I wanted to visit Asheville for many years due to its artsy reputation and mountainous landscapes. It’s a place I’ve even considered moving to. Since it was my Spring Break, and I’ve been rather burnt out from my busy school/work schedule, I treated myself to a North Carolina getaway (found an $84 round-trip ticket)
Asheville is basically the Southeast equivalent of Portland, Oregon. You’ll find bohemians wearing septum piercings and neon dreadlocks, free spirits smelling of weed or essential oils, Grateful Dead memorandum, progressive signage, and gutter punks. “The dream of the 90’s is alive in Asheville.”
I would very much like to visit again in the fall to experience its orange-cranberry bloom. I want to explore many of the nature sites along the Blue Ridge Highway, such as Craggy Gardens, because unfortunately they were closed when I was there. I’d also be interested in checking out the music scene there: Bring on the banjos!
This was the view from my Airbnb in the historic district of Montford. Look at that darling treehouse! Eeee!
Went for a nice walk and found a house to move into. Do you think the owners will mind?
Time for brunch in West Asheville at Early Girl Eatery! Yum.
I had biscuits with vegetarian herb cream gravy and a veggie breakfast bowl made with brown rice, black beans, sweet potatoes, spinach, cheddar cheese, scrambled eggs, salsa and avocado.
Bagatelle Books was a great find (also, the owner was cute).
I was especially fond of their occult/esoteric selection. Picked up 2 books on astral projection and color healing. You can take the girl out of LA, but you can’t take the LA out of the girl!
Loved this friendly record shop, Harvest Records, and their offerings. I was happy to see Fursaxa out on the shelves. It was also decorated super cutely inside- like the living room of a fun 70’s aunt.
Never knew I needed a leopard print vehicle until now.
Tiger Bay cafe’ was a sweet little spot to hang. I miss having cafe’s I actually like going to around me. Ugh.
Then I went downtown!
I am realizing that when I travel to new cities, I hunt down all the bookstores.
Lovely curation at Earth Magick. I BIND YOU FROM DOING HARM, NANCY.
Vintage shoes at Lexington Park antiques. I almost bought the pair on the right from the 1800’s. Thank goodness I didn’t because we are about to go into an economic crisis and all- not sure this item takes priority.
Pack Square Park: A community green space.
Dobra Tea downtown. I went twice!
Shakti tea with oat milk. By far the best tea I’ve ever had. It was perfect for the moody, cool weather.
Treats from French Broad Chocolates (Okay, fine, I ate my way through the city). I tried their lavender honey, rose cardamom + pistachio, and grapefruit fennel + olive oil bonbons. What a joyful place!
Ah, Rhubarb… local ingredients at their finest. I sat at the chef’s bar and watched the staff’s artistry unfold before my eyes. This place is not to be missed.
Preserve Plate of house-pickled veggies. So refreshing!
Smoked Wild Mushroom Cassoulet: Flageolet Beans, Smoked Local Mushrooms, Tuscan Kale, Carrot Tops, Herbed Breadcrumbs
Had a delicious brunch buffet at Omni Grove Park Inn on the following morning. This hotel is a national treasure.
You can catch some spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains there.
On my drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I stopped at the Folk Art Center, which is a museum of Appalachian arts and crafts.
Y’all, if you haven’t driven alone down a rainy, foggy highway in the mountains while listening to Dolly Parton, I surely pity you.
Most roadside attractions along the parkway are currently closed for Winter, so it was just me out there, riding alone on the wide open road, taking in the healing power of the wet air.
Fog and mist were rolling down the sides of mountains, and it made me feel like I was in an episode of Twin Peaks. Thankfully, Bob was nowhere to be found.
I did it! And didn’t get eaten by a bear! Or get lost without reception!
Goodbye for now, Asheville.
