and getting hooked up, I mean, it it it's a physical connection to nature.
- It's a opportunity to take a step back, and and take a breather, and just be in that moment.
And I think being able to be in nature like that, and appreciate at that level, is therapeutic, to say the least.
- [Deborah] Boone's Fly Shop, is at 140 Depot Street in Boone.
And they're open daily at 9:00 AM.
For more information, give them a call, at [828]865-3474.
Or visit them online, at boonesflyshop.com.
Maybe your idea of relaxing is going to a cafe, for a warm cup of coffee, and some calming music.
Well, we found an art-filled cafe in Bath, in a general store, that offers all that plus more.
Let's join Clay Johnson, at Swindell's Cafe and Art Gallery.
[relaxing music] - [Clay] On weekends, this old general store on Bath's Main Street, is home to music, art, coffee, and conversation.
♪ Hey Emily ♪ ♪ Staring up at Cassiopeia ♪ Today, musician Chuck Phillips is performing original songs, and popular cover tunes for local residents and visitors.
- Did you meet our new artist?
- [Clay] Margaret Dixon is serving up coffee, while people listen to music, talk and peruse the wide variety of local arts and crafts along the walls.
- Feels good to be in here, and then the events that we have here, just brings the community together, and it's really just a fun place to be.
- [Clay] The store was built in 1905.
It carried auto parts, clothing, food, hardware, you name it.
Like general stores in many rural communities, it was also a gathering place.
- [Customer 1] Almost everybody knew Swindell's, meet you in Swindell's.
- [Clay] The last owner, Jack Swindell, closed it in 1984.
The building fell into disrepair.
A community effort to save it, led to the Swindell family donating the building to Preservation North Carolina.
It sold the building to Durham architect, Ken Friedlein.
- It was full, Clay.
Full of all the goods that were here in 1984, when Mr. Jack Swindell closed and just shut down.
- [Clay] Friedlein and his brother donated those goods to the state, and took on a five-year renovation of the building.
- [Ken] Basically the space that you're in, was down to the dirt floor, we took everything out.
- [Clay] The Friedleins rebuilt the floor, put in new wiring, plumbing, and an HVAC system.
- But the building is sort of as it was, in terms of the how it feels spatially, and how we use it.
- [Clay] The Friedleins created condos upstairs, and an office and art studio in back, but the main floor that housed the store, remained empty for years.
Dixon and her husband noticed it in 2014, while visiting Bath on weekends, before they moved here full-time.
- [Margaret] And we would walk by here, and, you know, this is such a lovely building, and the downstairs had been empty for a long time, and I thought, "Gosh, that could be something, not anything I can afford," you know, but it just, it's a shame it just sits there, so quiet, and empty, and dark.
- [Clay] So Dixon asked Friedlein if she could lease a small space inside, to sell coffee and plants.
- I'd never met Ken before, and he'd never met me, and he said, "Yes," and I said, "Oh my God."
[Margaret laughs] So that's how it started, just over in that little corner, with some self-serve coffee, and it just grew from there all by itself.
- And pretty soon, Margaret had people coming pretty regularly, on Saturdays and Sundays, sometimes Fridays, to enjoy the morning and the day, and the space.
- [Clay] It's become a place for local artists, and craftspeople to showcase their work, paintings, pottery, wood carvings, glass art, and more.
Dixon partered with the regional arts council, Arts of the Pamlico, to bring in art demonstrations, and musicians.
And she's brought in local baked goods, to go with her coffee.
- For so long, it sat idle, and it was such a great space, and and and it it has grown to something that's just tremendous.
I think the the locals love it, And the and the tourists love it, and it is really just a comfortable place to be, and and everybody feels welcome here.
- [Clay] There are still signs of the old times.
- [Ken] There are curved marks in the bricks at the front of the store, where a gentleman would stand while family shopped, and sharpen their pen knives on the, on the red clay bricks.
- [Clay] Today, the old Swindell store is a gathering place once again.
- [Ken] A lot of people talk about the store, and have memories of it, but now they have new experiences of it.
- [Clay] It is that social connection that people still hunger for.
There's only one rule.
- [Margaret] Oh, it's a neutral zone.
We don't talk politics or religion.
[Margaret laughs] Keeping pretty simple about, you know, talking, sharing what who you are, what you wanna share, talking about your life, your family, just having nice conversation.
- [Deborah] Coffee Arts at Swindell's Store, is at 103 South Main Street in Bath.
And they're open on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit them online, at swindellsstore.com.
Why don't we unwind over a glass of wine, with mountain vistas.
Let's meet the owners of Stone Ashe Vineyards in Hendersonville, and follow their journey, to creating a French-style wine, in the Blue Ridge.
- [Clay] The first vineyard to open for business in Henderson County was St. Paul Mountain Vineyards in 2012.
Then, Burntshirt Vineyards in 2013, and this remarkable property, Point Lookout Vineyards in 2018.
Since then, a handful of others have literally set down roots in the area, taking advantage of the beauty, and the potential bounty of this land, at the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- And this is called the Crest of the Blue Ridge, in Henderson County.
- [Clay] In 2019, the region was officially recognized as an American Viticultural Area, an AVA.
- It's a specific area, with a specific growing region and soil, that makes it unique, and they call that terroir.
So, you cannot grow that same fruit, or grapes anywhere else, because you don't have the same type of terroir.
- [Clay] Craig Little and his wife, Tina, and sons, Hudson and Heath, own and operate the newest vineyard in the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, Stone Ashe Vineyards.
They believe the terroir here, holds many of the same grape growing possibilities as the west coast of France.
- [Craig] We decided because our climate is much like Bordeaux, they have rain, they have cloudy weather as well, that we wanted to do Bordeaux-type varietals, and so that's what we have here.
We can see the rain as it crosses over the mountaintops, and then it just basically stops.
We want a sandy loam, and we want rocks.
So when we have rocks, we have less nutrients.
We also have an avenue for that water to move away from the roots of the vine.
- [Clay] The Littles are not expecting the red vines grown here, to reach their full potential for about a decade.
In the meantime, Stone Ashe is serving up its own recipe, using red grapes from Yadkin Valley, and it's already producing some tasty dry white wines from its own vineyard.
The tasting room and the agribusiness is Tina's domain, and she's thankful for the cooperation, and help that she receives from other vineyards in the AVA.
- [Tina] I think everybody is really we're it's just a cohesive unit.
Everybody pulls together.
Everybody is available for information, if you call them or ask for help.
- [Craig] So there's a lot of camaraderie here, in the Crest of the Blue Ridge.
- Happy Birthday!
- [Clay] Like Point Lookout, and other vineyards in the AVA, Stone Ashe is a happy place for people and animals.
Well-behaved dogs are always welcome.
And at Stone Ashe, you'll likely find some farm animals.
They actually provide an environmentally friendly bug-eating service, to protect the vines.
- [Tina] Well, we do have chickens, and I actually let them out just a little while ago, so that they could run around.
So, they may pop up at any time.
They haven't ventured up here yet, but they're getting brave.
We have seven chickens, a rooster, and a duck, also known as a ducken, because he's been with the chickens so long, he acts like a chicken, so it's kinda funny.
But we love animals of all kinds, and so that's that's a big part of of who we are, and there'll be some more animals to come in the future.
[relaxing music] - [Clay] The future of this new wine region, will rely heavily on tourism and journalism, as the region once only known for its apples, hopes to spread the word about grapes, and the new AVA, serving up some Bordeaux-style reds, Crest of the Blue Ridge, Henderson County.
- [Deborah] Stone Ashe Vineyards, is at 736 Green Mountain Road, in Hendersonville, and they're open Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 6:00 PM.
For more information, go to stoneashevineyards.com.
Well, that's it for tonight's show.
We've had a wonderful time out here at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville.
There are definitely some beautiful places to relax and recharge.
And if you've missed anything in today's show, just remember, you can always watch us again online, at pbsnc.org.
Have a great "North Carolina Weekend," everyone.
Goodnight.
[upbeat music] ♪ ♪ - [Narrator] Funding for "North Carolina Weekend" is provided in part by, Visit NC, dedicated to highlighting our state's natural scenic beauty, unique history, and diverse cultural attractions.
From the Blue Ridge, and the Great Smokey Mountains across the Piedmont, to 300 miles of barrier island beaches, you're invited to experience all the adventure and charm our state has to offer.
[light music]
Video has Closed Captions
The Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville is a great place to explore. (1m 57s)
Coffee Art at Swindell's Store
Video has Closed Captions
Enjoy art, music and coffee at a restored general store in Bath. (4m 32s)
Video has Closed Captions
Stone Ashe Vineyards in Hendersonville crafts Bordeaux style wines. (4m 4s)
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