Asheville - Arts District and Shopping

Some very, very tall trees along the Blue Ridge Parkway

So after a terrible night of trying to sleep with a 3 hour difference, we finally got up at what would have been 3 a.m. in Phoenix.  We laid around for an hour or two, and decided to go find some bagels for breakfast.  The first Breugger's Bagel had a line a mile long.  So we decided to go "to the other side of the little town" to the other one.  25 minutes later, we are in a not-so-nice area of Asheville, eating bagels.  After eating, we jumped back in the car to head down to go shopping.  We drove out of the parking lot, and out of the hood of the car came this guy. 

 

He was huge.  He's a katydid.  Or she.  Maybe she is a katydid.  It scared me to death.  Over 2 inches long, we pulled over and got out of the car, and it walked all over the car, but didn't want to leave.  It even tried to get behind the automatic mirror.  Finally Mom got him off the car, where it stared at us with irritation until we drove off. 

 

 

We did a ton of shopping today, and a little sight seeing downtown.  We even found a geocache! Here is a picture of a Baptist church I particularly liked:

 

 

After leaving downtown, we headed down the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Folk Arts Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild).  One of the many Ranger Stations is also here. 

 



 

Of course it is absolutely beautiful here.  Lush trees, green grass, beautiful!  We're going to drive more on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Monday, so more to come on that. 

 

Bobbi and Bailey at the Folk Arts Center

 

We decided to end our day at Olive Garden, and on the way there, I saw this plant and I had to take a picture.  I can't even tell you the last time I saw a Snowball Tree.  But it was in my front yard, growing up.  I don't think my Dad liked the tree very much...

 

 



 

 

Great day, long day.  Bailey and I soaked in the pool and Jacuzzi this evening, and it's now time to relax.  Should have a good night's sleep all around.