You saw that real looking fake tree in the picture above? That was just the tip of the iceberg of how cool this store was. I wanted to look at some of the umm... merchandise in here, but I was with my family and avert my eyes from some of the more questionable artifacts. But I could not hide my love for the giant caterpillar on the mushroom from Alice in Wonderland. Jenny and I love every iteration of this literary insect but one man stands (and dances) above the rest - Mr. Jr. himself, Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1985 TV version.

 

I just picked the first rental car I saw and it ended up being a good one. It's not often that I get to drive a new car, so I didn't know what to do when the ignition had a button and not a place to stick the key. Of course I figured it out (regardless of what you may think, I am not an idiot) but I couldn't get the bluetooth connection to work. First World Problems I guess. We got to our hotel in Asheville, and I have to say that it was one of the classiest joints that ever allowed me to park my carcass for the night. It was almost too nice. That's what I felt about the entire town of Asheville. It was almost too good. Too pristine. Too nice. Too much for me. But I'll allow it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to a sweet ass burger joint called Farm Burger. They pride themselves on using grass fed cows and other natural ingredients in their food. I wish I could tell you what the burgers taste like, but I filled myself up on the free eats at the hotel (I have Hobo mentality - get while the getting is good). But I did try the french fries and some more of the local beer. Both were outstanding. This place also had some artwork on the wall and indoor bocce ball. While I don't understand one or play the other, it was nice to know they had it.

 

 

 

 

The Carolinas March 2015 - Asheville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we checked into the hotel, they gave us warm and fresh chocolate chip cookies. Apparently James gets this kind of treatment everywhere he goes because of his status with the Hilton Honors program. Must be nice. I wouldn't know. But they did have a cash bar, some dude playing guitar and free eats. I got a Rocket Girl Golden Lager. It was as equally delicious as the girl on the can. See, it doesn't take much to get my motor running. If only there was a way to get some more cans of this beer. I guess I have to go back to Asheville.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are normal people and then there are Me and Jenny. Normal people can exist in social settings like churches, near a school and in bars where there are other people present. Jenny often slips into the realm of normal but then I reach in and pull her back into the weird. I'm proud of her for being able to act the part, but both her and I know where she belongs. Not smiling all proper in a local eatery, but laughing like a banshee outside in a public space next to some twisted form of art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner we were wandering around checking out the local scene. Jenny took a couple of pictures of things that piqued her interest, like this skull artwork and a tip jar for the homeless. That was cool. You can drop money into this lockbox and they'll use the money to help the homeless in the way that they really need it (and not just drugs and alcohol). It's a great idea. I'd rather drop my spare change in here than to feed their rock bottom addictions. We then went to the hippie smoke shop store which was simply fantastic.

 

 

 

 

Home

 

Our plan was to go out for dinner in downtown Asheville and soak in some of the local scenery. But Jenny and I petitioned for a little pool time before we hit the town. Of course we got our way. How could someone say no to these precious faces? Jenny and I each grabbed a beer and hung out with some kids. This behavior is normal to us, which is why we aren't often allowed around children.