We were in Ashville in October 2020, as part of Big Trip #3. Read about our Asheville favorites here.

Asheville is generally our first or last (or both) stop on any Airstream trip. We love this city–great hiking, food, beer, cocktails, and campground. It checks all our boxes! We’ve written extensively about our Asheville stays and didn’t do anything new this trip, except for the hike, and an unforeseen adventure…

Campground

We always try to stay at Wilson’s Riverfront RV Park. The name of the campground describes it–if you have a riverfront site, the French Broad River is just feet from the back of your trailer. Remember how it was raining in Pigeon Forge? Asheville got a ton of rain too, and the river flooded, and when we pulled off the exit over the campground we could see that it was underwater.

The fabulous owners let us boondock in the parking lot of the campground office, which doubles as a service station and storage yard, until the water receded overnight. Great! Until a truck cruised by on its way into the storage yard carrying huge logs, and one log busted open the back door of the truck and went flying into the front corner of the Airstream as we sat inside eating lunch.

The window was smashed, the panel was dented, we were traumatized, but no one was hurt. We were able to patch up the hole with plastic sheets and cardboard and duct tape enough to spend two nights inside and then drive the Airstream to the dealer for repairs. That was the “unforeseen adventure” I mentioned. ACK.

Eating

We got food from two of our favorites this visit.

Dinner at an outside table at Limones was scrumptious as always, but on the chilly side. Since then, they have closed for in-person dining and are offering carryout only. We learned while there that En La Calle, Limones’ neighbor and little sister restaurant, had closed permanently and Limones will be expanding into that space. STUPID COVID.

We also hit Chai Pani for carryout Indian street food. Soooooo good.

Drinking

We had lots of troubles to drown after our Airstream was mangled, and luckily, we were in a good town for that. These are all our usuals, with one we don’t normally seek out.

Cocktails at Sovereign Remedies, beers at Burial and Highwire–no surprises there. (Note to future selves: must check out Burial’s Forestry Camp Bar and Restaurant near Biltmore Village.)

And a tasting flight at Wicked Weed Funkatorium, since I’m a sour drinker now!

Hiking

We had time for one hike, and chose Pilot Cove Slate Rock. It’s a loop a little over seven miles long and features a beautiful river (especially after all the rain) and views at the top. Not many other hikers were out and we had a wonderful time.

Asheville was the last stop on Big Trip #3! We dropped the duct-taped Airstream off at the dealer and headed home to start dreaming about our next trip.