Bullington Center

The Bullington Center in Hendersonville recently had an open

house featuring their amaryllis sale, Christmas crafts...and...goodies.

This education center was very enjoyable in the winter

and deserves many more visits in the other seasons.

http://www.bullingtoncenter.org/



Dripolator Coffee Shop

Great coffee shop in Black Mountain..

good coffee, food and atmosphere.

http://www.dripolator.com/



Town Hardware & General Store

Entering Town Hardware is like taking a step back in time to

old toys, games, cookware and tools.  You are

sure to find something you need ... or want.

http://www.townhardware.com/Default.aspx?tabid=111



Carl Sandburg Home

THE MIST

I AM the mist, the impalpable mist
Back of the thing you seek.

My arms are long,

Long as the reach of time and space.

Some toil and toil, believing,

Looking now and again on my face,

Catching a vital, olden glory.

But no one passes me,

I tangle and snare them all.

I am the cause of the Sphinx,

The voiceless, baffled, patient Sphinx.

I was at the first of things,

I will be at the last.

I am the primal mist

And no man passes me;

My long impalpable arms

Bar them all.

Carl Sandburg

http://www.nps.gov/carl/index.htm



Drum Circle Redux

Always popular..Drum Circle..Asheville on Friday night..

........the beat goes on....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3fyeCQxnA8



Chikoro Marimba Band

A recent Friday evening in Asheville....Art Walk at the galleries..

and a performance by Chikoro Marimba Band...

a typical evening in this mountain city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so481XPj5R8



West Asheville House

Lots are at a premium in Asheville and this neighborhood utilizes

steep lots for several houses overlooking the River Arts District

in West Asheville.

A close up view of the steel support "foundation"

showing the heat pump on a pad  and the sewer

line to the street below the driveway.

West Asheville Garden Stroll 2011 (Part 2)

This garden was replete with plants and sculptures...

Another interesting sculpture in the same garden.

This garden was not open for the tour but looked interesting...



West Asheville Garden Stroll 2011 (Part 1)

The third annual West Asheville Garden Stroll was held on September 10th

with perfect fall weather and happy crowds.  This year the

gardens were concentrated in two areas and very walkable.

The Sunny Point Cafe was a good starting point on the tour with

vegetables for their patrons, cold lime-lemonade for the strollers, and clean restrooms.

http://www.sunnypointcafe.com/

This garden is concentrated in the front yard - no lawn - and the fence

and entrance gate design is excellent.  Pine needles are used

for the pathway which meanders around the house.

Close-up of the entrance gate showing the path and porch.

Sister J SpiritVoice was spreading the word on

bees and her work.  See http://thehoneybeeproject.com/



Elizabeth Leigh Inn

Elizabeth Leigh Inn, a very nice B & B in Hendersonville, NC.

http://elizabethleighinn.com/

Urban Art

Interesting wall mural on dance in an Asheville alley...



Old Europe

Old Europe is a European style bakery in Asheville that

is small in size but large in delicious pastry and deserts.

Check it out http://www.oldeuropepastries.com/Home_Page.html

There is something here for everyone - rum balls, tiramisu,

creme brule, carrot cake, ........



River Arts District Studios

The River Arts District recently added more studios adjacent

to some new mixed use development.

http://www.riverartsdistrict.com/blog/2011/3/10/clingman-avenue-make-over.html

Holmes Educational State Forest

Holmes Educational State Forest is located just outside Hendersonville

on Crab Creek Road and features several trails of

varying length and difficulty.  http://www.ncesf.org/HESF/home.htm 



Mountain Pie Company

Mountain Pie Company in Hendersonville, NC is a great place for

breakfast - whether it be pancakes, waffles, a muffin or..a piece of pie.

This bakery has 20 pie selections in meringue, whipped cream,

crumb, lattice or double crust in four different sizes.

http://www.mountainpiecompany.com/

In addition to indoor seating you can take in

the view of the mountains from the rear deck while

you enjoy the great food.



Feed and Seed

Feed and Seed is a family-friendly establishment that offers

bluegrass and gospel music that is down home in a comfortable atmosphere.

Seating incudes folding chairs and pews.  This is a church

gathering on Sunday morning and music venue on Friday and Saturday

evening.  Great place.  http://www.feedandseednc.com/about.htm

A recent performance of Appalacian Song on a Friday evening

at Feed and Seed.  http://www.graybeardgraphics.com/appbio.htm

Raulston Arboretum

Located in Raleigh, NC the J.C. Raulston Arboretum is part of the

Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University and

a great way to spend an hour or two experiencing

plants in their varied gardens.  This picture was taken on

the rooftop garden above the education center.

http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/about/about.html

The walkway below the rooftop garden leading to the

entry to the education center.

Part of the Japanese garden...very peaceful.

Saluda Arts Festival

The annual Saluda Arts Festival was celebrated yesterday in...Saluda, NC.

The weather was warm, the artists were all there and there was music

and food.  I am always amazed at the different places that

these artists hail from.  There was a sculptor from France (now

living in NC), woodcarver from SC, and local

Saluda artists.  Even met a couple from Nebraska! 

  http://www.saluda.com/events.html

This artist casts concrete using large leaves as the mold.

   Makes a rather interesting bird bath.

NCSU Solar House

The North Carolina State University Solar House was constructed almost

30 years ago and is located on the NCSU campus in Raleigh, NC.

The house incorporates both passive and active solar design including

a central sunspace, trombe walls and a solar hot water system.

The house serves as an educational tool for students, professionals

and the community.  http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/solar_house_design.php   

Bouchon Bistro

Bouchon Bistro is one restaurant in Asheville that is on my list of

"favourite restaurants that I have not sampled yet."  The

fare is billed as comfort food and the menu looks great!  When

they are open for business the french doors/windows are

open and the diners are eating right at the window

engaged with the street crowd.

http://www.ashevillebouchon.com/

An outdoor seating area beside Bouchon main

entry shown in the previous photo. 

Through the Window

Taken through the storefront of an outdoor shop -

very wise instruction for the outdoors....

Yes, this one was in a dormitory window -  at the

University of North Carolina Asheville.



Boca Restaurant

Boca Restaurant is located on North Lexington Avenue in Asheville

and serves "tex-mex" fare in interior and outdoor dining rooms.  A perusal

of their menu makes my mouth water.  Check it out http://bocaasheville.com/

The outdoor dining area features an interesting wall

with the element of water...

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Great Smoky Mountains National

Park in North Carolina with the Shenandoah National Park 469 miles

away in Virginia.  The parkway was begun in 1935, completed

in 1983 and has a maximum speed limit of 45 mph.  This

picture was taken near Craggy Gardens, about 30 minutes

from Asheville. http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/index.php

Rustic Carport

This carport has a natural look with its posts fashioned from tree trunks.

Interestingly, the natural look does not extend to the roof material

although the floor is very natural...

Embracing Trees

These two trees appear to be embracing but further study

shows that the wider trunk is supporting the thinner, gangly one.

These trees are in the front yard of an organization caled Open Arms,

a pregnancy counseling service in Hendersonville, NC.

One could also interpret this as the older matron giving

support to the younger wild woman - much like

the place of the strong mother in Jamaican society.

Or, you could take it in another direction and consider

it  a rendition of Apollo and Daphne in

Metamorphoses by Ovid.....

Nah!

Wag Pet Boutique

Downtown Hendersonville has many shops for all tastes and needs.

Wag is a very unique store for dogs and other pets in western

North Carolina.  http://wagpetboutique.com/

One of the models for Wag showing

the latest fashion for St Patrick's day.

Gulfport, Florida

Gulfport is a suburb of St Petersburg, Florida located on Boca Ciega

Bay which is part of the Intracoastal Waterway on the west coast of Florida.

With slightly less than 13, 000 inhabitants ( 12,740 as of 2004 ), it

feels like a small coastal town with a pier, dance hall and a main street

complete with shops, restaurants and bars.  It is also home to

some quaint houses/cottages and numerous community activities.

The sort of town that would appeal to someone who is tired of

"big city" life.  Check it out here http://gulfportflorida.us/

Poui Tree

A poui tree in full bloom in St. Petersburg, Florida; also comes

in yellow and white.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabebuia

Bird of Paradise

While growing up in Jamaica I was always captivated by this beautiful

flower although I do NOT see its resemblance to a bird.  This plant

grows in the front yard of my mother in St Petersburg, Florida.

For more info see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg106

South Beach Miami

An interesting parking garage in South Beach, Miami.

Winter Sunset in North Carolina

Twilight's Last Gleaming

 

In twilight's last gleaming

The sky slides away

Leaving me here at

The edge of the day

Songs in the sand

Hand on the door

I've been here so often before

In twilight's last gleaming

So smoky and gold

Endless horizons

Glister and glow

I see you in strangers

In light on the sea

In twilight's last gleaming we'll meet

In twilight's last gleaming

At this time of year

Wherever you go to

Whoever you're near

Think of these times

Remember these dreams

And twilight's last gleaming and me

John Foxx Twilight's Last Gleaming



Johns Pass

Pelicans waiting for the boat at Johns Pass.  I assume they have

signed up already... http://www.johnspass.com/

Snell Arcade

The Snell Arcade, also known as the Rutland Building,

located on Central Avenue at 4th Street is an

example of Mediterranean Revival architecture that

is quite popular in the city.  It was listed on the National

Register of Historic Places in 1982.

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM1J86

Mazzaro's Italian Market

On a recent trip to St Petersburg I visited Mazarro's Italian Market -

a  true Italian experience in all things Italian; wine, deli foods,

coffee bar, pastries and a restaurant.

This Italian "samfia man" cart was parked by the entrance.

http://www.mazzarosmarket.com/