Picks and Pans – Asheville, NC

Travis introduced us to the Asheville bar scene at this cocktail lounge and if you’re looking for a comfortable, intimate place for a drink or two, this is your spot.

Apparently this is the place to hear bluegrass and country in downtown Asheville, and even though we didn’t arrive until well after midnight the band was still playing and the people were still dancing. And, really, it’s worth stopping by just to sample the local brews on tap.

Asheville seems to have more live music venues than any one person can keep track of, but luckily we picked this one for a Saturday night outing. We certainly got our bluegrass fix with some kickass tunes from Town Mountain.

After the show at The Grey Eagle, we walked up the road to meet Travis at The Admiral. Saturday night is their Soul/R&B/Mod/Garage Dance night and the place is jumping.

While the BBQ was good (especially with the 15 sauces to choose from), what was really worth taking note of at Ed Boudreaux’s was our beyond cool waitress, Brantley. When she heard we were headed to her old stomping grounds in Savannah and Charleston she wrote us up an extensive list of recommendations and then proceeded to sit in our booth and explain the details. Let’s send out a hoorah for Brantley and her uncommon friendliness!

I happened upon this hike when searching for options on the internet and it turned out to be a real winner. Three waterfalls in a 3 mile hike, need I say more (for more, look at our pictures).

Asheville isn’t a huge city, but it’s art scene is incredible. There are enough artists and active gallery owners to support multiple galleries including this 3 floor gallery that was packed with interesting and stimulating pieces.

Just a couple of doors down from the Blue Spiral, we saw some more great work at the Haen Gallery.

It was at this gallery that we met Tim Saunders, a gallery employee and also one of its artists. He met up with us later at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co. and let us come back to his studio with him to have a look around. Check out his work at the gallery website.

Killer burritos and 24 oz. Tecate on the cheap….how can you go wrong?

We showed up while a benefit was being held for the documentary On Coal River, which is about mountain top coal mining in West Virginia and Kentucky. It was cool to have a peek into the local film community and also get a chance to meet some people involved in local politics.

A members-only billiards club, Broadway’s was a smoky dive where we met some of Asheville’s finest. Thanks for a fun night, y’all.

Really good disc golf course to rival those in Charlottesville and Philly. See http://www.wncdiscgolf.com/courses.htm

Nine not-so-challenging holes. See http://www.wncdiscgolf.com/courses.htm