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Published: August 23rd 2009
Local Food Bumper Sticker
Buying local is a way of life in Asheville.This morning, Marce woke up to locally-roasted, freshly-ground organic coffee beans in the super cool grinder provided to us by our Firestone hosts. After Allen lazily rolled out of bed, we went for breakfast at the Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville. Despite the half-hour wait, the orange corn-bread pancakes, chicken sandwich special and chipotle omelette croissant exceeded expectations and sealed the deal for a return trip. We left with full happy tummies to explore the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. At the door, we were greeted by happy trolley tour people and a vast collection of brochures ranging from sporting and healing to events and relocation guides. Leaving our car safely parked with a breath-taking view of the mountains, we set off on foot towards Downtown. Our first stop was the Basilica St. Lawrence, the largest self-standing eliptical dome in North America. Second before crossing the street to enter, we discovered that the doors were closed off for a wedding. We were thrilled to see the blushing bride and her entourage making their way along the brick walkway into the dome itself. Eventually, we were able to make our way back to take a couple of snapshots of the
incredible workmanship and detail in the Basilica.
Along our way to Downtown, we stopped at two of Asheville's most recognized bookstores: Montford Books and Malaprops. At Malaprops, we spent a good half-hour browsing the eclectic collection of books, focusing our attention on the children's section and parenting. On our way out, we noticed yet another artifact that confirms how local stores are valued and supported. See the picture Allen took of the Malaprops' door.
Next stop: The Woolworth Walk. An incredible collection of booths displaying artwork, jewelry and sculptures from various Asheville artists and artisans. The two story expo even sports a soda fountain as a nod back to the original Woolworth counter. We weren't able to confirm, but we are fairly certain that the music playing over the speaker was also that of local artists. After a bit more downtown browsing, we headed back to the Firestone house for an afternoon nap. Before nodding off, we found ourselves entranced by a four-part series on Appalachia. Listening to the historians, sociologists and long-time locals explain the mountain culture, helped us put our finger on what we have been so drawn to in this valley: the sense of interconnectedness
Sunny Point Cafe
The best breakfast in Asheville! and appreciation for your neighbors and surrounding environment. We rested and recharged with a tasty leftover lunch of cuban delicacies, courtesy of Cris! (Thanks, Mom!)
Our Gainesville friends, Nadav and Dara had mentioned an unforgettable event that takes place every Saturday evening in the fall in Asheville. Following their advice, we set out to find the "Shindig on the Green." Wandering the streets without a map, or a care in the world, we ended up taking the long way around with only the sound of the music guiding us. Eventually, we found the source. Crowds with lawn chairs, blankets, instruments, pets, children, and smiles gathered around a stage and impromptu jam sessions to enjoy the August evening. The harmonies of traditional bluegrass songs combined with the cool air to create a hypnotic magical mountain atmosphere.
Eager to explore more of the Downtown nightlife, we wandered back through the side streets and past City Hall and the County Building. Quite accidentally, we stumbled upon the future site of Pack Square Park. Boasting tall columns, beautiful landscaping, a veteran's memorial and outdoor amphitheater, we can only imagine the incredible events that are bound to take place in this urban park.
The Corn Straw
The impact of every decision is clearly thought out. In the absence of the drum circle and the Downtown After Five concert, the streets on Saturday night seemed quieter and yet the street musicians still serenaded our evening walk. With a sweet tooth and a growing baby, we found our way to the Marble Slab Ice Cream Shoppe and enjoyed some cool desserts while we drank in more of Downtown Asheville. Having had our fill of exploration and new experiences for the day, we drove back to our suite and fell asleep to the silly antics of Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston in "Along Came Polly." We have enjoyed our trip so much that we have decided to extend our stay one more night. We'll let you know what adventures come our way tomorrow!
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Ricki
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Shindig on the Green!
The Shindig sounds like a magical match for Marce. Did you get a chance to play or did you guys just soak it all in? Loved the corn straw! Bet it makes the drinks tastier. xoxo