Myer

We went from Oct 13 (late afternoon) to Oct 18 (late afternoon).

Arrived at Asheville airport and pick up a car.

We checked in at the new Hyatt Place. I had booked a high floor room for an extra $20 per night hoping to avoid road noise as the hotel back on the highway. We were on the 7th floor of 8.

Well, we had two issues. The road noise was loud enough for us to hear and the A/C unit was right in front of the bed and went on every half hour. The next morning we asked the front desk if they could do anything.

Matt, the maintrenance/engineering/whatever manager said he would try to take care of it. We were upgraded to a suite on the front corner on the 4th floor. We faced the front and side so no road noise. The suite is more like an apartment with the A/C unit in the kitchen. We had a kitchen, livingroom, bedroom and large bathroom.

Now, that's living.

The location was very good. We walked over to the restaurants with no problems. First evening we ate outdoors on Wall St.

First full day we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) enjoying the change in colors. We missed the peak being a week or so early but it was still great. We made stops at various overlooks and did a little hike at Graveyard xxx. Then stopped at Looking Glass Falls.

Before returning to Asheville we stopped in Brevard for a while and walked around the town.

That evening we ate outdoors at Mellow Mushroom on Broadway and Walnut. Also walked there.

The next day I went on BRP towards the north east. Again, beautiful colors. I stopped at Craggy Gardens and went on the little hike. Eventually returned to Asheville.

I had found some maps online for old barns in Madison County. The next day I traveled that route taking photos. After returning to Asheville we decided to drive down to Hendersonville. We wandered along Main St and liked this town a little more than Brevard.

The next day we decided to go to the Biltmore Estate. I was leery as it appears to be a very commercial enterprise. It is very commercial but the mansion and gardens are worth the visit.

The last day drove a little north to Weaverville and along the way stopped at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Now that's some place. The front lawn had about a dozen people with their easels out painting. We then passed UNC Asheville on the way to Weaverville.

I was particularly interested in a little waterfall / water wheel near their Lake Louise and the old Weaverville Milling Company. We walked a bit in the little downtown area.

All in all a great little getaway. Asheville is very nice.

My wife is a retired librarian and stops at every book store. Asheville has a few beautiful ones.

We also had crepe at Creperie Bouchon one evening. The meals were very good.

I didn't write this in advance so it's probably disjointed. If any doesn't make sense just ask questions.

Gretchen

That is really neat about the barns although it isn't madison county.
here is one I found
http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north...arn-photos-nc/

Will keep that in mind next visit up that way. Or just make a day of it.

Myer

The barns you found are really neat. However, only one I think is anywhere near Asheville.

I found four routes all just north of Asheville in Madison County. I wasn't going to try all of them so I chose the route closest to Asheville and easiest to get to.

I think the route was just north of Mars Hill area and is 20 minutes north of Asheville just off I26.

This web site divides them into four road tours with a map and instructions.

https://www.appalachianbarns.org/barn-tours/

I have to admit it was a fair amount of work since I went there alone and there isn't always a reasonable parking area near the barn I think the intention is to see them and not necessarily to stop, get out and photograph them.

Also, following the map is easier than following the instructions. But you're on country roads so you have to keep stopping to check where you are. But still it was fun and interesting.

Prior to going on the trip I did various internet searches and came up with two things within a couple of minutes from each other and only a short distance north of Asheville.

Just on the south outskirts of Weaverville they have a park lake called Lake Louise (no, not the one in Banff). Just off the edge of it and down an open path is an old water wheel and relatively small waterfall. A nice photo op.

Then about 5 minuteseast of that spot is the old Weaverville Milling Company Building/Barn. I became a restaurant and eventually closed and is now abandoned. That's also a great photo op.

I wasn't thinking of posting photos from this trip but now I'm tempted to do that. Stay tuned.

emalloy

Thanks for the TR, did you post the photos?

Myer

I haven't as yet but will try to get around to it. I'll post here when it's done.