Asheville -- Beautiful place, beautiful people

I have thoughts from the car to share with you after I tell you a little bit about my visit to Asheville. Jennifer and Carol welcomed me warmly to their home and then promptly took me out for dinner, after which we had a driving tour of the downtown area. It is absolutely charming, as well as interesting and possessed of a certain lovely energy. We talked for a while until everyone was ready for bed.

This morning, I got to go off with wonderful hugs from the two of them and on to see Ben, Eliza, and August at their lovely home on the opposite side of the city. They made breakfast for me, and I got to find out a bit about how everyone spends their time and how much the family is enjoying its members.

Then, I made a stop at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. The lounge actually didn't open till 11, but a little side shop was available to purchase some things to take along. I bought a couple of boxes of six representative chocolates -- one for Columbia, one for Cary -- as well as some almond bark for me (which I ate in the car!). Having put 45 minutes of time on the meter, I strolled around town for a bit and found a coffee shop in a bus.

I purchased a coffee to go and returned to my car with my purchases to head back to Columbia. I hope someone got my parking spot after I left because it had quite a bit of time left on the meter. Oh, the meter ate a quarter. On the Asheville parking meters, you have to push a button indicating whether you're paying for the meter to the left or to the right of the meter. I put one quarter in before I realized this, and it didn't give me time for it. 

Some other things I observed in Asheville are here:

This board was 6 or 8 panels long. People had written in chalk all along it. 

All the family members I'd left behind in Columbia waited lunch for me, so as soon as I got there we went down to the dining room. In case I haven't mentioned it, dining at Still Hopes is a pleasure. The pace is laid back, the staff is attentive, and the food is very good. I had a bar-be-que sandwich without the bread. Delicious!

While my aunt had a rest, the rest of us went to the State Museum. My uncle was the museum director when it first started. He maintains a strong interest in its development and changing displays. We visited the new planetarium, which was excellent. The only problem was that, as in all planetarium experiences, especially during the hot, summer months, I tended to doze. Apparently, the rest of the group did, as well. 

While Uncle Dave, my dad and mom visited some other areas of the museum, I spent a good half hour on the phone with the Health Care Marketplace, getting some things straightened out. That's a relief!

There was a little free time when we got back to Still Hopes, so I took a bike ride of about 5 miles in the heat and humidity, but honestly, it felt really good! I got back in time to take a quick shower and head down to dinner with the rest. And we got back in time for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies which the rest are watching avidly. 

Walker and scooter parking outside the dining room.

Left to right, back: Mom (Carol), Dad (Harold), Uncle Dave. Aunt Marty in the scooter.

Tomorrow, we head for Cary, and I've already been scoping out bike rides on Map My Run. Looking forward to some more exercise. When I get it, I'm not as inclined to eat chocolate and other sweet things as a substitute energy source.