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What a difference a few decades make! The images of New York City were taken in 1970 (Bernard Gotfryd, Library of Congress) and in 2018 by Afif Ramdhasuma (from pexels.com). Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 since it was established through grassroots efforts in 1970. It was a response to increasing concerns caused by smog (intense air pollution caused mainly by exhaust fumes), Great Lakes at risk of dying from pesticide runoff and waste dumping, and rivers that caught on fire (the Cuyahoga River in Ohio famously caught fire in June of 1969). It was also the year when monumental legislation was enacted to address all kinds of environmental concerns. ...read more
At Home | Inspiration
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If it’s true, as they say, that seeing is believing, then we at Mast Store would like to propose another entry to your quip collection: Doing is moving. “Doing” not only requires movement - “doing” moves you both physically and emotionally. ...read more
Local Flavor | Mast Family Favorites | Travel
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What is a library? It’s a big building with lots of books in it. But wait, it’s so much more. The library is a gateway to your wildest dreams, a place to learn, a place to imagine, a place to make friends. Today’s libraries are repositories of books, but they also are places to get help to learn to read or improve your reading, to improve your math skills, to listen to a performance by a string quartet, to watch a movie, to refine your crafting skills, and to gather with fellow writers. Yes, libraries are SO much more. ...read more
Adventure | Inspiration | Mast Family Favorites
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... Our favorite foods! Food is universal because everybody’s got ta eat! And the last two months of the year are filled with more than their fair share of family meals, work gatherings, special outings to favorite restaurants, tins filled with homemade cookies and fudge, and the anticipation of food traditions handed down from generation to generation ...read more
At Home | Recipes
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Even before we bought the Mast General Store, we were taken by the beauty of Valle Crucis. We’ve heard people describe the drive out Broadstone Road as traveling through a time portal. In the 1970s, fields in the river bottoms would be filled with tobacco, cabbage, or high with hay to feed cattle that were grazing in the summer pasture. ...read more
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The lucky few who have seen the Earth from a different perspective – astronauts - all echo the same viewpoint upon their return. Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut and the first human to go to space, commented, “Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it.”
Behind the Scenes | Inspiration
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Asheville, North Carolina, has been a haven for travelers since the 1800s. The beautiful colors of fall beckon visitors from far and near, but there’s much more to do than just wander about in an expansive real-life Monet painting. Prepare for an expansive itinerary, too.
Of course, we have to lead with a visit to the Biltmore Estate. We hope you’re planning on spending several days in Asheville because to do the Biltmore justice, you need to spend a full day drinking in the gardens, including the conservatory (The orchids are lovely!), the farmyard (We love the chickens!), the shops at Antler Hill, the winery, and the house. Enjoy a meal at the Deer Park Restaurant or the Stable Café.
While the opulence of the home was intended to be enjoyed by only a few when it was built, George Vanderbilt had a penchant for conservation that we all benefit from. A healthy Pisgah National Forest is partly due to his vigilance and foresight. Much of the Biltmore Estate had been cleared for farming and logging. Vanderbilt hired Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscape architect for New York’s Central Park, to design the grounds and gardens. Olmstead also established the systematically managed forest surrounding the estate. His work, and that of Gifford Pinchot, a trained forester who became the first chief of the U. S. Forest Service, and Carl Schenck, who took over management of the forest when Pinchot left, established a national model for forestry.
Edith Vanderbilt sold approximately 86,700 acres of forested land to the federal government in 1914. It became the Pisgah National Forest. Pisgah is a wonderful place to hike with trails for almost every ability. Bent Creek is just 15 minutes from Downtown Asheville and has a plethora of trails that are great for families on foot or on mountain bikes.
If you want to combine your hike with a little bit of learning, head over to the Cradle of Forestry. Stop by the Forest Discovery Center to learn more about the Biltmore School of Forestry and hike out to an old logging locomotive and historic buildings from the logging era. *Photo borrowed from Cradle of Forestry Facebook page.
For an interesting “front country” hike, the Urban Trail takes you on a stroll through time and history. Along the way, you’ll learn about the city’s transformation from an outpost on the edge of the frontier to a mecca for the arts. Be sure to notice the beautiful architecture throughout the city, including a grand collection of Deco buildings.
OK, we’ve gone this long without food. We must refuel! For an eclectic approach to the taco, we recommend White Duck Taco, which is located at 12 Biltmore Avenue (almost directly across the street from the Mast Store in Asheville). This is NOT your typical taco place, and the menu changes often. Everything is priced a la carte, so it’s easy to mix and match different tacos like Jerk Chicken and Korean Beef Bulgogi.
Just a short walk away is the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Wait, did someone say chocolate? Yes, we did! Filled with delicious desserts and creative confections to take home as gifts, it’s a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy the food of the gods. There are even drinking chocolates! **Photos borrowed from White Duck Taco and French Broad Chocolates Facebook pages.
NO trip to Asheville is complete without going to an arts and craft festival. The 49.5th LEAF Festival is happening in Black Mountain (just a 20-minute drive away) on October 14-17, 2021. Short for Lake Eden Art Festival, LEAF is a celebration of the global community through music, education, experiences, and art. This fall’s festival includes music by Tito Puente, Jr. + Big Orchestra, Sierra Hull, & DJ DAYDREAMn; foods including everything from vegan to BBQ; and crafts including jewelry, fiber arts, and woodworking. Get your tickets and learn about the festival’s COVID protocols HERE.
There is way too much to do in Asheville to share it all here, but we think this is a pretty good “Asheville Fall Visit Starter Kit.” To add more to your itinerary and to find places to stay, visit with our friends at Explore Asheville.