The Countdown: In More Ways Than One

Welcome to Friday! Back before the big Canada adventure we were counting down all of our favorite things about Western NC, where up until last month we called home. If my memory serves me right we had made it up to #8 out of a Top 25 (in no particular order). Our life has changed dramatically in the last month. Jobs have been quit, classes have been taken, support has been raised and vacations have been had. The one thing that hasn't happened is the remainder of the countdown! So here it is, in no particular order and without ranking, the remainder of the countdown!

Check out the links to find out more about our favorite things!

Doc Chey's, the view of downtown from Beaucatcher Tunnel, The Biltmore Estate, Ultimate Ice Cream, Mamacitas, The Screen Door, Mast General Store, Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters, the Nantahala River, Shindig on the Green, Black Mountain, NC, Dupont State Forest, the Davidson River, the River Arts District of Asheville...ok, so you get my point...there are more than 8 things that could finish out this list!

FYI to all our AVL peeps, we will be in Asheville over the weekend of August 28th-29th. We are looking forward to a service at Trinity and giving/receiving
some big hugs/encouragement from good friends.

Now that we have put to rest the Top 25 Countdown (be sure to look back through the archives for more!) we can move onto more pressing matters! As we near our departure date (whatever that may be at this point, continue to pray for clarity!) we will be endeavoring to answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we get in the coming blog posts. You know, inquiring minds want to know!

Questions like:
What are you going to wear in Liberia?
What are your living conditions like?
Are you worried about malaria?
What are you doing with your car?
What is Liberia's climate like?
How will you get around?
How does your family feel about this journey?
What kind of food will you be eating?
Are you nervous/excited/anxious, etc?

Stay tuned...it's just now gettin' excited! We're watchin' God do something BIG.

#8: Postponed, Eh?

Sorry to postpone #8 but we made it in to Vancouver, B.C. at about 1:00am West Coast time (4:00am EST) so we have been sleeping in a bit! It seems surreal to be in Canada and getting ready for 3 weeks of training! We will be sharing pictures and commentary in the coming days now that we are earthbound for 3 weeks. Also, Vancouver is having a heat wave...it's in the mid 80's with low humidity...say what?

#9: The Grove Park Inn

#9: The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

So this week we are gettin' a little pretentious around here. Yep our #9 is the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa. We can't vouch for the Inn, but we certainly can vouch for the Spa. It is fabulous! FUHABYOULESS!



I'm short on time this week. Imagine that? I mean what else do I have to do? Hmmmmmm, something about going to Canada for a month and moving to Liberia after that...minor stuff you know! All that to say #9 is gonna be short, sweet and to the point...kinda like me...

A portion of the Spa where we were blessed to spend some time the other day all thanks to a dear friend!)

In case you haven't caught enough episodes of North Carolina Weekend on PBS I will offer a short Grove Park description: Gigantic, fancy schmancy old inn that overlooks Asheville and the surrounding mountains complete with the #13 Spa in the world, golf course, fine dining, etc. Locals can go up and tour for free and every year the Grove Park plays host to the National Gingerbread house competition during the holiday season!

The house is chocked full of history including extended stays by the rich and famous and many of our presidents. That includes Barack and Michelle's recent stay! Fancy that! It makes for a good evening to just go up to the Inn and wander around. You can pretend that you are rich. Pretend being the key word!

#10: Now the real countdown begins...

Ummmmmm, have you noticed most of our Top 25 revolves around food? Cuz it does...and I'm fine with that! So here goes, the Top 10 in no particular order...Doesn't the countdown for the space shuttle start at 10? Yeah, this is kind of similar. T-minus 10 weeks till Liberia...




#10: Early Girl Eatery

I (Jessica) am spotlighting the Early Girl Eatery because it is a place that I love, but only get to go on special occasions, i.e; when other girls come for a visit. Now this isn't because the Early Girl is a gals only sort of place, but it is because Kyle isn't fan.

Too many vegetables, too little red meat, too much goat cheese...

Honestly I am the only one forcing the Early Girl on the list because I am convinced it could close down forever and Kyle wouldn't even notice. However, I feel differently and jump at every chance I get to grab breakfast with a friend or a relaxed dinner with visiting folks at the Early Girl.

Farm fresh food, kid friendly atmosphere, Southern inspired dishes, fresh flowers on the table, all right in the heart of downtown AVL. Yep, my kind of place. I heart the Early Girl Eatery for breakfast, lunch or dinner...signing off for this week...more Jessica than Kyle at #10, but still worth every delicious bite!

#11: Dinner and a Movie

#11: Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company

"What's with that spaceship on Merrimon Ave?"

"That's not a spaceship...it's even more awesome."

One of the first AVL delights that we experienced upon moving to Asheville was Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company. Asheville Pizza to all the Baptists. That was a joke...ok, A JOKE!

So you're thinking how is it so great? I mean it's just pizza...Let me enlighten you! APBC has pizza, hippies, a $3 movie theater (yes, you can eat while watching!), an arcade, a large screen playing cartoons in the arcade, confusing bathroom doors, classy decor (a muraled painting of dogs playing poker...does it get any classier?), a table with nothing but James Bond movie pictures, a mural of Star Wars characters, need we say more?



Located on Merrimon Ave. right off of UNCA's (Jessica's alma mater) campus. UNCA students (and all cool people) call it "The Brew and View" It's a fun little dive to shake of the day's grit and grab a bite to eat. The laid back atmosphere lends itself to hangin' out and is super kid friendly. They even have a balloon animal artist on Tuesday nights for the kiddos or Kyle....yeah, it's supposed to be for the kiddos.

So I raise my glass (of sweet tea, for all you Baptists, smile/wink/nudge) to the Merrimon Ave. spaceship. Thanks APBC for many good meals and hours of fun!

#12: Frugally Your's

#12: Frugal Backpacker-Gearheads around the world rejoice!
(For all of you who are wondering this is the part of the week that we countdown our favorite things about AVL and WNC! Enjoy the ride!)

Have you ever been to an outdoor store and thought, "Gee whiz, I wish there was an outlet store for this stuff!" Let's be honest what person with a penchant for all things Mountain Hardwear and Patagonia hasn't swooned over a good deal or wished that the good deals were more abundant. If only we could be satiated with the knockoff versions at Dick's Sporting Goods...but those of you reading this post and nodding know that we cannot.

Asheville's own Diamond Brand Outdoors (worthy of their own spot on the countdown for sure) has figured this all out. They opened up a store to send all their overstocks and discontinued styles. The Frugal Backpacker is just the remedy for the gearhead's need to accumulate all things earth tone and functional. Shoes, backpacks and tents, OH MY! All at discounted prices.

Never pay full price for Chacos again...at least not between November and March when all the retired styles get sent over and reduced by at least 50%. Yes, I did just say that. No, I'm not lying. Don't tear up when you look down at your Chaco tan and realize that you paid $98 for that zigzag...$49 more than you would have paid at the Frugal Backpacker!

We will be leaving AVL soon...sooner than we even realize I am afraid. However, I am quite certain that we will be squeezing in a trip to the Frugal Backpacker before we leave...the deals are just so good!

Peace Friends!

Lucky #13

#13: Mt. Mitchell

The Blue Ridge Parkway is in full bloom. You hop on somewhere between Brevard Rd. and Town Mountain Rd. and drive north. Then suddenly you are on top of the world...or at least at the top of the Eastern seaboard's world.

The great thing about living in Asheville is that you are incredibly close to this peak making day trips and picnics an easy activity. No wonder that on my (Jessica) Birthday this year I chose to take the family up to Mt. Mitchell for a educational tour and picnic. The weather went from sunny, to foggy, to rainy and then back to sunny on the descent down from the mountain. I know, I know, it's not a 14er or a Himalayan peak but it is a special mountain with a unique climate and history. It is another world that stands out among the regions ranges and is worth the hike, drive, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, running, snow plowing up to the summit.

Here are a couple of pictures from the Birthday adventure 6,684 ft. above sea-level!

#14: Let's PLAY BALLLLL!

#14: The Tourists

Round about the latter part of March when the weather is starting to make an upturn Kyle and I usually look at each other and ask one question,

"When is The Tourists' first game?"

The Tourists are Asheville's minor league baseball team. Yes, we know, not exactly the most intimidating team name that you've ever heard, but if you've ever seen the way that real tourists drive around AVL then you would understand. DANGEROUS! We have spent quite a few nights over the recent years in the stands at McCormick field and are proud to call ourselves Tourist fans...I think...

The Tourists have a long history in AVL and their games are kind of a staple of summer time in the downtown area. You know Babe Ruth? Yeah, he played at McCormick field...and evidently said something really nice about our mountains and now that is plastered on everything in the stadium.

Kyle and I have made a lot of memories at Tourist games. One time we almost got hit by a renegade foul ball. Thirsty Thursday always provides some good people watching. The foot race from 1st to 3rd base between four semi-intoxicated guys in ridiculous outfits was an event to remember. When my grandmother visited we took her to a game and she hooted and hollered until we had to take her home. A fun time was had by all! Teddy Tourist (A giant teddy bear...I know once again super intimidating mascot) gave me a dozen roses the day I graduated college. Awwwwwww...now you are really intimidated. Lots of memories....
Grandma and Jessica the night she (grandma) got thrown out for berating the team...Note: Do not take grandma to any sporting event with you. She will embarrass you as an adult as much as she embarrassed you as a kid at your t-ball games, trust me.

Then there is this guy...Joe Mikulik, the team's manager ...We were there the night that they honored Joe (which despite his outburst a few years ago is a really great manager) for 10 years with the Tourists. We choked back emotions at the photo montage with Miley Cyrus singing It's the Climb in the background, sniff, sniff, phfffft. You may know the name. He was featured on ESPN one day a few years ago because of this:


All that to say...Thank you to the The Tourists for many lazy spring/summer/early fall evenings spent enjoying one of the greatest games ever invented.

#15: Homage for the Hoagie

#15 - Homage to the Hoagie!

(Kyle) Asheville is a place known for its grand mountain vistas, panhandling weirdos, and feminine friendly shopping. Lets be honest fellas - there aren't many things downtown that hint at or scream manliness especially in the area of food (note: I do appreciate the occasional Asian fusion).

Well, for #15 this week I happily nominate Two Guys Hoagies. Yes - it is run by Ashevillians. Yes - they do have earthy fare on the menu (AKA "wraps"), but they have a mean steak and cheese and homemade meatball hoagie, proudly serve RC and Cheerwine products on tap and in the glass bottle, and offer a free sub card (remember Subway?) which is sometimes even double stamped because of a well timed compliment on their new goddess tattoo. For these reasons it has been a lunch time haven for all sorts from firemen and police officers, businessmen and engineers, as well as the occasional tourist who is either lost on their way back to I-40 from the Grove Park Inn or were told of the local goodness that lies inside of the inviting restored gas station along Charlotte Street.

Thanks Two Guys for the many "up the street" lunches that got me out of the office and reminded me that there IS life outside of the 2nd floor.

#16 Get ready for the goodness!

#16: Tupelo Honey Cafe

Thought grilled cheese and tomato soup was something you left in your childhood? Think again.

Tupelo Honey Cafe (THC) is an Asheville institution. Down home Southern cooking meets culinary heaven...the result is a meal that anyone (and I do mean anyone...I dare you Osama Bin Laden to not like THC) could enjoy. Most of the ingredients at THC are locally grown. Hooray for our local farmers!

Blackberry jam slathered across cat head biscuits...and that is just to start. THC has something for everyone. From fried green tomatoes to fried chicken. Oh, and let's not forget the Brown Butter Pecan Pie. Someone get me a napkin...I'm droolin' all over myself (TMI).

Charming, that is what THC is and awfully good to boot. THC just expanded to two locations. The downtown staple cafe as well as a new restaurant on the south end of town! 2x the goodness! Oh, my!

#17 again...ok, for the first time...

#17: Blue Ridge Parkway


How many of you can claim the Blue Ridge Parkway as the way that you get from one end of town to the other? We've been privileged to enjoy America's most scenic highway on nearly a daily basis during our time in Asheville. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved the parkway. I recall family trips to the mountains and the terrifying feeling that we might drive off the road and into the clouds at certain points along the parkway. Here in Asheville you can go from the east part of town to the south of the city in mere minutes via the parkway. Head north and climb up to Mt. Mitchell in less than an hour. Great for getting around the city quickly and enjoying a lazy day driving and hiking in God's creation. Are you looking for a laid back vacation? Hop on the parkway in the Shenandoah valley or around Cherokee, NC and drive the full 469 miles of beauty at your leisure...sigh...

#18: Going West!

So today it is time for one of my most favorite places in all of Asheville. Yes, #18 steals my heart with each cup of fresh brewed coffee and delicious pinch of cinnamon roll...sigh...

#18: West End Bakery

Nestled in the West of town...an area that we dare not go if we are in the mood for the usual...is one of my favorite AVL jewels: West End Bakery! I stumbled upon West End Bakery when I started volunteering at Asheville Pregnancy Support Services. I needed a good cup of coffee to start my day off with and a little space to spend some time in the Word before I headed into the battle zone that is a crisis pregnancy center. West End Bakery fit the bill perfectly.

A few things to know if you ever go to West End:
1) Everything is good
2) Bring friends if you order a cinnamon roll because attempting to eat one on your own may put you in diabetic shock.
3) People at West End may look, talk, act "different", focus on the coffee and cinnamon rolls if you start feeling out of place...it always works for me...

West End Bakery combines some of my favorite things: locally grown food, local art, fresh bread, eclectic community, tailgate markets (every Wednesday @ West End) and good coffee. If anyone is looking for a going away present for me (Jessica that is) a shirt from West End Bakery will make my heart soar (medium, green, thanks!). Hmmmmm, maybe I'll sneak over there for breakfast tomorrow? Any takers?

Remember your teens? #19 is here...

#19: The Disclaimer...no, that is really what #19 is...

I mean aren't the teens known for being full of smart comments and sarcasm?

The Mountain Xpress is our local free news/arts/entertainment/classifieds paper. It comes out on Wednesdays and buried within its pages is a piece of satire that will keep you laughing from dawn until dusk. The Asheville Disclaimer is Asheville's fake news page within the Mountain X. The great thing about the Disclaimer is that nothing and no one is off limits. Everyone gets a fair shake down!

For instance this was the "top story" in the disclaimer this week:

Obama, 1st Family Visiting Asheville: President reportedly has eye on decorative mushroom-shaped table-skull from Octopus' Garden

The article following was a riot! The Disclaimer also has a couple of regular columns such as "Kid care with Arnold" in which a Korean War Veteran dispenses indispensable child rearing advice! One of my personal favorites is the Fur it or Agin' it column in which a local gas station clerk gives her opinion Fur or Agin' any number of things...priceless...

So some of you are at this point thinking that I have lost it. This countdown was supposed to be about wholesome tourist attractions and moderately priced restaurants! You must not know us...because if you did you would know that it is all the little things that make up why you love something or somewhere and sometimes those things aren't your run of the mill type things. So thank you Disclaimer for making the fake news sound better than the actual news!

WARNING: Some of you may be offended by the Disclaimer that is not our fault. That is our Disclaimer disclaimer.

Oh, and in case you hadn't heard this from your Google news feed here is the latest from the Disclaimer:

-Local black hair stylist not as sassy as the ones in the movies, customer reports.

-Coup in Kyrgyzstan doesn't put country on the map. according to reporter's unsuccessful attempt to locate it on a map.

See what we mean?

P.S. That part about the President coming to town for the weekend? True. We saw it with our own eyes.

#20

A quick head's up to those of you who are reading this and are really confused. We started the 25 Countdown to showcase all of our favorite places/things/etc. about Western NC. There are 25 of them because at the beginning that was the approximate number of weeks until we set sail for Liberia. Each Friday I update with this week's Top 25 (in no particular order) feature. Today we present #20...

#20: Pritchard Park

Free entertainment or public nuisance...ok, the verdict is still out...However, in what other city can you find a park (by park I mean brick, triangular amphitheater-like structure) that is surrounded by Urban Outfitters (recent addition), Tupelo Honey (a future Top 25 award recipient), a comedy club, art galleries and more eclectic loitering than almost anywhere in the U.S.? People watchin' your thing? Well, wait till you get a load of this...Pritchard Park, right in the heart of downtown Ashevegas is a mecca of eclecticism, homelessness : ( and general tourism...not to mention the greatest drum circle just about anywhere...

Now, I know that there are some Ashevillians that are going to whole-heartedly disagree with me about the placement of Pritchard Park anywhere near the other 24 items on the list. However, I would encourage you to look at this list not as a list of the usual about Asheville but as a list of the UN-usual...and sometimes downright bizarre...so for that reason we pay homage to the park that is Pritchard...the haven of the homeless...a true opus for the onlooker...a loiter's paradise...Don't believe me? Just look at this photo...typical...

#21

#21: 88.7 WNCW

So #21 is actually not a physical location although arguably Studio B on the campus of Isothermal Community College (where 88.7 is broadcast out of) is an actual location. If you live in Western NC and have any interest in music that doesn't make the Top 40 then WNCW is the remedy. Kyle calls me a music snob, which is true, but he also really likes WNCW so he has no room to talk. You can hear bluegrass back to back with Afro-Caribbean jazz...so much good local/indie music so little time. I call it adventure radio. Plus it is one of our local NPR stations which plays World Cafe as well as other NPR favorites. Enough talk about WNCW, listen for yourself here

You can also pick up WNCW in:
Charlotte @ 100.3
Greenville @ 97.3
Boone @ 92.9
Wilkesboro @ 90.9

Happy Listening Folks,
Jessica (and Kyle)

#22 on the countdown

How are we at #22 already? The Asheville/WNC favorite thing's salute marches on!
#22: Filo
Part coffee shop, part patisserie, part Greek pantheon of goodness...Do you get the point? I like Filo! When we moved across town to where we live now I was so sad because we wouldn't have any cute shops within walking distance. Not so my friends! From the outside Filo is very odd. It sticks out because it is unlike any of the other surrounding buildings. So when I walked inside and found it to be a cafe' that felt as if it was straight out of Europe I was more than a little surprised.

Let me list my favorite things about Filo:
Chocolate Bread
Local art
Spanokopita
Good coffee and tea
Soup (a different one each day)
Cakes, cookies, beignets, etc

Filo is a jewel among jewels. I will miss it deeply and will probably spend the rest of my life trying to find something equitable everywhere else we live.

#23

#23: Amazing Savings

So you know how everyone says that they can't afford to buy organic? Well, in Asheville we have a solution. Would you expect anything less from us? Some geniuses (and I mean that with not an ounce of sarcasm) came up with the idea to combine your typical overstock/dented can store with an organic grocery store and the result is AMAZING, Amazing Savings that is! So on my grocery store circuit is usually a trip to Amazing Savings for produce, meat, some dairy, snacks and whatever else I might run across in the process. It really helps me stay within my budget and still get all the things I need and some that I want!

I have much to learn about Liberian food and grocery shopping. It will be part of the learning curve when we get there I am certain, but for now I will continue to enjoy the bountiful (and local) goodness that Amazing Savings provides. There are 2 locations in Asheville and a booth at the new Downtown Market off of French Broad Ave.

Visit them online here: Amazing Savings

This concludes the 25 Countdown for the week! Oh, what will #22 be? I know you can hardly wait...

Peace and Amazing Savings Friends,
Jessica

#24

The Folk Art Center: If you hop on the parkway off of Tunnel Rd. in Asheville and follow the signs you can find the Folk Art Center. The Folk Art Center is the flag ship facility of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. There are always wonderful exhibits as well as the center's permanent collection of historic folk art pieces. Demonstrators are there regularly to show off their skills and handiwork. The little shop has wonderful gifts/souvenirs from local artists and over our years here I have bought quite a few mugs from from the shop. My favorite mug was purchased there and has gone all over the country and out of the country since I bought it! Yes, I do plan on taking it to Liberia!

#25

Well, we have approximately 25 weeks until we set sail for Liberia. In my blog ponderings I(Jessica) thought it would be nice to break up the monotony by counting down 25 of the things that we have most enjoyed about living in Asheville/Western NC.

As most of you know Kyle and I are not originally from the area. We are NC born and bred but hail from the East. However, WNC has welcomed us with open arms over the past 7+ years that we have called her home. Therefore I think it entirely appropriate that we pay homage to her in proper fashion.

I currently have a list of "final" visits and "must dos" before we bid farewell to these hills. I will insert those adventures as I deem appropriate. Take note of this list because if you ever find yourself in WNC you'll need it! Every Friday for the next 25 weeks I will let all of you in on a new favorite thing! Enjoy!

#25: 12 Bones- Restaurants are going to come up a lot on this thing...

Nestled away in the River Arts District of Asheville (which will get a ranking of its own in the coming weeks) is a little shack with a big smokehouse. Get there early cuz' you will wait in line, but it is well worth it. Their food falls into a category I like to call "The Heart Attack Time Machine". You will walk in with the arteries of a 25 year old and walk out with the arteries of a 65 year old man...who smokes...

However, don't let this deter you. It is well worth it. 1 out of 1 President Obama's agree (In fact 12 Bones is rumored to be the reason that his cholesterol was up at his recent physical). This is the restaurant Asheville showed off to candidate Obama when he visited our fair region on the campaign trail. Do not be deterred by this fact if your political affiliations force you to feel the need to write 12 Bones off for this reason. 12 Bones is a place where there are no party lines drawn. The food is reason enough to reach across the aisle.

So this is #25...Another reason to be excited about Fridays

Peace Folks,
Jessica (and Kyle)

P.S. A serious update is on its way!