Living in Asheville, North Carolina

Local Hikes: Catawba Falls Trail

2010-05-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hi. I hiked the Catawba Falls Trail today and had a great time. The weather was cool and sunny and the sky was brilliant blue - an absolutely beautiful day for hiking this gorgeous local trail. This beautiful 88-acre area was recently acquired by the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina - "a regional land trust, dedicated to working cooperatively with landowners and public and private conservation partners to preserve and protect important natural areas and open spaces of the Blue Ridge Foothills region, including watersheds, environmentally significant habitats, forests and farmland, for this and future generations. " The aquisition of this acreage by the Conservancy was significant in that it finally, in 2007, provided public access to the Falls, which have been part of Pisgah National Forest since 1989. This conservation process concluded with the Conservancy's recent sale of the acreage to the US Forest Service. Please check the links above - they provide good insight into both the trail and the conservation efforts of the Conservancy.

This trail is only a short distance east of Asheville. The drive from Asheville to Exit 73 at Old Fort is about 24 miles and the trail head is approximtely three miles farther, down Catawba Falls Road. The trail and area are nearly pristine, I don't recall seeing any trash or debris. Be advised, to get to the upper falls one must be prepared for some fairly strenuous hiking up a steep trail for approximately the last 1/2 to 1/3 of the hike. At one point, there is a short stretch so steep that a rope is provided to aid hikers in their ascent. Although I observed some hikers with pets, I really don't think bringing a pet on this trail, especially if one plans to reach the upper falls, is a good idea.

Catawba Falls - one more natural gem now accessible to those of us Living in (and visiting) Asheville, North Carolina. Please take time to visit this beautiful spot, you'll get a nice work-out in the process. And please also treat it with respect - nature, and most recently the Foothills Conservancy and generous donors, have worked to create this place make it accessible to you and I. Hopefully, countless future generations will also have the opportunity to enjoy what's been made accessible to us. Happy Hiking!

Local Hikes: Laurel River Trail

2010-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is a great local hike - it's not too far from Asheville, it has beautiful scenery, and it offers refreshing swimming holes. The trail is well established and maintained, overall, and, at 7 miles, provides a moderate physical workout. I've taken this hike twice over the past month and have really enjoyed it. The Laurel River Trail is about 30 miles from Asheville, in the Hot Springs area, and the trail head/parking area is conveniently located along 25N/70W (more info). The links above provide trail specifics and directions and below I've included photos from yesterday's hike. If you haven't yet taken this hike, I suggest you fit it into your spring/summer plans. Have fun!!

BILTMORE AVENUE BRIDGE REOPENS!!!

2010-04-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hurray! The new bridge is open for business - no more detours. Recently, a workman on the site explained to me that the new bridge is 24 feet wider than the old one - it now boasts usable sidewalks! To commemorate the opening I have provided a chronology, in pictures, of progress over the last six months. Enjoy it and the new bridge - opening just in time for the tourist season. Travel along Biltmore Avenue will now be much easier for those Living in (and visiting) Asheville, North Carolina!

Ribbon Cutting 4/30/2010

4/28/2010

4/4/2010

3/16/2010

2/7/2010

1/15/2010

12/20/2009

11/27/2009

11/2/2009

Cultural: Spring Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)

2010-04-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

LEAF is a non-profit organization established to build community and enrich lives through the arts, locally and globally, through festivals, events, mentoring, and educational programs. The 2010 Spring LEAF will be held 6 -9 May at Camp Rockmount in Black Mountain, North Carolina, a short drive east of Asheville. Tickets must be purchased in advance and information on how to purchase is provided at the link above - the site stresses tickets are going fast so please hurry if you're interested. The link also provides an Earth-friendly brochure describing this year's event in detail. If you miss the Spring Festival, make plans to attend the Fall LEAF, which will be held 14-17 October, 2010.

President Obama and First Lady Visit Asheville

2010-04-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

The President and First Lady arrived in Asheville yesterday for a weekend of what the Asheville Citizen Times described as "eating, hiking and golfing". The video on the sidebar was taken at 2:11 pm yesterday from the Starbucks on Charlotte Street from where I viewed the President's motorcade. The motorcade had just left I-240 and was heading north on Charlotte Street to the Grove Park Inn and Spa, where the Obama's are staying. The Obama's are apparently having an active vacation; they have already stopped by 12 Bones Smokehouse for a meal of ribs, hiked on the Parkway and golfed some. I was told by a friend at the Grove Park Inn that then candidate Obama had said, while visiting last in the Fall of 2008, that he would like to visit the Inn and Asheville again - apparently he meant it. Welcome back Mr. President! Presidential visits - apparently just another aspect of life when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Restaurants: Papas & Beer (Mexican)

2010-04-21T05:53:00.000-07:00

Since it opened about a year ago, the Papas & Beer restaurant at 17 Tunnel Road seems to have never wanted for customers. This restaurant, the second Papas & Beer in Asheville, has been very popular. I eat there from time to time and have always enjoyed my meals at the Tunnel Road location. The menu offers a variety of California-style Mexican food. Most people I know enjoy the restaurant and its menu. The menu has a few vegetarian offerings, but only a few; a vegetarian who eats here with any regularity will likely tire of the limited offerings before long - this is my only significant criticism of the menu. The fare is, for the most part, Mexican comfort food and the restaurant offers large portions at a reasonable price. It's been my experience that visitors are somewhat perplexed by the "beany" dip provided as a standard accompaniment to the chips. Be aware, the restaurant offers a salsa bar, often overlooked, where more common accompaniments for one's chips can be found. It seems some visitors aren't aware of the existence of this salsa bar and the staff does not seem to promote it. At dinner, be prepared for a wait for a table but, once seated, you can generally expect polite and friendly service.

Papas & Beer has another location at 1000 Brevard Road, the original Asheville location. Although I have never had a bad meal at the Tunnel Road location, I had been disappointed at the Brevard Road location. Last time I visited it with a friend, neither one of us enjoyed and finished our meal. It is my understanding, from discussion with an employee, that the two restaurants are under different ownership. Another location, which I have not visited, is located at 1821 Asheville Highway, in Hendersonville.

Papas & Beer - a Mexican restaurant worth visiting when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Healthcare: Charles George VA Medical Center

2010-02-17T12:20:00.000-08:00

In a previous article I wrote about the Mission/St. Joseph's Hospital Complex. Asheville is also home to another significant medical center - the Charles George VA Medical Center at 1100 Tunnel Road. Originally opened in 1922, in 2007 this facility was renamed in honor of Pfc Charles George, a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Pfc George, only 20 at the time, threw himself upon a live grenade in order to protect his fellow soldiers. Pfc George gave his life on November 30, 1952, near Songnae-dong, Korea.

Pfc Charles George

The Charles George VAMC serves approximately 100,000 veterans in a 19 county area of Western North Carolina. In addition, this facility serves veterans from eastern Tennessee, and up-state South Carolina and Georgia. The Veterans Administration Website provides an overview of this facility:

"The Asheville VA Medical Center is a tertiary care, 116-bed acute care facility located in western North Carolina. Asheville operates a separate 120-bed Community Living Center, serving the western North Carolina area and portions of South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The Center's services include extended care rehabilitation, psychogeriatric care, and general nursing home care. Comprehensive health care is provided through the spectrum of primary care, tertiary care, and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, and geriatrics. Asheville is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology and programs in education and research. Special programs include a Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program, and a Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP). The medical center is located within the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)."

Charles George VA Medical Center

The Charles George VA Medical Center, another element of the health care system available to veterans Living in (or near) Asheville, North Carolina.

Biltmore Avenue Bridge Update - Temporary Foot/Bike Bridge

2010-01-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

Work progresses on the bridge; it has been closed for a few weeks now. Although vehicular traffic must take a detour to traverse the river, a temporary foot/bike bridge has been installed to allow bikers and pedestrians to cross at the construction site. For those living and working in the area, this temporary bridge offers real convenience.

Foot/Bike Bridge - 15 January 2010

Foot/Bike Bridge with construction in background - 15 January 2010

Bridge demolition in progress - 15 January 2010

Asheville Restaurants: Vegetarian

2010-01-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

When Living in Asheville, North Carolina, vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants are never hard to find. Apart from specific restaurants, several of the organic and wholesome food grocers offer cafes where one can dine on vegetarian meals. The choices abound!

I think it's fair to say the most prominent of the Asheville's vegetarian restaurants is The Laughing Seed Cafe, located at 40 Wall Street. To many, this restaurant is a type of vegetarian nirvana, serving tasty and hearty vegetarian meals with an international twist. This eatery has a huge local and national following; I never cease to be amazed that people from all over the country know of it. Personally, I have never had a bad meal at the restaurant and I find the menu interesting and amply loaded with dining options. I particularly like the hemp burger. Although the food is excellent, service can, at times, be a bit aloof and slow, although I have had less of a problem with this issue in recent visits. Bottom line, simply a treasure for all who enjoy tasty, wholesome food. Be advised, the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.

Another popular vegetarian restaurant is Rosetta's Kitchen, 116 North Lexington Avenue. This restaurant touts itself as "... Asheville's whole-foods kitchen & cafe." I eat here occasionally and enjoy the food and the cozy setting. The restaurant also offers an open terrace where one can eat while checking out the interesting pedestrian traffic on Lexington Avenue below.

Good vegetarian offerings can also be found at Mela and India Garden, two local Indian restaurants covered in an earlier article on this blog. In addition, Asheville offers a number of vegetarian-friendly restaurants; among these are the Over Easy Cafe (32 Broadway Street), The Mellow Mushroom (50 Broadway Avenue), the Early Girl Eatery (8 Wall Street), the Green Sage Coffeehouse & Cafe (5 Broadway Street), Chai Pani (22 Battery Park Avenue), the Tupelo Honey Cafe (12 College Street), Firestorm Cafe & Books (48 Commerce Street), Nine Mile (233 Montford Avenue), Sunny Point Cafe (626 Haywood Road), and the West End Bakery (757 Haywood Road).

Healthcare: My Visit to Mission Hospital

2010-01-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

Recently, I sustained a minor head injury from a fall after slipping on a patch of ice. A few days later, complications arose and I was admitted to Mission Hospital, 509 Biltmore Avenue. I am fine and on the mend now but thought a brief mention of my experience would make for a nice little article in the blog. From a patient standpoint, I feel I was well treated and provided compassionate and expert care while at Mission. I encountered many doctors, nurses, and technicians and I must say, without exception, everyone treated me respectfully, as an individual and with kindness and concern for my situation. I wanted to remark on this care because, in my experience with hospitals, Mission excelled.

A little about the hospital. From its website, one learns Mission is the regional referral center for western North Carolina. Mission and St. Joseph's, across the street, entered into a full merger in 1998 and became the core of the Mission Health Care System. This system also includes Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, in Mitchell County, and The McDowell Hospital, in Marion. Mission Hospital, in Asheville, has over 6000 employees, including over 1800 registered nurses. The hospital is licensed for over 800 beds and bassinets. Mission operates under a Certificate of Public Advantage issued by the State of North Carolina and designed to ensure that its charges are fair and it provides documented benefit to the community. Mission is a community-owned, not-for-profit hospital.

So, I'm glad to be getting back to normal and out of the hospital. However, if I needed hospital care again, I would not hesitate to visit Memorial Mission. And remember, when Living in Asheville, North Carolina during the winter months - take care to not slip on ice! Not fun. Thanks to the hospital staff, my friends and family for their support and well-wishes during my recent hospital stay.

Biltmore Avenue Bridge Closed - 1/4/10

2010-01-06T05:26:00.000-08:00

As first reported here in an article on 11/3/09, the Biltmore Avenue Bridge is being replaced. Monday, the old bridge closed permanently. I was likely one of the last few drivers to use the bridge as I traversed it on the way to an 11:00 am appointment. When I retraced my route 1.5 hours later the bridge was closed and I was forced to detour. For a little more detail on this project, check out my previous article and stay tuned to local media for updates. It seems we'll have a few months of traffic disruption but I, for one, think gaining a new, reliable and attractive bridge will be worth the temporary hassle.

5 January 2010

5 January 2010 - looking north

5 January 2010 - looking northwest

Cultural Asheville: Local Art and Craft Trails/Galleries

2009-12-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

Art and Craft Trails Surrounding Asheville

In the early 1990’s, a regional effort, HandMade in America, was established to highlight the depth and breath of the fine arts and crafts of our region. Among its programs is a series of craft trails that lead you to some of the finest art galleries and craftsman's studios in the region. Two of those trails start and end in Asheville; the Circle the Mountain Trail, which is a broad northern circle running through the northern mountains near the Tennessee border, and the Mountain Cities Trail, which runs east and south of the city. Let’s follow these trails using the official guide, The Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina, available in any local bookstore in the area or on-line at HandMade in America.

Folk Art Center

Circle the Mountain Trail

Head east from Asheville to the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, mile post 382 near US 70 in Oteen. The Center is home to the historic Allanstand Craft Shop, one of the earliest retail craft co-ops in the country. The work displayed here represents some of the finest craftspeople from the nine states of the Southern Highlands and all the craftspeople's works are juried into the co-op by their peers.

Allanstand Craft Shop

Continue on US 70 to downtown Black Mountain where the streets are lined with galleries and restaurants. Don’t miss Seven Sisters Craft Gallery,117 Cherry Street, and its wide collection of crafts from the region. Also take a look at Black Mountain Gallery, Cherry Street Gallery, Black Mountain Iron Works and the Old Depot.

Take a quick trip over Black Mountain on I-40 to Old Fort and once again exit on US 70. Here you will want to visit the Max Woody Chair Shop, which makes and sells the finest rocking chairs in the area.

Max Woody Rocking Chairs

Now, head northeast on NC 226 to Little Switzerland, milepost 334 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit the Switzerland Inn, a fanciful hotel with a great gallery - the Trillium Gallery. While in the area, you will not want to miss its renowned blacksmith, Bea Hensley and Son Hand Forge, where you can see 15th and 16th century blacksmithing conducted by masters of the art.

Face Cups - The Trillium Gallery

Next, take US 80 into the Toe River Valley and the dozens of galleries and shops on US 19, all located along the roadside and in little towns like Spruce Pine and Burnsville. You will want to pay special attention to the Twisted Laurel Gallery on Locust Street in Spruce Pine. A short drive further west brings you to the Penland School of Crafts and its collection of galleries. The campus welcomes visitors the year round.

Mountain Cities Trail

Any collector’s trip to Asheville should include visits to its premiere galleries. Next door to the famous Grove Park Inn is one of the region’s finest, the Grovewood Gallery. This gallery offers two floors of furniture, glass, pottery, clothing and jewelry. Once you drink it all in head downtown to continue the feast.

Asheville’s downtown is full of galleries and showplaces for artist and craftspeople from around the nation. Concentrated on Biltmore, Lexington and Haywood Streets, there are galleries and shops for every taste:

Earth Guild, 33 Haywood Street, looms ready, you supply the skill

Jewels That Dance, 63 Haywood Street, three of the nation’s top designers show here.

Appalachian Craft Center, 10 North Spruce Street, old-time mountain crafts

Blue Spiral 1, 38 Biltmore Avenue, one of Asheville’s best - fine artists and craftspeople at the peak of their talents.

Grove Arcade, 1 Page Avenue, one of the most unique buildings in Asheville with a variety of galleries and shops.

. . . . . . . .

Nearby, in Biltmore Village, visit New Morning Gallery (7 Boston Way), Bellagio (5 Biltmore Plaza) and the Grand Bohemian Gallery (11 Boston Way) - all are located in the village center and provide a great start to a relaxing afternoon stroll in this little village built by G.W. Vanderbilt.

Grand Bohemian Hotel Gallery

The trails goes on to Hendersonville and its amazing collection of local galleries but we will cover those treats in a future article! Appreciating art on local "trails" - another interesting aspect of Living in Asheville, North Carolina. Join us when we pick up the trail again in a future article.

Many thanks to Dan Keith Ray, Asheville resident, former President and CEO of the American Craft Council, and occasional contributor to this blog for his assistance in preparing this article.

Sports: Snow Skiing

2009-12-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

Wow! How about the snow yesterday and last night?! With 1.5 - 2 feet of snowfall locally, the region was virtually paralyzed. As I write this article the major roads are cleared, or in the process, but quite a few local roads are still difficult to travel. With this rare major snowfall, and more predicted for next week, one might consider hitting the local ski slopes. This article provides an overview of the main local options.

Beaverdam Valley (19 December 2009)

Three popular slopes are located in the Boone area; Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Ski Resort (Ski Beech), and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. Appalachian Ski Mountain, in Blowing Rock, has 11 slopes (2 Easiest, 6 More Difficult, 3 Most Difficult) with the longest run being Orchard Run, at 1/2 mile. The peak elevation is 4000 feet. Beech Mountain Ski Resort, in Beech Mountain, claims to be the "..the highest ski area in Eastern America." The resort has 15 trails (2 Easiest, 7 More Difficult, 4 Most Difficult, 2 Freestyle Terrain) with 10 total lifts. The peak elevation is 5506 feet. Sugar Mountain, in Banner Elk, offers 20 slopes and trails with 8 lifts.

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort is the slope closest to Asheville, located just to the north in Mars Hill. The top elevation here is 4700 feet. This ski area offers 82 acres of skiable terrain.

Cataloochee Ski Area is located to the west of Asheville, in Maggie Valley. The Area offers 16 slopes and trails (3 Expert, 5 Intermediate, and 8 Novice) with 8 lifts. The peak elevation is 5400 feet.

Entertainment: Comedy

2009-12-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

A new comedy club, Funny Business, opened in Asheville last month and I've been looking forward to seeing a show there. Last night, a friend and I had the opportunity to attend a show and that visit prompted this article. The Club is located downtown at 56 Patton Avenue, in the basement of the historic S&W Cafeteria Building.

We attended the early show at 8 pm. The club was not nearly packed but an enthusiastic audience of about 30 patrons was present. The first two comedians were decent and they were successful in cajoling laughs and audience participation. The headliner, Pat Godwin, performed a "guitar comedy virtuoso" and had the crowd roaring - I noticed a woman sitting at a table to my left had laughed so much she had tears in her eyes. Pat put on a really good show which I recommend to those seeking good, adult-oriented comedy (not a G-rated performance!).

My friend and I had a great time and especially enjoyed Pat's performance. Judging from the overall audience reaction, I'd say that was the general audience experience. I found the Club staff welcoming and polite. Be advised, there was a two-drink minimum; well drinks were $7 and call $10. Bottled beer averaged about $3.50. The venue, a basement, was nicely appointed and seemed to work well as a performance space. It was very cold outside last night but the temperature in the venue was quite comfortable. My only criticism of the visit was the scant choice of snacks available to accompany the mandatory two drinks. I had read in independent coverage of the Club that heavy appetizers would be available but that was not our experience. When we asked the server what was available she offered to "scrounge up" some chips and salsa, which she did. This offering met the basic requirement although, as I ate my chips and salsa, I tried to forget the snack had been scrounged. In my opinion, pretzels, chips, nuts or other snacks should be available, even if for purchase, in an establishment requiring one to drink.

That said, we did have a very good time and will likely return. By the way, Pat Godwin performs again this evening. These days, many of us could truly benefit from a good, hearty fit of laughter, right? If you agree, a show at Funny Business might be something you put on your "to see and do" list when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Update: I visited the club again on 1/8/10 and was pleased to see an appetizer menu was in place.

Cultural Asheville: Puppeteering

2009-12-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine and long-time Asheville resident, Don, had a love of puppets in his youth. Recently, while rekindling this long-neglected interest, he began to search the Asheville community for others who shared his interest. Both of us were surprised at the acclaimed community of puppeteers he discovered in our midst. This article is about what my friend discovered.

Most Asheville residents are probably unaware of the Asheville Puppetry Alliance. According to its website, "Asheville Puppetry Alliance was founded to bring puppetry in all its forms to Western North Carolina. The organization emerged when several nationally known puppeteers settled in this area." This non-profit organization has sponsored or hosted several puppetry events in the area. One of the Alliance's most recent events was the Grand Puppet Gala it presented in Asheville on 9 May 2009.

(Mountain Marionettes)

Among the puppeteers belonging to the Alliance are Red Herring Puppets, Mountain Marionettes, p oconnor puppets, and Golden Rod Puppets. Don made contact with Red Herring Puppets and arranged a meeting with that organization's artistic Director, Lisa Sturz. What he learned about this company did indeed pique his interest. He was also surprised by the high caliber art of puppetry present in our area. As Don met with Lisa, I will showcase Red Herring in this artice but I invite you to explore all of the puppeteering talent our area offers.

According to its website, Red Herring Puppets has:

"..been designing, building, and performing puppets and specialty costumes for more than thirty years. Artistic Director, Lisa Sturz has worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, Jim Henson Productions, Lucasfilm, PBS, NBC, ABC, UNC-TV, The Ice Capades, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, the Asheville Symphony and the Lyric Opera of Chicago."

The Company:

".. specializes in creative collaborations with museums, symphonies, theaters, schools, film and television projects, and community and corporate events. Red Herring has been awarded an UNIMA citation of excellence (the highest honor in American puppetry) and is also the recipient of a California Emmy and several grants from the Jim Henson Foundation and the Puppeteers of America."

I'll bet most of you didn't know Asheville was home to such an acclaimed puppeteer! Don really enjoyed meeting Lisa at the Grove Park Inn and found her world of puppetry fascinating. He is currently on her e-mail notification list for upcoming puppetry events in the area. If you share Don's interest in puppetry, I suggest you contact Lisa, the Asheville Puppetry Alliance, or one of the other Alliance members to find out more about puppetry and performances in our area. World renowned puppetry - just one more entertainment option available to you when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Education: Local Colleges and Universities

2009-12-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

Within an approximately 50-mile radius of Asheville are found at least nine significant colleges and universities. This list includes two universities, four colleges and three community colleges. Two of these, AB Tech and UNC-A are in Asheville and the farthest, Western Carolina University, is located about 50 miles to the west in Cullowhee. Following is a brief overview of each of these institutions.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, locally known as AB Tech, was established in 1959 as the Asheville Industrial Education Center. The college's career curricula and courses are offered through three divisions: Allied Health and Public Service Education, Business and Hospitality Education, and Engineering and Applied Technology. In addition, AB tech offers courses through its Continuing Education Division. The main campus is located in Asheville at 340 Victoria Road and satellite campuses are located in nearby towns of Enka and Marshall.

Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) is located about 25 miles south of Asheville, in Flat Rock, which is also the location of the Flat Rock Playhouse. BRCC also operates the Transylvania Center in Brevard, NC, 22 miles from the main campus. BRCC was charterd in 1969 and, according to its website, "Offers more than 90 programs of study that include associate degrees, diplomas and certificates."

Brevard College, founded in 1853, is located about 30 miles to the southwest of Asheville. According to its website, the college is a "Four-year private, coeducational, comprehensive liberal arts college; affiliated with the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church." The college offers "more than 40 majors and minors, including pre-professional programs in such fields as teacher licensure, pre-med/dentistry, pre-law." In athletics, the college competes in the SAC.

Haywood Community College is located about 30 miles to the west of Asheville, in Clyde. Haywood Community College (HCC) opened in August 1965 as the Haywood Industrial Education Center with one curriculum program and 39 students. Today, according to its website, HCC "offers over 50 curricular programs to over 2,700 students. The college offers associate, diploma and certificate degrees of study as well as a continuing education curriculum." Like AB Tech, the college also offers courses through a Continuing Education Division.

Mars Hill College (MHC) was established in 1856 as the French Broad Baptist Institute and it is located about 30 miles to the north of Asheville, just off Hwy 19-23 (the future I-26). According to its website, the college the has had a "strong emphasis, throughout our existence, on providing students a broad liberal arts education which includes academic skills and knowledge that have been valued for centuries; and we note our Baptist roots, which are a significant part of our long commitment to education in a Christian context." The college offers " 5 degrees (B.A., B.S., B.M., B.F.A., and B.S.W.), 30 majors (with 61 concentrations), and 33 minors. MHC competes in 19 intercollegiate sports at the NCAA Division II level. The college also has 43 clubs and organizations."

Montreat College is located about 20 miles to the east of Asheville, just to the north of the town of Black Mountain. According to it website, Montreat College, founded in 1916, is "a Christian liberal arts college and offers master's, bachelor's, and associate's degrees. The college has satellite campuses in Asheville, Charlotte, and other sites supplement the main campus. The College is committed to Christ-centered teaching and learning, and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities."

The University of North Carolina - Asheville is the only designated liberal arts institution in the 16-campus University of North Carolina system. According to its website, UNCA offers students a choice of 30 majors and offers "an intellectually rigorous education that builds critical thinking and workforce skills." In athletics, "UNC-A participates in NCAA Division I, Big South Conference competition in men's and women's basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track, soccer, tennis, baseball (men), volleyball (women)." The campus, with an enrollment of 3400, is located at One University Heights in North Asheville.

Warren Wilson College is located just to the east of Asheville, in Swannanoa. The college was initially established as the Asheville Farm School in 1894. In 1967 Warren Wilson became a four-year college. According to it website, the college's mission is "to provide an education combining liberal arts study, work, and service with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and experiential opportunities for international and cross-cultural understanding in a setting that promotes wisdom, spiritual growth, and contribution to the common good." Warren Wilson offers Bachelor's Degree in 40 majors and concentrations and 27 minors.

Western Carolina University (WCU) was founded in 1889 to bring higher education and career opportunities to the western region of North Carolina and is a member of the University of North Carolina system. The main campus lies about 50 miles to the west of Asheville, in Cullowhee. This campus has a beautiful setting in a scenic river valley - but I am not impartial as I am an alumnus! I earned a BS in Chemistry here ... a few years back. According to its website, WCU offers "Approximately 220 majors and concentrations for undergraduates in addition to more than 40 graduate-level programs of study." In athletics, the university competes in the Southern Conference.

As you can see, when Living in Asheville, North Carolina one has several options for pursuing advanced education. Among the choices are schools within the University of North Carolina system, those with religious affiliation, community colleges and a private liberal arts college. I think we are truly fortunate to have such a diversity of choices within a relatively small geographic area. So...good luck in your educational pursuits!

Technology: Competitive Services for MAC Users

2009-12-02T05:41:00.000-08:00

Until recently, the Asheville area has had only one significant player in the realm of Mac products and service - Charlotte Street Computers. With the recent arrival of CityMac, Mac users now have two choices when it comes to servicing their Mac products. I have used Charlotte Street Computers for work on my MacBook and was pleased with the work done. Nonetheless, I welcome CityMac and hope the increased competition ultimately benefits Asheville Mac users. In that spirit, I wish both firms success.

As indicated on its website Charlotte Street Computers (CSC) has:

"... been providing Mac and PC repair services to Asheville and surrounding areas since 2000. Voted "Best Computer Repair" by the readers of Mountain Xpress for 5 years running, we have also been the recipient of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce "Sky High Growth Award" for 2 years in a row. Our staff of 17 includes 5 Apple Authorized Technicians, and we look forward to the opportunity to assist you with your computer repair needs."

CSC has three locations; two in downtown Asheville (yes, one's on Charlotte Street!) and another just south of Asheville, in Arden, near the airport. CSC also provides computer equipment recycling through its e-cycleme.com division. An overview of this interesting division's operations is provided at the website:

"E-cycleme.com is a computer recycling center in downtown Asheville. We recycle both computers and computer-related electronics, including monitors, desktop and laptop computers, mice, keyboards, servers, computer cables, printers, scanners, etc. In addition to recycling, e-cycleme.com refurbishes computers for donation to the PowerOn community, in association with The Eblen-Kimmell Charitable Group and A-B Tech. These computers will be donated to people in need throughout our community. E-cycleme.com processes all non-refurbished electronics and components in accordance with EPA regulations, as well as all local, state, and federal guidelines. To ensure the security of our donors data, we also wipe all hard drives in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Department of Defense."

CityMac, hails from northern Michigan. According to its website, the Company has operated there as a Mac-specific service provider and retailer since 1988 and prior to 2008 was known as Computer Haus. The Asheville location opened on 27 November and provides Mac service, hardware, and software. In addition, the store offers CityMug, CityMac's newest coffee shop concept. The Asheville store is located at 755 Biltmore Avenue, Suite 101. I like that, the store is within walking distance of where I live!

Asheville Mac users now have more choices when needing computer service, computer hardware and software, and accessories. Again, I wish both companies continued success and competitive service and product pricing for local users. Now, more than ever, you should have no trouble keeping your Mac current and up and running when Living in Asheville North Carolina.

Asheville Mass Transit

2009-11-27T08:36:00.000-08:00

Asheville Transit provides bus service throughout the City of Asheville and other local areas with 24 bus routes running from 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. An overview of system routes is provided below but transit systems maps, individual route maps and schedules are available for downloading and printing at the City's Transportation Department website - the following link is provided for convenience (access to maps and schedules). Asheville Transit also provides a Transit System Service and Weather Alert page which provides pertinent system status information useful when planning your travel. And our public transit system is bike friendly, according to the transit website, Asheville Transit’s policy is to support and promote the use of bicycles. Bicycles shall have access to all transit vehicles whenever feasible in order to support more sustainable transportation options. Asheville Transit allows bicycles to travel on buses at no extra charge, and provides the greatest flexibility possible within the constraints of capacity and safety. Asheville Transit also offers a "hop and ride" service for commuters; details are available at the website.

Asheville Transit passengers are also able to ride Trailblazer routes through Transit's contract with Mountain Mobility of Buncombe County. According to Mountain Mobility's website, there are three Trailblazer routes and these are deviated-fixed routes, which means the bus will be at preset locations according to a schedule but can deviate off the route by one-quarter mile to pick a passenger up from an address if the passenger is unable to get to the nearest street the bus runs on. Each bus has a bike rack for passengers bringing a bicycle.

The City of Asheville is working to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced by its fleet of vehicles, this fleet includes transit buses. On May 6th, 2008 the City of Asheville was awarded the The NC Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) award for its public fleet. As stated in the 2008 award citation, the 2nd annual, "The NC Department of Transportation, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Air Quality, and the NC Department of Administration State Energy Office have joined together to sponsor these awards to demonstrate the importance of actions taken to improve air quality."

The award recognized The City of Asheville as a leader in the use of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles in Western North Carolina and fleet manager Chris Dobbins as the driving force in this green fleet initiative. With the help of grant monies, the City constructed the region’s first public compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station in downtown Asheville and will gradually convert most of their fleet to CNG, a clean burning, low carbon fuel. At the time of the award, the City already operated two CNG pickup trucks and six Honda Civic GXs, a dedicated natural gas vehicle.

According to the The City of Asheville 2008 Highlights and Accomplishments summary:

"The city continues to support the carbon reduction goals set by City Council by purchasing energy efficient vehicles. During 2008, Asheville purchased two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, five gas-electric hybrid vehicles, and 30 flex fuel vehicles. Overall, the city owns 76 alternative vehicles including 11 CNG Vehicles, 42 flex fuel vehicles, 15 hybrid vehicles, and eight electric vehicles.

In 2008, nearly 1.5 million passengers were served by the city’s public transportation bus service. In an effort to partner with large employers in the Asheville area to promote public transportation, Asheville Transit continued its Transit Passport program, which provides bulk discounts for transit services for employees of participating organizations. Buncombe County government, Greenlife, and the Grove Park Inn & Spa all joined the Transit Passport program to encourage employees to ride the bus to work.

Asheville Transit received $2.1 million to acquire five hybrid buses, furthering efforts to develop a green transit fleet. In addition, Asheville Transit received a Federal Transit Administration grant to develop an Environmental Management System."

Asheville's trolley cars are long gone. Today, Asheville's mass transit system is built upon buses and vans operated by the City and Buncombe County. When Living in Asheville North Carolina, you have the opportunity to use mass transit - transportation provided by an increasingly green fleet of vehicles.

Natural Asheville

2009-11-25T04:35:00.000-08:00

The Eden that surrounds Asheville is a totally unique environment. It has been inhabited and appreciated by various cultures throughout its history: the post-glacial Archaic Cultures; the Cherokee, part of the Iroquois Nation; Spain under Hernando De Soto, Governor of Cuba, who traveled over the Blue Ridge and the Smoky Mountains in search of the city of gold “El Dorado”; William Bertram, who cataloged the region's flora for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew; Andre Michaux, who on his three trips to the area cataloged more species of trees than found in all of Europe; Josiah Wedgewood, who sought superior clay for his china; and John Fraser, who studied a native fir tree, which has become a popular Christmas tree in homes throughout the east, and the glorious rhododendron.

The area around Asheville, at 150 miles, forms the widest part of the great Appalachian Mountain range, which runs from Canada to Georgia and Alabama. Asheville lies at a gap in that range that connects the southeast to the mid-west plateau. Historically, this positioning enabled early Asheville to serve as a herding center for animals driven to and from Charleston to points northwest. Location, location, location!

Linville Falls Panorama

Of the 46 mountains in the East over 6,000 feet, 34 are in the area around Asheville. These mountains, born in the Jurassic Period, are among the very oldest on Earth, more than a quarter billion years old and counting. The mountains contain geological windows - one being Linville Falls, on the Blue Ridge Parkway about an hour from Asheville. The rock at the top of the falls is 500 million years younger than the rock in the pool below. Contrasts are common here - you can watch the sun rise on the highest peak in the east at 6,684 ft, Mount Mitchell, before descending into Linville Gorge, the deepest gorge in the East (Mt. Mitchell State Park is about one hour north of Asheville). Later you can hike on Grandfather Mountain (Grandfather Mountain State Park), the oldest of all terrestrial things at 620 million years.

View from Mount Mitchell summit - 30 May 2009

These mountains are rich in minerals - gold was discovered east of Asheville in Burke, Rutherford and Macon Counties and between 1831 and 1840 private mints coined $2,241,850 in gold and the United States Philadelphia Mint more than $9 million, all gold from North Carolina. North Carolina was called the Golden State, long before that other one! For those interested in this aspect of our natural history, the Asheville area provides two mineral museums; the Colburn Earth Science Museum, in downtown Asheville, and the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Spruce Pine.

The area around Asheville - Western North Carolina, is larger than that of eight states. Because of federal and corporate ownership, more than 50% of this 7,310,547 acre area will remain undeveloped. Speaking of conservation, the area is the Cradle of Forestry (located 45 minutes southeast of Asheville), where the modern sustainable forestry movement began as by-product of the establishment of the Biltmore Estate.

Asheville is a climate center as well. While traversing the mountains you can cross six climate zones, which work to keep our home gardens green. Asheville is the "center" because it hosts the National Climatic Data Center, the world archive for weather data. Speaking of those gardens, they are everywhere. With the Biltmore Estate, and its amazing botanical gardens, and the North Carolina Arboretum, the Estate's neighbor to the south, treasures of flora can be found around every corner. Indeed, one can find abundant insights into the natural world when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Quilt Garden at the North Carolina Arboretum

Many thanks to Dan Keith Ray, Asheville resident, for contributing this interesting article.

17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition and Display

2009-11-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

The judging for this year's event took place at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa on November 16th. Winners have been selected and the gingerbread house entries are now on display and will be through January 3rd, 2010. The display at the Grove Park Inn is accessible to non-resort guests Monday through Thursday only. According to the Inn's schedule of events, “Stories of Gingerbread” guided tours are available at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, throughout the display dates. Admission is $10 per adult; $5 per child (12 & under). For more information, please call 282-252-2711, ext. #4094. The Grand Prize winning entry is shown below and a nice gallery of all winning entries is available at the Inn's website.

Grand Prize Winner - Jodie Stowe, Polkville, NC

Some of the entries can be viewed, free of charge, at the Grove Arcade. According to the Arcade's website, 35 entries are displayed in Suite 115 - in a Winter Wonderland setting. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Although one will need to venture to the Grove Park Inn to view the major prize winners, the Arcade's display provides a free opportunity to appreciate the work of some pretty talented contestants. Some entries from the Arcade's display are provided below.

The Annual National Gingerbread House Competition and Display is a sure sign the holidays are just around the corner. In addition to being a harbinger of the Season, the event provides and opportunity to appreciate the works of talented and imaginative craftspeople from across the nation. I would recommend visiting at least one of the display venues over the next few weeks - one of the holiday traditions you'll encounter when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Western North Carolina Nature Center

2009-11-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

The Western North Carolina Nature Center is located about 5 miles east of downtown Asheville at 75 Gashes Creek Road, not too far from the Asheville Municipal Golf Course. The Center offer programs, workshops and exhibits consistent with the objectives stated in its Mission Statement:

"The WNC Nature Center is a living museum of plants and animals native to the southern Appalachian region. Our purpose is to increase public awareness and understanding of all aspects of the natural environment of Western North Carolina through hands-on and sensory experiences."

According to its website, the Center welcomes 100,000 visitors annually, many of these being school age children. The Center is open 7 days a week, from 10am - 5pm. Admission charges apply and they are provided on the website.

The Center's annual holiday event, A Winter's Tale, is scheduled for December 4th and 5th, 6pm -9pm - more details are available at the website. During the summer, the Center provides Wild Weeks Summer Camps - information about the Summer 2010 schedule should be available in February. Another upcoming event, which is of particular interest to me, is the Wildlife Rehabilitation Workshop scheduled for 27-28 March 2010. According to the Center's website, completion of this 16-hour course enables one to register for a NC State Wildlife Rehabilitator's License. The Western North Carolina Nature Center provides academic and up-close opportunities to study our region's nature, which is a ubiquitous aspect of life when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Western North Carolina (WNC) Farmers Market

2009-11-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

The WNC Farmers Market is found at 570 Brevard Road in Asheville and is easily accessible from both I-26 and I-40. This market is one of five owned by the State of North Carolina and operated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. According to its website, the Market was first opened in 1977 and is open year round, seven days a week. Facilities include five open-air truck sheds which provide 194 individual spaces for farmers to display their fresh fruit and vegetables and other goods. Admission is free.

The Market is a great place to find produce, not necessarily local, at good prices. This past Sunday I purchased a 1/2 bushel of nice-tasting, Indian River (Florida) navel oranges for $8. Compared to most local grocery store prices, this was a great deal. Apart from selection and potential deals on produce, the Market offers another benefit. Form the Market, looking to the east, one has an impressive view of the Biltmore Estate and, particularly, the Inn on the Biltmore Estate. The WNC Farmers Market - just another place to explore when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Cultural Asheville: Arts and Crafts

2009-11-14T16:35:00.000-08:00

There was a time when everything was handmade. As described in the diary of an early colonist in North Carolina:

“Men are of all trades and women the like within their spheres. Men are generally carpenters, joiners, wheelwrights, coopers, butchers, tanners, shoemakers, tallow-chandlers, watermen and whatnot; women, soapmakers, starchmakers, dyers, etc. He or she who cannot do all these things will have but a bad time of it.” The model citizens of the day were farmers or artisans, perhaps both, who stood or fell based on the use of the resources around them.

They, like their ancestors, valued skills with their hands, not only as a means to provide for the necessities of life, but as a means of independence, self-reliance, and pride. Archeological investigations show that every civilization on earth not only created out of need, but also imbued the objects with such artistic and spiritual qualities that the objects themselves embodied their culture. Out of that cultural climate unique arts are born.

"Purple City" by Michael Sherrill, Bat Cave, North Carolina

The Asheville area has had an interesting front row seat to the development of three unique strands of art in the 20th century:

Contemporary Craft: Objects created through an artist’s disciplined manipulation of materials from nature – clay, fiber, glass, wood, and metal. Generally contemporary craft objects are those created from the early 1920’s.

Folk Art: Objects made by usually self-taught craftspersons who created and decorated needed objects to express their own sense of beauty and style. These objects of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries include paintings, sculptures, textiles, and household items.

Decorative Arts: From its origins among the European elite, decorative arts enhance domestic objects, from irons to hatpins, that are handmade or machine-made, but finished with unique artistic qualities.

Fabric Curtain by Heather Allen, Asheville, North Carolina

Contemporary Craft:

Throughout the early part of this century, it was left to craftspersons and their patrons to keep the knowledge and love of handmade objects alive. At the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933, American craft was “rediscovered” when Lucy Morgan and a group of weavers from Yancey County, North Carolina demonstrated their skills and sold hand-woven scarves and bedspreads.

At the same time, others took note of the role of crafts in rural America and the need to reclaim indigenous crafts. As a result, organizations and co-operatives were formed, the first being the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Composed of hundreds of craftspeople, the organization juries works from the nine states of the southern highlands of Appalachia into its galleries and shows. Their big shows take place in each fall and spring in downtown Asheville. Settlement schools were established to educate and train. Among the earliest, near Asheville, were John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown (1.5 hours west) and the Penland School of Crafts (one hour north). Both offer a unique range of classes for the serious artist. Both schools have first rate art galleries of their students' work.

This organizational groundwork was to give a new impetus to the “crafts movement,” giving rise to publications, organizations, and college and university degree programs. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is famous for its extensive decorative arts programs and Haywood Community College (thirty minutes west of Asheville) has a nationally-known program for training artists in the marketing of their work. Near the Asheville Regional Airport is The Center of Craft Creativity and Design and its programs associated with the University of North Carolina System.

Today, with the emergence of Handmade in America, a project to bring craftspeople together, and its community colleges and independent craft schools, Western North Carolina draws many craftspersons who seek careers in the handmade industry. There are hundreds of miles of craft trails, that can be located through trail guides available on the Handmade in America website, on the region's best and most unique forms of art. In fact, the region's early industrial base in paper, furniture, wood, natural and artificial fibers, and ceramics all grew from handmade efforts. The area's natural beauty and wealth of raw materials offer the setting craftspersons need to create and thrive.

"just between you and me" by Julia Burr, Black Mountain, North Carolina

Asheville is surrounded by a ring of smaller towns with craft and art centered main streets that provide an opportunity to see and acquire local artwork - Hendersonville, Waynesville, Black Mountain, Weaverville, Brevard, and many others.

Folk Art:

Folk art and craft share the stage together in the region, but not to be missed on their own merits are the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway a few miles east of Asheville, and the John C Campbell Folk School that preserves the best of regional and national folk art traditions. You will have a great adventure discovering our folk arts side by side with the best in contemporary crafts.

Decorative Arts:

At the dawn of the 20th century, the Arts and Crafts Movement expanded from its European base to influence American furniture and household object design and architecture. Through its origination in Germany in 1919, the Bauhaus was to have far-reaching importance worldwide. Bauhaus was both a creative center and an educational training ground for craftspersons and artists. Founder Walter Gropius aimed to break down the traditional barriers between artist and technically expert craftsmen by training students to be effective in both areas. In its statement of purpose in 1919, he wrote:

“Architects, sculptors, painters we must all turn to the crafts! Art is not a profession. There is no essential difference between the artist and the craftsman. The artist is an exalted craftsman. In rare moments of inspiration, moments beyond the control of his will, the grace of heaven may cause his work to boom into art. But proficiency in his craft is essential to every artist. Therein lies a source of creative imagination. Let us create a new guild of craftsman, without the class distinctions which raise an arrogant barrier between craftsman and artist.”

With the rise of Hitler, the Bauhaus was dismantled and its traditions followed its faculty around the world – most notably to Chicago, with its great architectural traditions, to the Cranbrook Institute in Michigan, and to Black Mountain College, where a “new experiment in education took root through the early 1930’s.” Among the notable faculty were Buckminster Fuller and Walter Gropius. The campus of the Black Mountain College and its faculty and student, who changed modern art and architecture for generations, was located about ten miles east of Asheville on Lake Eden, the scene of the annual Lake Eden Art Festival.

(This article was featured in the Sharing Travel Experiences "http://www.sharingtravelexperiences.com/inspiring-travel-monthly-roundup-christmas-2009-edition/">inspiring travel monthly roundup, December edition.)

Many thanks to Dan Keith Ray, Asheville resident and former President and CEO of the American Craft Council, for this insightful article, a good overview of the historical influences that have shaped the arts and crafts presence you encounter when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

The 2009 Asheville Film Festival is Underway!

2009-11-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hi. Here's a short, timely article about a current event - the 2009 Asheville Film Festival (November 12-15). Click on the link in this article and it will take you to the festival website where you can obtain information such as a venue map, the film schedule and the film guide - as well as information on how to obtain tickets. The festival is produced by the City of Asheville's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department in conjunction with the Asheville Film Festival Committee and this year's event marks its 7th anniversary. According to the festival guide, whose cover is featured above, the Asheville festival's venues are all within walking distance. As the weather forecast for the weekend calls for sunny skies, strolling between venues should be a pleasurable experience. According to the guide, this year's venues are The Diana Wortham Theatre, the Fine Arts Theatre, the Asheville Community Theatre, 35 Below, and the YMI Cultural Center. If you're already planning to attend, have fun. If not, make plans to attend the event next year - another fun and interesting event you can enjoy when Living in Asheville, North Carolina.

Outfitters/Sporting Goods Retailers

2009-11-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

In this article I will give an overview of sporting goods retailers and outfitters in the Asheville area. All the retailers highlighted, except Diamond Brand Outdoors/Frugal Backpacker, have stores within Asheville city limits. Diamond Brand/Frugal Backpacker are actually just south of Asheville, in Arden. I included them since they are easily accessible and since the Frugal Backpacker, Diamond's outlet store, is the the only outlet outfitter I am aware of in our area. I do not intend to recommend one of these stores over the other. I will share what I know of them, including personal experience, when applicable, in order to make you, the reader, aware of the main local players in this category of retail. With this information, you should be able to determine which best suits your individual needs.

As I have already touched upon it, let me start with Diamond Brand Outdoors/Frugal Backpacker. Diamond Brand Outdoors is located at 2623 Hendersonville Road, in Arden, about 10 miles south of downtown Asheville. The Company's outlet store, Frugal Backpacker, is located next door at 2621 Hendersonville Road. I do believe this Company is local, the website seems to support this understanding. The one time I shopped at Diamond Brand I was looking for waders and I found the selection rather limited - I had to visit another retailer to find what I needed. As for the outlet store, a friend recommended it to me. However, when I visited I was not very impressed. I found some attractive pricing but I also found the selection limited - when you can't find what you need, there is no bargain, right? Anyway, as this outlet offers the potential for a great bargain, it's covered in this article.

Another local retailer is Black Dome, which is in its third decade of doing business in Asheville. The store's name is derived from the Native American name for what we now know as Mt. Mitchell, a local peak that is the highest east of the Mississippi River. This store is located at 140 Tunnel Road, a short distance from downtown and easily accessible from I-240. I have shopped this store several times and have found it carries a pretty impressive range of products, especially for a relatively small store. In addition to retails sales, the store also provides some repair services - they replaced the bungee cord in some old tent poles, quickly and at a reasonable price.

Curtis Wright Outfitters has three small stores in the local area. I have shopped the one in Biltmore Village and there are also stores in Weaverville and Saluda. I found a pair of Chota felt-bottomed boots at this store and was impressed at the salesperson's willingness to keep the store open after hours so I could obtain the boots he had had transported by a Company employee returning from the Saluda store. This effort got me out of a bind and I have not forgotten the exceptional service. The store is located at 5 All Souls Crescent, in Biltmore Village.

REI recently arrived in Asheville and the store is located in south Asheville at 31 Schenck Parkway. The new store is actually one of the "anchor" stores at the new Biltmore Park Town Square, a planned community to the south of downtown. As this store is a new location of a well-known, national retailer, there's no need to dwell on it in this article. The germane point, relative to this article, is that Asheville shoppers now have REI as a choice when looking to purchase sports and outdoor equipment.

Another national chain with representation in Asheville is Dick's Sporting Goods. The local store is located at 107 A River Hills Road, in the River Hills Shopping Center. This is probably the largest store on this list and it does provide a good range of products and brands. Regardless of where I finally make a purchase, I think it's prudent to check prices and product availability here as part of a smart, local shopping methodology.

The last retailer I'll cover in this article is a regional player, Mast General Store, located downtown at 15 Biltmore Avenue. This is an interesting store - it has "general store" feel and sells a wide range of products - souvenirs, candy, clothing, and many products you would expect to find at an outfitter. The store is regional, with most of the locations in Western North Carolina. According to the Company website, the stores outside of North Carolina are in Greenvillle, SC, and Knoxville, TN.

I hope this article was helpful. Asheville has many choices when it comes to purchasing equipment for outdoor activities. With an abundance of local hiking trails, biking trails, lakes, and rivers, it is no wonder. Locals may feel it's necessary, at times, to drive to another city to find a product offered at a Crate and Barrel, a Pottery Barn, or an Apple Store, etc. However, when Living in Asheville, North Carolina, no such effort is required to meet your sporting and outdoor equipment needs!