Mrs. Furious ... Recipes, Rants & Reality: First Take On Asheville

Monday, July 28, 2008

First Take On Asheville

I'm sure my feelings will change and evolve once I get settled in... but... in the meantime you can enjoy this little ditty recorded on my FIRST day in our new "hometown":

15 comments:

Missives From Suburbia said...: As long as there aren't a bunch of bail bond places, you should be okay.; July 28, 2008 at 2:33 PM
P.O.M. said...: Can't wait to hear more. Do we get some pictures of what you're talking about? I'm very curious, as I have not been to the South. Quite pathetic (although I'm not too bummed about it) but my travels have not taken me to see much of the U.S. Like the supermarket, I only venture to the outer aisles/states, oh, except for Denver.; July 28, 2008 at 4:58 PM
P.O.M. said...: OH. MY. GOD.
I just 'Googled' Ashville to look at pics and was very interested to see that they have a naked bike riders group. ICK.; July 28, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Heather said...: You'll settle in... I'm confident of it!; July 28, 2008 at 6:08 PM
HC said...: I'm with p.o.m. -- pictures please!

I'm sure you'll settle in and find all the cool places. Transitions like this always suck. Stay strong!

Can't wait for the hardcore Mrs. F fitness regimen to begin August 1st -- I need you!; July 28, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Jennifer said...: The south is VERY different. VERY VERY different. I will never forget as long as I live, we moved from New York to Louisiana ... holy shit. It was horrifying. It was scary. The schools had bars on all the windows .. my parents enrolled me in a private school where my mom drove us every day 60 minutes .. one way. Needless to say, we were there 8 months. It is a different way of life. Of course the further south you go, the greater you notice the difference. You don't get further down than Louisiana! lol

Like Heather said, you will do just fine. It is just different. :) You don't sound hoity toity, hm is that how you spell that? Anyway .. good luck to you! It's a new place to explore!; July 28, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Jenny O. said...: For heaven's sake, people. Let's not generalize the whole south based on one or two places. I live in the south and my town is nothing like Asheville or Louisiana. Every place has its own character: both in the north and the south.

As for Asheville and your first impressions, I hope you settle in there. When I try to see it through a newcomer's eyes, I can understand what you are talking about. I think as you settle in you will discover some of the more interesting places that give Asheville its charm. I hope so!; July 28, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Sarah said...: Hi Mrs. F - I commented your page a week or so ago after finding your blog when I began mine. Anyway, I watched your video. I'm from the south-have lived here my whole life. It is true, that you must REALLY search sometimes for things to do, places to go, etc. It is sometimes even difficult to find where you want to shop for clothes, food, furniture, etc. Here (the south), you just don't drive up to any strip mall and find places you love and would visit often. It's hard to find "you" in a new place, no matter where that is.

I am from Winston Salem, which is about a couple of hours from Asheville. But, I have spent some time there and visited often. So, I thought I would give you some ideas in case you weren't sure of what's around!

As you mentioned in your video, much of downtown is nice. They have festivals often and some might meet your interests, while others may not. There is "Downtown After Five". I believe the next one is August 15th...there's music, food, etc. There's also Organicfest coming up. This is at Battery Park Ave downtown. I've never been to this, but found out about it as I have been attempting to go organic. I am not sure if you and your family are organic. I think I remember reading that on your blog? Anyway if you are, you may be interested. It's on Sept 6th and I believe it starts at 10am. There's going to be music, dancing, information on organics, drawings for organic prizes, stuff for kids, free samples, and an organic market. There are lots of festivals and things downtown, so you should definitely check that out.

There are tons of museums in asheville and the surrounding area, if you're into that. I think that there is a museum for children and families called the "Health Adventure". It's pretty much about health awareness. I am not sure what it's all about, but I am a teacher and most "children's museums" are pretty great for the whole family. I am sure that they have a website with info. There are also TONS of things to do outdoors. If you like to take your kids outdoors there are trails, picnic areas, and even places just to have an open area to run. There are water holes (which I know sounds very southern:). They are actually pretty cool though. There's the WNC Nature Center-you get to see lots of animals. It may be fun for the kids too.
There is the Biltmore Estate, which is beautiful. There is also the Grove Park Inn. I went here for a graduation gift. It was also beautiful and has a spa, restaurants, etc. It is very expensive (to me) and probably wouldn't be somewhere you visited often, but you should drive there sometime. It is such a pretty place, along with the houses that are close by.

WHEW! So...this was a super long comment. Sorry about that! But, I like Asheville a lot, and thought I'd let you know about the few places and sights I do know of. I hope that you can settle in!! Let me know if you get to check any of these places out. Good luck with the adjustment!; July 28, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Julie said...: naked bike riders group Ooh, a club for your family to join. I know Mr F likes to take the bike out with Kid;)

Hmmm...is the downtown mainly "touristy/resortlike" or is it a real useable downtown?

p.o.m., of course I had to google the naked bike riders group because I am so immature. They really should keep their clothes on. It looks like it hurts.; July 29, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Mr Furious said...: I hope every ride by the Naked Bikers is followed immediately by a bike saddle bonfire!; July 29, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Kiki said...: Mrs.F, The South is strange, but occasionally wonderfully surprising...but I could say that about all the places I have lived. There is some seriously weird quirks in this country and MB is certainly no exception.

I keep complaining that there is no real local produce and they have to keep reminding me that the major crop here is tobacco...hence all the smoking and not so much for the anti smoking laws!

I know you will find some interesting things to do and share with us and I can't wait to go on some Furious Family adventures....looking forward to more!!!

By the way that camera angle would have been murder on me, you looked great!!! I still can't wait for August 1st, I need some major motivation!!!; July 29, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Sandcastle Momma said...: You'll settle in soon and it won't seem as strange to you. While a lot of the South does give off a depressed feel you'll find the hospitality by far makes up for that. And the food is amazing!; July 29, 2008 at 8:07 AM
Michelle said...: Hello there!
I am a native to Asheville. I enjoy my little town.
In time you will too.
If you need the low down, just ask me.
I am the mom of 4 kids and know all the ropes around here.
Michelle
:); July 29, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Chrissy said...: I was in Asheville over the weekend - a little camping at Bear Creek, shopping at the local Farmer's Market and a visit to the annual Belle Chere festival. Asheville is an absolute great place to be (especially if you're trying to be more green :) The people are wonderful there - so nice and accommodating. Every time I go there I try to think of a way to stay - how could I move there from Charlotte? What could I do?

I think a lot of Asheville can be characterized as the "Vermont of the South" but you can certainly still be all things Target or all things Kate Spade there as well or anything in between. I'm an Eddie Bauer, North Face, J Crew kinda gal and I always feel right at home there. Your only option is not eccentric, tatoo, piercings and hemp clothing or you're out! You can be "you" anywhere you live. I've lived in Chicago, LA, Florida, Indiana in now North Carolina and I think you can find something good no matter where you live - and there are genuine people everywhere. It just takes time to accommodate to your new surroundings.

I'd hook up with Supermom - she's bound to steer you in the right direction so you can start feeling more at home there. (Cute hair Supermom!)

BTW - I know you know all of this stuff already. I think I don't want you to dislike Asheville because I love it so much. For me it's like going to Disney and people saying they just don't see the magic once they're not a kid anymore. I know the mouse if fake but I still want to hug him and get my picture taken, you know??; July 29, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Julie said...: Asheville can be characterized as the "Vermont of the South"...Your only option is not eccentric, tatoo, piercings and hemp clothing or you're out!

Ummm, Vermont is pretty much full of what you described as Ashville is not...anything pretty much goes there:)

Eccentric is a way of life up here:); July 29, 2008 at 4:43 PM