Friday, April 16, 2010

Asheville, Here We Come!

My mom has decided to come with me to Asheville next month for the Fertile Soul retreat since Michael can't get time off work. She has been intrigued with the town for several years now, ever since she tried to win an Asheville "dream home" giveaway sponsored by (I think) HGTV. She liked that the town is artsy and has lots of fun shops. When Michael and I got to go there last year (courtesy of Kathleen and Matthew!), I told her all about it and especially about the amazing Biltmore Estate. I showed her photos from our tour, and a book detailing the history and architecture of Biltmore House, but really to get the full effect of its grandeur you just have to be there in person. Add to that the fact that my mom hasn't taken a "real" vacation (by which I mean more than a week camping at the coast) in all of my nearly 36 years. She hasn't flown since before I was born! When I realized Michael wouldn't be able to go with me to North Carolina, it didn't take much thought to think of inviting my mom. She can explore the shops and the beautiful downtown area of Asheville while I attend the retreat, and we can both enjoy the luxurious hotel where it's taking place--The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, which, from the website looks to be quite chic--http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/

Oh la la! I know my mom will love it--she always says she has champagne tastes on a beer budget. :) I hope she will savor every minute of the luxuriousness of her vacation and realize that treating oneself in such a way needs to happen much more often in life than once every 30-odd years (I am just now realizing this one myself!) :)

2 comments:

  1. How funny. I tried my best to win that Asheville house as well. It was (is, hopefully still) gorgeous. :)

    That's great that your mom is going with you! I know you both will have a wonderful time. I haven't stayed at the Grove Park Inn, but I have been in the lobby, and it is beautiful, all in Arts and Crafts style, which I absolutely love.

    And my mom has always told ME I have champagne tastes on a beer budget. :)

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  2. That IS funny that you tried to win that house too--my mom was so disappointed when she wasn't the winner, but my dad and I tried to tell her that the property taxes would have been outrageously expensive, so it was all for the best that she didn't win. :)

    Yes, I think we will have a great time! I can't wait for her to see the Biltmore. She'll love it.

    I told her that your mom says you have champagne tastes too. She thought that was pretty funny. :)

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