One of the many views at Sky Top Orchard
Hubby and I headed east last weekend to Flat Rock NC. We had passed by the exit countless times, saying to each other, “That sounds fun. Maybe we’ll go there someday.”
Now one thing you must understand is that me and Hubby, we like to veer off the beaten path; like, way off. Many times we see a road that looks like it should go somewhere fun and we take that road. We have rarely been disappointed. Lost? Sure. But not disappointed. We actually stumbled upon a herd of wild mustangs during a trip out west. We were the only people for miles and it was magical. But that is a story for another column.
I love autumn travels, so that means pumpkin patches and apple orchards. It was a crisp fall day with a blue sky that stretched out forever. We took I-40 toward Asheville NC, to I-26 East, to US Hwy 25 at exit 54, then followed the sign at exit 5 to Flat Rock. https://www.romanticasheville.com/flat_rock_village.htm. Our first stop on this trip, Sky Top Orchard. http://www.skytoporchard.com/.
David Butler and his father planted the orchard in 1967. “My wife is a foodie so we don’t sell products unless they pass her test,” David said. “We’ve made our fresh cider for thirty-five years.”
David took time with me, but was ever conscious of the stream of visitors and kept an eye out for anyone who might need his help.
“I’ve been doing this most of my life. It isn’t just the apples we’re selling, it’s the experience everyone remembers. People who came here years ago are now bringing their kids back.”
The orchard boasts more than one hundred acres, sixteen orchards, and twenty-five different varieties of apples. You can pick your own in season. This year they lost over fifty percent of their crop due to a late freeze, but the apples were still plentiful when we were there.
Sky Top Orchard has a bountiful assortment of jams, jellies, and butters to choose from.
One of the things I truly appreciated about the orchard is that the owners have not fallen into the commercial trappings of selling coffee mugs or t-shirts to remind you where you’ve been. You'll want to go back year after year and make new memories. Almost everything they sell is edible. There is also lots of fun stuff for the kiddos. Customer service is a top priority and friendly staff members are on-hand to answer any questions.
After a couple of hours strolling, riding via tractor-pulled wagon through the orchard, shooting the apple cannon, finding our way through the bamboo forest, and trying out the edible goodies, (apple slushies anyone?) it was time for lunch. While there are lots to eat and drink at the orchard, most of the food offerings are sweet and apple-oriented; unless you happen to be there on a day when the hot dog vendor is on-site. Sweet/tart treats are great, but eventually, we needed protein.
A quick trip down the mountain brought us through Zirconia to Historic downtown Flat Rock. Don’t blink. While the entire downtown area consists of only about one square city block, it is well worth a visit. And there is plenty of free parking.
Down a back passageway, we stumbled upon Hubba Hubba Smokehouse tucked away behind the main street and buildings. Trust me. One whiff and you can easily follow your nose to their wood-fired BBQ.
We were greeted by Mara who took our order and shared a bit of the restaurant’s history. “We have been here for thirteen years. We have all homemade sauces on the outdoor table over there.” She pointed out the free-range chickens roaming around. “Feel free to feed them. They’ll eat chicken but feeding them that, seems weird to me.”
We tried the pork sliders, the chicken, and some sides. All wonderful. Even though I got the stink-eye from one of the hens, I gotta say, the chicken was delicious. But watch out, the chipotle sauce can make you sweat. We enjoyed the outdoor dining while the breeze wafted through the courtyard bringing the smokehouse aroma along with it. As if we weren’t hungry enough already. You can check out all their goodies here: https://hubbahubbasmokehouse.squarespace.com/.
If Sky Top Orchard didn’t quench your desire for a sweet treat, the Flat Rock Village Bakery has an abundance to choose from, including some gluten-free items. If you aren’t in the mood for BBQ, they also do a fab pizza, including gluten-free. For an amazing breakfast, there’s Honey and Salt only a few steps away.
After lunch, we took a stroll around town and discovered The Wrinkled Egg https://www.thewrinkledegg.com/. where you will spot live birds and rabbits inside the shop, and Dogwood, a quaint boutique. https://dogwoodofflatrocknc.business.site/. Two very different shops with a variety of fun items. Take your time in these shops or you might overlook an unusual find to purchase as a memento. My fave, an electric jellyfish mood light.
Spend a minute talking to owner Virginia and her friend Jackie who are always around.
“This area is perfection. I have lived in Flat Rock for thirty years and I love it,” Jackie told us. “Virginia and I both do the buying and we have a lot of fun in the shop. We change our merchandise constantly so the shop doesn’t get boring.”
If you can spare the time, plop yourself on one of the large benches in front of the shop and just watch the world go by. Or check out the latest offering at Flat Rock Playhouse. https://flatrockplayhouse.org/.
No visit to Flat Rock would be complete without a jaunt to the beautiful home of Carl Sandburg, now a National Historic Site.
“Who is he?” You may ask. Shame on you. Carl Sandburg was a beloved American poet, journalist, musician, and Pulitzer Prize winner three times over. You can check out the life and times of Carl Sandburg at: https://www.nps.gov/carl/index.htm.
Sadly, the interior of the home was closed due to Covid restrictions and will remain closed until at least the end of September. We were able to stroll the grounds around the exterior of the house, barns, gardens, lake, and visit a few friendly goats. Some of which are ancestors of those who frequented the grounds when the Sandburg's lived there. Bring your hiking shoes. The trek up to the house is not overly long or strenuous, but it is steep, only partially paved, and not really handicap accessible.
“I come here with my kids to hike the trails and see the goats,” said a young mother of three. “This is like an outdoor park and my kids love it.”
The Sandburg home viewed through a bamboo forest.
We had just enough time left in the day to take the scenic route to Burntshirt Vineyards. https://burntshirtvineyards.com/. Pull up your GPS for this. Yes, Virginia. There is cell service.
Wine connoisseurs are sure to find something here to their liking. Don’t pass up a wine tasting on the patio as you take advantage of the view overlooking the vineyards. The business is expanding and there are plans to open a restaurant on-site by 2022.
Patio view of Burntshirt Vineyards
Confused by the name? Mountain lore tells us that farmers burned their fields to clear the land for planting on Burntshirt Mountain. They tossed their shirts on the fire for good luck and the fields yielded a bountiful crop. Um…sure.
There are other vineyards and apple orchards close by, but we were running out of time. Next visit we hope to stay on-site at Burntshirt Vineyards in the cozy Vintner’s Cottage, or one of the name hotels just a few miles away.
Just in case you’re still hungry, make your way back to I-40 and on to the Moose Café at 570 Brevard Rd in Asheville, a true Farm-to-Table restaurant, for some good ole down-home cooking. The biscuits are the size of softballs, well…close, and the homemade apple butter flows freely. The best part, you can have equally delicious food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. https://www.eatatthemoosecafe.com/asheville.
All-in-all, Flat Rock NC is a great place to spend the day, or an entire weekend.
Next stop for the “Next Stop”, the state of Maine. Rocky ocean bluffs, lighthouses, the beauty of National and State Parks, and seafaring captain’s homes, here we come. If we can get off the couch after all the fantastic food in North Carolina!
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