Western North Carolina Holiday Tour & Mountain Landscape Awareness Journey

Hosted by: Restoring WNC Through Art brought to you by Xplore WNC Adventurous Educational Tours
Departure Location: Charlotte, NC
Cost: $40 per person (covers gas + Arboretum Winter Lights Entry)
Duration: Approx. 10 hours (12pm-10pm) - 331 miles round trip

A Holiday Tour With Purpose and Heart
This tour is more than Christmas lights.
It’s a chance to explore Western North Carolina during the most magical time of the year while also learning how powerful storms and natural events reshape the land, forests, rivers, and mountain towns we love.

When severe weather passes through the Blue Ridge region, it leaves behind more than fallen trees and debris — it alters the landscape, affects local wildlife, disrupts small communities, and changes the character of entire valleys and ridges. Some areas rebuild quickly, while others are still healing.

This tour gives you a firsthand, respectful look at both the beauty and the challenges found in WNC today — something no photograph could ever fully explain.

# YOUR TOUR EXPERIENCE

### Stop 1 — Bat Cave, NC

Travel through one of the most dramatic mountain corridors, where you’ll begin to notice how storms reshape rock faces, tree lines, and natural pathways. This is where our journey into awareness and understanding begins.

### Stop 2 — Chimney Rock Village

A scenic stop in a beloved mountain town where you can see — up close — how nature affects rivers, bridges, and local businesses. You’ll have time to explore, take photos, and support the community.

### Stop 3 — Black Mountain (Dinner & Christmas Town Walk)

Black Mountain shines with small-town charm and holiday warmth.
We’ll stop for dinner (self-pay), walk through the decorated streets, and enjoy the season while also understanding the resilience of mountain communities recovering from nature’s impact.

### Final Stop — Asheville Arboretum Winter Lights

Your entry ticket is included.
This glowing, immersive light display gives us a joyful ending, reminding us of the beauty that remains — even after the hardest storms.
https://www.ncarboretum.org/winter-lights

# Why This Tour Matters

Western North Carolina is known for its beauty, but also for its vulnerability. Storms in the mountains can:

• Change river paths
• Trigger landslides
• Shift or remove entire hillsides
• Damage forests and wildlife habitats
• Impact local families and small businesses
• Alter scenic routes and natural landmarks

You will see some of this impact gently and respectfully during the trip — not to sensationalize the destruction, but to understand it, honor it, and bring awareness to the communities working hard to rebuild.
This aligns with our mission through Restoring WNC Through Art, which is to transform storm-damaged wood into meaningful art that supports restoration and healing.

# What to Bring

• Warm layers
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Camera or phone
• Optional spending money for dinner or small local shops
• A heart ready for meaning, beauty, and purpose

# Who This Tour Is For

Anyone who loves the mountains, cares about community, appreciates learning, or wants to experience something deeper than a typical holiday event. It’s a relaxing, eye-opening trip suitable for all ages — no hiking required.

# Join Us

Come experience the mountains during the holidays, understand the impact storms leave behind, and support the recovery and resilience of Western North Carolina.

Reserve your seat and be part of something meaningful.