ASHEVILLE, NC

Chica 1 has a particular craving for high elevations.  As long as Chica 1 is peaceful, Chica 2 is always game for the adventure.

Asheville is often described as a “hippy” town, but there is so much more to realizing the beauty of the area.  Asheville is home to so many unique festivals, eateries, concerts and outdoor activities. 

First, depending on what you want to do, don’t spend a lot of money on the downtown hotels.  Asheville is easy to navigate so staying just a little outside of town can save you big bucks! 

Take a short hike on the Appalachian Trail and if you are really fit, hike up Clingmans Dome, a 6,000 ft. peak. If you are more like Chica 1, you can start with the Asheville Urban Trail which combines walking and art. The trail begins downtown and is less than 2 miles long.    In order to appease Chica 2, we had to incorporate a more outdoorsy adventure.  So off to the Blue Ridge Mountains…

Blue Ridge Mountains:  Where Nature and the 2 Chicas collide!

The fall is particularly beautiful in North Carolina and the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains light up with the most resplendent colors! Don’t be afraid of the drive, there are so many different routes that you are sure to find one to meet your needs.  

With 2 Chicas driving along, there were plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures, but there are also opportunities to pull over.  Chica 2 loves to say that with gusto – let’s go TAKE A HIKE!!! FLY A KITE!!!! SPEND THE NIGHT!!! Enough already!

The colors during the fall are so spectacular that you just may forget you are not out here alone. 

The sounds of the valleys are melodic, taking you back to time when there were literal surprises around every bend.  

Enjoy each turn in the road, slow down and admire the tunnels, and pause at as many look out points as you can tolerate. 

Keep your eyes glued to the closest thicket and watch for white-tailed deer. 

Also should you be adventurous and hike out on the more distant trails, beware of the bears!!

The Biltmore Estate –2 Chicas take on America’s Largest Home

The Biltmore is one big house, back in the day when only a few people even owned homes.  A part of me was sad about the excess, but nonetheless, it was too grandiose to ignore. 

Chica 1 ventures to say far more have visited this home since the residents vacated than in all of their years in this mansion.

Enjoy the experience, but keep it in perspective, no matter how big or small, wealthy or poor, we are all going to leave here and leave the things of this world behind.

Anyhoo, Chica 1’s sciatica decided to flare up, but no worries, the house has a wonderful elevator. Chica 2 was happily going from room to room taking pictures, but soon decided it was time to eat.

So off we went to explore the grounds and jetted over to the Deerpark Restaurant.  Chica 2 wanted to eat deer in a park, but she totally misunderstood the name....

It is a little pricey, but it has a wonderfully elegant Sunday brunch.  The meal consisted of hand carved prime rib, rich and delicious garlic mashed potatoes, fresh fruit, turkey and dressing that was so good, it reminded the Chicas of momma’s good ole’ home cooking (in her best Southern drawl).  

My mouth is again watering thinking about the sumptuous food!  Chica 2 gladly proclaimed “Please believe this food is plentiful and good." And in Chica 2 fashion, began humming "Ummm good, Ummm good".... What more could you ask. 

Before you leave, take some time and soak of the ambiance of the surroundings.  Imagine owning this and everything you could see!  Ok, back to reality. 

For all you wine lovers take a drive down the winding roads of the estate to the Biltmore Winery.  The tour is included in your estate admission.   Discover the art of winemaking, visit the bottling room and here comes the best part…..enjoy complimentary samples of some of the finest wines around. 

Remember to have a designated driver should you imbibe a little too much!

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