Dust & Echoes in Asheville
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. asheville. it’s… a lot. i landed here yesterday, and honestly, my brain feels like a drum kit after a particularly intense gig. 1152058226 - that’s the number of times i’ve checked the weather. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 19.19 feels like 18.18, temp_min is 19.19, temp_max is 19.19, pressure is 1011, humidity is 39, sea level is 1011, grnd level is 995. it’s like a perpetual, slightly damp autumn. perfect for layering, which is my aesthetic, obviously.
found a tiny hostel downtown - ‘The Crooked Spire’ - it smells faintly of patchouli and desperation, which is… charming? the guy running it, Silas, he’s a session drummer, apparently. he told me someone told him that the best place for a decent slice of pie is ‘Biscuit Head’ - seriously, go. don’t even think about it. it’s a must.
wandered around the *River Arts District today. it’s basically a collection of warehouses crammed with artists. it’s chaotic, in the best way. saw some seriously wild stuff - huge murals, sculptures made of scrap metal, pottery that looked like it was grown, not made. i even stumbled upon a guy throwing paint onto a canvas with a modified leaf blower. it was… intense.
found a little record store called ‘Vinyl Vortex’ - seriously, the name alone. the owner, a guy named Leo, was rambling about obscure krautrock bands and the importance of analog warmth. he said, and i quote, ‘“Don’t trust anyone who says digital is better. It’s just… sterile.”’ I bought a copy of a band called ‘Can’t Blame Me’ - felt like a good investment.
Speaking of investments, i’m trying to figure out if this whole ‘mountain town hipster’ thing is worth the price of artisanal coffee. i’ve been hitting up ‘Highland Coffee’ - it’s alright, but the oat milk is aggressively foamy. someone told me that the best coffee is at ‘Trade and Lore’ - apparently, they roast their own beans. i’m adding it to the list.
seriously, if you get bored, Boone and Charlotte are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of heading up to Boone tomorrow to check out the university.
I’m trying to document everything, but my phone’s battery is dying faster than my motivation. i need to find a decent charging station. and maybe a stronger coffee. and definitely more pie.
Pro-Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking. Don’t be afraid to get lost. Asheville rewards the wanderer. Bring a rain jacket. Seriously.
Local Gossip:* I heard that the Blue Ridge Parkway is closing for a few days next week due to weather. Plan accordingly. Also, apparently, there’s a ghost in the Omni Grove Park Inn. Don’t ask me about it.
Check out TripAdvisor for Asheville: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g33659-Asheville_North_Carolina-Vacations.html
And Yelp for some food recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/directory/asheville-restaurants
I'm also seeing some cool events on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/nc--asheville/
Okay, I’m officially out of energy. Time for another coffee (and maybe a nap).
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