Asheville Tour - Aug 22, 2010

I forgot to get this picture when we arrived. I'm having a HORRIBLE time with this internet. We decided to take a city tour on a trolley. Very good decision.

Brian was our tour guide. He teaches middle school math and on the weekends, bestows his vast knowledge on eager listeners.

The homes in this area start at $1,000,000.

The owner built this for his wife. She hated it. He married the second time--she loved it.

This one's for sale. Want it?

Hopefully, I can get through the rest of these pictures. I THINK I have the internet.

Hotel.

You can barely see this one. Homes are on all different levels.

Pretty entrance to hotel.

Hotel.

This is the home of Thomas Wolfe. He was run out of town after writing "Look Homeward, Angel". When the townspeople learned how successful the book was, they let him come home. (ten years later)

The roof on the First Baptist Church was made to look old from the very beginning.

You don't know where you are going to see art in this city.

This building is for the performing arts. One of the famous actors (don't remember which one) was very active for several years in this theater.

We have it first hand (Brian) that this is a great Italian restaurant.

Tried to grab this bell but was strongly encouraged not to.

One of the oldest families in town owned this building, S S Kress. It was a dollar store but is empty now.

As seen around town.

The front of a hotel.

St Paul's Cathedral.

They still have a working lunch counter here. This store was my very first job (in Royal Oak, MI) at 35 cents an hour.

Check out this neat fountain. And the little girl under it.

The sign for the Young Mens Institute that George Vanderbilt established.

The building for the Young Mens Institute.

More art.

Now we come to one of my favorite places in Asheville, the Mellow Mushroom.

An old metal glider.

That pizza crust is almost as big as the girl.

Which one is the mellow mushroom?

While we were waiting for Connie to finish taking her pictures a young man came up to us and said he knew we were not from here. He called a waitress over and told her to take care of us and give him the bill. He was a very nice young man. Don't know if this is usual but thought it was charming.

I asked this man if I could take a picture of him--he obliged. We think he is the owner or manager.

Manuel likes the seat also.

These are bowling balls imbedded in the wall.

Seems as though we have found some pretty artsy restaurants but surprisingly good. Thank you for friends and interesting things to see.