NYTimes Article: 36 Hours in Asheville

I saw this while reading the NYTimes today. Its one of the New York Times 36 hour travel guides. These guides are great for getting the gist of what to do when visiting a city. I know that I just published a blog about Biltmore a few days ago but I though this article was cool enough to point out on its own. I've actually only been to Biltmore and not to the city of Asheville itself. I hear good things though. Here's an excerpt of what the New York Times had to say:

Asheville is an Appalachian Shangri-La. This year-round resort town, tucked between the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, draws a funky mix of New Agers, fleece-clad mountain bikers, antiques lovers and old-time farmers. And what's there not to like? Charming yet surprisingly cosmopolitan for a town of about 73,000, Asheville has a Southern appeal all its own. There are lazy cafes and buzzing bistros, Art Deco skyscrapers and arcades reminiscent of Paris, kayaking and biodiesel cooperatives and one of the world's largest private homes — the Biltmore Estate, a French Renaissance-style mansion with 250 rooms. No wonder so many locals first
started out as tourists.

Check out the Asheville article at the following Link.

Charlotte's Oktoberfest

We attended the Charlotte Oktoberfest at the Metrolina yesterday. The event sold out two weeks in advance. At $30/ticket I find that quite amazing. There's definitely plenty of room to expand within the Mertolina complex as the actual beer stands only used up about 2/3rds of the space.

It was an interesting event but definitely not like the Oktoberfest in Munich. Although it was a great way to try new beers. I found the Highland Brewing Company and the Spaten beers were my favorite. There were over 350 beers at the event and all were free (in shot glass amounts) after the price of admission. What's cool is that no one seemed to get too drunk or rowdy. I hate drunken tough guys.

The weather was a perfect mid-70s and it was just a great day to be outside or even inside the beer serving buildings (But thise did get a little warm with the crowds. Its a shame that there wasn't a seated area and an Ompah band like the German Oktoberfest.

All in all it was a good event (Like the Walmart of wine tastings only for beer).

A Drought's Upside and Downside

What a beautiful September we're having! I don't think it has rained for more than an hour the entire month. Who can argue with temperatures in the mid-70s? In case you are reading this and don't live in the Charlotte area, we are in the middle of the worst drought in about 50 years and possibly the worst drought in recorded history. The drought is seriously affecting the lawns and agriculture but otherwise it has also brought day after day or perfect weather.

I visited a friends house on Lake Norman yesterday and what was previously lake in front of his now grounded boat dock, is an island. Its amazing how high the island rises in front of his place! The best benefit of this new formed island is that the geese seemed to enjoy the island over my friends lake side grass.

I wonder if this drought is a product of global warming or if it is part of the natural cycle of weather on planet earth? What do you think, is this global warming or is this just the natural cycle?

I will say that at this point people might actually enjoy the rain if it comes?