2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park in Waynesville, NC

Overlooking Waynesville, NC

From 2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park and Waynesville, NC

We are currently at Creekwood RV Park in Waynesville, NC which is a lovely town in the  Blue Ridge Mountains about 30 minutes west of Asheville.  We will be here until July 5th when we head north to Mackinaw City, Michigan.

This is a lovely campground.  There are several couples who stay here as “work campers”.  Each husband and wife work 25 hours a week in exchange for their campsites.  Four of the men are dedicated to grounds keeping, and they really keep the place looking nice.  

The only downside to the campground is the fact a wood chipping plant is just across the highway.  Their operation is pretty loud, and they start work around 6:30am.  We have gotten somewhat accustomed to the noise, and happily they have been shut down most of this week before Memorial Day.  

From 2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park and Waynesville, NC

A prominent feature of the campground is the old barn and silo left from the days this was farmland.

From 2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park and Waynesville, NC

There is a pretty creek that runs down one side.

From 2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park and Waynesville, NC

I saw a mother duck and her little ducklings in the creek.

From 2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park and Waynesville, NC

A nice deck overlooks the creek at one end of the campground.

From 2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park and Waynesville, NC

On the other end is a picnic area open to all campers. 

From 2010-05 Creekwood Farm RV Park and Waynesville, NC

In between the deck and picnic area are a number of pretty sites that back up to the creek. 

The campground is close to both Maggie Valley and Waynesville so it is a good base for exploring this area.   We are just a mile or so from I-40 which gives easy access to drive over to Asheville.  This is a Passport America Park, so it would be a good overnight stop if you are traveling through this area between Asheville and Knoxville in your RV.

2010-05 NC Arboretum

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

We love the NC Arboretum and that was the first place we visited after our arrival in Waynesville.

We wanted to see the latest patchwork quilt garden.  They change the design 3 times during the spring/summer/fall growing seasons.  The current one has very muted colors.

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

But there were other more colorful plants.

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

The bonsai exhibit is always a delight.

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

While taking a picture, I heard Monique gasp.  I turned around to find here staring at this young snake (non-poisonous).

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

He soon slithered away.

From 2010-05 NC Arboretum

This is our 4th or 5th visit.  If you like gardens and forests, do stop by if you are in the Asheville, NC area.

2010-05 Sheltoh House Museum of NC Handicrafts

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

We visited a delightful museum in Waynesville - The Shelton House Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts.  It resides in the Shelton House built in 1875 by Stephen Jehu Shelton.  The house contains art works, handicrafts, and furniture made predominantly  by North Carolinians.  Pieces date from the late 1800’s to the present.

We had an excellent tour conducted by Jackie, this lovely lady who became the curator several years ago after she retired. 

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Jackie explained that when she arrived everything was just placed on shelves with little organization.  She and a friend took everything down, washed much of it, and then placed it in groupings on the floor.  Then they carefully arranged everything into organized and attractive displays.  It was a real labor of love, and they have created an excellent museum - perhaps as well done as any we have visited.

We were surprised by the first room we visited.  It had many native Indian exhibits.  Local Cherokee baskets and other crafts were beautiful and would be expected in a museum honoring NC Craftsmen and women. 

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

The surprise was the number of Navajo and other western Indian artifacts. 

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

The reason is that Mr. Shelton’s son, William T. Shelton, was the very well regarded  first Superintendent on the Navajo Reservation.  After retirement he came back home to live in Waynesville.  Thus the museum has a number of beautiful Navajo and other western Indian baskets, rugs, jewelry, clothing and other artifacts.

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Rooms are open throughout the house with other wonderful art and crafts on display including:

Quilts:

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Pottery:

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Dolls:

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Beautiful stained glass:

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Wood-burning:

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Dollhouses with furniture

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Gorgeous hand carved wooden bowl

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Clay storage jugs

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

and milking churns:

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Furniture like this unique bed made by the craftsman who built the house:

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

Or this dining table and chairs. Also note the centerpiece of flowers made from tiny glass beads delicately strung together.

From 2010-05 NC Museum of Handcrafts at the Shelton House

This tour was a real treat, and we plan to go back with friends. It is a shame that more people do not visit. It is well worth your time if you are visiting Waynesville.