Blue Highways, a 1982 travel book by William Least Heat Moon, recommended getting off the freeways if you really wanted to see America. Christine and I did exactly that with a combination of the scenic routes identified in the current edition of the Rand McNally Road Atlas and a highly recalcitrant GPS. I had to fool it into cooperating by looking at the atlas and plugging in tiny towns off the beaten path. But the effort was more than worth it in rural Alabama.
Northwest of Highlands, North Carolina, we discovered another Bridal Veil Falls in the Nantahala National Forest on a nail-biting, two-lane mountain highway so narrow that trucks were forbidden for 40 miles. Heaven!
You're usually able to drive beneath the falls, but the road was closed for repairs. I strolled instead.
GPS is much more useful when you're looking for a specific address, like the best barbecue restaurant in Asheville, our actual destination.
The food was as good as the marketing.
Try resisting dessert after walking past this display on the way to your table, where a small vase of fresh flowers awaits.
Buxton Hall, a former industrial warehouse, is located just above the railroad tracks next to the French Broad River. Think 5 Pointz, Williamsburg or Wynwood Walls before the arrival of kudzu condos.
Buried beneath all these fixin's (waffle fries, catsup, cole slaw, corn bread and collard greens) was the most delicious pulled pork I've ever eaten! Watch the video on the restaurant's website to find out why. Just know the pigs are happy before they end up on your plate. VERY happy.
The upside down carrot cake, served with caramel sauce and slightly whipped cream, occupied the last cubic inch of my stomach.
We passed a craft brew truck on our way back to the car, easily parked for free despite the Tuesday night crowd at Ruxton's. Hipster alert!
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