THE SISTAHS IN ASHEVILLE – 2023
After a 4-year hiatus imposed by the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic, the sistahs finally reunited in Asheville, North Carolina – a beautiful spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains, home to one of us and close to two others. Thanks to Gladys who prodded us to revive our annual reunion using spread sheets setting out dates and places. Finally, we fixed on Asheville and June 1-5. All but five sistahs attended. We missed Betty, Jennifer, Suzanne and Tina, as well as Linda, who had to drop out at the last minut
Dixie ably researched potential houses and Kathy did reconnaissance. We settled on “Mountain Alchemy”, a lovely house perched on a mountain side, three levels with decks on two levels and enough beds and bathrooms so that everybody was comfortable. Thanks to the drivers – Faye and Dixie, as well as Kathy and Charlotte, who navigated the windy roads.
All arrived on Thursday, except for Beverly’s suitcase, though it was delivered just before midnight. Pickups were expertly organized by the “locals” (Charlotte, Dixie, Kathy, and Faye, who is semi-local since her daughter Molly lives in Asheville) with some arriving at CLT and others at AVL. Grocery shopping was done by the locals, so we had all the fixings for a first night dinner with wine, and breakfast during our stay. Kathy provided the main course (lasagna) and Dixie prepared a healthy salad. In addition, we had homemade cheesecake cupcakes, morning glory muffins, and salsa from Kathy and homemade brownies from Charlotte. Margie distributed Swiss chocolate treats from her favorite chocolatier.
We had information on numerous activities which had been previewed online but had only one fixed – dinner at the Grove Park Inn on Friday night. So, over coffee on the first morning (thanks to our barista, Charlotte), we decided to go on the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley tour, which would take us through the historic neighborhoods of Asheville.
The tour guide on the Trolley provided excellent information about the history and personalities of Asheville. We hopped off at the Grove Arcade, did a bit of looking and shopping and then had lunch at Carmel’s Kitchen and Bar. From our tables on the sidewalk, we could observe lively Asheville.
After lunch, we hopped on the Trolley and then headed back to Mountain Alchemy. We relaxed before dressing for our evening out at the Grove Park Inn. As we were leaving the house (Faye had gone to get her car, parked further down the road), we saw, right next to the front door of the house, on the other side of a wall, a mama bear and two cubs. We all raced to the deck at the back of the house and saw them strolling along a path through the forest just below us. While the mama bear foraged, the cubs decided to climb to the top of some very tall trees! Recollections vary as to what happened next. At some point, a small boulder rolled down the mountain. We think the mama bear was responsible. Photos and videos were taken. Meanwhile, Faye was waiting in the car, wondering what was causing the hold-up!
Faye’s daughter, Molly, joined us for dinner, having left the “boys” (dad Mitch, Gampa Jerry, and two kids) at home. It was lovely that she could join us. The setting was iconic and dinner delicious, though wine service was a bit slow. After dinner, we got a great photo of us all with the view in the background and then went, at Barbara’s insistence, to have a look at the famous lobby with its two enormous fireplaces. It was really something out of the 1920’s. Thank you, Barbara, for insisting.
On Saturday, Kathy had identified a pop-up craft fair near the Folk Art Center. We checked out all the stands and Margie made a purchase which she had said to Beverly no way was she going to buy that. But it did feature an aquamarine (her birthstone). She wore it the next day and everybody agreed it was a good decision.
After the craft fair, we proceeded to the Folk Art Center. This proved to be an extensive collection of southern Appalachian crafts for sale as well as museum pieces. On Kathy’s suggestion, we then moved on to Black Mountain, a charming town, known for its arts scene. Kathy regularly sells her garden pottery there. We had lunch at the Veranda and browsed the shops, including an amazing hardware store and a shop that specialized in European pottery. Why would you want European pottery when there was so much Appalachian pottery around? Anyway, Barbara found some Lithuanian dripless candles that she found interesting and which Beverly said she had never seen in Lithuania (she would know!).
Then back to Mountain Alchemy where the die-hard sports fans watched LSU baseball. We ordered pizza for dinner, one veggie and one meaty, and had leftovers for later.
On Sunday, over morning coffee (thanks again, Charlotte) we discussed/debated what to do. The sporty ones were keen to do something physical. The non-sporty ones were willing to go with the flow. River adventures were out since there had been E.coli warnings regarding the French Broad (local river). I will spare all readers from the dreadful joke the Trolley tour guide made about the naming of the French Broad.
Finally, it was decided to head out to hike at Craggy Gardens. There we found a visitor’s center, and two trails – a steep one with views of flowers (rhododendron) and a less steep one with views of the mountains. There were two rocking chairs in the visitor center, claimed by Margie and Beverly. It was cool, because we were high up. So, Beverly, the last person to be inclined to shop, bought a very nice pink windbreaker from the items for sale in the visitor center.
Now having appropriate outerwear, Margie and Beverly decided to sit on a wall outside the visitor center, with great views of the surrounding mountains. Kathy soon joined, having given up on the less steep trail, followed by Dixie. Barbara, Charlotte, Faye, Gladys, and Louise tackled the steep trail. Louise barely made it past the first bench. A park ranger came to the rescue and though probably unnecessary, sure made her feel secure. Barbara and Faye turned back at some point (the trail was rocky and slippery) and on their way down discovered Louise on the bench with the park ranger. In their capable hands, Louise made a safe return. Meanwhile, Charlotte (aka “the mountain goat”) and Gladys carried on, almost all the way to the end. Gladys posed for a photo next to the ONLY rhododendron in bloom.
We returned to Mountain Alchemy and while we debated what to do for lunch/dinner, ended up snacking on leftovers for lunch. The die-hard sports fans watched more LSU baseball. Happy Hour started early on the deck where Margie regaled the group with her imitation of Anna Bass as well as the tale of her being recruited by the CIA. Dinner was from Luella’s Bar-B-Que, picked up by Faye, so we concluded our Asheville reunion in true North Carolina style.
As is the custom, souvenirs were distributed: handcrafted (with some difficulty) thong fly swatters from Louise, handmade soap and Blue Ridge Mountains fridge magnets from Kathy and Savannah honey from Charlotte.
During down time, tutorials were held: Louise explained iPhone intricacies and Margie conducted a tutorial on Wordle for Barbara and Kathy.
Monday started early with Beverly leaving at 5am to catch her flight from AVL (thanks to Kathy for driving her). The rest of us pitched in to divvy up the leftovers among the locals and do the necessary to leave the house as we found it (including repositioning the blue furry things). Dixie took off with Louise to drop her at AVL and Charlotte took off with Barbara and Gladys who were flying out of CLT. Faye returned to Molly and the boys and Margie spent the rest of the day with Kathy before leaving from AVL late in the afternoon.
It was a great reunion, a tribute to our organizational skills and enduring friendships.