Happy Friday and greetings from Asheville!
David had to work this morning in Asheville, so instead of staying home, we decided to tag along and make mini-getaway out of it. After all, Asheville is only 2 hours from where we live.
We left yesterday afternoon and stopped along the way to get in a hike.
The weather was cool and cloudy and the views? Magnificent.
A friend let me borrow her Kelty hiking pack for babies. Hailey and I both loved it. Anyone know where I can find one for cheap?
Another great thing about Asheville is that it’s very dog-friendly, which meant Koda could come, too!
This makes for a happy pup. It felt so strange walking into the hotel with Koda by my side, but the front desk people loved her and now she’s curled up at my feet snoring away. Spoiled pup.
Last night we made great use of the cool, mountain weather and ate outside at The Market Place.
It’s no secret I have a love affair for restaurants that offer fresh, local food and unique dishes, so I thoroughly enjoyed my Bangkok Mule as we perused the menu before settling on an heirloom tomato salad and flatbread.
So fresh, so….fresh. That’s really the word that fits best. Though the dishes contained herbs from the garden out front (we saw the chef come out and actually grab basil to use- amazing), the ingredients were bursting with such natural goodness that the dishes didn’t need much added.
Hailey agreed. After chomping on her fresh bread, she went to town on the heirloom tomatoes and by the end of the meal, she was covered in tomato seeds.
Luckily, new bathtubs are fun! (Edited. The bathtub picture is adorable, but I suppose naked baby pictures are not blog appropriate).
Sleeping all in one room, however, is not as much fun. Hailey woke up at 5:30, which meant we all did. David was off to work, so I decided we might as well go get breakfast. It was quite cool out (Wheeeee fall!), so I left Hailey in jammies and leashed Koda.
We visited my favorite, The Green Sage. I started off with a Red Planet juice (carrot, apple, beet and ginger), then split eggs, sweet potato hash browns and grits with Hailey while Koda people watched.
We’re headed back home later today, so our total getaway was less than 24 hours, but it was so well worth it. Switching things up and seeing somewhere new is good for my mental health.
Do you have a nearby place that makes you feel like you’re a world away?
Erica says
When I feel like I need a total change of scenery I’ll drive an hour to Fairhope, AL. It is the more adorable quaint town and it looks like it belongs in New England so it’s dramatically different from the white sand beaches we have here!
Danielle @ Long May You Run says
I LOVE Asheville!!! I remember the first time we visited the area. Having grown up 5 minutes from the beach in Florida (and hating it!) I fell in love with the mountains and the small town city immediately. The fact that they’re so dog friendly and everyone is so health conscious is a major plus too. Too bad you didn’t have time to go to the NC Farmers Market! When David and I retire, I think we’ll probably move some place close to Asheville.
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
You should just keep on driving, and come visit me in Richmond 😉 haha
Hopefully the early morning wake up meant you got to see a pretty sunrise!
Lindsey says
Yes, we live close to the mountains, and with just that short 2 hour drive it feels like we are a world away. I love it 🙂
Sherry says
Love the picture of you and Hailey. She looks like she is having a fabulous time!
jen says
i love, love, love asheville. so jealous of your little getaway.
christina says
A few people told me to go there when I was in Asheville. The food looks great! Have you been to Curate?
Brittany says
I went by, looked great, but no place for K-dizzle so I couldn’t try it out. Next time!
Lauren B. says
I went to Asheville and the Biltmore on a class trip in high school when the ground was blanketed in snow- such a fond memory!
Now I live in Santa Barbara, so when we need to “get away” from the beach (ha!), we drive an easy 30 minutes into wine country, and it’s like a different world. I really feel like I’ve been on vacation after spending half a day there!
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, I’d LooooooVe to have wine country within driving distance! …or maybe that would be dangerous 😉
Jodi says
Jayson occasionally has to work up in Asheville and we do the same thing. Avery loves it, though we are in the same boat as far as sleeping goes. I had to fake that I was asleep one night bc she would not fall asleep. Then we were up bright and early too, made for a nice morning walk! Almost need a suite so she can have her own space, tho!! You will have to tell me where you guys hiked, we are always looking for a great place!
Rachel says
Try Craigslist for a Kelty. That’s where we found ours & it was practically brand new! Here in WA we have a ton of little getaway spots. There are lots islands in the Puget Sound that are only a ferry ride away. You can drive about 3 hours south to Portland, OR & about 2 hours away from Vancouver, B.C.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I love Asheville. It is so pretty, and there’s so much good food. Have a great time!!!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Looks so fun! one day I’d love to go to Asheville.
There’s a place close to Lake Tahoe called Truckee. My parents have a cabin there and it always makes me feel a world away. I absolutely adore Truckee.
Allison k says
We are about to move to Montana and will be near excellent hiking. I want one of those baby back packs as well!
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, I want to visit Montana so badly. I hear it’s just gorgeous! I’m excited for you!
Kimberly says
We plan to head to Asheville this fall. Would you recommend the that dog-friendly hotel?
Brittany says
We stayed at the Haywood Park Hotel (http://haywoodpark.com/)It was right in the center of town so we could walk everywhere and the people were so friendly. They knew Koda by name and all stopped to pet and play with her.
Kimberly says
Fantastic, thanks so much Brittany!
Mike @ Midwestern Bite says
Beautiful pics. The wife and I have explored a lot of that area on a couple motorcycle adventures (pre-baby of course). The Smoky Mtns get me every time. Last time we rented a remote cabin around Bryson City as home base for awhile. We need to get back!
Miranda @ Biting Life says
It must be nice that Hailey can kind of eat with you at restaurants now. That’s so cute! And, also, naked baby pictures are adorable and totally blog-appropriate in my opinion 🙂
Maria says
Yes! We live about three hours from Yosemite and they have a little bed and breakfast there that’s absolutely adorable. The owner knows our favorite room and always lets us have it for the off season rate (and she makes some killer pancakes!).
Brittany says
I’ve never been to Yosemite, but it’s on my list of must visits. When the time comes, I’m going to need the name of that B&B 🙂
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says
Asheville is the same for me…a complete world away (although only 3 hours from my house in Greensboro). Last time I was there I went to Green Sage and loved it.
Such good food and atmosphere. I hope you all enjoy your weekend there.
erica says
Can you mention what hotel you stayed at in Asheville? My little family is planning to take a weekend trip there this fall and we’d love to take our dog!
Brittany says
Yes, we stayed at The Haywood Park Hotel (http://haywoodpark.com/) It’s historic and right in the middle of town. The people there knew Koda by name and loved on her. They were so friendly!
Elizabeth says
That picture of u and hailey in the backpack is to die for!! Check out the consignment sales at local churches for a cheap one. There were 2 at the sale I went to today. Also Craigslist I’m sure…xo
Jessie says
Sounds like such a great mini-getaway! Those type of trips are always the best! 🙂
Nicole @Apples and Arteries says
Looks like a wonderful mini get-away.
We live in Madison and there’s a really cute town less than an hour away where we go hiking with our dogs. Definitely feels like we’re far outside of the “city”.
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Ashville has THE BEST restaurants!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
The area where we camp is my little home away from home, it’s only a 3 hour drive, but feels like a totally different world. Love.
Becky says
We have a Kelty hiking back pack. We bought it on Craiglists for $30! The couple who we bought it from had purchased it new and used it 4 times. I highly recommend used, unless you’re going to hiking a ton. New ones can be anywhere from $120-$300!!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
How fun!! I just went hiking yesterday, and I had such an amazing time. I really think it’s my favorite workout, because as challenging as it can be, it’s also just so much fun!