Robbinsville, North Carolina

The first greens of daffodils have appeared around Blue Waters Mountain Lodge's property and are peeping out from the frosty ground. Being the first of the spring flowers, they are taking full advantage of the light that is available on the woodland floor before the foliage of the trees and shrubs develops later in the year and puts them in shade.

So for now, let us all keep our fingers crossed, nothing lasts forever, Spring is coming.

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Now a new film is in pre-production. Flight of the Cardinal will begin filming in early 2010.

"Cardinal" is a psychological thriller shot entirely on location at Blue Waters Mountain Lodge on Lake Santeetlah in Robbinsville. The script’s hero Grady Wilson, a self-exiled former actor and player battles for his sanity and life against a conniving young villain named Beetle. Flight of the Cardinal addresses the philosophy that if a man is to be his best, he must first examine the worst. One enthusiastic critic described it as "Gaslight meets The Shining".

Currently producers are finalizing the details and are seeking a handful of motivated and talented actors and crew members to join the production.

Mike Stewart, owner of Blue Waters Mountain Lodge said "It is a very exciting thing to have coming to town; Graham County's beauty continues to attract national acclaim. ".

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These segments have featured each anchor performing daredevil activities such as exploring underwater caves in Florida and cliff diving in Hawaii. This week was Bill Weir’s turn to try his luck with a little dragon slaying.

Bill Weir is the co-anchor of the weekend edition of "Good Morning America" and his reporting is seen on "World News with Charles Gibson," "Nightline" and "20/20." Weir has anchored several launches and landings of the space shuttle, was the first American to broadcast live from Tibet and led off 2007's Earth Day special with an unprecedented underwater live report from the Great Barrier Reef.

For the Weekend Adventures segment, Bill rode a beautiful 2010 Indian Chief motorcycle. Hitting the road in 1901, Indian Motorcycles was not only the first American motorcycle, it was the world's best-selling bike and having introduced the first V-twin motorcycle to the world in 1907, the most technologically advanced.

Flying into the Knoxville airport, several of the crew had an early taste of US 129 and the twists and turns that it offers. Jennifer Pirone, GMA Weekend Producer, has a harrowing story to tell her fellow New Yorkers about driving the dragon alone, in the dark with no cell phone service. With the sunrise, she was excited to actually see all that she drove through!

Robbinsville native, Ella Mae Teesateskie, manager at Blue Waters Mountain Lodge, thoroughly enjoyed meeting the ABC crew and was flattered when Bill Weir told her “can’t wait to come back and enjoy this, when I get some time off”.

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Graham County has become an international destination for visitors from over twenty seven countries and six continents in just the last six weeks.

Through the internet, the 318 curves in 11 miles on Highway 129 has become renowned to motorcyclists and sports car drivers as the Tail of the Dragon worldwide. Tourists from countries as far as China, Japan, Malaysia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Columbia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania as well as Canada and Mexico have all made a pilgrimage to the small town.

Mike Stewart, owner of Blue Waters Mountain Lodge, stated “we have been excited to host so many visitors from all over the world this summer and the overwhelming draw is the roadways of Graham County. Dragonslayers arrive speaking many different languages and each has the same reaction at the mere mention of US 129 - childlike enthusiasm”. In addition to the “Dragon”, the scenic Cherohala Skyway, Hellbender and the Devil’s Triangle offer enthusiasts a great ride with plenty of breathtaking views.

Others are drawn by the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Many international guests say that they were taught in school about the ancient Smoky Mountains, part of the oldest mountain range in North America. Guests find themselves captivated by the majestic vistas, interested to discover the history of the Cherokee and impressed by the commitment to conservation the parks and forests exemplify.

Global conflicts and lackluster economic indicators aside, each visitor to Graham County appreciates the beauty with which local residents live each day. This can be summed up by a comment made by Andy Mills of England as he floated an afternoon away on Lake Santeetlah, “if I’m dreaming, don’t pinch me!

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Speed TV, in partnership with Suzuki Cycles came to Robbinsville to shoot scenes for the series “Suzuki Summer Cruise”.

Speed, a subsidiary of Fox Entertainment, is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. Its weekly programming schedule on Speed brings car enthusiast television to prime time Monday through Thursday. Available in 78 million homes in North American, Speed is among the fastest growing sports cable networks as well as home to NASCAR TV.

On air personalities Molly Culver and Neale Bayly discovered that Graham County was truly a gem in the Smokies. Molly, an actress and model, is best known for portraying the role of Tasha Dexter on the syndicated television series, “V.I.P.” and Neale, who is no stranger to the television camera, in front of or behind the lens, currently hosts “Trippin’ on Two Wheels” on Speed. Both are accomplished riders and spent their days in Robbinsville being filmed riding the Tail of the Dragon (U.S. 129), Hellbender (N.C. 28) and N.C. 143 through Stecoah Gap.

Mark Mitchell, Executive Director of Speed stated that this was the network’s first project designed solely for its internet channel. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Mark has ridden the back roads of Western North Carolina for years and stated “the roads were ideal for Speed’s productions”. Collectively, cast and crew were impressed with the quality and condition of the roads as well as the beautiful vistas in Graham County.
The production was organized by Bill Kneigge of Blue Strada Tours. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Blue Strada provides bikes, all inclusive lodging and guided tours of western North Carolina to worldwide clientele.

Mike Stewart, proprietor of Blue Waters Mountain Lodge stated “we really enjoyed the cast and crew’s stay and are excited to see this talented group’s results.”

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