The Legend of the Blowing Rock
Last weekend we took a day-trip back up to the town of Blowing Rock, NC. With the majestic Blue Ridge Mountain scenic views, the town shops and our favorite barbecue restaurant, it tops our list of favorites. We had never actually been on the Blowing Rock, so we paid admission to see what it was all about.
I admired this little bird who chose to sit atop the Blowing Rock.
This little girl beside me looked lonely. 🙂
I’ve always loved a good legend. Something about them always connects me back to my childhood, where things could instantly turn magical and mystical. This, to me, is one of those tales that takes me back to that time.
It is said that a Chickasaw chieftan, fearful of a white man’s admiration for his lovely daughter, journeyed far from the plains to bring her to The Blowing Rock and the care of a squaw mother. One day the maiden, daydreaming on the craggy cliff, spied a Cherokee brave wandering in the wilderness far below and playfully shot an arrow in his direction. The flirtation worked because soon he appeared before her wigwam, courted her with songs of his land and they became lovers, wandering the pathless woodlands and along the crystal streams.
One day a strange reddening of the sky brought the brave and the maiden to The Blowing Rock. To him it was a sign of trouble commanding his return to his tribe in the plains. With the maiden’s entreaties not to leave her, the brave, torn by conflict of duty and heart, leaped from The Rock into the wilderness far below. The grief-stricken maiden prayed daily to the Great Spirit until one evening with a reddening sky, a gust of wind blew her lover back onto The Rock and into her arms. From that day a perpetual wind has blown up onto The Rock from the valley below. For people of other days, at least, this was explanation enough for The Blowing Rock’s mysterious winds causing even the snow to fall upside down.
I’ve got my own handsome Cherokee brave. 🙂
Life of Bon 
Nice story, Bon. Like you, I am also magically entertained with stories such as legends up to now. So thank you for sharing this with us.
June 22, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Thanks, Sony! I’d love to live in this area some day. 🙂
June 24, 2012 at 10:15 am
I’m relatively close to Blowing Rock, Bonnie, and I’m always up for finding great places to eat. What is the name of the BBQ restaurant you mentioned?
June 23, 2012 at 10:51 am
Hi Debbie – it’s Woodlands BBQ, right off 321 bypass in Blowing Rock. We never miss a meal there whenever we’re in the area! Here’s their website: http://www.woodlandsbbq.com/
June 24, 2012 at 10:18 am
Love a good legend! Love the pic of you on the bench too!
June 25, 2012 at 7:14 am
Thanks, dear Victoria! I grew up with many of such (legends), I never tire of hearing them. 🙂
June 25, 2012 at 7:33 am
I stopped there many moons ago after visiting Appalachian State University in Boone. That area is beautiful. I would love to have a vacation home there.
June 25, 2012 at 8:25 pm
It’s a great day trip, but I prefer a weekend trip. 🙂 A vacation home there would be a dream, wouldn’t it?!
June 26, 2012 at 7:42 am
It looks like you’re reading to the little girl. =)
June 27, 2012 at 8:20 am
She was a really good listener too, Thoughtsy! 🙂
June 27, 2012 at 9:06 am