In about two hours driving west you can start to see the foothills of the North Carolina mountains. In the fall the rolling fruit-loop colored terrain quickly turns to steeper winding roads with breath-taking views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2, 2011 Sam and I will be celebrating our 20th year anniversary. An October wedding to attend seemed the perfect combination of fall beauty and a celebratory vacation. It was even out of character that we stayed an extra day!!

First day we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiked to the top of Mt. Pisgah.

 

Sunday was the wedding and I painted a “wedding tree” for the happy couple!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were due to go home Monday. We went to hike in the NC Arboretum, and that’s when we decided to stay an extra day. The fresh air, forest, and quiet footsteps were taking over!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended up spending a couple of hours in the Arboretum hiking and then came upon the most wonderful exhibit of Bonsai Trees I’ve ever seen. I have a whole new appreciation for this ancient art form. These miniature trees and forests were mesmerizing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we went down to the French Broad River Art District. What a treat! Art and artist’s studios all built into a historic setting… plus we had maybe the best tacos of our life at the White Duck Taco Shop. I had the ginger-glazed tofu with jicama and carrot taco, and Sam had the shrimp and the jerk chicken taco. All this with an outdoor umbrella pick-nick table beside the railroad tracks. Life is sweet!

 
Bellies full we then walked the River Art District and visited artists actively working in their studios with their latest creations hanging for all to admire and buy! Despite the down economy these artists say they are riding a wave of fortune! It seems people are hungry for art and beauty…this makes perfect sense!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended our stay at one of the terraces at The Grove Park Inn drinking $12.00 per glass wine, dang! Rocking chair $100.00, wine/ 2 glasses (oh and Sam got a double) $70.00, sunset over the mountains and sketching with watercolor pencils – priceless!!

Art Prescription: Sometimes it’s good to stay another day…sketch and paint a sunset!