First Stop – Asheville, North Carolina

After over a year of preparations, I’ve finally embarked on my nomadic lifestyle journey. My first stop being Asheville, North Carolina!

I don’t know how long I’ll be on this journey, where I’ll go, who I’ll meet, or where I’ll end up. And that’s the point! I see it as an extended adventure, exploring something new everyday. Overturning rocks, conquering new feats, and growing as much as I can as a human – mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

First Things First – Where I’m Staying

Rutledge Lake RV Park, Fletcher North Carolina

Weekly Price – $290

For anyone who doesn’t travel and stay at RV parks… they’re not all created equal. Some are just large parking lots and offer no “scope for imagination“, as one of my favorite book characters, Anne Shirley, likes to say.

Luckily, that’s not the case at all here, and I got one of the best spots on the grounds. Backed up right next to a covered bridge straddling a little creek that empties out into Rutledge Lake. There’s tons of geese and ducks on the lake all day, which reminds me of my most recent home in Virginia Beach. Additionally, there’s a small weeping willow (my favorite) at the edge of the lake. It’s directly in my view from a cast iron-like table I’m currently sitting at while writing this post.

Since I’ve been here I’ve met a three-legged black cat that so desperately wanted to be friends with Pumpkin. A duck with a very noticeable limp, and an extremely nice retired couple who leave scorching Arizona in the summer to travel in their large motorhome. The grounds are very clean, including the washing machines. There’s a nice big pool, a building with a full kitchen, pool table, tvs, and some other games. A playground, canoes, those foot-paddle boats, and you can even fish on the lake. Occasionally the wifi drops and I had to use my hotspot at some points. However I’ve been able to do my work on it for a majority of the day.

I would definitely stay here again if I ever came through the area. It’s close enough to all the important stores – food, gas, maintenance. But feels removed from it all, and is very quiet.

Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina

North Carolina Arboretum

Price– $16

If you’re looking for an outside activity that is more relaxing than a hike, I highly recommend checking out the Arboretum. It’s like a combination of a museum with a botanical gardens, with the option of walking longer, very wooded paths. It wasn’t busy when I went, so I was able to enjoy the views and quietness of the wooded paths. I even snuck in a 5 minute meditation that left me feeling out of this world.

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Biltmore House – A North Carolina must see!

Price– $89+ (varies by day of week & tour options)

If you’ve ever heard of Asheville, North Carolina, you’ve probably heard of the Biltmore House. It’s pretty much the area’s claim to fame, but it does not disappoint. It’s on the pricier side when it comes to this type of excursion. However it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see anything so grand in scale from this time period. There are miles and miles, acres and acres of land owned by the family. Literally almost every tree was place by design to look inspiring and beautiful. It felt like an honor to get the glimpses of the lifestyle that once was.

The least expensive ticket provides a self guided audio tour of the house and entry into the gardens. If you’ve ever watched Downton Abbey, you will be reminded of that show during most of the tour. The house is similarly styled and from the era where butlers, lady’s maids, and a full staff of folks lived in and ran the place. It brings a whole different layer of reality to that era. It’s sort of magical to be transported back in time that way. You really get a feel for how the difference classes lived together.

I don’t want to spoil it for you, but here are a few pictures of some of my favorite rooms. At the top of my list was the 7-story vaulted ceiling guest dining area. And of course the Library because it reminded me the Resident Evil games, and I love books.

I didn’t want the house tour to end – I could have kept going for hours! I’ve always loved architecture and interior design. This era had a remarkable level of detail and handmade craft representing the pure talent that no longer exists (sigh).

The Biltmore Gardens

However, the Gardens were absolutely breathtaking. Walking through the impeccably designed gardens, I imagined myself actually living there and having a forest escape at my fingertips. I’d spend most of my time out there, exploring all of the hidden paths between towering bamboos and evergreen trees. I could have stayed out there roaming around for hours, literally getting lost in the almost-wilderness. Even the drive to and from the house is like a dream. I felt privileged to have experienced such beauty! It left me feeling overwhelmingly happy, calm, and peaceful. Although that is usually the outcome when humans spend time in nature, as nature intended 🙂

Read about my next few days in North Carolina, where I had a chance to check out some of the beautiful nature!