Tag Archive for: Tennessee

We have left South Carolina for one of my favorite parts of North Carolina – Asheville.

I had visited Asheville 2 1/2 years ago and was so excited to return. 

North Carolina Asheville

Each time we go on a road trip, we stay in regular hotels – (Hampton Inn is our favorite).

However, we usually pick one special place to stay for one night of our trip.

My mother knew where she wanted us to stay – The Grove Park Inn.  She had visited the inn years ago with my dad, but they had never stayed there.  Sadly, my dad died before they got the chance to visit again.

The inn is over 100 years old and just beautiful.  As you walk through the inn, rocking chairs are scattered along the property, inviting you to sit down and take some time to relax and enjoy the view.

North Carolina Asheville

When we arrived, we were water-logged from seeing a lot of rain.  It was chilly and I took advantage of a warm seat in front of the fireplace.

North Carolina Asheville

The fireplace was huge…

North Carolina Asheville

Over 30 ft. tall.

We had a delicious dinner overlooking the gardens from the balcony.

In the morning, we were happy to see a bright, sunny day.  

North Carolina Asheville

But, before we left, I had to see the gardens.  

North Carolina Asheville

The hotel sits atop a steep slope, so access to the gardens is via a LOT of stairs.

North Carolina Asheville

The creeping phlox and the flowering dogwood were just lovely.

North Carolina Asheville

After we left the hotel, we headed to the Historic Biltmore Village, which is filled with small shops housed in what was formerly a planned community built in the 1890’s at the entrance to the Biltmore Estate.  

Later, we headed downtown for shopping the unique shops filled with the work of the local crafts people.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Just before we left Asheville, we hopped onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, is over 400 miles long and runs through the Appalachian mountains in Virginia and North Carolina. 

Folk Art Center

One place that you must visit in Asheville is the Folk Art Center, which features crafts made from artisans who live in the Southeastern Appalachians. Another wonderful reason to visit is that they feature a local artisan who creates his/her craft in front of you and answers questions.

Now, it was time to get back on the road and head for Knoxville, TN.

On our way, we drove through some small towns and visited some roadside stands.

'boiled peanuts'

Seriously, ‘boiled peanuts’ are a big deal in the South.

Asheville

Jars of cider, honey and preserves filled the shelves.

Asheville

I bet you didn’t know there was such a thing as ‘kudzu’ and ‘moon shine’ jelly, did you?

Asheville

Fresh pork rinds were available.  I must confess that I have never tried them before.  

Asheville

We stopped by this roadside stand in order to buy ‘toe’ and ‘frog’ jam.

Toe jam

Toe jam is made from tangerine, orange and elderberry.  Frog jam is made of a combination of fig, raspberry, orange and ginger.  I bought a jar of each.

Cherokee Indian Reservation

Along the road, we journeyed through the Cherokee Indian Reservation.

Parkway

Then we took the road through the Smoky Mountain Parkway.  It is so picturesque.  

Garden on a Hill and a Forest of Trees

The road was windy and fun to drive.

Garden on a Hill and a Forest of Trees
Garden on a Hill and a Forest of Trees

We arrived to our hotel in Knoxville and then headed out for dinner.  On our way, we passed a restaurant whose billboard advertised ‘chicken livers and gizzards’ for dinner.

We went to the local Italian restaurant instead 😉

Come back tomorrow for our next day of adventures.

It’s time to hit the road again…

Every year, I go on a trip with my mother, exploring different parts of the United States.  We fly into one city, rent a car, travel from town to town for 8 days and then leave from another city.

I love traveling and like to explore and learn about other regions of our country.  As a native of Southern California and current resident of Arizona, my regional experience has quite a western slant.  So, what better way to learn more about the people, food, customs and gardens in other regions then to ‘hit the road’?

Half of the fun of our annual road trip, is planning on where we will go.

First, look at maps of where we had already been.  Then we try to plan our route so that we see new areas.

Three years ago, we visited the following places:

We drove the Blue Ridge Parkway, visited colonial Williamsburg, our nation’s capitol, Pennsylvania Amish country, Philadelphia and NewYork City.

Two years ago, we visited parts of the Midwest:


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We began in Michigan, visiting the town of Holland, then traveled onto Indiana Amish country, seeing Lincoln’s house and tomb in Springfield, viewing the Mississippi River in Hannibal, MO – the inspiration for Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer” and finishing up in Joplin.

Last year’s trip focused on the Northeast:


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We began in Columbus, OH, visiting a friend and then traveling on to Ohio Amish country, Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes of NY, the beautiful mountains of Vermont and left from Manchester, NH.

This year’s trip is focused on exploring areas further down South: 


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We are beginning our journey in Savannah, GA.  Then we are traveling through South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.

I have been to North Carolina and Georgia before, but the other states are new to me.  I do have some southern roots from the state of Kentucky and we might try to visit some old family grave sites.

For those of you who have read my blog for some time; you know that I do like to ‘take you along with me’ on my trips.  

I will be blogging from the road and sharing with you my adventures.

We leave on Wednesday!!!