Boone, NC | Blue Ridge Mountains | Full Episode

[@feliciaward6238]

Born and raised in boone nc love it here would not live no where else.

[@WagnerBoy55]

I’m considering a move down there from Ohio. I’m not one of those crazy northerners. I just want to be in the mountains. Boone seems to have the small town feeling

[@Erikthetravelguy]

I does. The energy of the college kids can be felt downtown.

[@Phil_Hayes]

My family is from Triplett….just outside of Boone. This town is much different today. It will always have a special place in my heart, but I believe inch by inch it’s losing some of its charm. I’m glad my mom taught us how to prepare Appalachian dishes.

[@PB-rz8lz]

@@WagnerBoy55 Boone is fairy liberal, you won’t have to worry about anyone calling you a “crazy northerner” here.

[@sirjames1977nc]

Boonies are great we respect the earth and each other please respect that if you do come by.. I loved watching this precovid video.

[@WagnerBoy55]

That’s why I want to move here

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Excellent!

[@sirjames1977nc]

@@WagnerBoy55 welcome to the high country. Its very different. Added advice. Prepare for long unexpected winters. Occasionally blizzard in march. So have a good Subaru like they recommend in Alaska or something. Warning. Just friendly advice.

[@dantana5774]

ASU freshman in the fall of '72, I'm walking downtown on a Saturday morning, and hear bluegrass music- 2 guys, really good

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Thanks Dan!

[@markunderwood5933]

Lookin to move to Boone I love it there

[@thomasgarrett7577]

Don't!

[@laurak5196]

@@thomasgarrett7577 how come?

[@thomasgarrett7577]

@@laurak5196 it's full!! Boone sucks. Tell your friends.

[@KP-do2ss]

@@thomasgarrett7577 Lol!

[@GenXOracle]

My family has been in these mountains for 7 generations. That feeling he mentions is home.

[@ghostdog2898]

I have a question, please don't be offended. Is it brown people friendly?

[@GenXOracle]

@@ghostdog2898 yes

[@ghostdog2898]

@@GenXOracle Thank you for answer, appreciate it.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Thanks, Michael!!!

[@inaperryholland1073]

I live in Boone I'm glad you liked our town. I am a Perry my ancestor was Doctor Perry.

[@reneebru1]

I’m from Commifornia...and I’m a TOTAL PATRIOT!!!! I NEED to be here. I’m a Constitutional Conservative!!!!! PRO GUN PRO GOD PRO AMERICA!!!!

[@pew9277]

@@reneebru1 My family's from here. I lived in Commifornia in the 60's when I was little and it was great. It's a shame it's turned to crap. Actors used to be classy now their just a**y. We came back to the mountains of NC when I was 13 and I didn't ever think I would be happy but been here 50 years and wouldn't live anywhere else. Come on over to the bright side of life and leave the darkness behind. My entire family and friends are Patriots. Take care.

[@CydnotCharrise1]

My mom and grandparents were all from Boone.And other ancestors. Cookes, Clawsons, Browns, Binghams, Tatums.

[@pew9277]

We presently lost one bear and awhile back an otter at Grandfather Mountain. We go every year to support the animals but not this year. To much crap going on. Got to meet Doc Watson when his sister was in hospital in same room with my mother in law. He was so nice. We buy season tickets to Tweetsie also and this year we didn't get to go there either. Dang it this year sucks. The only good thing is we're all still alive and kicking.

[@Hey_its_Koda]

I love visiting boone. I flew from New Mexico. I wish i could live there. The people there are very nice and polite. I love that mast store.

[@zzzzz2343]

Thank God you can't afford to live here!!!!!

[@zezewilliams2063]

Lol. Living here isn't all that great. Driving to work sucks when stuck behind super slow driving tourists. Even if they aren't looking at the scenery, there are too scared to even go the speed limit on the twisting roads.

[@jeffrey4505]

I heard boone is very remote - no Trader Joe’s..

[@ladyleah1961]

Great, 💕 love Boone, NC! True Patriots for America 1st live in our mountains.

[@JohnnyUtahFBI]

Great video! Makes me miss the mountains of my home state.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

I feel ya' brother! Thanks for the kind words! If you haven't already, please subscribe to my channel. It makes a difference to us!

[@bryanmcguire3747]

I grew up outside of Boone in the Zionville area (halfway between Boone and Mountain City, TN). I'm 4 generations deep. My daughter worked at the original Mast Store for years, and I have a second cousin still employed there. All these places, like Howard's Knob, Grandfather Mountain, Matney, Cove Creek, Bethel/Bever Dam, Mabel and the like were my stomping grounds. I love that people are discovering how great we had it growing up. WHS Class of '94!

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Bryan! This is awesome to read! Thank you for sharing!

[@vonfields6889]

Boone is 🥶cold.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Yes it can be I suppose. But what a cool place?! See what I did there?

[@karenlingenfelter6465]

Thank you for this very informative video. I'd love to hear more about that area, particularly a tour of West Jefferson NC.

[@micbrenoel5459]

if you visit West Jefferson, camp at Raccoon Holler Campground. It is within eyesight of the BR Parkway and located about a 10-minute drive from town. The campground is very nice, clean, well run and a great place.

[@supremepartydude]

This is a great travelogue for this town. I did an insurance inspection in 2003 on a Burger king in this town staying overnight. I must admit I totally missed the true marvelous character of this town while I was there.

[@judynichols2904]

My father went to ASU and several nieces and nephews . And when we were little we go to Grandfather Mountain .We loved it !

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Agreed! It was an awesome trip! Thank you very much for your comment(s). Remember to subscribe to my channel. It really helps more people find our videos.

[@tyrannicaltypomichaeltester]

From Boone Nice video definitely worth a visit

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Thanks Typo! I really enjoyed that town!

[@savannahl4581]

I really enjoyed your video. You have such a kind demeanor and I love your narration style. Great video!

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Savannah…that is such a nice compliment. Thank you very much.

[@donnahankins5899]

That picture was the scene from my bedroom. Thanks for the memories

[@Erikthetravelguy]

That is awesome!

[@jenrivard133]

The zip line wasn’t for me due to the hand-braking, but my kids loved it. I was terrified once I got up there and couldn’t stop. 😂 Next time I think I’ll start with a course without hand-braking.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

It absolutely is a little terrifying to start!!!

[@georgiapennington2219]

Going in October for the first time. Super excited!!!

[@JonathonTaylorOfficial]

I'm from Boone and I appreciate the video! But please no one else come here

[@brittneyricker2611]

Lol as a local I second this

[@ladyleah1961]

@@brittneyricker2611 I’ll say, keep your political affiliation up north or westbound when you come to America 1st Patriot counties in NC everywhere.

[@robertcarmosino6563]

Agreed !

[@terrybane6206]

I am proud to be a Tarheel and the Boone/Blowing Rock area is one of many fun and interesting places to visit in North Carolina. If you have never visited our state please make plans to do so soon. You will not be disappointed.

[@George0025]

Went to Blowing Rock and Boone yesterday.

[@otisbraxton4653]

You all prolly dont give a shit but does someone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I stupidly forgot my login password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@lawrencebrett2882]

@Otis Braxton instablaster :)

[@otisbraxton4653]

@Lawrence Brett I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and im trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@otisbraxton4653]

@Lawrence Brett It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much you saved my account !

[@marlycanto6825]

so beautiful place!!!

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Thanks Marly!!!!! I agree.

[@WhittyPics]

It isn't the fear of heights, it is the fear of falling

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Yes! Agreed!

[@jenrivard133]

I agree! They had to call in the Calvary for me! I didn’t make it past the third zip.

[@BeckVMH]

Hey Sheri! Steve W. here. Hope all are well. Very nicely done!

[@awesomemanu2601]

Great effort

[@leslierusgrove164]

Sorry...as if you exit directly off of any of those interstates to get to Boone... Boone is approximately an hour from any interstate. Which I love!!...

[@Erikthetravelguy]

I love Boone! It was worth the drive!

[@BeckVMH]

While not interstates, the two main highways from off the mountain, Hwy 321 (from Charlotte) and Hwy 421 (from Winston Salem), are four lanes now. Wasn’t always the case. Always beautiful and now an easy drive.

[@KP-do2ss]

We go straight up Hwy. 321 from Lincolnton. No interstate needed.

[@bryanmcguire3747]

I grew up in Boone, and live about 2 hours south now. I go up through TN on the back roads through Unicoi to Hampton, around Watauga Lake and through Mountain City.

[@squirrel_82]

I miss home

[@Erikthetravelguy]

And home misses you!

[@AccordionJoe1]

I live 15 miles south of Boone but I seldom go there because the traffic is worse than in Chicago or New York City. Finding a parking place in the downtown business district is impossible. Most of the shops are throwbacks to the hippie 1960s or are overpriced boutiques. Appalachian State University has become a hodgepodge of educational buildings and cheap, ticky-tack dorms scattered all around the city. Students have to take the free buses from one class to the next. On the plus side, Boone has a great selection of restaurants and the prices at most are reasonable. ps --Almost all of the people in Boone are all friendly and polite.

[@sarahguy-levar7955]

Thanks for the introduction. I was supposed to be attending a workshop at Cheap Joe's......but it cancelled because of COVID. So....we are coming anyway and creating our own tour and workshop. I am surprised you didn't feature Cheap Joe's......he is a nationally recognized entity in the art world.

[@fallcreekmeadows]

People have no idea the wonders available in the mountains of NC. Mast is one of my oldest favorite places from a kid. From the candy to the tools, mail, special cooking pans...., clothes... It IS a very unique and independent place. Many of the families that are the oldest and now prominent families take this responsibility very very seriously. They have no other politician aspirations, but they have brought great honor to making sure their heritage is protected and preserved. I dearly love Western NC

[@user-sv3tx9gm6u]

Used to live here for 4 years. Moved to Tennessee because taxes were too high.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

I’m on my way to Tennessee today!

[@jeffreykretsch2380]

How do you like Tennessee?

[@rickybrians5235]

An alternate universe where Rick Harrison grows hair and sells his pawn shop to travel

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Now that’s funny! Thanks Ricky!

[@zachmueller2912]

I go to Appalachian State University its such a dope place

[@angellynette8258]

You can’t go to Boone without going to King Street. I love going all over the Blue Ridge, thankfully I just live 45 mins away.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

It’s an amazing place!

[@Jonwayne777Iloveyouall]

Awesome!!

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Thank you, kind sir!

[@donnahankins5899]

First grade. Blowing Rock Elementary school. I was there. I rode the bus.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Fantastic!!

[@consueloloftis5342]

Mast general store is a chain now and has stores everywhere full of over priced tourist junk. One of the last real general stores is a tiny little hardware store in hot springs NC.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Excellent tip! Thank you!

[@rickwiiliamson8177]

Boone used to bepretty nicetovisit,but no more. Its transformed to a place for tree hugging,Subaru driving earth girls now. But the land is still beautiful.

[@stevej9411]

Boone is nice. Blowing Rock only 15 miles or so away and is so much nicer, smaller and very quaint and very walkable. Nice shops and some great restaurants and bars. A beautiful city park right downtown. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right through the edge of the town.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Steve I agree! Thanks for the comments and thank you for watching! Please sub!

[@swinkler4417]

Most people living in Blowing Rock are extremely wealthy Floridian transplants who live there half the year; it isn't representative of North Carolina's mountain people. If it wasn't for the charm of the mountains, you might as well be in Miami.

[@Peonies925]

@@swinkler4417 LOL… funny because the first person to tell me about Blowing Rock was a Floridan who owned a home there.

[@lyceum4177]

@@swinkler4417 lol

[@maxdiggs1]

It’s not Boone OR Blowing Rock. It’s Boone AND Blowing Rock. What are they, 5 miles apart? Both have so much to offer, and complement (not compete with) each other. I prefer Boone for the cultural opportunities and vibe that comes with being a college town, but also love Blowing Rock for the restaurants and Bass Lake. No one has to choose one or the other.

[@cathywallace6990]

Love kingstreet

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Right????? It’s so cool.

[@iamcsmall]

Cool video 👍

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Thanks! Hope you’re having an awesome day!

[@thomasvernon7821]

TWEETSIE IS MY FAVORITE

[@Erikthetravelguy]

It is Avery cool place! That railroad instantly took me to a different time. So cool.

[@tillie2us]

I remember going as a young child and when I took my own children at a young children. Loved it

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Excellent memories!

[@samsungelec964]

North Carolina, indeed

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Yea!😍😍😍😍

[@donwilliams8506]

WOW...lots of inaccuracies in this video. 1-Neither Boone nor Watauga County is located within the Cherokee National Forest. 2-Grandfather is not the tallest in the Blue Ridge....that would be Mt Mitchell. 3-Tweetsie was not the first amusement park in NC. Pullen Park has it beat by 70 years.

[@GM-ie2zl]

uhm wow as well. he never said boone was in the cherokee national forest. he mentioned it as things to do.... its about the 2:45 mark Grandfather Mountain is in fact the tallest in the blue ridge. Mt Mitchell is in ths black mountain range. And i dont know pullen park. it is the oldest public park, but being that its a public park i think teeetsie and pullen would be different categories.

[@seandunlap1743]

Sorry folks, Boone is full.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Am I sensing a Griswald tone here? The moose out front is asking...

[@BeckVMH]

Hahaha

[@BeckVMH]

Also expensive. Annual statistics often have Boone ranked as the city with the highest cost of living in North Carolina.

[@thomasgarrett7577]

no he tells the truth. its full!

[@zezewilliams2063]

It is truly full. Nowhere to live or build more. 53% of watauga residents are below the poverty level because shops and restaurants and houses are catered to the tourists with money. Try living downtown for 900 a month, nothing included, and most likely not even making 15 an hour. Boone is truly full and is being torn down everyday.

[@butchrishel1505]

And while visiting boone,please eat at daniel boone inn

[@Erikthetravelguy]

👀❤️😃😬👀❤️

[@robertdavis7813]

What no mention of the Daniel Boone Inn's home cooked family style meals? No mention of the Appalachian Trail or the Skyline Drive? No mention of skiing at night near Blowing RocK? Technically Doc Watson is from Deep Gap. No mention of the Highland Games near Grandfather Mountain.

[@standunitedorfall1863]

It's only a 26 minute show. Give him a break, lol.

[@swinkler4417]

Skyline Drive is in Virginia.

[@mistywaters4881]

Please tell me the chef washed his hands in between touching the raw fish and touching the vegetables.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

He did

[@terrymattingly6843]

Wait a minute. Mount Mitchell -- tallest mountain East of the Rockies -- isn't in the "Blue Ridge"?

[@Erikthetravelguy]

That’s according to my sources. Sounds like it’s a bit of a contested statement

[@numberstimes]

Without tasting freshwater trout and other regional foods, you have not really been to a mountain town. 😄

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Absolutely!!!

[@jimburns1666]

WAS a great place BEFORE ASU. I am 67 born in Boone and raised there. Moved because no work and the Collège has ruined it. Driven taxes up forcing locals out. WILL NEVER be the SAME. The Mast General Store in Valle Crucis is nothing like the original. Blowing Rock is a small quaint little town because of the tourists who own SUMMER homes there. They keep it stifled for the natives most of who have had to leave because of property taxes being totally outrageous. They finally got an Food Lion and I'm surprised they let it in. But they have had an ABC store for years for the summer home owners. The ONLY thing they have done for the locals is raise taxes driving them out! Go to Eastern Tennessee the people are great and friendly. Hampton, Elizabethton area before tourist build too many homes and destroy Watauga Lake.

[@undoubtedcrow8010]

Yeah, I thought it loked kind of touristy.

[@tillie2us]

I was born there in 1952 and remained in the area until my family moved to Ohio in 1966. My parents always said in changed because of the college and the tourists.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

I can see their perspective. Every place always evolves and sometimes not the way we envisioned.

[@PB-rz8lz]

The university has been there since 1899, odds are App state is what brought you to Boone.

[@consueloloftis5342]

You are spot on. Boone is only for the rich and the last general store is a chain now and full of overpriced tourist junk. They raise taxes deliberately to run out locals.

[@beverlyhill6783]

The original Mast General Store - the first one - is not in Boone - It’s in another small town

[@Erikthetravelguy]

👀

[@startrekfangirl]

I want to move to Boone, right now I am in Winston Salem. But my goal is to move up there.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

You can do it! I have faith in you. Let me know where you land! Remember to subscribe to my channel, please! Thank you!

[@georgannmathis5127]

Love the Appalachian Culture, Hillbilly born, bred, raised and still living in the best culture in the world. I loved your segment until the food. Appalachian quinine does have fresh water caught trout but Napa cabbage??? Never. We have biscuits and gravy, grits but not shrimp, that would have been crawdads. We have pickled onions, cucumbers with pinto beans, cornbread, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fried corn and tomatoes. The staple meats were chicken and pork! Just saying. We were not gourmet but very simple, hearty, food which is produced in the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Ha! I love authentic food AND a little creative license. Remember to subscribe to my channel, please! Thank you!

[@ronaldsmith6871]

Look one thing I've heard about N.C is Flying Roaches hell no!!!

[@Erikthetravelguy]

🪳🪳🪳🪳🪳

[@halk3]

Or as Blackbird9 says, "New Boone, echo echo echo".

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Ha!

[@onyxmousgg956]

did anyone else judge when he only put salt and pepper on the trout?...

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Oh no..:not the judging! I can tell you…it was fantastic!

[@davidtaylor9590]

Love Boone NC and live 20 mins away but you need to see Appalachia interviews on soft white undderbelly

[@Lessontobe]

I don't watch videos with two very long ads before the video starts! BYE!

[@Erikthetravelguy]

I’m sorry to hear that. I believe the ads were skippable. Even if they were not, they were most-likely less than a minute for 25 minutes of editorial information and entertainment. But I would venture to note you do appreciate watching videos for free? If not ad-supported, what model would be more suitable to you? BTW, it’s Erik asking not some intern who responds to YOuTube comments.

[@Lessontobe]

@@Erikthetravelguy You choose the ad selection format.

[@leemicheal895]

Ummm it’s becoming extremely commercialized and urbanized; please don’t move here! Way too much building going on, countless multi story buildings now. The small town is becoming a small city; It sucks! And App state is killing the small town vibe n charm and the liberals and Democrats are becoming too many!!!

[@MarcyTrivette]

I agree. I was born and raised here. Actually, my dad's side of the family are natives to Watauga County going back many generations. I hate seeing all of these new buildings that are being built all the time. This town is running out of room! Most of them are apartments that cater to the college students. Housing in Watauga County is ridiculously high because of the college students as well. Landlords have jacked up the cost of rent on everything and it's almost impossible for a family to afford rent. My 2 oldest daughters couldn't afford to rent here, so they rent places in Mountain City and West Jefferson. They pay around $675 a month for places that would cost double that amount if they were located here. It's ridiculous!

[@robertharrison8286]

If it wasn't for App State there wouldn't be a Boone.

[@BeckVMH]

@@MarcyTrivette ... Annual statistics have long and often had Boone rated as the city with the highest cost of living in North Carolina. That’s quite a statement given the state has both mountains and beaches, not to mention the more heavily populated Piedmont region.

[@ladyleah1961]

I 2nd agreement to that.

[@robertcarmosino6563]

@@robertharrison8286 Wrong, it would be just fine if not better !

[@williamallport8923]

Y'all can go to boone, but don't drive your car at 5 mph while taking photos. #floridiots🤣🤣

[@ez7793]

Starts at 1:25

[@samsunglogo6810]

090

[@tomdamon7208]

I heard the crime rate was way above the national average . why ?

[@davidlopez6891]

Did u c any Racism!?

[@ladyleah1961]

Only in Steven Bebout’s comment, he needs to read up and study his history on who the KKK really are.

[@teej9142]

The dry chard frequently help because maria cytopathologically tame pace a certain top. obsequious, recondite tub

[@zezewilliams2063]

The absolute most boring zip lines ever. South Park did a great documentary on them.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Your comments have been noted for my formal report. 😬

[@numberstimes]

Who can afford to travel these days?

[@Erikthetravelguy]

👀😬

[@franksquires8151]

Any liberals there?

[@robertcarmosino6563]

Unfortunately yes

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Ha! They're everywhere just like conservatives. Remember to subscribe to my channel, please! Thank you!

[@WeWander2]

It's been quite a few years but yours is the only Community where I've ever saw the KKK March. Found a pretty outrageous and I'll never be back

[@ladyleah1961]

Your racist, so we’d like you to stay out of NC talking like that. Do you even know your history and who KKK really are politically?

[@abbyroad5289]

You.are a dammed liar

[@Qraze69]

its just a bot account. they can't do profile pics because it would be the same photo on every bot.

[@angelatownsend2417]

The KKK was in Boone, but it's been more than 25 years ago....and it should be pointed out that they weren't invited. They came on their own. I am a boone native and do not agree with the KKK.....BUT, they had a right to march....nobody liked them being here....but there you have it.

[@darrellwiles9507]

I don't suggest moving to Boone. I live right below it and the town is dying. They're very rude you conservatives that most of the businesses especially in downtown. I used to go up there a lot but I don't suggest going there now. Take it from me basically being a native and it's dying and will be a ghost town and I don't see the college lasting much longer if I was doing to the students.

[@primeboysander]

Facepalm. 🤦‍♂️

[@georgeyoung7206]

towns full, stay out

[@Erikthetravelguy]

George, your comment brings a smile to my face! Town’s full…the moose out front should have told you.

[@anthonyvesudruy4297]

Dude you talk way too much.

[@Erikthetravelguy]

What can I say? I get excited!

[@foggymountainman9138]

Too many looney College people

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Ha! I love the word looney. It belongs in the same category as beaver and monkey. Remember to subscribe to my channel, please! Thank you!

[@yardwaste2greattaste903]

I got bored

[@Erikthetravelguy]

Ha! Thanks, we’ll try harder.