We spent the night just outside of Nashville and had a head start on our long trip to Asheville. There are lots of 'villes' in this neck of the woods. As we moved east, the hills started rolling and became more and more pronounced.
As soon as we crossed into North Carolina we stopped at a visitors center and took this picture as we started into the Great Smokey Mountains. Not too far in, it began to rain. By the time we got to Asheville, though, it had stopped.
When we arrived in Asheville, we parked and spent a few hours wandering about downtown. Here is the historic Jackson Building, a 13-story Neo-Gothic style skyscraper completed in 1924, the first skyscraper in western North Carolina. We loved the gargoyles.
Darrell was very excited about seeing Grove Park Inn. We have heard so much about it and were always envious of those that attended the Arts and Crafts Conference held there in February annually.
Unfortunately, the Inn has been updated and remodeled. Darrell was sorely disappointed. The outside is beautiful, they haven't messed with it, but the inside was poorly re-done. We had asked about spending the night. The price for a small suite was over $1500. The cheapest room would have been in the new addition and may or may not have a window - at $360. Nevermind. We stayed at a Hampton Inn downtown.
But while we were here, we took a look around.
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| The front of the Grove Park Inn, built circa 1913. |
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| One of the two large fireplaces at each end of the lobby. |
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| Looking out the back, off the terrace where there Sunset Diner is located. |
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| The back of the hotel with the Sunset Terrace. |
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| The lobby (re-modeled) |
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| While here I thought I'd enjoy the fire for a few moments. |
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