Asheville? Don't You Mean Hickville? Actually, just the opposite.

I grew up outside the Washington, DC suburbs so I always considered myself to be a big city girl. When I went away to Graduate School at Clemson University in South Carolina back in the mid-90s, I thought I was in No Mans Land. The pace of life was so slow for my tastes and I couldn't wait to get out of there and back to the big city as often as possible.

At the time, I knew that Asheville, NC was an hour and a half away, but I had absolutely no interest in going because I stupidly assumed that Asheville was another version of Clemson, with dry Sundays, too many Southern Baptists, and a pace of life that was as slow as a turtle. So during my time in Clemson (remember, I was going to Graduate School so I wasn't uneducated), I never gave a second thought to that tiny little town north called Asheville.

Many years later, after living around DC again and Orlando, FL afterwards, I ended up in Asheville. Can you believe it? And I love it here! Here's why:

• In a state (surrounded by other states) that are part of the conservative South, Asheville is a small city of friendly, liberal-thinking people. Politics aside, Ashevillians are laid back, concerned with the environment, and promoters of farm-to-table foods. The people here really believe in keeping things as local as possible. For a small city of approximately 78,000 residents, there are nine local breweries and our very own Brews Cruise.
• Asheville is a tourist town with a plethora of touristy activities, the largest being the Biltmore Estate which is open year-round. Along with hiking, camping, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and many other outdoor activities, there are several ski resorts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours from the city.
• Food - Along with an affinity for farm-to-table foods, Asheville boasts a large number of independent restaurants for such a small city. We've also just gotten a fabulous food tour that takes guests around to various restaurants throughout the city, allowing them to taste samples from each restaurant and concluding with a passport to come back for a full meal at a discount. The food tours sample so much food that guests already have a meal for that day and can go back to as many of the restaurants on the tour for the next five days. Many of Asheville's restaurants cater to vegetarians, vegans, and just about anyone with specific dietary requirements.
  
• If relaxation and pampering are your desire, Asheville has one of the most luxurious spas in the country. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa has so much to offer, even to the locals. The Spa is not cheap, but there are numerous other wonderful day spas throughout the city.
• Asheville boasts a large number of artists. From musicians to painters, sculptors, and crafters, tourists and fans flock to Asheville to savor what's new and hip. The city has revitalized the old railway warehouses into a thriving River Arts District with artist studios open year-round. In addition, the downtown area and the Biltmore Village sport many upscale and affordable galleries and artist co-op shops where you can find everything from pottery, to jewelry, to photography, to handsewn goods.
• Lastly, Asheville is a pet friendly city. Along with the mountains and rivers surrounding the city, there are several dog parks, dog friendly restaurants, and a general feeling of welcome towards four-legged guests. It is a common site to see locals and tourists walking around town with dogs in tow. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on at least one of the historic trolley tours around town and there are several pet boutiques where you can buy a treat for your furry friend.

How I love Asheville; let me count the ways. I just wish I had come here many, many years ago. But honestly, I wasn't ready for this city and probably would not have appreciated it as I do now, now that I can recognize a good thing when I see it. The pace is slower here, but the people are not. I have heard Asheville compared to both Austin and San Francisco for different reasons. I can see the similarities, but I am very glad that Asheville is still small and has been able to retain its small-town charm while offering all the big city attractions.