the Times they are a Changin'....

I'm making a change with this blog. There is a point to it. I'm exploring a new area where I live, and I'm going to write about those experiences. I'm exploring a new area, new towns, and doing new things. I will share what I find in hopes maybe others can benefit from it, or at least find a little entertainment out of it.

So, last weekend my friend Andrew came for a visit and we took a drive along the Blueridge Parkway. We started near Weaverville, NC and headed north/east. It is a beautiful drive with amazing vistas (as they call them) and views of the mountains and valleys. We stopped at Craggy Gardens and hiked up the mountain (not a long hike). The trail was beautiful with these amazing trees that looked like they and the forest were out of a movie. The feeling that elves and gnomes and fairies were about to peek out at any moment was prevalent. I'm sure they were there anyways. It was just that type of a place. The view from the top was amazing. I was more impressed with it than I thought I'd be. We continued on for a while and got off at the Spruce Pine exit. There at the museum/rest stop we met a father and son, Andy and Zach who were ending their first day of a motorcycle trip from Virginia Beach to California. They recommended their friends' new restaurant in Spruce Pine called the Knife and Fork. We decided to head there and have a glass of wine since we weren't really ready for dinner yet. From the outside, we thought the restaurant looked a little uninviting... maybe a bit uncomfortable. But, we went on in to try it out. Once we got inside the feel was very different. It was comfortable and inviting, and the people were really nice. We ordered a bottle of their cheapest wine (lol) and were served an excellent wine called Notro. It was a red wine, with a little lighter body, and complex flavor (wow, I'm a wine critic..). I really liked it. I can't wait to go back and have dinner there one night... it's a great and valuable addition to the area, and especially for Spruce Pine. I'm going to recommend it whenever I can!

Today I went to the little old river town of Marshall, NC. It's a few miles down the river from my house. I went to the coffee shop to work on some business and wwas greeted by a spontaneous gathering of bluegrass-like, old-time young musicians. What gorgeous music, and what talent. There are people of all types here, good food and good coffee. It makes me think maybe I would like to live in a tiny old town. (I found out the band playing was Spring Creek from Colorado... look for their website on the "Links" box...)