Asheville

I went into downtown Asheville today and thought that I would take some pictures to share with the rest of you.

This building is the Battery Park Apartments. It used to be the Battery Park Hotel back in the early days of the 20th century. During its glory days it was host to a parade of the rich and famous, including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and Babe Ruth (who would come in so drunk that he had to be carried to bed).

It is now HUD subsidized housing for the elderly.

It is a fantasy of mine to buy it and turn it into luxury condominiums. I would, of course, keep the penthouse for myself. That would be the coolest address in town:

Battery Park Penthouse
1 Battle Square
Asheville, NC



This is the Grove Arcade, you can see the corner of it in the above picture.

It was one of the first shopping malls in the nation. It was taken over by the government and used as a federal building at one point. A couple of years ago it was renovated and opened again. The ground floor is shopping and restaurants and the upper floors are offices and condominiums.









Here is the interior of the Grove Arcade. If you look closely through the skylights you can see the Battery Park Building. When you are actually standing there you can see it much better.














This is the Flat Iron Building (of course). It was modeled after the Flat Iron Building in Manhattan.

Many people who live in or have been to New York City observe that downtown Asheville reminds them of Greenwich Village.















It might look like The Village, but it's still the South and you will run into Hillbillys.

What do you want to bet he's heavily armed?













This is Jack OF The Wood, my favorite hangout. It is the best venue for Celtic music in the region. They also brew some of the best beer in the world.

I'm especially fond of their brown ale.







This little park just down the street from Jack's is a favorite nesting place for moonbats.

These are dancing to trance music.

Note the various markings that they exhibit.






As you can see, some moonbats are easier on the eyes than others.

You can again see the different kinds of markings that they are to be found with.

Of course no gathering of moonbats would be complete without a cause for them to gather around.

This flock has chosen the ever popular Bonfires For Peace.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief tour of downtown Asheville. I'll post more photos later.

If you like this departure from the normal pattern of blogging about politics and such leave a comment and let me know.