Getting To Know You

As I said, the last couple of days I’ve been trying to get the lay of the land here. Scoping out where to get groceries, lunch, and the like. Essential services. There’s an abundance of all that, yet happily not tons of chains. Its a pretty cool neighborhood. I’m near the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, so we get some of the funky college areas places, but not to excess. North Carolina has all kinds of “this happened here” historical signs everywhere, and it turns out Zelda Fitzgerald died in a fire in a mental institution about half a mile from where I’m living. So…coool….Hoping for a better stay.

I’ve been trying to get my bearings around here. Apparently I live adjacent to a historic district, the Montford Historic District. Its like Tarrytown, with smaller lots, bigger houses, and winding, meandering streets following creeks. Lots of park space, green corridors, beds and breakfasts, and hillsides. Many Victorian and Craftsman style homes, very well preserved. It was kind of hard to see much as it was pouring rain, but I’ll head back later.

This house is pretty nice too. Its a two story Victorian. Nice front porch, and the front slopes down to a fairly busy street. Hardwood floors, modern amenities. Lots of light, and space. Its close to three grocery stores, a couple of coffee shops, a diner, and a busy commercial street with all the stuff.

I got the hookup, finally, with a great gym, Underground fitness. They focus mainly on locals but I managed to use my lawyer tricks on them and get in. Its a little cross-fittish, but not insane like those people are. 45 minute classes, with boxing at the end!

I spent must of the weekend exploring downtown. Its pretty heavily touristy, but I guess that’s ok, since I’m a tourist. Err…temporary resident. Lots of bars, restaurants, coffee/pastry shops. Oddly, a lot of old record stores and grungy clubs line the perimeter of downtown. The night of the 4th, I walked down to Pack Square Park, where a crowd had assembled to listen to some sort of music show, and then the fireworks. It was pretty awesome watching July 4th fireworks without sweating to death and being devoured by mosquitoes.

That afternoon I visited both the Asheville Botanical Garden and the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. The botanical garden was situated on Glenn Creek, and displays a lot of native trees, plants, and flowers. It has about a one mile trail leading along the grounds. A lot of people were reading by the creek, or splashing in the water for the 4th. The bird sanctuary was great too, but didn’t see any birds. But it has some great views of the wetlands near the lake and a well marked, wooden trail.

Next-more thrilling adventures!