The whole idea behind this trip is discovery, adventure and to be free-form as much as we can possibly stand. So while our first planned destination was to be the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, we changed our minds and decided to stop in Asheville for a couple of days.
We found a place to stay that was fine for a couple of days, Bear Creek RV. Not a destination place...but comfortable enough.
We had spent New Year's at The Biltmore a few years ago, but hadn't really seen the city of
Asheville. What a surprise! I had no idea it was so Bohemian..
..free-spirited young people everywhere carrying what looked like everything they owned on their backs. Some played very bad guitar on the street corners, most were just hanging out.
..free-spirited young people everywhere carrying what looked like everything they owned on their backs. Some played very bad guitar on the street corners, most were just hanging out.
We walked what is known as the Asheville Urban Trail...a 1.7 mile self-guided walking tour of the city showcasing the city's architecture, galleries and 30 bronze sculptures throughout town. Unfortunately it's not very well marked and there is no obvious signage....but did see a couple of very interesting art deco buildings and an office building designed by I.M. Pei.
Another thing that had by-passed my radar screen is that Asheville apparently has quite a well-known music scene...who knew!?! We found a place called the Fiddlin' Pig Bluegrass & BBQ thefiddlinpig.com featuring live local music every night. Thought we'd give it a go...unfortunately the bad didn't show up and the food was mediocre, but it seemed to be set up as a pretty good venue.
Next night we thought we'd discovered a real find. Read about the Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall thegreyeagle.comthat had a pub tucked in the back where a former chef of Paul Prudhomme's cooked down home New Orleans fare. I was salivating at the mere thought of crayfish etouffe! Big disappointment..all heat, no depth of flavor. Rick had a Cajun pasta with very good shrimp, but served over a fusilli which seemed an odd choice of pasta with a dull sauce. We stayed for a bit of music. Understand they bring in very well known names, but, alas, that night was a radio station's anniversary party and they didn't pop for very good musicians.
At this point the trip was feeling like a really, really bad idea....then awoke to a crystal clear day with mile-long views of the valley when a brillant hot air balloon passed overhead and made me smile.
Went to the Western North Carolina Farmer's Market just down the road a
nd discovered a huge, permanent wholesale and retail facility. While there wasn't a huge variety of products, things were well-priced, fresh and it was particularly fun seeing scenes that came fresh out of central casting!
nd discovered a huge, permanent wholesale and retail facility. While there wasn't a huge variety of products, things were well-priced, fresh and it was particularly fun seeing scenes that came fresh out of central casting!
The North Carolina Arboretum, ncarboretuem.org, filled the afternoon. While smaller than what we're used to, it's 434 acres with 65 acres of cultivated gardens were nicely do
ne. The Quilt Garden, which is a rotating planting for each of the four seasons, is their showcase.
ne. The Quilt Garden, which is a rotating planting for each of the four seasons, is their showcase.When they heard we were from D
C, they particularly wanted us to see their bonsai exhibit because the National Arboretum's collection is so exquisite...unfortunately it wasn't going to be up for a few days, but we enjoyed some other plantings and a very unusual sculpture!
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