Asheville

You would not believe some of the experiences we had at Biscuit Head. Locals and travelers alike love the delicious biscuits covered in all sorts of toppings and don't mind waiting a little to get their fix! Upon arriving and parking the car, Courtney and I were greeted by an unusually long line for morning breakfast. The restaurant was in full blast of their morning rush with a line out the door to prove it, but the wait was well worth it! After ordering, our food came fast and we could see what the big line was all about! I ordered "The Cajun Benedict", an open faced biscuit topped with creole mustard, andouille sausage, two poached eggs, hollandaise, roasted red peppers, and scallions. My breakfast was absolutely incredible and one I long to enjoy again one day. Biscuit head has a wide variety of jams and jellies for everyone to enjoy on any biscuit! Courtney got a plain biscuit and several flavors of jam and jelly to try out. Her favorites were the blueberry and the honey sriracha which packed a sweet and spicy little kick! I could have spent hours trying the many flavors and combinations offered at Biscuit Head, but Court and I had a great deal of adventuring left in the day. Our departure from the restaurant was an adventure of its own. On the way to the car Courtney was flashed by a man sitting in his car naked eating a bag of chips. Not the way most people spend their Friday mornings, but be aware, those people are out there. A short phone call to the confused girl who answered the telephone inside the restaurant, and a prayer that this man's days terrorizing the biscuit head parking lot would soon come to an end and we were off. We set out for Graveyard Fields!

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Graveyard Fields Hike

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Not far from Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway connects a large number of mountainous hiking areas and lookout points. Along the route you'll find tons of places to pull off for scenic views and connecting hikes. Graveyard Fields was well worth the drive. Gorgeous waterfalls, creeks, blueberry bushes, and trails stretched out surrounded by views in every direction. For a Friday, the hike wasn't too overcrowded, though I would advise leaving time to find parking due to the areas limited parking lot capacity. The trails are easy to navigate and shouldn't be too much of a challenge for most people. We first reached the lower falls and were taken back by the size and magnificence of the falling water and rock formations. Courtney decided to take a dip in the pool below the falls. It took more convincing before I was ready to take the plunge... Think what you want... I am not a fan of cold water! The swim was cut a bit short when a camp group overtook the small pool so Courtney and I set a course for the upper fields of the hiking area. If you're the type of person that finds beauty in a field of blueberry bushes nestled beside a mountain stream amidst breathtaking views, the Upper Fields at Graveyard Fields is the place for you. I don't believe I have ever been surrounded by so many wild blueberries, and yes, they tasted as good as they looked. Courtney and I managed to escape the noisy falls and found ourselves a beautiful place to roam as families groomed the bushes. We found it a bit hard to find perfectly ripe berries and almost started to wonder where they'd all gone, when a couple came meandering through with several baskets stacked to the brim. The only thing missing was a bear sighting, which part of me was hopeful for, and the other part, glad it never happened.

 

Lunch at Pisgah Inn

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On the way back towards Asheville, Courtney and I stopped by the Pisgah Inn, a quaint little inn along the edge of the mountains just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pisgah Inn is a great spot to take a break from the winding mountain road and enjoy the scenic view. While waiting on our table, I ventured to the lookout area out back and located a sign depicting and naming all of the mountains that could be seen from the view before me. I spent some time amazed by how many different peaks were labeled before our buzzer started vibrating and our table was ready. Lunch was good and prices were fair! I had fish and Courtney had fried chicken. No matter what you're craving, the Pisgah Inn is sure to have something to satisfy your hunger, and all with that sweet sweet view!

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Prichard Park Drum Circle

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After lunch, Courtney and I wanted to get into the city to check out the local culture and see some shops before searching for dinner. This was really the first time I went into Asheville to explore. The traffic we encountered on the way into the center of downtown was a bit frustrating, though I am a bit short fused while driving at times. We bailed on the idea of parking along the street and found a parking deck on Wall Street to be the perfect location for us. Looking back, I would have gone straight to the parking garage and saved the headache of driving all over if I were to do it again. From what we heard, it was an unusually crowded weekend in Asheville, and the traffic wasn't that bad, so I wouldn't fear in planning your trip. We explored downtown and ventured into Prichard Park at the heat of its weekly drum circle. What is a drum circle? Every week, weather permitting, many people from around Asheville meet in Prichard Park with their percussion instruments and play music! We were blown away by the turn out. People of all ages, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds got together to make music, dance, and enjoy the community. Whether joining in, or just people watching, the drum circle at Prichard Park is guaranteed to entertain for hours. The interactions and excitement moving throughout that drum circle had Courtney and I laughing for hours.

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Tupelo Honey Cafe

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Getting hungry as the sun begins to fade? We highly recommend you stop by Tupelo Honey Cafe. Close in proximity to Prichard Park and right in downtown Asheville, Tupelo Honey was by far one of my favorite moments on the trip. We sat the the chef's counter and I highly recommend you do the same. With a view of the stoves, Courtney and I got to see first hand all of the incredible meals the chef's at Tupelo Honey put together. We had a hard time deciding what to order. Another benefit about the chef's counter... it's right where all the food comes out of the kitchen. Courtney and I saw one particular dish leaving the kitchen in far higher quantities than anything else, steak with cheesy potato gratin and vegetables. We had baked mac-n-cheese on the side. The food was absolutely incredible and everything was prepared perfectly. If you visit Asheville, do not pass up a stop at Tupelo Honey Cafe!

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Chocolate Lounge

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Are you one for desert after dinner? We had to pass up desert at Tupelo Honey, though I am sure it would have been incredible. Courtney always has her eyes out for hidden sweets, mainly chocolate or ice cream. At the Chocolate Lounge, we found both! This place was very cool, and if you've got a bit of a sweet tooth, it's even better, with tons of desert options, unique alcoholic brews, and plenty of relaxed, laid back atmosphere to hang out and take it all in. We had chocolate moose and crème brûlée. The perfect desert to top off our first incredible day in Asheville.

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Horse and Hero Art Gallery