Asheville NC 3-2/3-2019

We get an early start wanting to see as much as we can. Thankfully the sky is blue again and the temperature is comfortable, Ashville has a deep history and is the home for University of North Carolina creating an atmosphere of arts & culture. The downtown is thriving with new construction and a great mix of eclectic business’s. Yes the Woolworth building is still here but has been turned into a art co-op and diner. The musical group outside was excellent and drawing a large crowd. We did our best to walk down each street in a serpentine order, we found this alley full of many unusual shops to include Celtic Way, despite all the angry comments about the owner we found her charming and informed, I’m sure her conservative politics don’t match the surrounding culture. Mrs. Betty Thatcher is very independent thinking and has strong opinions of the politics in her area. If you have any Scottish blood in you she does has a great selection of attire. Of course coffee is always at the back of Angela’s mind and sure enough there was a coffee bus one of the main streets. Double D’s coffee is unique because its in a bus and in its court yard area it is linined with bricks that have positive sayings, their cookies were excellent as well. There were many historic and interesting buildings, the Grove Arcade has gone from governmental to commercial with a great selection of retail and restaurants. Its time for lunch and we came across The Burger Worx, its home grown and delicious, the White Zombie from Catawba Brewing (East of Asheville) was a great pairing for the burger. After lunch we head to Pack Square Park that is surrounded by great buildings and memorials (see below). The walk there brought us by many shops some with novelty signs. It seems no matter what the size of the town or city there is always a Masonic Temple, my father was a Scottish Rite Mason so I’m always intrigued. SH Kress company made its fame as 5 & 10 cent store, not unlike the dollar stores of today, this one is the only one I have seen still standing. We end the day at High Five Coffee another local success story.

The next day, since we were not able to get all the sights in, we resume our adventure. I have to say the sculpture in front of the Federal Court House was incredible, now saying that does the sculpture create a better court system, I don’t think so, I love art and architecture but when comes to spending over the top for things like this, I’m not a fan. Pritchard Park is another park right in the middle of things surrounded by great restaurants. A new 19 story building called Hotel Arras and Arras Residences is nearing completion. The Vance monument is a tall granite block spire with memorial to a confederate soldier and just up the street from Packs Square and tavern. Time for lunch and this great vegaterian spot called Laughing Seed was excellent. Another sweet stop was the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, this place was very popular and the tour guides had people linning up to get in, the chocolate cookie was awsome. We said goodbye to downtown and headed out to the famous Biltmore Estate, we had no idea how big and that you need to spend a day or two to see it. After entering the welcome building and understanding the cost and time involved we decided to come back on another trip. The trick is to stay on the onsite hotel and get free admission otherwise it cost $60 per adult to get in. We head back to Mama Gerties to prepare for the next move north.