Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
In Blowing Rock, North Carolina, sits a strange little place called Mystery Hill. Its attraction is that at this particular spot on the earth, theres an extreme gravitational pull that causes water to run uphill, people to stand at a 45 degree angle, and if you bounce a ball to someone, it comes back to you like a boomerang. People have flocked to Mystery Hill for over 50 years to see these unique occurrences, and they make it easy on tourists by being open year-round.
At the Hall of Mystery, there are several science and physics exhibits along with mathematical theories and just plain fun. Kids can leave their image on a wall, simply by leaning against it, or capture their brother or sister in a giant bubble. Theyll also enjoy The Magic Lightbulb, The Flying Mirror and The Spooky Spigot for optical illusions and eerie enjoyment. Not too scary for even the smallest child, Mystery Hill also has a little cabin that you walk into and suddenly feel a gravitational force unlike any ever felt before. The gravity literally pulls you into the cabin, but this experience is not recommended for some people with heart problems and other health issues, so check with the front desk before entering. The cabin is basic and has a display where you can pour a cup of water and watch it come out the other end of a pipe, which is uphill at quite an angle for water to travel. They also have balls that you can bounce to see that they wont bounce straight up and down. Although the cabin is purposefully built at an angle to add to the illusion, the gravitational force is real and can be felt, but only at this spot at the site.
Be sure and visit the nearby Appalachian Heritage Museum, which was built by the father of the founders of Appalachian State University and is now a pristine example of a home of the middle class American in early 1900s. Its said to be the first house in the county with electricity and running water. Also close by is the Native American Artifacts Museum, that started out as a few arrowheads and now houses over 50,000 pieces of Native American artifacts, one of the largest collections of its type in North Carolina.
North Carolina, with its mountains and dense forests, offers some of the best hunting, fishing, camping and white-water rafting opportunities in the southeast. There are also local log cabin rentals, plenty of gift shops and by-the-road stands selling everything from arrowheads to honey. And one of the most popular fun spots in Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad, is just a few miles up the road from Mystery Hill.
In the fall, thousands of people travel the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the fall foliage, enjoy beautiful weather and visit area shops. Depending upon what type of the year you visit, there are fruit and flower festivals, concerts, parades and fireworks for the whole family. Its an all-around great place to visit, or even to live.
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