Asheville

stroll with me down the streets of Asheville, North Carolina, USA , and get a few small glimpses of what makes this town unique...
In July, my son and I visited my daughter who lives in Asheville.

The Corner Kitchen in the Biltmore Village







a garden shop in an alleyway
on Lexington Street









Early Girl Eatery (see first photo) (NOTE: interesting window display, but restaurant not recommended)




lovely blooming crepe myrtle trees line the streets








a secret respite












mime: There are always street performers displaying their talent
















tile on a storefront


old architecture
(below)










heavenly truffles from The Chocolate Lounge

few random suggestions from my daughter: RESTAURANTS: Rezaz-can reserve a spot at the chef's table in the kitchen while he cooks a special meal just for you; Enotecca-Italian wine bar & more, great desserts. GROVE PARK INN-has a world renowned spa, can get a day pass. GALLERIES: Blue Spiral, Front, Satellite (downtown), Flood (river arts district where there are many studios that artists will let you walk through if they are there). DRIVE on the Blue Ridge Parkway
PS I was planning on doing a post on Asheville at some point, but hearing that Athena Workman will be visiting for her wedding anniversary in October spurred me on to get it done. I will be doing another post of our hike in the mountains.
photos by me © 2009 except Corner Kitchen which is also ©

Spring

Spring is an experience of immortality. I love Spring. The earth bursts into song, going from seeming dispair to riotous joy. 
 ... an April hike in the North Carolina mountains near Asheville in 2006....Four of us spent many serene moments watching a stream of ants laboring to carry a few huge crumbs through their secret tunnel to their underground nest.

 ... a display at the 2008 Cincinnati Flower Show...The Cincinnati Flower Show is awesome! It is probably the largest flower show in North America, and the only North American show endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Better Homes and Gardens honored it as the "King of all flower shows." One's spirit is renewed while walking among the many acres of flowers, a feast for the senses. Oh the colors, the smells! Glorious Spring has arrived!

This year will be the 20th anniversary of the show.

http://http://www.cincyflowershow.com/

A young boy holds a butterfly at Krohn Conservatory during the annual Butterfly Show.

Eden Park's Krohn Conservatory is a nationally recognized showcase of more than 3,500 plant species from all over the world. The palm, tropical, desert and orchid houses exhibit permanent displays of exotic plants in natural settings, complete with a 20 foot rainforest waterfall. It is a garden paradise under glass.

LINKS:

http://http://www.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-conservatory/index.shtml

http://http://www.butterflyshow.com/

This one's for the etsy blogger's street team's blog carnival.http://http://etsybloggers.com/

photos taken by me © 2006-2008  all rights reserved