.
Connect with us

Blog

A Few Days In Asheville, NC

Published

on

Asheville is a beacon of arts and culture nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern North Carolina. I’ve been fortunate to visit Asheville numerous times over the past decade. Thus, I feel prepared to share my advice on how to spend a few days in Asheville.

Things to Do in Asheville

1. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

Emmett overlooks Tanbark Ridge outside of Asheville; June 2018

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic American road and the longest linear park in the United States. Asheville is in close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which makes for a nice afternoon spent taking in the beautiful rolling mountains visible just off the Parkway.

2. Catch Some Live Music

The Grey Eagle; Asheville, NC; June 2016

Asheville has many venues for live music. In fact, it seems that just about every large restaurant in town has a live band on the weekends. There are a few specific music venues such as The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle, Asheville Music Hall, and Salvage Station. In 2016, Emmett and I joined some friends at The Grey Eagle to catch King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and The Murlocs. It was a fantastic show and the venue was the perfect size – it was not too big and still easy to get close to the band.

Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard at The Grey Eagle in Asheville; 2016.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard plays at The Grey Eagle in Asheville; 2016.

3. Go Shopping

Asheville Emporium; October 2021

Asheville is an exciting shopping destination with a little something for everybody and every budget. Some favorite shops of mine have been Asheville Emporium and Mast General Store for souvenirs, Malaprop’s Bookstore and Firestorm Co-op for all things book, and Voltage Records or Citizen Vinyl for records. There are also a plethora of vintage stores and counterculture shops selling incense, soaps, and gemstones.

Gemstones for sale; Asheville; October 2021

4. Take a Pubcycle Tour

Our tour guide, CJ, Suzi, Liz, Allison, and me on an Amazing Pubcycle Tour; October 2021

A company called Amazing Pubcycle offers fun, cycle tours of Asheville where you can bring your own adult beverages. In 2021, for my close friend Liz’s 30th birthday, my pals and I took an Amazing Pubcycle “Mixer Pub Tour” one evening. Our charming tour guide showed us the sights of downtown Asheville and we stopped off at a pub for half an hour for additional drinks. While cycling and touring on either end of our excursion, our tour guide took requests on the sound system. We ended the night singing “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion at the top of our lungs alongside the other folks who cycled that night. It was a very fun time.

5. Visit the Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate; June 2018

The Biltmore Estate is a Gilded Age mansion built in the late 19th century outside of Asheville. Buying a day pass to visit the grounds allows visitors to tour the interior of the Estate as well as the fabulous onsite gardens/greenhouse and the Biltmore Estate Winery. Fans of architecture and extravagance will enjoy a day at the Biltmore.

Billiards room at Biltmore; June 2018

Biltmore Greenhouse; June 2018

Biltmore Estate Winery; June 2018

6. Catch a Drag Show at Scandals

Established in 1980, Scandals Nightclub is Asheville’s oldest dance club. And it’s a gay club with an established dancefloor and two nightly drag shows on the weekend. The drag performers are fantastically talented and their costumes are incredible. For a fun night out on the town, I highly recommend Scandals for dancing and drag.

Where to Eat in Asheville

Brunch

Grit cake stack at Early Girl Eatery in Asheville; October 2021

Grit cake stack at Early Girl Eatery in Asheville; October 2021

Early Girl Eatery

Locations: 8 Wall St.; 444 Haywood Rd. #101; 1378 Hendersonville Rd. Ste A

Recommendation: Organic Heirloom Grit Cake Stack.

Biscuit Head

Locations: 417 Biltmore Ave, Ste 4F; 733 Haywood Rd.; 994 Hendersonville Rd

Recommendations: Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Potato Coconut Gravy, and any jams from the jam bar.

Eggs benedict biscuit; Biscuit Head; June 2018

Lunch/Dinner

White Duck Taco Shop

Locations: 388 Riverside Drive & 12 Biltmore Avenue.

Recommendations: Banh Mi Tofu Tacos, Mushroom Potato Romesco Tacos. Housemade Sangria.

Wasabi Japanese Restaurant

Location: 19 Broadway St.

Recommendations: Veggie Gyoza, Vegetable & Tofu Pan Fried Udon.

Vegetable Tofu Pan Fried Udon; Wasabi Restaurant; October 2021

Dessert

Double D’s Coffee & Desserts; October 2021

Double D’s Coffee & Desserts

Location: 41 Biltmore Ave.

Recommendations: Chai Latte, Fruit smoothies.

French Broad Chocolate Factory

Locations: 10 S Pack Square; 821 Riverside Drive.

Recommendations: Housemade chocolate ice cream or milkshakes.

Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream at French Broad Chocolate Factory; October 2021

Where to Drink in Asheville

Breweries

Emmett, my Dad, and my brother Dylan at Sierra Nevada; June 2018

Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada’s Mills River, NC Taproom is about 25 minutes from downtown Asheville. It’s an enormous campus with brewery tours, a restaurant, live music, and a “back porch” with a scenic woodsy view.

Allison, me, Liz, and Suzi at New Belgium; October 2021

New Belgium

Located on 21 Craven Street in Asheville, New Belgium is a family and cyclist-friendly campus. There is no onsite restaurant; instead there are several food trucks in residence to satiate your hunger.

Wicked Weed Brewpub; October 2021

Wicked Weed Brewpub

Located on 91 Biltmore Ave, Wicked Weed Brewpub features a tasting room and a New American restaurant.

Twin Leaf Craft Brewery; October 2021

Twin Leaf

An independent craft brewery located at 144 Coxe Avenue. Twin Leaf focuses on “brewing classic Belgian, English, and American style ales, while maintaining a rotating line up of Lagers, IPAs, Sours, and other adventurous styles.”

Bars

Ben’s Tune-Up Asheville; October 2021

Ben’s Tune-Up

195 Hilliard Avenue.

A converted auto shop featuring a beer & sake garden.

Top of the Monk

92 Patton Avenue.

A speakeasy-esque rooftop bar featuring handcrafted cocktails.

An apple cider cocktail at Grove Park Inn; October 2021

Sunset Cocktail Terrace at the Grove Park Inn

The Omni Grove Park Inn; 290 Macon Avenue

Go for the cocktails, stay for the incredible views. We went at the end of October just in time to catch some fall foliage on the Blue Ridge in the distance.

Where to Stay in Asheville

Hostel

Bon Paul & Sharky’s Hostel; June 2016

Bon Paul & Sharky’s Hostel

816 Haywood Rd.

Asheville’s only backpacker’s hostel. Incredibly comfy beds, plenty of porch sitting available. Dorms and private rooms.

AirBnB

CJ & Suzi feeding horses outside of our Asheville AirBnB; October 2021

Asheville has many, many AirBnB options. Take a look on their website.

Hotels

Omni Grove Park Inn; Oct 2021

View from Omni Grove Park Inn; Oct 2021

Omni Grove Park Inn

$$$ — 290 Macon Ave

Courtyard by Marriott Asheville Biltmore Village

$$ — 26 Meadow Rd.

I love Asheville & my friends; October 2021

Continue Reading

Blog

Beneath the Surface: How Smart Wastewater Is Quietly Transforming Rural Living

Published

on

Beneath the Surface

Amid the modern migration to rural areas and small towns, a technological transformation is quietly taking root underground—literally. In places where centralized sewer infrastructure remains out of reach, the everyday operation of septic systems has long been a background affair. Now, invisible innovations and digital tools are reshaping these vital systems, making wastewater treatment smarter, safer, and more precise. This new era is fueled not by promotion, but by tectonic shifts in design, data monitoring, and environmental stewardship. Homeowners, local officials, and environmental advocates are all taking notice.

Among the most significant drivers of change is the rise of digital monitoring in residential wastewater infrastructure. Well beyond the traditional inspection schedule, new smart sensors measure tank depth, effluent quality, and flow rates in real time, alerting residents and professionals to potential problems before they become costly emergencies. These smart systems are becoming especially pertinent as regulatory standards grow more rigorous and as climate uncertainty prompts rural communities to reevaluate the resilience of their infrastructure.

Integrating these smart solutions often begins with a septic tank upgrade, though the digital leap isn’t only about equipment. Using real-time data fosters proactive system care: maintenance becomes predictive rather than reactive, and the risk of groundwater contamination falls. As intelligent infrastructure tracks each tank’s status, it offers more than peace of mind; it fundamentally shifts how rural homes relate to their natural surroundings and resources.

The Environmental Angle

The digital revolution complements a simultaneous shift in ecological stewardship. Eco- friendly tank designs, advanced aerobic treatment units, and constructed wetlands are now part of the rural septic landscape. Many innovations aim to reduce energy consumption with solar-powered components and reduce nutrient pollution by improving the breakdown of nitrogen and phosphorus. These green upgrades comply with new regulations—they safeguard local ecosystems, from groundwater to rivers downstream.

In particular, adopting constructed wetlands, which filter wastewater through native plants and engineered soil beds, marks a profound change. These systems convert conventional drainfields into living treatment zones that enhance landscape beauty and water quality.

Such ecological solutions pair seamlessly with sensor-driven smart tanks to form “hybrid”

systems: nature and technology operating side by side, quietly protecting the local environment.

Community Data and Resilience

What’s emerging is not simply a collection of upgraded tanks, but a growing network—an underground infrastructure that offers big-picture benefits for rural communities. Data collected by smart septic systems can be aggregated (securely and anonymously) to reveal trends, such as whether groundwater levels are falling or if seasonal weather patterns are influencing septic system strain. With such knowledge, communities can better prepare for droughts, floods, or surges in population.

This collaborative approach moves septic care from an individual responsibility to a shared community asset. Public health officials and local planners can work with real numbers rather than educated guesses, targeting resources where they’re most needed.

Looking Forward

As climate risks make water infrastructure increasingly vulnerable, the convergence of ecological innovation and smart technology is changing what it means to be self-sufficient in rural America. The once-static septic tank is becoming a node in a living network— responsive, adaptive, and quietly essential.

For homeowners in rural areas, considering a septic tank upgrade is no longer just about maintenance; it’s about joining a larger movement toward resilient, mindful living. The invisible work of smart wastewater systems is reshaping underground infrastructure into something modern and deeply rooted in environmental consciousness. In this new era, rural resilience is not a promotional promise, but a quietly unfolding reality—one sensor, one wetland, one household at a time.

Continue Reading

Blog

Tips for Gathering Evidence After a Commercial Vehicle Collision

Published

on

Commercial Vehicle Collision

People know New Mexico for its busy highways, open roadways, and desert scenery. Every day, a lot of trucks and other commercial vehicles drive through the state, which means that accidents can and do happen. A collision with a big truck can be quite bad.

If you are involved in a crash with a commercial vehicle, collecting the right evidence is very important. This is especially true when investigating New Mexico truck accidents. The more information you have, the better your chances of getting fair compensation for your injuries or damage.

Here are some simple and helpful tips for gathering evidence after a commercial vehicle collision.

Stay Safe First

Before doing anything, make sure you and anyone else involved are safe. If you can, move to a safe area away from traffic. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and ask for medical help if anyone is hurt.

Take Photos and Videos

Pictures and videos can tell what happened exactly. Use your phone to take clear photos of:

  • The vehicles involved (from different angles)
  • Damage to both vehicles
  • The road conditions (wet, dry, cracked, etc.)
  • Skid marks or broken glass
  • Road signs or signals nearby
  • Any injuries you or others have

Videos showing how traffic is flowing or the behavior of the truck driver can also be very helpful.

Get Contact Information

Gather names and contact info from:

  • The truck driver
  • Any passengers in the other vehicle
  • Eyewitnesses who saw the crash

Also, write down the truck driver’s company name, license plate number, and the DOT (Department of Transportation) number on the truck if it’s visible.

Request the Police Report

When police come to the scene, they will make a report. This report is often key evidence. Ask how you can get a copy and write down the officer’s name and badge number. The report can include who they think was at fault and what the driver said.

Keep a Record of Your Injuries

Go to a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take time to show. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and doctor’s notes. Write down how you feel each day after the crash. This can help show how the accident has affected your life.

Preserve Evidence from the Truck

Commercial vehicles often have important data stored in their “black box” or onboard computer. These devices can show speed, brake use, and more. A lawyer can help you request this data before it’s lost or erased. The trucking company may also have inspection logs and driver records that can support your case.

Avoid Posting on Social Media

It’s best not to post about the accident on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms. Insurance companies can use your posts against you. Keep the details private and speak only with your lawyer or doctor about the crash.

Talk to an Attorney Early

Accidents involving trucks are more complex than regular car crashes. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers and insurers. A personal injury attorney who knows about investigating New Mexico truck accidents can help protect your rights and gather strong evidence before it’s too late.

Key Takeaways

  • Always focus on safety first after a crash.
  • Take photos, get witness info, and gather all records.
  • Ask for the police report and keep medical documents.
  • Don’t wait too long to seek legal help.
  • Truck crash evidence can disappear fast—act quickly.

No one expects to get into a crash with a commercial vehicle. But if it happens, being prepared and knowing what steps to take can make a big difference in your recovery—both physically and financially.

Continue Reading

Blog

Traditional Festivals in Modern China

Published

on

Traditional Festivals in Modern China

When you learn Mandarin online or studying with an online Chinese teacher, the names of festivals such as 春节 (Spring Festival), 中秋节 (Mid-Autumn Festival), and 端午节 (Dragon Boat Festival) are often among the first pieces of cultural vocabulary encountered. Yet behind these familiar terms lies a long history of ritual practices, social customs, and symbolic meanings that have undergone significant transformation in modern Chinese society.

The Spring Festival, for instance, has always been the most important holiday in China, traditionally marked by ancestral worship, reunion dinners, and symbolic acts to welcome prosperity. In the past, rituals such as offering sacrifices to household gods or setting off firecrackers to ward off evil were central. While some of these customs remain, modernization has altered the festival landscape. Today, the Spring Festival is characterized as much by televised galas, digital 红包 (red envelopes) sent via mobile apps, and mass domestic travel as by traditional family rituals. The meaning of “reunion” persists, but its expression has expanded with technology and urban life.

The Mid-Autumn Festival also illustrates this transformation. Historically associated with moon worship and poetic reflection, its essence was rooted in agricultural cycles and ancient cosmology. Today, while the round mooncake continues to symbolize family unity, the festival is now also celebrated through commercial branding, tourism, and even large-scale public events. Its ancient connotations remain, but they coexist with contemporary interpretations that align with modern lifestyles.

The Dragon Boat Festival similarly demonstrates the adaptability of traditions. Once a ritual of exorcism and seasonal protection, centered on rowing boats to drive away disease and misfortune, it later became associated with commemorating the poet Qu Yuan. In contemporary China, the festival balances heritage activities such as dragon boat racing and eating 粽子 (rice dumplings) with broader cultural celebrations, often promoted as expressions of intangible cultural heritage.

At the language school GoEast Mandarin, discussions of Chinese festivals are essentially taught together with language instruction, ensuring that learners not only memorize terms but also gain an understanding of their evolution and continuing relevance. 

Continue Reading

Trending