Asheville, North Carolina

For awhile now I have been wanting to get to Asheville and see what the hype is all about.  I have heard amazing things about this place for sometime now.  And have often been told that it has a new age/hippie feel that would remind me of my hometown.  Maybe even being a place that I would enjoy living.

Wandering around we found this park with people playing instruments, hackeysack, and enjoying the nice weather.  The next day the same space was used for the OOH LAA LA market.

Some live music in Asheville.  We determined the theme song of Asheville is "Uptown Funk" didn't matter where we went that is what they played
This is my first time to N. Carolina and I honestly didn't know what to expect.  We enjoyed wandering around Asheville and wandered up to the "RAD" River Arts District.  Which had several studios to explore local artists and see them work.  I always find it inspiring to see people making a living off of their art.

Some sights along the "RAD" 

 Don't think I was suppose to take a photo in here. 

 

Wedge Brewery had a great time playing and kicking booty at cornhole.  Also of course enjoyed sampling some of their brews

 Enjoyed sampling some "Southern Bar B Que" Didn't know what a strong vinegar presence there was in Southern sauces

 Thanks Luella for being open on Sunday and letting me get my grub on

 Relaxing and enjoying the  sites of Asheville

There were a few breweries in the Asheville area.  Was nice to stop in and sample after walking around in the warm weather.

 

Our attempt to check out the Craggy Mountains was a fail.  Supposed to be some interesting rock surfaces to see along the mountains.  Yup... Not so much.  Oh well on to plan B.  Explore the Biltmore Estate.

 

 The Estate Map.  Can't even imagine having a map for my estate.  The grounds were beautiful with both well manicured, styled gardens to natural landscape with tons of land, a lake etc. 

The Biltmore house.  The tour of the house was interesting.  Even the workers corridors would be a personal upgrade.  They had rooms for just about everything 

A beautiful room filled with lilies.  Smelt fantastic.  Think this would be one of my favorite spots if I lived here

Yep this too is part of the Biltmore Estate.  Honestly, I could an entire post just on the Biltmore.  There were so many beautiful gardens. large pieces of land, the house, etc was just amazing.  A few facts.  The gardens were designed by Fredrick Olmsted.  Also known for designing central park.  The house is 178,926 square feet and sits on about 125,000 acres

 

 I love the idea Asheville.  But it may be too late.  :  )
This was a fun town to explore and even met up with a friend from HS who is currently living here. 

Franklin, Mass

Easy Breezy this time, my family headed to this part of the country for Bar Mitvah celebrations in Franklin, MA.  One of those places I'm sure I never would have had seen if it wasn't for such an event.  It was fun seeing family and I really do need to be better about getting together with them.

Interested in knowing a bit about Franklin. Check this out...

Never made it to the Library, but definitely a cool thing to be known for.

The venue was very nice and over looked this lake which happened to be the site for the "Miracle on Ice"  oh ok, so  I lied...maybe that was Lake Placcid, but it being Stanley cup finals season I couldn't help it

Happy people came in from RI, TX, and AZ for the event.  Here are a few pictures

Mom and Will.  Thanks for doing all the driving Will.  Not easy dealing with the Massholes.

The Bar Mitzvah was animal themed.  And the tables were designated with diffent environments of the world ie Savannah, Tundra, Asian Rainforest, African Rainforest

We had a great time dancing, laughing and taking silly photos

Congrats Harris and thanks for having us for your special day

Newport, Rhode Island

April 15th is my sister Sara's birthday.  This year she would have turned 31. I felt it was important for my own healing to do something special, and not just sit at home in my sadness.  One thing that is always therapeutic for me is travel, and so I decided to honor/celebrate her life by doing that and went to Newport, RI, with my friend Audra.  Thankful that I did.  Such a beautiful city and a great way to spend the day.

 Definitely a cute town with lots of restaurants and shops.  Wonder how fast you can get these little cars going? Hmm, drive one up to Boston?

Newport has approximately 25,000 residents, sits on the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its mansions.  Nowadays some of these are used as parts of the University "Salve Regina" and I don't think any are single family dwellings at this time

I discovered that my Grandma actually lived in Newport, during WWII, when her father was working  making torpedoes for the war.  Sounds a bit scary.   Didn't realize I had family history in the area.  Doubt either of these were the home they lived in.

 It being the off season still we were fortunate to stay at Hotel Viking for quite a discounted price.  The place is huge!!! and has been around since the 1920's.  Our room was a suite with a living room area, and bedroom with two queen beds, and two bathrooms all decorated in New England charm.

Looking out on the water...

 First day was definitely a bit overcast.  But lucked out and had beautiful, sunny weather the next.

 Pardon, Monsieur... Which way did you say?

An explanation of who  Rochambeau was.

 Enjoyed some of the local flare.   You can put money in this statue for a children's charity.

 And sampled some of the local brew

 The cliff walk.  Beautiful day for it.  Such a great spot and so neat to look out upon the Atlantic and see nothing but ocean for miles and miles.

 view along the cliff walk.  Such a lovely spot to spend her birthday.  Was very happy that the sun was shining.  I actually wore sandals and a t-shirt!!

 Decided to be brave and put my feet in the water.  Felt just like bath water : )  Ok, not really was Frrrigid and I only lasted a minute or two.

Scattered some of Sara's ashes at this spot along the cliff walk.  Such a beautiful spot to be able to do so and a wonderful way to remember her today.  

Ending the post with a link to the song "The Trapeze Swinger" by Iron and Wine.    Sara had mentioned it as her favorite song shortly before she died.  Seems an appropriate way to sign off on this entry, a trip that wouldn't have happened this week if it wasn't for her.

Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada

Realizing that we were running out of time to get our winter vacation trip in, Audra and I decided to head to Niagara Falls for the weekend.  After both working an overnight shift we slept for a few hours and managed to get on the road by 12:30.  I was definitely impressed.  Our first stop was a night in Rochester visiting friends and of course stuffing our bellies at Dinasaur Bar- B- Que.  Always delicious.  Although, it was funny when they said we are out of chicken, and steak, and... Almost thought we were going to be eating like a Brontosaurus (yes, I know they never existed)  and not Tyrannosauruses, but fortunately they did have some meat available on the menu.

The highlight of the stop over in Rochester though was being able to see good friends, who I had not seen in way to long.  They even added to the family.

Finally got to meet Liam who is now past his first birthday.  Such a great little guy.   So much fun getting to know him.

Then it was off to the Falls.  Our first stop the American side.  Before crossing the border into Canada.

 looking at Canada

 View of the American Falls.

 We also decided to stop in and watch the IMAX film about Niagara.  Apparently we were the only ones that thought this would be a good idea.

Then off to see if the Canadians would let us cross the border.  : )

Seriously have some Vit D deficiency going on.  We are both so very pale.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites which offers great views of the falls.  Although the hotel was packed, didn't realize that it was spring break week for Canada.  I was definitely surprised at the number of families.

 View from our Hotel room.  Definitely wasn't always this clear.  Had a day of fog that you couldn't even see the falls.  Being winter some of the usual tourist attractions- the "Maid of the Mist" and the "duck tour" ( don't think that is it's actual name) were not open.  They did however have a "Journey Behind the Falls" that we decided to do.  Um, yeah this is what behind the falls looks like in the winter.

Seriously, basically paid to ride an elevator.   Have to wonder if this isn't some prank thought up by the employees of Niagara to make the winter days more interesting.

Such a fun trip though.  It was great to see the falls with all the snow and ice.  We gorged ourselves with yummy food, enjoyed a free glass of wine at Happy Hour in the hotel, ordered in On-Demand movies, slept in, swam in the pool and soaked in the hot tub.

Here's a few more photos from the trip.  Another great winter vacation in the books.