Wonderful Weekend Away

This past weekend, we took a family trip to Asheville, NC.  As strange as this may seem, this was our first real family trip.  We've had LOTS of weekends away visiting family and friends, but we've never just gone away to a random place with no connections.  We had SUCH a blast!

Big Brother kept telling us about something a teacher told him about in downtown Asheville called the "drum circle."  So, that was our first stop on Friday night.  In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that both the kids were complaining about wanting to go swimming.  (Our hotel had an indoor swimming pool.)  So, the drive downtown involved some whining.  And, I am really bad at reading maps, so we had a slight detour on our way downtown.  When we finally arrived downtown, it was so crowded, which kind of surprised me.  I don't know what it's like on a normal weekend, but turns out Widespread Panic was in town... not exactly a family oriented band... I was a bit worried. 

But then, we found the park where the drum circle is located.  I rolled down the window, and heard the incredible sound of all the drumming.  This is when everybody started to perk up!  We found a place to park and made our way over to the square.  This is what the drum circle looked like, although this picture was taken early on, and drummers kept coming and coming as the night progressed.

This is also a picture of J.M. and the kids at the drum circle.  What cuties!!! 

After hanging out at the drum circle for 20 minutes or so, we walked across the street to enjoy a delicious dinner.  While we were there, Big Brother worked up the nerve to go back to park and do some break dancing!  If you know Big Brother, then this will probably surprise you.  But, he saw somebody else doing it, and we told him he was way better than that guy! :) 

A fun night indeed, which was topped off by an evening of indoor swimming.  Oh - and a 3 am wake up call by some neighbors coming in from a night on the town. Nice...

Saturday was a beautiful day!  We ate breakfast at the hotel and then made our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  After driving for a while we found the Visitors' Center and a nice man pointed us in the direction of a one and half mile hike.  Off we went!

Big Brother and Little Bit BEFORE the hike

Big Brother and Little Bit AFTER the hike



After our hike, we made our way to the Asheville Farmer's Market for a barbecue cook-off, bluegrass jam, and bouncies galore!  Then, of course, back to the hotel for a nice swim!!  A fun afternoon, topped off with another trip downtown for dinner and some fun window shopping and strolling along the streets.  Oh, and another 3 am wake up call by the same neighbors - this time involving all KINDS of colorful language... 

Sunday morning meant time to go home.  But, we had one more fun outing - a trip to the COOLEST playground EVER in Montreat.  A dear friend had recommended that we stop there, and am I glad she did!

This was the most idyllic park I have ever seen!  There were about 5 different play structures, some of which had trees in the middle of them.  Meandering through the middle of the entire park was a mountain stream, filled with waterfalls and all.  It was a kids' dream!  There was swinging, sliding, chasing and even wading through the frigid waters of the lovely stream.  We could have stayed all day.  That is a park we will hit again sometime.

Look at these two enjoying a lovely time in the water!  But, Big Brother, when did you learn the hand sign thing?!?  Isn't that hilarious? 


What a wonderful weekend away we had.  I am so thankful for how God orchestrated every detail of our trip.  Most of all, I am so thankful for the sweet family He has given me!