Caldwell County

George and I visited Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in October, 2008, during our annual mountain trip. Blowing Rock is claimed by both Watauga and Caldwell Counties, but since I've already done a post on Watauga County, I'm giving Blowing Rock to Caldwell County for purposes of this blog! :)

The downtown area of Blowing Rock has a number of charming shops, restaurants, and churches, in its downtown blocks, and also boasts a small museum, a marker associated with the Daniel Boone Trail, the tourist attractions The Blowing Rock and Tweetsie Railroad. George and I visited The Blowing Rock, but passed on Tweetsie Railroad, which seems to cater more to families with children.

Caldwell County was formed in 1841, and the county seat is Lenoir. It was named for Joseph Caldwell, the first president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Etta Baker, a Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, was from Caldwell County. Jan Karon was born in Lenoir, but moved to Blowing Rock to write her "Mitford" series.