Not quite out of God’s Country

Western North Carolina feels a whole lot like East Tennessee.

Tipsy Tuesday found us at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville.

After a tour of the brewery and a sample of their brews, we settled on a Black Mocha Stout and a Scotch Ale to accompany a burger, a huge tater tot and a side of mac ‘n cheese from the Appalachian Chic food truck. (So much for the commitment to eat healthier, but we did split the meal.)

So many folks have said “You have to visit Biltmore,” so we did.

As we walked toward the house (or is it a chateau?) it reminded us of the chateaus we have visited in Europe, but the similarity ended when we entered. Built in the 1890’s with state of the art (for the time) technology including electricity, central heat and 43 bathrooms, it is much more modern. As we toured the formal rooms, sitting rooms and servants quarters it reminded us of scenes from Downton Abbey

 with a view of the North Carolina mountains.

No expense was spared in the creation of the many gardens; Italian, shrub, spring, walled, rose 

and a glass conservatory.

We can only imagine the beauty of the gardens in spring and early summer.

With The Wanderer parked at Lake Powhatan Recreation Area, a national forest campground,

we took advantage of the well-marked and maintained hiking trails.

We have stayed at several national forest and Corps of Engineers campgrounds and have yet to be disappointed. With our senior discount, we only pay 10 – 12 dollars a night and that includes electricity. We do have to go to a dump station if we are parked for more than three nights, but with our small rig, it isn’t much of a bother.

We found the WNC Farmer’s Market, this is only one of several buildings. We do want to return to Asheville and see what else we can find.  But for now, with Texas on our radar, The Wanderer is pointed east. We are looking forward to seeing our good friends in Lenoir, NC this evening.

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