asheville

after our whirlwind trip to asheville last year, i decided i had to come back. we had a few open days during nate's fall break, so we took off west for this quaint hippie town that reminds me so much of the pacific northwest.

as we climbed the blue ridge parkway higher into the smoky mountains, i saw something black swish across the road, so we slowed down. and then four more little black bear cubs scampered across the road.

the colors were gorgeous down low, but rain had destroyed some of the foliage at craggy gardens, where we stopped to take in the view.

this golden ridge though

asheville happened to sound like a good idea to a few of our friends, so we got together with the bulls and harrises for dinner at tupelo honey cafe, then watched the sunset at the grand grove park inn.

the next morning we watched the sun rise in our jammies, then sage cried when we left the hotel because she just wanted to stay there "longer and longer!"
but it was time to for another check on the bucket list...biltmore!
the vanderbilts built their own versailles in little old asheville and it is absolutely stunning. and massive. we patiently toured the house, which was already sporting christmas trees for the holiday season.
when we made it to the expansive gardens, sage was ready to be free. she somersaulted through every grassy patch while i obsessed over the fall hued flowers.

while we waited in line for breakfast at early girl eatery, we checked out the crochet work on all the lamp posts and benches.

george washington carver park is an edible public garden. sage climbed one of the apple trees, then accidentally fell into some poison plant. cool park idea, bad rash.

i love that asheville has character in both appearance and food. we had fantastic local fare at rhubarb and grabbed a chocolate snickerdoodle at french broad chocolate lounge on our way out of town. 

the girls were so good and slept most of the car ride to and from this little getaway. 

two thumbs up, asheville.