Todd, North Carolina - One of the Best Kept Vacation Secrets

Tucked away in the mountains of Ashe County, North Carolina, at the junction of Elk Creek and the South Fork of the New River, is a cozy community called Todd. Named after Captain Joseph W. Todd, a leader in the county following the War Between the States, Todd is a small town reminiscent of days gone by. At its peak, in the 1920's and 30's when the Virginia-Carolina railroad line (The Virginia Creeper) ended there, Todd had a population of about 500 people. When the railroad pulled out, so did the people whose livelihood depended on it. Left behind was, once again, the small community where, for a moment, time seems to stand still.

Nestled among the trees and surrounded by serene mountainside pastures and Christmas tree farms, Todd, North Carolina is the perfect place to unwind and recharge. When I need a vacation and want to go somewhere far from the hustle and bustle of life to just do "nothing", I think of Todd. I've been visiting there for the last 20 years. I know when I'm in Todd I can unplug myself from the rest of the world. If "doing nothing" it what you need, you can do nothing all day long in peace. However, if you need some activity in your vacation, Todd certainly has other options to consider.

Start your visit off right by taking the Todd Historic District Walking Trail, newly developed by the Todd Community Preservation Organization. It is a self-guided tour through Todd's historic district. You can find a brochure for the trail in the Depot, the Todd General Store and the Todd Mercantile.

Next to the Depot, you can spot some train cars, one is from the "Virginia Creeper" herself. During my last trip to Todd, I found four goats out in front of the train cars munching away on the grass. You never know what you'll see in Todd.

The New River provides many possible activities for the water adventurer. The RiverGirl Fishing, Co., located in the Depot, offers fly-fishing lessons and supplies. They are not open on Tuesdays, though. That's when RiverGirl is out fishing. Also owned by the same person is New River Adventures, a place where you can rent kayaks, canoes, tubes, and bicycles. It is also located in the Depot and once again, it is closed on Tuesdays. One thing to keep in mind when planning your Todd getaway, every 1^st Sunday of the month, New River Adventures has FREE kayak and bicycle rentals for folks who agree to help pick up trash along the banks of the South Fork of the New River and along Railroad Grade Road.

Speaking of Railroad Grade Road, how about a long stretch of flat road through rural mountain communities for the bicycling enthusiast? Railroad Grade Road is exactly what it sounds like. It is a road made on the old railroad line grading. This 10 mile stretch of flat road runs from Todd to the town of Fleetwood. The road is narrow and unlined, so if you are one of the few folks on the road in a car, watch out for cyclists (and joggers), take it slow, and enjoy the breathtaking views.

After your bicycling trek through the mountains, you'll probably be ready for lunch. Why not have a picnic at Cook Memorial Park along the Elk Creek? The Todd Summer Music Series takes place here on Saturday afternoons from June to August. In October, usually on the 2^nd Saturday of the month, Todd hosts the annual New River Festival at the park. You can find local artisans, listen to traditional music, and eat a lot of great food! The park can also be rented for weddings and other events. Most days, however, there aren't many people around and you can have the park to yourself. Throw down a blanket on the cool, thick grass and sit back while the kids throw stones in the creek. Don't worry about it, I hear kids have been throwing rocks in that creek for 100 years and it still hasn't re-routed the water. My own kids have been trying for the last 10 years.

Across the creek, you'll see a beautiful white private home. This home was once the Todd Hotel back when Todd was a bustling lumber town and the railroad was still running.

After your picnic, you may be in the mood for some shopping. Walk right up the steps from the park and visit the Todd General Store. The store has been around since the early years of the community and has survived the Great Depression and two major floods. It is one of 6 remaining general stores in the North Carolina mountains.

Upon entering Todd General Store, you realize immediately that this may be the perfect place to go Christmas shopping for those one of a kind gifts. The walls are lined with unusual and unique items, many of them crafted by locals. You'll find jams and jellies, quilts and rugs, wooden toys, cookware, and a recently renovated upstairs area dedicated to antiques and collectibles. The kids used to love coming to the store for their huge collection of candy sticks and novelty candies. You can also order some food from their grill and eat out on the back deck.

On Tuesday nights at 6pm, you can come by the store for "Storytelling" or visit later in the week for their "Friday Jam". It's a great chance to hear some old-time music. You can visit the Todd General Store calendar to see what's going on there in the near future.

When you finally commit yourself to leaving the Todd General Store, look along the road to your right. You'll see the Todd Merchantile. This is another building that has been around since Todd's heyday. Nowdays, it houses a bakery and an art gallery. Go on in, grab yourself a muffin and browse to your hearts delight. The Todd Merchantile also hosts dances and Bingo. In September, the merchantile hosts the Annual Elkland International Puppet Festival.

Right next to the Todd Mercantile is the Elkland Arts Center. This building, also from historic Todd, used to be the local bank. If you happen to visit Todd on a Saturday in June, head over to the Elkland Arts Center to help create puppets and costumes for the annual July 4^thLiberty Parade. The whole town comes together to celebrate in this parade. They say the only requirement is everyone has to be IN the parade.

I've always found that spending just one day in Todd, North Carolina does wonders for my mentality. If you prefer an extended weekend or an even longer stay, there are available rentals in the immediate area, from one-bedroom cabins on up to 3 or more bedroom cabins. Some cabins come complete with Internet access, Jacuzzis, decks, fireplaces and gas grills. With so many amenities and so many things to do, you may not ever have a reason to leave.

So much for doing "nothing".

To view images of Todd, North Carolina, view this SLIDESHOW on Associated Content.