Asheville lovin'

Once upon a time there was a magical place surrounded by mountains. The air was fresh, the people were friendly and it was small enough so there wasn't over crowding or even rush hour. Around every corner was something new, even if you'd been to that same corner a hundred times. People there cared about the environment, voiced their opinions freely with no judgement from others and music was all around. The city was a wonderful, eclectic place with so much to offer...including the title of Beer City.

Friends, as you know I lived in Asheville, NC for a year while working with Habitat for Humanity. I feel like I should follow up my Iowa blog with a tiny blog about my other home, Asheville, NC. You see, I'm an Iowa girl through and through and to be honest, I'd grown up with a vaguely low opinion of the south. But a very dear friend, Ms. Erica Shanks, told me about this job and by the grace of God I took it! I was scared and lonely for a long time once I moved out there, but it became home to me and it now has a huge chunk of my heart. Have you ever fallen in love with a city? I lived in Kansas City for a year and a half and although it was great because I had friends there and it was relatively close to home, I never felt like it was home. Asheville is a laid-back, homey town that I love like crazy!

Katee and me at Sliding Rock

In the picture, you'll see me at Sliding Rock when my friend Katee came to visit from KC. Yes friends, it's a HUGE rock that people slide down and into a deep pool of water. All natural. On that trip, we also went to a waterfall and swam in clear, cool, drinkable mountain water. On any given day you can find hiking, biking, swimming, camping, SOMETHING to do.

That same weekend, we sat on a patio at a bar downtown and we saw a bagpiper, a travelling frisbee golf game and people dancing in a window above us. You just never know what you're going to run into when you're there. For a town of 70,000, it's pretty diverse. There is a drum circle downtown ever Friday night. Nearby, there are street performers which includes a girl that twirls around hula hoops that light up.

Cassi, Jennie, Gigi and me.

I also met a few close friends there. Gigi is a crazy Argentinian that came up to me while I was working and straight up asked me, "Do you wanna be my friend?" What do you say?! I felt like a kid on the playground. Yes, we became friends and she introduced me to Cassi and Jennie. Kelli was introduced to me by Jennie and she was the final addition to my group in Asheville. Kelli actually let me live with her for two weeks while I was in transition! We created Champagne Wednesdays and sat outside and talked for hours. These girls became "my girls" and we all hung out and became a little family.

Kelli and me!

Asheville was a lots of "firsts" for me too.... first road race, first mountain top hike, first fundrasing event that I organized, first time trying tofu bacon, first true vintage shop purchases, the list could go on forever. I guess part of me loves it so much because I grew as a person so much in Asheville. I feel like I'm a lot less judgemental, more accepting and also more laid back. I have my freak-out moments like everyone else, but I mellowed a lot after my time in Asheville! My friend Katee described Asheville as a "Utopia" and that's a perfect word for a place that I'd leave my heart. Love Iowa. Love Asheville. Totally different and totally awesome!