Road Trip, Days 25-28, Homeward Bound!

In Asheville, I found a vacation rental up in the mountains, just 10 minutes or so from downtown.  While the view was pretty and the location was memorable; this rental was a little rougher than I would have liked.  Long story short, the sleeper sofa could not be slept on (too many uncomfortable springs) and we had the clean the place upon arrival.  Luckily, we had brought with our air mattress; but, because we had to be escorted down the mountain to our non-4x4-vehicle, my poor husband had to endure one night on the sofa (which was more comfortable than the sleeper sofa).  Lots of memories!  I cried in disappointment.  It was made out to be a special place (which it would've been had it been clean and been able to properly sleep 4 people). 

Our first day in Asheville, it rained.  So, we just enjoyed watching each of the storms roll in from our perch in the mountains (and cleaned and cooked and played).

Our second full day (unfortunately, our last), we went into Asheville to see what everyone was talking about (all of our friends love it!).  It is a really neat town.  Lots to see and do for me and my husband; but, not lots of places to play for our kids (we had to hunt down a park! LOL).  We DID find a co-op grocer where we bought a few things.  We also found a Natural Building Store.  There, we purchased a gallon of zero-VOC polyurethane that we can usually only order online.  We also asked about reclaimed flooring and counter surfaces, of which they helped suggest resources closer to home.  We went to a nearby arboretum, right in the middle of downtown and SO serene.  It had free admission; and it was a lovely nature walk for us.

We had a dinner reservation at a well-researched (by me) restaurant, Posada Café.  It.  Was.  Perfect.  Yum.  Everything was gluten free.  They make an effort to source local, organic ingredients (like many in the area) and they combine them to amazingly delicious effect!  This was a GREAT meal.  My husband had mussels for an appetizer, which he loved.  I had a kale salad with manchego cheese and baby pumpkin seeds, which was so amazing they told me how they prepare it and I have been trying to replicate the recipe at home!!  Our entrees were all great.  The boys had chicken and fish and veggies.  Then, we ended with a just-right dessert.  I had lemon olive oil cake (it had yummy accompaniments).  They were so great with our allergies and I was so comfortable (not too full, no discomfort) after the meal, I keep dreaming about it and wish that I could eat there again...soon!

We wished we could've had more time to go hiking or kayaking or something in all of the beauty that surrounds Asheville.  We just have to go back.  We tried to see a bit of the Biltmore; but, you can only get so far before you have to buy tickets ($50/person!).  We only got to see a tiny bit.  If we thought our boys would like/appreciate it even a bit, we would've gone to see it; but, they wouldn't, so we didn't.  Maybe someday!

On the mountain where we stayed, there lives a wild emu (probably escaped from a farm) who loves bananas.  Luckily, my boys met him the first day; but, after we bought bananas, we never saw him again.

We said goodbye to Asheville on Saturday morning, still trying to decide if we should stay in Nashville with family for the night or make it to Louisville so that we would be closer to home the next day.  We decided to go to Louisville because my husband had to get back for some work!  Hotwire again! 

The drive from Asheville to Knoxville was all rolling hills, small towns and beauty!  So pretty!  We ate lunch in Knoxville (which took MUCH longer than we expected; but, it tasted pretty good).  I don't know what we would have done without our smart phones, helping me find gluten free restaurants and then helping me get there!

On to Louisville for the night, then up to Indianapolis (for lunch), then home, where we were greeted by a "Welcome Home" sign and balloons from our wonderful friends, who also happen to be neighbors.  All the while, we had stopped about every 90 minutes to stretch, play or use the bathroom.  We are so grateful we got to take this trip.  My boys were excellent travelers.  I would TOTALLY do it again...I just have to ask my family to move to a different part of the country OR do more camping (maybe a pop-up?) OR stay in one place for a month and venture out for day trips from there.  Hmmm... 

Not sure when we will take our next trip with the new baby (due end of August, or so); but, we will be dreaming about it!  For now, it feels good to be at home, nesting!  :)