Virginia Beach VA to Asheville NC

Left Virginia Beach at about 10 and had decided to spend a day in Asheville which is meant to be a hip town - very 80s and organic.  It is about 400 miles from Virginia, so we decided to make a break along the way and are now in a Quality Inn in Burlington.  All the amenities are in the room, if only they would work.  Well actually, it is only the fridge that's not working and the ice machine down the hall and also the internet access was abysmal - kept cutting out.  Most annoying.  The swimming pool was very nice and Y did her exercising.


Continental breakfast was included in the price, but all it consisted of was very doughy doughnuts, only white bread, only grape jelly (or jam as some would know it).  No butter or margarine, except for liquid butter in a bAottle, and when I asked the waitress if there was any proper butter, she said that the manager was too mean to get it in.  Amazing.  Anyway, don't bother staying at that Quality Inn in Burlington, it's not worth the money.


So off to Asheville, passing Winston-Salem on the way as well as Oxford.  The weather started off not too bad but as we travelled on, it started to rain and at one point we had a real downpour.  Needless to say, I didn't know where the wind-screen wiper was, so we got off the highway and Y knew exactly how to use it.  Well, I never said I was mechanically minded!!.  


We arrived in Asheville at about 1.30 pm and decided to go into the town to see what it was all about.  They are very green and organic-conscious and are in to sun water heaters and saving electricity.  The main square - North Park Square - is very pretty with the memorial to one of the Civil war heroes - Vance, who evidently also became a Senator(see photo). There was a busker in the square, singing freedom songs with her dog at her side (see photo) and the Arts Museum is also on that square.  Lots of varied restaurants, so we will probably go back tonight for something to eat.

Busking in Asheville

Memorial to Vance

Asheville Arts Museum

Downtown Asheville

Tonight we are staying at an Holiday Inn, which is absolute luxury compared to what we had last night and tomorrow we are aiming for Nashville, where we will probably stay for two nights.  It is about a 300 mile journey so, between the two of us, it shouldn't be a problem. Y was going to go to the pool again,but just as she was getting ready, it started raining, so she decided to relax and read.


Time for a shower, so until tomorrow .....