Jones Gap - The Bratwurst Experience @ Shock Top Ridge

This rock faced view point is very similar in terrain and view to Drawbar but it's in a different part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. We started in Jones Gap State Park, spent time on John Sloan and Pinnacle Pass Trail to this!

The View is Worth the Climb! That is the basic mantra behind every weekend hiking excursion. If you want a little adventure It would be so much easier just to watch Nat Geo but a better idea is to get up and go; so we do.

There is something about gathering the wood, breaking and arranging into a campfire pyramid and coaxing the initial sparks into a roaring flame that soothes the primal instincts. And then there is the ice cold Shock Top beer, the piping hot Johnsonville Brats, set against the rush of the stream, the roar of the wind and the heat of the sun in our face.
You can't get all this with a Remote!

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Melody Makes Things Happen - Two Guys Pizza and Ribs

We started out at Southern Appalachian Brewery a great place on Locust Street. Our intention was to have a beer, talk a bit and head on home early... But.....
John was hungry, Phil had not eaten since two PM and I've never been known to turn down a pizza (topping) so when it came up for suggestions I mentioned Two Guys Pizza & Ribs and off we went like 3 of the 13 Rebels. John and I are Jersey Boys who grew up on New York Pizza, in fact John has traveled the world including three trips to Italy and Sicily in his repertoire. With all that gourmet worldly knowledge he gives 2 Guys in Hendersonville a Big Thumbs Up for quality food and service.
The place was jam packed with people and buzzing with excitement. Yet despite the crowd and high energy Melody, Mandy, Raf and John greeted us and treated us like special guests. This is the Beauty and this is the Magic of 2 Guys Pizza and Ribs on Church Street downtown Hendersonville NC. They Love what they Do and they Love You! We played a quick round of air hockey and mini basket ball in their Game Room and while I was shooting hoops a father treated his little girl to Skee Ball. 2 Guys is a Family Place that treats you like you're part of the Family.
Despite my best intentions to keep my camera in my pocket we started having so much fun I just had to capture a few memories. With many thanks to a very charming lady, Tiffany at Morning Glory Productions, who not only offered to take our picture, she had the presence of mind to adjust the camera setting so we could see, we have a few Flash Photos to preserve the evening. My personal thanks to JoLynn, John and Phil for being so kind to fill the evening with their wit and wisdom and to Melody for Making All Good Things Happen at 2 Guys!

Next Week 2 Guys will feature headliner Raf's Rock, Roll, Rhythm and Blues Band!

George and Ruth

Love is a wonderful experience when shared and expressed in so many ways and for so many years. I have the pleasure of working with two very dear and special people who recently celebrated their marriage of 50 Years. With so many years and so many memories what can someone do to make your loved ones birthday special? George began Ruth's birthday project over a year ago, carving this incredibly beautiful bird.
This finely detailed creature has just landed on the branch to guard his precious cargo. George brought his Cardinal to life sculpting each nuance with dedication, devotion, determination and love. The winged father has just landed and is still poised with tail feathers spread to cushion his landing. George has captured the heart of his subject and crafted the image with the hands of true artistry. He did it with love and more importantly, he did it for love so to this I add my own Happy Birthday Dear Ruth and thank you for your inspiration.

Wright's Hearth Heat and Home

It's the very things you take for granted that make for a happy home and our gas fireplace is one of them. We have grown accustomed to flipping a wall switch and enjoying instant Heat & Glo from our gas log fire place and so Saturday night when it failed to light... "Hendersonville, we've got a problem."
I searched Google and called Wrights Hearth Heat and Home and they had me at "Hello". The receptionist greeted me and understood my concerns immediately. She transferred me to service, he diagnosed the problem in seconds and set up a service call. This morning Levi arrived at 8:30 AM as scheduled. After a warm greeting by our sentinel Shih Tzu, Dolce, he set out is protective drop cloth, opened his tools, diagnosed and fixed the problem within minutes. This video is a part where Levi fixed a problem that I, in my DYI mode had created the night before.

I took the logs out in an effort to investigate and solve the problem but, in point of fact, I made it worse. Patience is a virtue which at times I do not have.
Ultimately Levi was able to make a call and have the entire fireplace cleaned and reassembled and working better that we have ever known in a few short minutes.
I highly recommend Wrights Hearth Heat and Home and look forward to keeping our home safe and warm, with their service, in the future. Wright's is a Family Business in the truest and best sense of the word. Mr. Wright started the business 20 years ago, he was joined by his sons and they literally know the business from the ground up or from the Chimney Top down in this case. They are Knowledgeable and Honest and look for ways to help you save money. If you want to get the job done... Get it done Wright!

Carl Sandburg - First Run

I decided to start running up the hill. I thought about last years first annual Oktoberfest when I rode my bike as and escort. I still don't think I'll want to run the 5K but if I run the Carl Sandburg I can complete the workout faster and burn as many calories in the process.

Well the computer doesn't quite agree and neither would Dolce. He thinks we should just do it for fun....
Good Idea!

Carl Sandburg - Big Glassy Benchmarks

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle.

In order to lose weight I know I need to eat less and exercise more.

There is no genius in knowing that. The genius is in Doing It! So taking a hint from the Swoosh people Just Do It! until it becomes a Habit.

Walking to the top of Big Glassy at the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock is a very enjoyable and very doable exercise habit. I decided I would do it every day and so far so good for the past few days.

It's about 4 miles round trip, elevation gain of 900 feet, takes about 90 minutes and burns about 1000 calories. According to a Calorie Calculator I found on line I need 2200 a day to maintain my weight and less to lose. This tells me that each walk helps me lose a little weight each day. And If I eat less, I will lose more.

When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 58 I started eating a veggie combo of Yellow Squash, Onions and Tomatoes. Let that melt down in a covered pan on the stove top, throw in some spinach and garlic for extra zing and it's pretty darn good! It also melted away the pounds and the coresponding blood sugars. Diabetes... Under Control.

At 63 I've been down to 155 lbs (blood glucose Low) and back up to 168 lbs (blood glucose High). Habits need periodic boosters. Last year I had my daughters wedding to motivate me. This year it's my expanded belt buckle and Carl Sandburg.

I take the 1.5 hours per day to walk the Big Glassy Trail. The numerous strategic benches provide rest for the weary along the way with a beautiful view at the top.

This beautiful vista gives one cause to stop and think and to sort out the true values in life. To live in peace and harmony with nature and to participate in it's splendor just a few minutes each day.

And That's a Good Habit to Have!

Guitar Academy - Harmonic Duo

The Guitar Academy of WNC in Hendersonville NC hit another high note with the melodic sounds of Angela Heatherly and Terry Wetton. Each featuring their own songs and blending together to make beautiful music.

Angela sang her Simplicity version of On a Bus to St Cloud while Terry provided his sad, sardonic and This Time it's Personal view of these challenging economic times.

 The repertoire covered hits from Trish Yearwood to The Beatles and a great medley of Chuck Berry Classics that had everybody Reelin', Rockin' and Rollin Over! Bringing back memories that just won't let go.

Lyrics | Chuck Berry lyrics - Roll Over Beethoven lyrics

The Guitar Academy in Hendersonville NC provides an intimate listening room where audience and performers meld to create a unique musical experience that is special, unique and memorable. They also provide the training every aspiring young guitarist needs to make their dreams come true. 

Stone Gallery Granite & Marble - From Slab to Fab!

Stone Gallery Granite & Marble

From Slab to Fab and from "Hello" to CEO.

Lemon Ice Granite

Katherine answered a newspaper Help Wanted Ad in South Carolina and launched a whole new career as entrepreneur owner or Stone Gallery Granite & Marble in Mills River, North Carolina. Of course it took several years and a lot of dedication and hard work to reach this milestone but as of the day of her first phone call and interview the wheels were set in motion.

Making the most of an opportunity! From answering an add to answering a call to answering in a calling. If you love what you do then you will never have to work a day in your life. This cliche was born from those who love their work with a passion. 

Once you have chosen your piece Rick and Sam come to your home to measure and fit where and how it will be installed. Then your counter top is Fabricated to perfection on site at Stone Gallery using the finest precision laser guided water jet cutting machinery.

On installation day the same team shows up to put your counter top in place. Any last minute modification are made on location to insure an absolutely Perfect Fit!

Mined from deep in the ground, mother earth does not relinquish her treasures with ease. Granite and other natural stones have their own distinctive qualities. On the surface it's the colour. That is the first design feature to catch the eye, but beyond the surface is the actually density, character and quality of the stone. Katherine helps you with her interior design training and instincts to pick the most beautiful piece of stone to blend with and enhance your home environment. Rick points out the density and subsequent quality issues and Sam wraps it up with expert advise on care and maintenance.

If you want the job done right, call John Decker at Right Angle Woodworks.

Replacing your counter top and backsplash requires much more than one might assume at first glance. There is carpentry work in preparation, removal and disposal of the old counter top as well as plumbing and electrical work to be planned and completed. Everyone has their own angle on the virtues of DYI but we went with the Right Angle. Right Angle Woodworks to be exact and John Decker will walk you through the entire process providing empecable expertise and customer service to make the whole process a pure pleasure.
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A Day in the Life

I headed out this morning to see part of the fabrication process for our Granite Counter Tops from Stone Gallery Granite & Marble and then headed up to Asheville for a taste of Chocolate. Tess and I saw The French Broad Chocolate Lounge Featured on UNC TV Weekend and I thought, it's Monday, why wait? So off I went and let me tell you it is very well worth the trip.

 After a taste of Chocolate and a sip of Red Wine ( a great combination) I headed back to Biltmore for a quick bike tour and another sip of Biltmore's finest. These Belgium Draft Horses, Ernie and Chester are retired at 23 years after taking (and by taking I mean pulling) carriage tours throughout the Biltmore grounds for many years.

 These Gentle Giants are as close to the Clydesdale's as I will ever get, each weighing in at over 2000 pounds. In case you're wondering and Yes, I asked, there was a Bert and sadly he has passed on to greener pastures

Wine tastings are offered as part of the winery tour but I was able to test three with my own personal sommelier. I learned that her daughter had served in the US Navy, studied Russian and was stationed in Great Britain. How's that for an adventure?

 It is always difficult to leave because there is yet another picture around every corner. I am always tempted to stay until the golden hours of sunset but as for today just staying til mid afternoon was golden.

Umi Japanese Fine Dining - A Great Time with Great Friends!

Umi has been continually voted the BEST RESTAURANT IN HENDERSONVILLE for the past three years!

When I saw the "Missed Call" from Chip on my phone I immediately called back leaving my own message in the affirmative. Yes Chip, I'll meet you Saturday for our hike up to Drawbar Cliffs in Table Rock State Park, just say when and where. Chip, a dedicated hiker, is the healthiest and hardest working man in show business. Traveling coast to coast for Albatross-USA all week and climbing the Pinnacle Mountain Trail every weekend.

But the returning call changed our plans. The weather forecast is rain so how about Jessi and I meet you and Tess for dinner in Hendersonville? Sounds Good to Me!
As it turned out, Chip was Right as Rain and it was pouring down when they pulled into Umi Japanese Fine Dining on Main. Safe, warm and cozy inside, Tess and I had already started on our Ginger Cosmo and White Russian cocktails.

Chip, far more the connoisseur than I in Japanese cuisine,  considered the Sea Bass but settled on the Three Pepper Rated Green Curry, I went with the Two Pepper Rated Red Shrimp Curry.
The food and service were great but the true pleasure is in the company we shared. With memories spanning over thirty years, Chip and Jessi have two beautiful, creative and successful daughters each pursuing their own careers and yet joining forces with Mom to create beautiful patterns used by major fabric manufacturer's. Check out Lauren & Jessi Jung Fabrics and Patterns and Moda Fabrics for 1000 Ways to Brighten Up Your Life!

And for a taste of the Great Out West you can visit The Clausen Clan authored by Carrie Jung!




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