Day 4: Destination SE - 70 degrees in Asheville!

We never expected weather this mild for our stay in Asheville. Before the sun set today, it got up to 70 degrees. Sitting in the sun at that temperature, after all the cold days we've had in Michigan, was pure pleasure. It will be mild for the next few days, with a bit of rain possible tomorrow. We'll move on to warmer parts when the temp drops later this week, but we've barely scratched the surface of things to do in Asheville and we're enjoying our two bedroom snore-proof accommodations.

Today was a day for each of us to go our own way. Our plan was to meet up later for dinner, and in the meantime, experience Asheville in our own ways.

I wanted to drive around town to get my bearings. We've learned how to get downtown on foot, but I wanted to see some points accessible by car.

First stop: Car wash. The Solara was Michigan-filthy.

Next stop: The Botanical Gardens of Asheville.

I parked and walked the garden--it's only a half mile loop--and enjoyed especially the chance to sit on a sunny rock in the middle of a stream. The garden backs up to the University of North Carolina Asheville campus. Lots of broadleaf evergreens--it will be beautiful once the azaleas and rhododendrons bloom. The photo below shows where I was sitting. The other photo is the view from that rock back upstream.

Next stop: The Omni Grove Park Inn.

This is a big resort with history going back to the turn of the 20th century. It's a fancy place now, boasting visits from 12 presidents. We'll probably go up for lunch one day, but I wanted to reconnoiter. Its view of the mountains is spectacular.

Ken enjoyed time in Pack Square Park today.

Walking from where we are staying, it's at the highest point in the downtown, at Patton and Biltmore.  It is flanked by the art museum, City Hall, the county building, and an obelisk-shaped veterans memorial.

A pick up football game on the lawn in Pack Square Park

Water fountain sculpture in the park

And lo and behold, there was a tavern next to the park (or was the park next to the tavern?). Green Man, pictured below, is one of the local brews.

For dinner, we ended up at Limones, a high-style spot, just off Biltmore, featuring Mexican cuisine. That's different than Mexican food, dontcha know.

Again, the walk home did us good. This time we were working off Lobster Nachos, Chimichurri Shrimp, and beef and shrimp burrito.