Bloggers Weekend in Asheville Days 1 & 2

This was our 3rd annual bloggers weekend (year 1 was Nashville here, year 2 was Louisville here) and we planned to meet in Asheville, North Carolina. I was the only one flying in... and it was not easy finding flights into Asheville! My first day was spent traveling, as was everyone else's.

Jenn texted in the morning that she was sick and had to back out. We were all disappointed. 

I left for the airport before lunch and landed in Asheville around 6:30 after a long layover in Atlanta. I walked the terminal to get in some extra steps and picked up a really delicious sandwich for a late lunch/ early dinner. 

 Maria had kindly offered to pick me up and we met up with the other ladies at our AirB&B that Marilyn found us by 7.

 

Marilyn and Tanya put out quite a spread and Maria added some goodies too. We started up until 11 or so talking and catching up. 

 

 

The next morning I was up early so I curled up on the couch with my book after getting all ready for the day.

 

 

 

Joyce made the hour or so drive up to see us and brought breakfast. She made the most delicious quiche and coffee cake. We had some of Marilyn's sourdough bread and fresh berries. Joyce had brought us all gift bags and they were personalized by our interests so mine was filled with stamping/scrapping supplies along with a South Carolina mug and some local peach jelly. 

 Marilyn had made some little goodie bags for us all too so she handed those out and we sat and talked and talked until noon time easily before deciding we should probably leave the house to go do something.

 

my goodies from Joyce minus the mug that was still boxed up for my flight home

the goodies from Marilyn-- many of which I ate on my plane ride home

Maria was our driver for the day and drove us all up to Jump Off Rock at Laurel Park-- so named for an old Native American legend about a maiden who jumped off the rock upon learning that her lover was not going to return from war. It was lovely; the views were incredible!

the "proof of life" photo I sent to my husband

 

We did a short .25 mile hike (me in my flip flops!) that did turn out to be a bit more rugged than we thought it was going to be. 

We went to get some ice cream at Celtic Creamery (a small chain found in North Carolina that make ice cream the way they do in Ireland-- my family and I had eaten at one on our last family trip to Carolina beach). 

After sitting and chatting a bunch we got back into the car and drove over to a little shopping area to check out a few stores.  I bought a cute little pink/white summer crochet sweater top that I'll show on the blog just as soon as it warms up enough up here to wear it.

 By then it was time to drop Joyce off so she could head home and we all settled on where to eat dinner. We decided to check out Sierra Nevada Brewing Company-- despite having been started in California (hence the name) they are hugely popular and I can see why. Our food was incredible with fresh farm to table/locally grown ingredients. 

 

I got their grass fed beef burger and wow! It was easily one of the best burgers I have ever eaten.

 After eating we walked the grounds and then checked out their self guided walking tour above the plant learning all about their beer making process. Even as a non-beer drinker I have to admit I've toured a few beer making facilities. 

 

Oh how I wish this had been lit! What a unique lighting idea & perfect for a brewery

We went back to the AirB&B and stayed up talking until probably 10 o'clock or so while snacking on some more of Maria's brownies and cookies.

 Days 3 & 4 here

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