Asheville Day One (July 10, 2009)

Although it was a seven and one-half hour drive to Asheville, the drive was most pleasant and traffic was kind. We left late in the morning and it remained cloudy all the way. Until we reached Tennessee the temperature remained in the low to mid 70s. Certainly not what we would have expected for July. When we entered Tennessee the temp briefly flirted with 80 but then fell again as we neared Asheville. A few spits of rain and only a windshield clearing shower in Tennessee.

We stopped briefly for lunch at a Chic-fil-A in Harrisonburg and this was a day when your meal was free if you dressed as a cow. We paid full price but there were a good number, of all ages, who did not. The camera remained in the car.

The first pic was taken looking NW toward Tennessee almost on the North Carolina border. We needed to stretch and a scenic overlook gave us the chance. Fortunately the rain shower had passed but the cloud cover remained and the haze minimized the "scenic." The highway is I-26 which we took SE from I-81 through Tennessee into NC. This is a lovely highway and drive. Hopefully the weather will be clearer on Sunday when we return but the forecast isn't promising.

Arrived in Asheville at the Grove Park Inn and settled comfortably into our room which is located in the original section of the inn. Construction began on the inn in 1912 and the inn opened a year later. Our room (460) has a plaque on the door noting that Henry Kissinger stayed in the room in 1990. On our floor I noted only one other room (door) with a similar plaque identifying F. Scott Fitzgerald as having been an occupant.

Dinner was in "The Sunset Terrace." It was late (at 9:30) as we were able to make a reservation only for that seating. While waiting we were entertained in the Great Hall by "Maddy & Masterpiece" who treated us (and others) to gentle 60s music (cha cha chas, etc.) As much as the music was a treat, the dinner was a real treat. We had pork chops, specially prepared mashed potatoes and, just for Kiera, asparagus. No dessert! The portions were generous and the taste outstanding!

It was cool while we ate and it is cool now while I write these notes. The AC has not been on yet. Is it really July?

There weren't many on the road and, when this pic was taken, ours was the only car parked in the overlook area. The Inn seems filled with guests, as we are from dinner, and now it's time for bed. Best to all!
'til later...