Quick early August trip to the east coast of the South for a bit of fiddlers' convention and steamy heat temperatures.
Charlotte
Westin downtown, 601 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Lovely hotel. Great rooms. Booked on Priceline for $113 (+ taxes). Stayed on high floor. Parking was $18 per night and had we known th area or came in during the day, we could have parked right on the side street of the hotel...
Drove up Highway 52 to VA border. road dotted with small roadside fruit (peaches, apples) stands, and LOTS of flea markets, especially at the border between NC & VA. 52 Climbs up and up to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Fancy Gap, where we headed east about 4 miles to the Inn at Orchard Gap.
Quest for BBQ lunch before flight took us into South carolina, Gaffney, Stephen Colbert hometown, outlets, cheapest gas ($3.09) and BBQ at Daddy Joes (1400 W Floyd baker Blvd), where they include in their vegetarian 'menu' grilled zucchini, the potatoe salad and the BBQ sauce. Not the best, but the sweetest hospitality makes up for the medoicre food.
Charlotte
Westin downtown, 601 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Lovely hotel. Great rooms. Booked on Priceline for $113 (+ taxes). Stayed on high floor. Parking was $18 per night and had we known th area or came in during the day, we could have parked right on the side street of the hotel...
Dinner: Halcyon Flavors, http://www.halcyonflavors.com/, GREAT place located 2 blocks from hotel on Tryon street in the museum section of downtown. Beautiful space on second floor of building with massive outdoor patio with views. Fresh, local and well prepared food. Good wine list, cocktails and local beers. For two if us, $100.
Fancy Gap, VA
Drove up from Charlotte on back roads and via Mt Airy, Andy Griffith Show country. Nice back roads, and the town of Mt Airy made for a good stop to amble the two-3 block high street, chocka with wholesome small town USA. Dearth of restaurants if you want more than fried or diner style food in that part of town. I saw a wine cafe (closed by te time we got into town) and I read of good Mexican place but not in that localized section.
 |
| Mt Airy |
Drove up Highway 52 to VA border. road dotted with small roadside fruit (peaches, apples) stands, and LOTS of flea markets, especially at the border between NC & VA. 52 Climbs up and up to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Fancy Gap, where we headed east about 4 miles to the Inn at Orchard Gap. |
| view from Angel Room |
2 nights stay ($126-ish per night, inc great generous breakfast cooked by Sherry or Don Foster, the hosts.) Our room was the Angel room on top right of second floor. Nice seating area on the porch from which to see over the hills and Blue Ridge parkway.
 |
| Saturday auction at cana |
Great location from which to base yourself for taking the BRP east to places like Don's Meadow, the watermill, and Floyd to the east, or towards Galax up 52 then west on 221. Lots of flea markets and good chance there's an auction happening somewhere.
 |
| who says we cant get along? |
August 5-10 is the Galax Fiddlers Convention; the reason for our trip. Amazing event. you haven't experienced America until you've gone to a mountain music or genuine bluegrass music event. this must be the grand dame of them.
Asheville, NC
Fourth and last night was in Asheville, the Berkeley of the South, I have been told. And it delivered, but probably nicer: people of all ages walked around, enjoying art galleries, the shops, old art-deco buildings restored to old arcades, street artisans, public fountain for swimming, loads of restaurants, outdoor eaing and breweries. Great town for exploring and ambling.
Drove from Galax direction on 221 mostly, stopping at towns like Sparta, West Jefferson, Boone through mountains and farmland and approached Ashevill from from 19E & 25. Nice drive.
Stayed at Downtown Inn: Patton Ave at Ashland Street, cheapest place for a decent place and well located for a god price. AAA rate for our dates $72. She put us on top floor and mountain view (room 517). Hotel has seen nicer days for sure and can do with an updating. but it was clean and the staff nice. All rooms open to the motel walkway, so big window, while not private, gives you great views.
See: Grove Arcade, downtown, Walk Street, Pack Square park, and galelreis on Biltmore Ave.
Eat: Blackbird. Local fresh produce, clean nicely understated space on Biltmore Ave. Local brews.
Drink: Asheville Brewing. large covered open driveway space to enjoy outisde temos, as well as indoors. Good beers; food more standar bar food (fried, pizza, burgers etc). Great vibe-all ages and colours.
Day 4: en route to Charlotte.
If we got up earleir, we would have had time to go hike you Chimney Rock on 74A. leave time for that-views must be fab. 74A wends past lake Lure that if you didnt know any better youd think you are in a mounain lake in Europe.
Quest for BBQ lunch before flight took us into South carolina, Gaffney, Stephen Colbert hometown, outlets, cheapest gas ($3.09) and BBQ at Daddy Joes (1400 W Floyd baker Blvd), where they include in their vegetarian 'menu' grilled zucchini, the potatoe salad and the BBQ sauce. Not the best, but the sweetest hospitality makes up for the medoicre food.
Noted too the relief of knowing that the last exit before the adult store is well signposted by billboards for miles. Whew.
No comments:
Post a Comment