Tips
We first started coming here because it is such a wonderful
vacation destination. There is so much to do. Sometimes we feel like there
is too much to do!
Being here just feels good, too. It's stimulating in so
many ways. A person we met recently said, "You can feel your mind
expanding just walking down the street."
When considering possible places to live, there was little
question about where we wanted to go.
We would have loved knowing other women in the area to give
us insider insights and tips. Now, we'd like to help you in that way -
whether you just want to visit or if you want to move here. There's a
community waiting to welcome you!
Interested in learning more about moving here or finding
a vacation home? Email us
about real estate opportunities. Also, check out this great 28 page book:
The Official
Asheville Home Hunter's Handbook: Your guide to planting roots in
the Asheville, NC area.
Email
us for your free copy of Affordable Fun in Asheville.
See our tips below and feel free to let
us know if you'd like more information on anything.
- The first tip is to check out some of the links at
the right before you come. Lots of good stuff!
- Check the weather
before you pack. It can vary greatly in temperature and every other
way. An umbrella is a good idea. If you plan to do
any hiking at higher altitudes, be sure to have some warmer clothing
you can layer on or peel off.
- For hiking or rambling through town or anywhere else, bring comfortable
shoes.
- If you like the outdoors, you'll want to plan on some hiking.
The nearest trail to our guest suite is about 1 mile from here. It's
the Mountains to Sea Trail. You may
not want to do the whole thing! See the links at right for more hiking
information.
- Maybe just hiking in the mountains isn't good enough for you. If you
are a rockclimber, bring your climbing shoes, too.
Asheville even has an indoor climbing gym if you happen to get some
bad weather.
- If you are a bike rider, you won't be alone here!
There are marked bike routes throughout the city, but very few bike
lanes, so you have to really watch out for cars. But for anyone who
really loves to ride, bring your bike - road bike or mountain bike.
There is some serious bike riding happening here. Mountain Bike Magazine
rated us one of the 10 best places to ride in the fall. There are numerous
bike shops and the one voted #1 this year is owned by a woman!
- There are several grocery stores near Lovers' Loop
Retreat where you can shop for your stay here. If you want to stop on
the way here, be sure to ask us for directions. We'll make sure you
have ice cubes frozen in your fridge so you can have a cold drink when
you arrive. We'll also remember to supply coffee filters, if it's a
hot drink you need.
- Unless there is a special event, the city garages downtown (Rankin
Street and Civic Center) are the best places to park
Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. when the parking meters
are operating. At other times, parking on the streets is free. Be sure
to ask us for more parking info.
- If you're planning to move here, we can talk with
you about our experience and, since one of us is a licensed broker (and
environmental consultant), we can give you professional help as well.
Please don't be afraid to ask. Check out this little handbook: The
Official Asheville Home Hunter's Handbook.
- We also can recommend a handyperson, accountant, financial planners,
doctors, dentists, etc. We've especially sought women professionals
to help us with the various needs one has when moving to a new place.
We hope to include a directory of local businesswomen
here in the future. We do have a list of "green" relocation
links we would be happy to email you.
- Come prepared to be inspired and motivated by both the natural surroundings
and the creative local community. Art is everywhere! You're
going to love it here!
Any questions? Contact
us.
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This
is an assortment of links you may find helpful as a visitor or newcomer.
We also hope to add new links, so visit us again to see what's new.
And sign
up for our monthly Muse-letter!
Women's
networks
- sheville.org
This is "THE online cyber-zine for women who live
in or visit the Asheville area."
- wnc-woman.com
A monthly western North Carolina (WNC) paper that celebrates "the
strength, wisdom and grace of women."
- womansong.org
Asheville's women's community chorus, which is so much more than
just a place to go sing.
- solopreneurwoman.com
If you are thinking of starting a business or moving yours here,
you may want to check out what these women offer.
A helpful Web site for women everywhere.. You
need to check this one, no matter what part of the world you live
in. Important stuff for all women.  National
Organization of Women (NOW) This organization and
site are well worth your time to explore - filled with resources
and ways to become involved in meaningful activities. Asheville
has it's own chapter!- Going to New Zealand? Visit Rosemary and Ngaire at Waihoihoi
Lodge a unique women's lodge 2 hours
north of Auckland in subtropical Northland New Zealand. Affordable
luxury set on 5 acres of organic gardens - you won't be disappointed!
- And that isn't all Rosemary and Ngaire do! Women
Travel New Zealand is a women's
NZ travel network offering over 60 women's places to stay and
tours as well as lots of local information to make your New Zealand
trip memorable. Everything from camping on women's land to 5 star
accommodation and everything in between.
Asheville
business resources
- ashevillechamber.org
A great source of info about places of interest and many other
things concerning the area.
- mountainx.com
Mountain Xpress is our weekly, independent newspaper. Its coverage
includes the arts and an overwhelming list of events.
- citizen-times.com
The local daily newspaper.
The arts, entertainment
- southernhighlandguild.org
Check out the guild for quality crafts. The group runs
the Folk Arts Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway,
about 4 miles from Lovers' Loop Retreat.
- ashevilledowntowngalleries.org
This site has links to some of the local galleries. The organization
offers an "art walk" each season, usually the first
Friday of April, June, August and October from 5 till 8 pm. You
can walk from one gallery to the next, all over downtown, looking
at beautiful art of all kinds. The atmosphere is festive, often
with the artists present and refreshments.
- Asheville
Pizza & Brewing Company: always $2 movies, live
music and other fun stuff.
- ashevillesymphony.org
Asheville Symphony
- dwtheatre.com
Diana Wortham Theatre - music, dance, comedy, and other
entertainment.
- ffbtrail.com
The Fabric Fiber Bead Trail of the Asheville
area. Check out these interesting shops.
- ashevillelyric.org
The Asheville Lyric Opera presents professional,
entertaining, light opera.
- fineartstheatre.com
The Fine Arts Theatre, located in downtown Asheville,
shows many art house, LGBT and independent films.
- riverdistrictartists.com
The River District of Asheville is home to a
variety of galleries, studios and art centers. There is a "studio
stroll" on the second full weekend of June and November when
you can visit most of the studios and talk with the artists.
- weavervilleartsafari.com
Weaverville is just north of Asheville. It's home to many galleries
and studios. They organize regular self-guided tour days that
they call art safaris. You need to check out Weaverville any time
of year and don't miss the Well-Bread Bakery! Yum!
- Scandals
A mostly lesbian nightclub in downtown Asheville. Dance club with
drag shows.
- Club
Hairspray LGBT nightclub in downtown Asheville. Live
entertainment. Dance club with drag shows.
- O'Henry's - The oldest gay bar in NC, lesbian-friendly
- located in downtown Asheville.
- Tressa's
Jazz club in downtown Asheville. LGBT-friendly
- The
Orange Peel A small club with big performers including
Melissa Ferrick and the Indigo Girls.
- LaZoom
Tours The Asheville comedy tour
you won't want to miss!
- The
Grey Eagle Another small club with big performers
and lots of local folks just about every night, plus a bar and
Louisiana-style cafe - also, contra dancing on Monday nights.
LGBT community
resources
- stereotypd.com
The monthly newspaper that is a resource for the local LGBT community.
- amazingdreamspublishing.com
A Web site that provides services for women worldwide and the
people who love them - owned by a local woman.
- ALPs - Asheville Lesbian Professional is a
local lesbian social group. The women meet the first Wednesday
evening of the month for dinner at a local restaurant. It is a
larage group! Then there are various other activities during the
month. Let me know if you want more info or email president@alpsofasheville.org.
- LIM - Lesbians in the Mountains meets the third
Thursday of the month at a local restaurant. Various groups meet
throughout the month for activities such as fishing, movies, the
symphony, book club, dinner, etc. Visit www.groups.google.com/group/limasheville
to join the group (185 as of 8/24/08).
- OLE! This stands for Older Lesbian Energy!
A social group for lesbians over 50 (younger partners are allowed!).
They meet the second Saturday of the month and have a great time
together doing all kinds of activities such as picnics, hikes,
gatherings at each others homes, and more. Let me know if you
want more info or call 828-296-9866.
- Asheville Lambda Group AA and Al Anon 828-650-6677
- PFLAG
www.pflag.org/north_carolina.229.0.html
- Transmission and Phoenix are local transgender
support groups. Contact me for more info.
- People of Faith for Just Relationships: Contact
justrelationships@yahoo.com.
- Gay & Lesbian Ministry of Episcopal Diocese of WNC:
contact glbtepiscopaldioces@yahoo.com
- WNC Citizens for an End to Institutional Bigotry.
Their Web site doesn't seem to be working right now.
- Employment Equality for Gays and Lesbians -
This group began when two local women announced their marriage
in the Asheville Citizen-Times (2005). They have a photography
business and in winter had a contract to do photos at Wolf Laurel,
a local ski area. When the owners saw that they were so openly
gay, they told them, at the last minute, after they bought all
their supplies, that their service was not wanted anymore. They
have a great bumper sticker that se see all over - I Don't Ski
with Bigotry www.eegl.org
- Asheville Purple Pages - a directory of gay
and gay-friendly businesses, organizations and individuals. www.ashevillepurplepages.com
- Equality
North Carolina has occasional activities in Asheville.
A good organization working for LGBT rights.
- The
Progressive Project began in Asheville in 2004 as
a pilot project that is value-based to guarantee equal rights
to all citizens and to establish America as a global leader that
promotes human rights, sustainability and peace around the world.
Check out their site.
- gayellowpages
The ORIGINAL Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Information
Resource since 1973.
General Asheville
info
- asheville.com
More info about what's going on in and around the area.
- ashevillenc.com
All kinds of info about Asheville including classifieds.
- ashevillenow.com
A new sight with all kinds of great info. Keep your eye on it!
- searchasheville.com
"Your gateway to Asheville." Check it out! Weather,
photos, lots of stuff.
- ashevilleguidebook.com
- The Asheville Guidebook is The Ultimate Guide To Asheville &
The Western North Carolina Mountains.
Mind,
body, spirit resources
-
- Ultimate Ice Cream Co.! Yeah! I love ice cream
and this place is one of those "best kept ice cream secrets."
I'm an ice cream connoisseur. I've traveled the world tasting
some of the finest and I have to tell you, there is none better
than Ultimate Ice Cream. They also make their own gourmet chocolates
and serve espresso and baked goods. Not only that, the owners,
who hand craft all their wonderful flavors on the premises, Lucia
and Kevin Barnes, are usually present to welcome and wait on you
- true hospitality. This place is truly hidden, though. They are
located at 1070 Tunnel Road in East Asheville, behind Pomodoros
Restaurant (not too far from Lovers' Loop Retreat!). If you need
directions, just let me know - or maybe I'll just come along!
They hope to have a Web site soon.
-
Malaprop's
Bookstore/Cafe - readings, book signings, critique
groups, poetry events, and live music in downtown Asheville.
- Shoji
Spa - Ashville's Japanese-style outdoor hot tubs
and massage spa. About a mile up the road from Lovers' Loop Retreat!
- Appalachian
Spa - Enjoy this on-site mobile massage and day spa
here at Lovers' Loop Retreat or participate in one of their many
special offerings not far from here.
- JOY
can be yours! Check out the "how much joy"
Web site to find out how you can discover your purpose and live
your dream.
Outdoor activities
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