We woke up Tuesday morning and were chatting about the upcoming trip. It was a beautiful day. Don, being a spontaneous guy, suggested we leave in a few hours instead of waiting until Wednesday. I said yes. (Very unlike me!) So we headed out around noon on Tuesday and it’s now Thursday.
It’s been nice, but tiring. We didn’t sleep much the first night on the road, so we were going on less than four hours of sleep yesterday. Exhausted is putting it mildly. Still, we soldiered on, debating whether to take one highway or the other. I wanted to see Asheville NC, so we went a bit out of our way to head up into the Smokies and visit.
It was disappointing. Now, let me say that we were really, really tired. And it ended up being around 5:00 pm when we got there. We were hungry and cranky. And we didn’t have time to see the Biltmore Estate or the Grove Park Inn, both of which I would like to see someday. Asheville was just plain bigger than we had imagined. I don’t know what we were visualizing, but something smaller and charming and tucked into the mountains? We drove around the downtown area and I could see there are a lot of neat shops and restaurants. Someday, when I’m rested and I have an entire day to explore, I think I’d like it. But I’m not real big on going in a lot of shops, so who knows? Anyway, I ended up feeling guilty that I had taken us so far out of our way to go there.
Although, we both mentioned that it looked like a place in which we could quite happily live.
We ended up spending the night outside of Spartanburg, SC. Don’s still sleeping so I thought I’d grab a chance to get online.
A scenic overlook in the Smokies. Lovely view. We, of course, have mountains within spitting distance of our cottage, so this view is not unlike what we can see when we go hiking. The Smokies are beautiful; I can only imagine how lovely they must be later in Spring.
The farms and beautiful, stately farmhouses that we’ve seen along the way, the cattle grazing on the rolling hills, the beautiful barns – all of that is just gorgeous.
At two different points, we saw the Confederate flag on display. Not a smallish version, no, a huge flag on a giant flagpole, flying rather defiantly so that all who drove by on the Interstate could see it. This Northerner found it rather shocking. Oh, there’s some yahoo who lives near us who drives by with a Confederate flag flying on his car aerial (can’t imagine why he’s living in Upstate NY) but that’s the closest I’ve come to what I saw yesterday. In the current political climate it seems rather like the flip of a giant finger. Unsettling. As is so much going on today, but that’s another post.
The day before we left, I walked around the property to see if there were any signs of ‘green.’
Huzzah! Day Lily shoots.
Daffodils.
Lilac buds.
The weather back home is very warm for this time of year. It should reach the mid-seventies today. It will be interesting to see what all of this looks like when I get back.
We will get to Meredith’s either today or mid-day tomorrow.
Depending on when Don gets out of bed this morning.
Happy Thursday.
Ah, I love road trips. I didn’t think Asheville was anything fantastic, but the Biltmore is great. If you ever get a chance to go back, spring and summer are wonderful to see the gardens. Have a safe trip!
Sounds wonderful, lack of sleep and all. Enjoy the drive and your time with family! I hope your back is cooperating.
Going with the flow is fun most of the time!
What fun! I’ve organized and run several meetings at the Biltmore Estate and it’s been fun. But I’ve seen it enough now. Never got to spend much time in the town itself, though my husband was there last year and liked it ok. Like so many places, I think it’s probably over-run with “touristy” places (because of the Biltmore Estate). Funny how garden plants are — our daffodils are up higher than yours, but I have not seen any day lily shoots yet and your lilac buds are larger than ours. Enjoy your exploring!!
Our daughter lives in Asheville and it really is a charming city. Lots of good restaurants, many antique malls and shops, cute shops. Everyone should see the Biltmore House at least once – breathtaking! I hope you get to return to Asheville when you have more time.
I love road trips. This post makes me want to plan one. Enjoyed your photo of the Smokies. I drove through that area years ago, but I was very young and by myself on a business trip and gripping the steering wheel so tight that I could hardly look around. But I did take an afternoon at the Biltmore Estate and remember that the house was impressive and the gardens are gorgeous.
Asheville is not a place to visit when you’re tired. The Biltmore Estate should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list….. it is fabulous! There is the house, of course, and the beautiful gardens. Also a winery where you can sample their wares for free, take a tour, listen to live music on the lawn, and on and on. Some nice restaurants, too. Please don’t miss it!
Blowing Rock (“Mitford”) is a beautiful and charming small town just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. This little walkable town might just fill the bill for you if you have a chance to return to the area. Biltmore is a must; Asheville is a city that deserves a trip all to itself (couple of days, anyway). But you’re on the Parkway, and that is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Onward!
Safe travels!
And make a trip to Asheville when you have more time. I love the Grove Park Inn!
It was in the 80’s here yesterday and it’s suppose to get there today also.
Too warm too soon. But I am ready for Spring.
Have a safe trip and a great time.
Monica
I enjoyed my trip to the Biltmore Estate but was not inspired by Asheville at all. Still worth a visit if you ever have the chance. I know that being really tired colors my view of things also. You are seeing a pretty part of the country and so near where I live. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
hugs,
Linda
Ashevilles a nice little city. When we lived in the area we were in Saluda. Hendersonville is nice as well. That said, don’t miss the Biltmore and also the Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock. You would like the Flat Rock Theatre. All of these are off “26”.
The only place I’ve ever been on the East Coast is the Washington DC/Annapolis area. My dream is to head further south and go through the great Smokies and the Appalachia area. I’ve also always wanted to see the Biltmore estate. Maybe someday. I hope the rest of your drive goes smoothly and you’re soon safe at Meredith’s home. What fun you’ll have her there!
Blessings, Betsy
Safe travels on the remainder of your journey!! Enjoy!
Isn’t it lovely to travel without a schedule or itinerary?
The day-lilies here are high enough for the deer to nibble, which they have done.
Hope you’re having a relaxing time today.
I’m so sad to hear that you didn’t get to enjoy Asheville and the surrounding area. Waynesville, Hendersonville, Blowing Rock and Chimney Rock to name a few. Up towards Grandfather Mountain even in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is such a lovely area and of course Biltmore is out of this world. As others have said a must for everyone. Chimney Rock is a charming little town that I bet you would enjoy. Asheville is one of my favorite cities. They are so wonderful when it comes to the “green” lifestyle in all aspects. I do hope you can visit again someday with more time and not being tired.
I could never say enough about the Smokies or any of eastern Tennessee. Spring is beautiful but Fall in the Smokies is out of this world. Lots to see and do. Lovely place. Another one of my favorites.
I am a born and bred Southerner and I wouldn’t change that for anything in this world. I must say that the confederate flag is a shock to me every single time that I see it. It’s embarrassing, disgraceful, disgusting, shameful…..I’m certain there are many other adjectives to insert here! I am so sorry you had to experience that on your visit through the South. Unfortunately there are people who believe in what the flag stands for today and don’t mind showing it to anyone. The South is filled with so many lovely people…..I hope you get to experience some of the good as well.
Get some rest. Travel safe. Enjoy each moment. Blessings.
My parents, at age 63, took a OTO, rather ambitious cross-country road trip, coast to coast, in a conventional car; they only had a certain amount of time due to my dad’s business so Mother had it well planned and, largely, it all came off wonderfully but they did, in fact, have a few hits and misses in terms of expectations. Maybe someone else wouldn’t agree, but at least with the part she saw, Mother was disappointed in exactly WHAT was the big hoopla about the Blue Ridge Parkway. Perhaps, as you mentioned, it’s the time of year in which we visit these places. Also … I do this … we can build up things in our mind from years of reading about a place and then feel a letdown when we actually see it. Or the opposite. “People” had me wary about Amsterdam and that the streets were dirty. I was there after it rained and I thought the city was stunning. I walked my shoes off and couldn’t get enough of the place. I remember a vacation with my first family where we were looking to go to Pendleton, Oregon…thoughts of woods and woolens in my teenage mind. It was the eastern part of the state, dry, hot, barren and just not scenic at all. We didn’t linger.
Oh, how I’ve always wanted to see that Biltmore! I hope you can travel through again sometime and share your visit. I’m sure once you’re with your sister, you and Don will feel renewed. Maybe the trip back will go better. The first night on the road is always a bit out of sync, I think.
There are a zillion places I’d like to see where you are right now. I have a lot of heritage in North Carolina, like 8 generations reaching deep into the family tree. It really took my dad aback to see a whole cemetery with our surname. Small one…ancient but maintained…yet, nevertheless, a bit daunting to see that you have had people in an area long enough, and enough of them, to fill a designated resting place.
Ah, green things growing. Isn’t it happiness-inducing??!! Have forgotten in drought-ridden SoCalif what that’s like. But we now, too, for the moment at least, have had JUST enough rain to see some mossy green now covering our foliage-deprived foothills. (I’m hoping it will please-oh-please help our suffering tree life.) And people’s dead, straw-like lawns are slowly greening-up; it’s so HOPEFUL. We’ve got roses with new buds in the yard; the bulbs are going crazy…tulips, daffodils; crocus. Callas. (I love the lilies at Easter!) It feels good to feel ‘normal’ with temps in the 60s, for March, as it should be. What’s gloriously heady is the scent of citrus blossoms in the early evening.
Safe travels, Claudia and Don. I’ve never been to that part of the country so am enjoying your photos and “trip log”.
The smokey mountains are a favorite of our family’s…we’ve traveled through many times. I’m not much for touring big houses, such as the Biltmore…give me beautiful countryside any day. Hope you enjoy the rest of your travels…travel safe! ;)
I think you’re right about that flag being a metaphorical middle finger, Claudia. This is when I have to remind myself that free speech for ALL means that SOME people are free to be jackasses too, if they want. Too bad there’s no IQ requirement for voting [almost kidding]. It’s the price we pay for our freedom. Get some serious sleep tonight if you can and enjoy the rest of your drive… ?
We love Asheville and it’s probably our favorite NC town. There is so much to do both in the city and the beautiful surrounding countryside. Some of the best restaurants anywhere – our favorites include Cúrate for the most amazing tapas, Salsa Mexican Caribbean, and Early Girl for breakfast. Sorry you had no time for Biltmore, Grove Park Inn, Malaprop’s Books, Thomas Wolfe House, Tom’s Shoes, City Bakery etc. etc. Hope you can return another day, the Autumn and Christmastime is always amazing, even Summer is good as the heat is not so bad – why do you think I want to move there!!!
Enjoy Florida – which in all honesty I do not like!
Mary –
Please give Ashville another try! I visit often when I travel to Hendersonville to visit my best friend and I just love it. It’s vibrant, artsy and has great street performers. Hendersonville Is also charming. You can sit on benches in the center eating ice cream at night and see young people, old people and families walking by which is quite a change from my home town where the sidewalks roll up at 6 pm.
It sounds like an adventure, but I hope you two get some much needed rest and enjoy your journey. It’s hard to manage expectations when one is fighting with things like fatigue and hunger let alone a schedule. I don’t mean to imply you aren’t having a good time, but you know, with ease.
Safe travels. Much laughter.
I’ve always wanted to see the Smokies. Wishing you and Don a happy, safe trip!
I’ve never been to Asheville NC..so I can’t give you any advise on it…Yay for your Spring flowers coming back again…Beautiful sunset!
Claudia,
I am going to suggest you visit Blowing Rock. It was a writers colony in the last century, and my father’s cousin taught courses there. He was a book critic in NYC and a writer, too. Something tells me you would find the aesthetic you’re looking for there.
I went to the Grove Park Inn with my parents when I was 16 and longing to go to the beach, instead. In other words, I was an unwilling captive. We toured the Biltmore Estate which was interesting and well worth seeing. But I was sick most of the time we were there and spent my time in bed with a strep throat. So my opinion mirrors yours. The one upside is that my father surprised me with a beautiful coral cameo ring for my birthday that he found at an antique shop there. My parents both loved NC, and my oldest sister went to camp there every summer. We have good friends in that area, and I am determined to give Asheville another try. If you beat me back there and get a better taste for it, let me know your opinion.
I generally visit Highlands and Charlotte where we have relatives and friends. Highlands is a nice place to visit, too. I love the antique shops there. Charlotte is a large city but I like it. Good shopping there, too.
xo
Sheila
I also want to give it another try, but it needs to be when I can spend more than a few hours there. I hear so many wonderful things about it, I’m sure it was just bad timing on our part.