Tsali Trails

Tsali is in the Nantahala National Forest on Fontana Lake in western North Carolina. Not too far from Asheville or the Smokies. We went there to explore their 40 miles if mountain bike trails. The trail are moderate to easy giving you a good workout and some technical challenge. We camped two nights and rode three days. The trails are well kept with little erosion. The campground has about 40 sites and most of them filled up with mountain bikers for the weekend. It was fun to be in a place sharing the same interests with so many people. Great to see so much activity. It's a pretty spot with lots of greenery and decent camp sites.










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Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Rebirth- Spring in the Smokies! We spent three nights at three campgrounds within the park. The hiking was beautiful. The wildflowers were abundant, perhaps because they didn't get a cold snap. I have never seen so many trilliums. The green was so fresh and vibrant the pictures just cannot catch the full wonder of it all. We were so lucky catch everything in bloom. Hope you enjoy these shots.

Asheville, NC

We took a van-cation in Asheville and rented this cute bungalow adjacent to downtown in the Chestnut Hill section. It took no time for us to spread out. Suddenly 900 sq. feet seemed like a castle.



Asheville is a diverse community with lots and lots of artists, musicians, wonderful restaurants, micro breweries (my fav was French Broad Brewing), fabulous architecture (even an I. M. Pei building), big local food movement, and tattoos though Portland may still top them in that category. In Asheville, the wait staff can describe beers better than the best sommeliers and their wines. The downtown, unlike many other small cities we visited, is thriving despite the malls and box stores. It is a young city even though it is favored by retirees.
























We visited the Thomas Wolfe House (look Homeward Angel). Once despised, now conveniently revered.



And of course, we toured The Biltmore, the largest private home in the States. Honestly, I did not expect to like it, but size aside, it was designed for cozy comfort and warm gatherings with family and friends. If you go, do the audio tour and one of the special tours. We did the Butler's Tour. Be forewarned, this place has steep fees. Apparently, the Vanderbilt's sole heir lacked the money and desire to maintain the estate and opened it to the public in the 1930's. It is still held by the family.


















Restaurants we tried and would recommend are as follows: The Admiral, Green Sage, Laughing Seed, Mela, Salsas, Sunny Point, Thai Orchid and Posana. Yes, we've been dieting since leaving Asheville!

Asheville is surrounded by National Forests. Both the Pisgah and Nantahala are nearby. Once our week rental was up we camped at Lake Powhatan, which is a pretty place with good mountain bike trails. We also toured the nearby communities of Hendersonville (Square One Bistro has wonderful local foods), Flat Rock and Brevard. In Flat Rock we visited Connemara, the former home of writer, Carl Sandburg. Beautiful spot. The home is most interesting in it's simplicity. The Sandburg's had no interest in glamorous or expensive lifestyles and their furnishing reflect their thrift.






Recently born kid. Mrs. Sandburg raised prized goats and ran a dairy.



The sidewalks of Brevard were strewn with cherry blossom petals.



Spring was in all it's glory during our visit. Lilacs, dogwoods, tulips, irises. The trees leafed out throughout our visit. The days were sunny and very warm, nights pleasantly cool. Springtime in Western North Carolina. Grand!


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