Thursday, October 25, 2012

Asheville research trip #1: There, there

Asheville culture

The first time I visited Asheville twas in October of 2012. It was time for my annual hiking trip, but this time, it could actually serve a purpose. I could scout out if we wanted to move there.

As I walked around the "city," I kept thinking of the phrase, "There isn't any there there."

There? Where?

Barb didn't understand.

"You know," I said. "No there, there. There's nothing there."

I mean, where were all the people hurrying around? Honking? Cutting in front of you? Giving you the finger?

You know, culture.

Sure, there were artists practicing their craft on street corners, with mountains in the background, but where was all the drama?

In my head, I heard Howard Stern once saying, "The day I'm not pissed off is the day I no longer have anything to say."

Unfortunately - and somewhat unconsciously - I've always agreed. But there was something there in Asheville - besides the great outdoor setting with tons of trails begging me to hike them - pulling me toward it.

Maybe I'm just afraid of downscaling to a smaller city. Because I'm starting to think there's enough there in Asheville.

Maybe it just needs a theatre dedicated to comedy...


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Everywhere you look, mountains

Blue Ridge Mountains

To your left. Mountains. To your right. Mountains. In front of you. Mountains.

Behind you? Mountains.

Today's itinerary: Mountains

Breakfast. Mountains. Lunch. Mountains. Dinner. Mountains.

Even a picture of a parking meter looks cool.

Because mountains.