Asheville, October 2016

We spent a lovely  October in Cozy Oak Cottage, a sweet air BnB rental, up the hill from Biltmore Village. Here are some highlights of our time there!

Riding along the Blue Ridge Highway, checking out the foliage and thinking about poetry--I especially like this little ditty by George Cooper.

                     October gave a party;
                     The leaves by hundreds came—
                     The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
                     And leaves of every name.
                     The Sunshine spread a carpet,
                     And everything was grand,
                     Miss Weather led the dancing,
                     Professor Wind the band

Here we are on Pinnacle, a pointy little mountain, next to Craggy Gardens.


We enjoyed canvassing for Dems with John Ager in Weaverville.

I loved my Yoga  classes with Joe Taft in Asheville Yoga-- so much fun! Followed by a skinny latte at The Liberty House cafe next to Asheville Yoga.

We loved the Bigos at the Wayside Pub down in Biltmore Village (although they call them "Potsy's Piggys" there).

Checking out the Grovewood Gallery, then drinking wine in front of the gigantic wood burning fire place at the Grovepark Inn, followed by dinner in the cozy restaurant next to Grovewood  Gallery.


The Thomas Wolfe house for tour and for a reading from Look Homeward Angel was excellent and brought back strong memories as somewhere in my life, I heard his brother Fred talk about him. I remembered the image of the large Wolfe using the top of the icebox to write on. This house is very evocative of early 20th century life. There is also a small museum that shows and tells the life of Thomas Wolfe, using quotes from his work.

We enjoyed a rousing production of Sweeney Todd at The Asheville Community Theatre (the two Susans whom we met for a drink recommended it).

We had delicious wine and dinner at The Admiral in West Asheville.

The Corner Kitchen for a good brunch in Biltmore Village but the best Sunday brunch is at Hickory Nut Gap farm! There are spirited young  (and rich!) buskers there, named Anne and Noland!

Of course, October was the month for pumpkins, corn mazes, square dances, and all kinds of festivities at HNG farm. We really enjoyed our times going there which was only 11 minutes from where we stayed.

Laura and Towe joined us for brunch and  afterwards a tour of the big house one Sunday.

We enjoyed Friday Night Square Dances at HNG!

And a lovely family supper there!


We enjoyed "Denial" at the Fine Arts Theatre on Tuesday (for only 5 dollars so you can splurge  afterwards with an excellent dinner at the Chestnut, several doors down from Theatre) and a walk along the French Broad.

And we were always happy to be  back home at the comfortable Cozy Oak Cottage!