From arts and architecture to hills and history, Asheville has a little something for everyone. As part of our North Carolina trip, I definitely didn’t want to miss the iconic Asheville. In addition to the hundreds of RV blog posts dedicated to this locale, it’s the setting for one of our favorite road trip book series, One Second After. If you haven’t read/listened yet, you really should check it out.
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area graciously hosted our brief sojourn, though “lake” might be a tad generous for what appeared to be an overgrown puddle with delusions of grandeur. As per our trip’s apparent theme, Mother Nature decided to bless us with her liquid bounty – in other words, it rained cats, dogs, and possibly a few small elephants.
When it wasn’t raining, the “beach” offered a charming film-topped swimming experience, perfect for those who enjoy a side of mystery with their backstroke. A fishing pier stood sentinel by the dam, optimistically awaiting any fish brave enough to navigate the dubious waters. But fear not! The real star of the show was the bee hotel – a five-star establishment for our striped friends, assuming you’re not the type to swell up like a balloon at their mere presence.
Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway
At last, our trusty two-wheeled steeds got their chance to shine on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a road so scenic it makes postcards jealous. The route offered just the right mix of twists and turns – enough to keep things spicy, but not so much that this newbie needed a change of pants.
Now, before you motorcycle aficionados start asking, no, we didn’t tackle the infamous Tail of the Dragon. It was a tad too distant, and let’s be real, the thought of wrestling that beast had my inner scaredy-cat clinging to its scratching post. Maybe next time… or the time after that…
Our scenic journey through the Great Smokey Mountains was punctuated by stops at various overlooks, each vying for the title of “Most Instagram-Worthy View.”
After filling our eyes, camera rolls, and doing a little hiking, we headed back to the campground.
But Mother Nature, ever the practical joker, had another trick up her sleeve. Just ten minutes shy of our campsite, the sky decided to throw us an impromptu shower. Who knew that riding in the rain would be such a thrilling aquatic adventure? It’s like a water park ride, but with more horsepower and less swimwear. And no, our protective motorcycle gear is not rain proof. Talk about making a splash on our return!
Kayaking the French Broad
When you’re a DIY kayaker who prefers to save your vacation dollars for really fancy houses (more on that later), finding suitable places to put-in and take-out your kayak can be trickier than navigating rapids blindfolded. And let’s not forget the logistical gymnastics of shuttling between points A and B – it’s an Olympic-worthy event all on its own..
But Jeff, our intrepid river conquistador, never shies away from a good challenge. So, we embarked on a surprisingly serene journey down the French Broad River, gliding past the Biltmore Estate. At a mere 8,000 acres (down from its original 125,000 – apparently, even the uber-wealthy need to downsize), it’s basically just a quaint cottage with a really big backyard. Who knew feudal living could be so… cozy?
Biltmore Estate
Ah, the Biltmore Estate – where “go big or go home” meets “honey, I supersized the house.” After hemming and hawing over the $80+ ticket price (because who needs groceries when you can tour a mansion?), I decided to take the plunge while Jeff went off to do… well, Jeff things. Its a good thing we saved money on that kayak tour.
Did I mention it’s an 8000-acre property? That’s right, you need a GPS just to find the front door. Fortunately, Jeff played chauffeur, channeling his inner Jeeves to drop me at the fountain. I half expected him to bow and say, “Will that be all, milady?”
Now, I love a good docent – someone to spill the tea on historical drama. But instead, they’ve gone all high-tech with audio devices. Picture me, looking like a time-traveling switchboard operator, juggling this contraption while attempting to snap photos.
Let’s hit you with some quick Biltmore trivia. You never know when it will come in handy at your next Bar Trivia Night:
- 179,000 square feet: Because sometimes, you just need a house visible from space.
- 250 rooms: For when you can’t remember where you left your keys.
- 43 bathrooms: No more arguments about who left the seat up!
- 65 fireplaces: And this was the summer home.
- Three kitchens: One for breakfast, one for lunch, and one just for funsies.
The banquet hall could seat 64 guests. That’s not a dinner party; that’s a small nation’s worth of awkward small talk.
The library? A bookworm’s fever dream with 10,000 volumes. It’s connected to the guest rooms because there were books before there were cell phones to keep the guests from actually talking to one another. Me? I could spend at least a month here!
And let’s not forget the entertainment areas. A bowling alley (just for Jeff), billiards room, and a pool that makes Olympic swimmers weep with envy. Sure, they had to drain and refill it each time (70,000 gallons, no biggie), but hey, when you’re a Vanderbilt, why not?
In the end, Cornelia Vanderbilt opened this little cottage to the public in 1930. Apparently, living in a palace gets boring. Who knew? But thank goodness her ex-husband and kids preserved it. After all, where else would we get our fix of Gilded Age extravagance?
So, was it worth the $80+? Let’s just say my wallet might be lighter, but my appreciation for over-the-top architecture is through the very, very high roof.
Next up: our next new state!