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October 2, 2020 by: thetraveler

Some of My Favorite Things from Asheville and Beyond

Let me start by saying this has been a long overdue post.  In the last couple of years, my life has been filled with loss and life changes.  Although I was still traveling in these previous two years, but not as extensively as before, my life’s drastic changes did not allow for much activity on the website.  This pandemic and spending some time in Asheville and Western North Carolina have allowed me to put some things in perspective, allowed healing, and helped me to find a much-needed peace I was missing.  I hope this post gives you some great information and reveals how the Appalachian Mountains can benefit the soul.  

Exploring Asheville and its surroundings during a pandemic has made me appreciate its beauty even more. With most businesses, bars, and restaurants closed and travel impossible, it pushed me to venture out and explore nature’s wonders and work on my photography. Like most, the pandemic left me exploring my own backyard and finding ways to satisfy my desire to travel.

Asheville, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, provides an excellent base camp to exploring western North Carolina. Whether its scenic drives in the mountains, chasing waterfalls, hiking, breweries, or gastronomy that brings you joy; Asheville and beyond allows you to indulge.

Some of my favorite finds and activities in Asheville and beyond during the pandemic are:

Scenic Drives Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway encompasses 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, and throughout it has scenic overlooks. The views along the parkway are breathtaking from its highest peak at 6,684 feet to its brilliant array of color during Fall, ever mile brings something new and exciting. I spend much time pulling off at an overlook, grabbing my Canon, and trying to capture the perfect lighting over the mountains before the moment disappears.

 Fascinating facts and discoveries along the Blue Ridge Parkway:

  • The highest peak in the eastern United States, Mount Mitchell, is located in Yancy County, NC
  • The deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon, Lineville Gorge, is located in Pisgah National Forest
  • The highest waterfalls east of the Rockies, Whitewater Falls, is located in Sapphire, NC
  • The Southern Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains in the world.
Glassmine Falls Overlook
Lane Pinnacle

Chasing Waterfalls

A favorite summer pastime in Western North Carolina are waterfalls that become swimming holes for all to enjoy. This summer I found myself chasing waterfalls; being a midwestern girl and living a couple of miles from Lake Michigan, spending my summers at the lake are some of my fondest memories.  North Carolina has over 250 waterfalls, which makes it easy to find the calming effects of water. There are several waterfalls within an hour of Asheville, some off the roadway, and others within a short hike. Best viewing is always after a rain event, so watch the weather before planning your excursion. A few of my favorites are:

Looking Glass Falls
Soco Falls

Scenic Lakes and Beaches

There is something to be said about a lake being surrounded by mountains; if you ask me, it’s the best of both worlds.  The serenity and peace that both elements bring when together always leave me speechless and grateful. Several lakes within an hour of Asheville provide walking/hiking trails, marinas, fishing, camping, and sandy beaches.  A few of my favorites to enjoy are:

Lake Junaluska
Lake Junaluska
Lake Lure

Breweries and Wineries

Asheville and Western North Carolina has a little secret; there are over 45 breweries in the area, mostly microbreweries and a few commercial! Asheville only trails behind Portland, Oregon, for the number of breweries per capita in the US.  Not only can you find craft brews in the area but also ciders, hard seltzer, mead, and of course, wines.  As a long-time beer fan who is now gluten-free, it hasn’t been easy, but I have been able to find several beers that are gluten-free and low in gluten to enjoy.  To my surprise, Asheville and Western North Carolina have over 30 wineries, many producing old-world European style grapes.  Not only will you get gorgeous mountain landscapes and breathtaking views, but you can also listen to live entertainment, and enjoy great food while you sip and taste. Some of my discoveries are:  

Burntshirt Vineyards
Point Lookout Vineyards
New Belgium Brewery

HISTORIC HOMES AND INNS

In Asheville, you will find the Biltmore Estates and the Omni Grove Park Inn, which provides excellent views, food, spas, and plenty of things to do and see. I’m not going to lie my favorite place to have Sunday brunch is at the Blue Ridge in the Omni Grove Park Inn, everything is so flavorful, and you are surrounded by beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If brunch is not your thing, I love having a cocktail watching the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Sunset Terrace at the Omni. It’s a beautiful property. Make sure you take a walk around the area.

At the Biltmore Estates, America’s largest home, you will find a 250 -room chateau with 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The estate includes restaurants, two hotels, and a winery.  There are plenty of activities to do throughout the year, which include hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and more.  The estate gardens and grounds changes with the seasons.   I have been able to experience three seasons thus far.  After purchasing a Biltmore Annual Pass, I became a weekly visitor, and the estate has become a part of my workout routine for a quick 6-mile bike ride or a 3-mile hike. A girl must get rid of the Covid-19 fifteen. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day and a great introduction to Asheville.

Sunset Terrace At The Omni Park Grove
Omni Park Grove
Omni Park Grove
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Grounds
Biltmore Gardens

There are plenty of things to do in Asheville and Western North Carolina, as you can see, I just touched the tip of the iceberg. The pandemic brought some challenges with businesses being closed or having limited hours.  I did not mention much about gastronomy because, like most, I became the chef, mixologist, and wait staff in my own home.  Some places for dining and cocktail experiences I enjoyed pre-pandemic are as follows: Antidote, Battery Park Book Exchange, Benne On Eagle, Biscuit Head, Chestnut, Curate, Early Girl Eatery, Forestry Camp, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Limones, Over Easy Café, Posana, Sovereign Remedies, and Tupelo Honey Café.   

Hope this pandemic inspired you to explore and discover the heart and soul of the place you call home.

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Cheers,

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Comments

  1. Paula Taub says

    October 3, 2020 at 4:20 pm

    Asheville is a favorite place of mine and my friends. You enlightened me to pastimes outside of the bars and restaurants we usually go to. Thank you for the great post Thru your eyes.

    Reply
    • thetraveler says

      October 3, 2020 at 4:33 pm

      Thank you. It’s becoming a favorite of mine also. It’s something about the area that draws you in. Hopeful your pastimes here will continue on in the near future.

      Reply
  2. Janice says

    October 3, 2020 at 12:50 pm

    So gorgeous! Asheville has been on my radar for some time now. Thanks for the wonderful information.

    Reply
    • thetraveler says

      October 3, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      Glad I can help. Happy travels!

      Reply

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Never too early for a Bubbly Rosé and shopping. # Never too early for a Bubbly Rosé and shopping. #vinesandwines #vineyardsofnc #wnc #moutainvineyards #rosé #ciderwineanddineweekend #blueskies
#TBT Felt like a kid in a candy store yesterday to #TBT Felt like a kid in a candy store yesterday touring the Biltmore Gardens Railway yesterday. Made me miss the days of train travel through Europe.  #biltmoreestate
#biltmoreblooms #asheville #historicgardens #historichomes
"Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that i "Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is." ~Jessica Harrelson~

#spring #springflowers #azaleas #biltmoreestate  #asheville #nothingbutblueskies #biltmoreblooms
We are going full out gluten today, because I miss We are going full out gluten today, because I miss drinking double IPAs and it 80 degrees out! #beer #ipa #somanybreweries #asheville
With vaccines rolling out, I reckon it's safe to s With vaccines rolling out, I reckon it's safe to start dreaming of international adventures again.  #TBT to Spring 2015 when I ate and drank my way through Spain and Portugal celebrating @divalins 40th birthday.  Our second to last leg in the province of Granada, Spain and my introduction to Andalusia.  Picture taken at the Alhambra with the foothills of the Sierra  Nevada Mountains in the background. #spain #granadaspain #andalusia #sierranevadamnts #internationaltravel #europeantravel
Not going to lie, it was truly the name of the pla Not going to lie, it was truly the name of the place that peaked my interest and made me leave my couch.  Glad I did, it was truly a great find. I recall telling the staff @leos_houseofthirst several times "this place is so stinking cute"! Maybe I could have said something more profound, but I was as  excited as kid in a candy store.

I recalled coming in as a wine snob giving may likes and "I'm not a fan of". The waitress gave me a blind taste based on my likes and my I'm not a fan, boy did she change my opinion on a few things and truly figured out my palate!!! She also introduced to a Txakoli from Artomana, Basque County, Spain (pictured above) after telling her I loved Vinho Verde. Side note: #basquecountry I missed you on my last trip to Spain, never again!

Who knew last Sunday when I left my couch I would learn about a new wine and find a new love. #wine #vino #winesofspain #winebar #asheville #gastronomy
My St. Patrick's Day started @sweetencreekcoffee My St. Patrick's Day started  @sweetencreekcoffee with a Caffè Americano with Irish Cream foam and a PB&J cookie from @morsel_cookieco . Yes you heard me right, that's  a cookie!  Off course when I saw it in it's pretty packaging and display I thought it was a muffin. Cool, muffin will be a nice addition, will go great with the coffee and gluten-free win win lol.  Really it's approximately 3"x2.5" of yummy goodness.  @morsel_cookieco is known for their stuffed cookies and this baby was bulging with pb&j! 

Great finds, both delicious and great treats for a cheat day. The Irish Cream foam added to the Caffè Americano sparked joy within my soul, js... #coffeehouse #coffeelover #coffee #cookies #smallbusiness #glutenfree
#fbf❤️ to my last morning of coffee, reflectio #fbf❤️ to my last morning of coffee, reflection, sunrise and photography on Wrightsville Beach. Such a joy to be still with nature and admire it's beauty.  Sunrise or sunsets will never get old for me, it draws me in every time. 

I'm so grateful that I did not forgo my annual Feb/March beach vacay this year. Not my typical international beach flow, but my heart and soul is filled with joy. It's that winter mental break that's required for a kid that was born and raised in the midwest also know as the frozen tundra... 

#beachvibes #southerncharm #northcarolina  #shellisland #wrightsvillebeach  #winterbreak #islandsofcarolina #sunrise
#TBT When Happy Feet decided to join me for my mor #TBT When Happy Feet decided to join me for my morning coffee and reflection. We shall call him Earl! I'm sure he was disappointed I had nothing to drop on the sand.  Curious has anyone ever seen a #seagull actually feed on fish or any other food besides  refuse?  #morningreflection #sunrise #beachvibes #beachtowns #landscapephotography
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