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Travel

Travel: Asheville, North Carolina – Day 2

by Megan on May 25, 2011

(See Day 1 of our Asheville trip)

After we went back to our hotel and relaxed for the rest of the evening, we were probably asleep before ten that night. (Hey, vacation is all about eating, relaxing, and sleeping, right?!) I woke up around four the next morning (due to waking up at five every day for work), but I forced myself back to sleep. I had my alarm set for eight, but I ended up waking up around seven. I let Husband sleep in a bit while I got ready. I wanted to get everything packed up before we went down for breakfast since we had to check out at eleven. We eventually went down to our hotel restaurant for breakfast. We had vouchers that were included in our room rate, so we just handed those to our waitress, and I ordered a caramel macchiato–which was the most amazing caramel macchiato I’ve ever had!–and we both ordered bacon, egg, and cheese croissants. Everything was absolutely delicious.

Biltmore Village. After breakfast, we went back to our room to hang out until it was time to check out. We checked out a little before eleven and then made our way to Biltmore Village. I love this little town because all of the shops and restaurants were built to resemble the Biltmore Estate. For our trip, it was rainy and cold, so I didn’t get any pictures. We just visited an outdoor shop (where Husband bought some fishing supplies) and then headed back to downtown Asheville for lunch. (When we went to Asheville on our honeymoon in 2008, we ate at the Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village, and it was great for a nicer dinner.)

Tupelo Honey Cafe. When we were downtown again, we found parking and walked (in the drizzling rain) to Tupelo Honey Cafe for lunch. Last time we ate there, we waited about an hour for a table, but it was worth it (plus, we were able to enjoy the drum circle while we waited.) This time, the place was pretty crowded (since it was lunchtime), so we waited maybe fifteen minutes for a table inside (they do have an outdoor patio, though, and it’s covered and heated on cold or rainy days). I ordered the rosemary peach lemonade and it was delicious! I also ordered the honey pecan chicken (with smashed root vegetables and asparagus) for lunch (while Husband ordered the Tupelo burger and fries). They also brought out fresh biscuits with their Tupelo honey. Everything was so wonderful!

After lunch, we made our way back to our car, saying good-bye to Asheville as we went. We decided to head home after that so that we could arrive home by dinnertime and save some money by cooking something at home. The drive home was a rainy one, and even though we love Asheville dearly, it was nice to be home.

Things we missed. Since we went to Asheville during the week, we missed the Friday drum circle. The drum circle is a tradition Asheville has had since 2001 during warmer weather months, and it starts around 6pm on Friday, and it’s really fun to watch! Everyone can join in if they want. If you’re in Asheville on a Friday, please check it out. (It’s in Pritchard Park, right across the street from Tupelo Honey Cafe, on Patton Ave. and College Street.)

We also missed the warm, sunny weather. Every time we go to Asheville, the weather is great! Of course, we usually go in June, and May is typically rainy. It was still nice, but I’m hoping we can go back soon to enjoy some of Asheville’s gorgeous weather. We just love sitting outside while we eat and enjoying the streetside entertainment–there are always locals around singing or playing an instrument.

It was really a great trip, overall. I absolutely love Asheville for the lively atmosphere and amazing food.

Have you ever checked out the drum circle in Asheville? What about Biltmore Village? What are your favorite things about Asheville, if you’ve ever been?

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Travel: Asheville, North Carolina – Day 1

by Megan on May 20, 2011

As you might remember, Husband and I went to Asheville, NC for our honeymoon nearly three years ago. I’m not sure why we decided to go there of all places (though it probably had something to do with our visits to the Biltmore Estate and wanting to return to check out the rest of Asheville … Plus, my grandparents lived near Asheville when I was young). The first time we went, we stayed in a B&B for a few nights. We went back last year to celebrate two years of marriage, and we decided to stay at Hotel Indigo. Hotel Indigo is in the perfect downtown location. We didn’t drive our car that entire weekend because we were able to walk to all the restaurants downtown.

I’ve been working six days a week since April, so I decided I wanted a vacation this past week. Since we’re both taking summer classes, an extended anniversary trip is out of the question this year, so we decided to take a short trip to Asheville once again. (We were in Asheville for just twenty-four hours, so it really was a short trip.) I booked the hotel a couple weeks ago (Hotel Indigo again, of course!), and we waited for May 16th to come along. On that morning, we packed an overnight bag and made the 3-hour drive to Asheville, NC. (I love that it’s so close!)

Hotel Indigo. We arrived at Hotel Indigo about an hour before check-in, but they checked us right into our room and handed over our key and breakfast vouchers. (We got the breakfast rate because it was so great last time!) After grabbing our bags, we headed to our room on the fifth floor, and it was nothing short of beautiful. The location alone would sell me on the hotel, but the rooms are the icing on the cake. They’re extremely spacious and we absolutely love the giant king bed and huge shower. We got a room with a view last year, but we opted not to this year (for a cheaper price), but we opened our windows, and we still had an amazing view–downtown Asheville to the left and beautiful mountains to the right.

The Chocolate Fetish. After spending about an hour relaxing in our room, we decided to walk around town a bit. We went to the Mast General Store because they have a ton of outdoor clothes downstairs (which Husband loves). We were there to window shop, mostly, so we didn’t purchase anything. After spending some time there, we looped back around town and made our way to The Chocolate Fetish. They have the most amazing chocolates, and after taking a look around, I bought some salted chocolate caramels. SO delicious. If you love chocolate and visit Asheville, please stop by there.

Laughing Seed Cafe. We made our way back to the hotel to relax a bit more before heading to dinner. We went to the Laughing Seed Cafe last year and loved it. It’s a vegetarian restaurant, and while neither Husband and I are vegetarians, we’re always up for trying something new, and I’m glad we did! We have been waiting all year to go back. We walked to the restaurant and we were seated immediately. We sat inside this time–last year, we sat outside on their patio–because it was a bit dreary. I ordered the berry bliss herbal tea to drink (it’s delicious!) and we both ordered the tico burrito for dinner. This burrito is amazing! It has spiced tico tofu, and I love it. It also comes with a salad (I got mine with chipotle ranch dressing) and blue corn chips. The entire meals cost us about $30 (without the tip), so it’s really not pricey for a good dinner! (Last year, I also tried the whole grain risotto with grilled tempeh, and it was amazing, too.)

After dinner, we made our way back to our hotel; I had a salted chocolate caramel for dessert, and we relaxed for the rest of the evening. It really was the perfect start to our mini-vacation.

(stay tuned for Day 2)

Have you ever been to Asheville, NC? What’s your favorite part? (We love the food!)

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Thursday: Things I Love

by Megan on August 26, 2010

[The way Loki lays on the chair, with his paws tucked underneath him.]

[The way Eris curls up, so tiny, when she's sleepy.]

[My sister's baby bump at 13 weeks, 2 days. (She'll be 14 weeks on Saturday.)]

[Florida skies and roadtrips.]

[Being with my husband & enjoying the world.]

What are you loving right now?

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Florida

by Megan on August 13, 2010

I’ve lived in Tennessee since September of 2001. My parents moved us here on a bit of a whim. They sold our house and moved us to a very small town in east Tennessee. I felt as if my world had collapsed. I was leaving my friends, my family, everything I knew. I assumed that everyone in Tennessee would be toothless and uneducated. (Definitely NOT the case. Why does everyone assume that people from the south are uneducated?)

I’m from Florida. I was born there, and most of my family still lives there. It’s where my second home has always been–my Granny’s house–which I guess was always really my permanent home, since we moved around a lot. It’s a long story, but that house is no longer in our family. I miss it because there are so many memories in that house, but it wouldn’t be the same today, anyhow. That house held many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. It held many tears and the sounds of joyous laughter. It held the memory of when Granny took me into her room and gave me a gold locket when I “became a woman” at the age of eleven. It holds the memory of when Pawpaw woke up early one winter morning to spray the trees with the water hose–so we, his grandchildren, could see icicles hanging from the trees. It was where I was when my parents brought my little brother home from the hospital. It was also the last place I saw Granny.

I’m going to Florida next week with Husband. Since we’ve been together, this will make our third time visiting my “home state.” We went once in January 2008 and again in January 2010. Sadly, this will probably be the third time I’ve visited Florida in about five years. I rarely see my extended family. The trip is a 10-hour drive, at least, and it’s hard to find time to make the trip.

Though I’ve grown to love Tennessee as my “home state” over the years, I have a special place in my heart for Florida. I love the warm weather; I enjoy the busy-ness of my old hometown; I adore seeing my family–aunts, uncles, cousins. I love that when I go back, even though I was only twelve when we left, I know my way around like I’ve been driving there my whole life–I can even see the roads in my head right now. I love seeing the changes, though I sort of hate it at the same time. Sometimes, when I go back, I’d like it to be as if I were stepping back into my childhood, but it’s really not.

On Monday morning, Husband and I will be making the 10-hour trip to my hometown. We’ll be there until Friday, and I’m mostly looking forward to taking trips to places of my childhood … But I’m also looking forward to accepting the new parts and relaxing a little bit.

Don’t worry; I’ll take my camera to show you around.

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