Confirmed: President Plans Spring Vacation in Asheville

OK, no, I don’t have a direct line to the White House, BUT the Asheville Travel Blog assures us that the President and the First Family are vacationing in Asheville next weekend. I have been telling you how incredibly beautiful this area is – so much so that it IS the destination place for many who can vacation or retire or relocate anywhere they wish. However, like most things, there are secret places that are even more incredible than the first one you came to enjoy.

So, the First Family really needs to be staying in Burnsville and touring The Cove at Celo Mountain. They might choose an estate lot with tranquil Ayles Creek running through it or one with a gorgeous waterfall for their post-presidency residence. Then, again, maybe one of the 6 Cabins at Celo (exquisitely appointed) in the wooded area would be more to their liking.

When the President was here during the campaign, he stayed at The Grove Park Inn. This is historic, legendary and lovely – famous as the getaway for F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, media moguls and high-profile actors and writers. I hope they enjoyed the world-famous grotto spa (ranked #13 among Best Hotel Spas in the World.) The President ate at 12 Bones, fabulous barbecue with a unique twist - blueberry chipotle ribs, jalapeno cheese grits and corn pudding are occasional flavor offerings. Now, these are famous, wonderful choices. But, he might want to try our gorgeous new hotel in Biltmore Village, The Grand Bohemian. Tupelo Honey, the Noodle Shop, and Corner Kitchen (Biltmore Village) are wonderful. Honestly, every restaurant I have ever tried in downtown Asheville has delicious food. The bodyguards can take the girls to The Orange Peel for great music; Michelle can shop at Bellagio’s (art to wear) and Ten Thousand Villages for gifts for those back home (a fair trade store for artisan crafts from around the world); and they will all want to visit the 30 + galleries (don’t miss Blue Spiral.)

But, if they really want to relax and get out in nature, they need to come to Burnsville and Spruce Pine. Let the Rivers’ Edge Outfitters plan the perfect fly-fishing, tubing, kayaking day. Hike our beautiful waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. (The Presidential trip planners will want to read our blog about that to touch the high points!). Mountain Farm, the Blacksmith Festival, the TRAC galleries, the Burnsville Metric (hey, this family is in great shape and can easily do this 19th Riding of bikes along our South Toe River and beautiful mountains and valleys!) I think the perfect photo op will be with all of the First Family helping to bottle-feed the sextuplet baby Nubian goats at Mountain Farm – all up on Celo, of course!

For a verity-check on the President’s travel agenda: http://blog.exploreasheville.com/2010/04/president-obama-enjoy-your-asheville.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+exploreasheville%2FlCvS+%28Asheville%29

Helpful Links for the President’s trip planners:
The Cove at Celo Mountain: http://www.celoliving.com/
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa: http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/
The Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville: http://www.bohemianhotelasheville.com/
12 Bones Barbecue: http://www.12bones.com/
Tupelo Honey: http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/
Noodle Shop: http://www.mountainx.com/dining/2005/1026noodleshop.php
Corner Kitchen: http://www.thecornerkitchen.com/menus/
Bellagio’s: http://www.bellagioarttowear.com/
Ten Thousand Villages: http://asheville.tenthousandvillages.com/php/stores.festivals/store.about_our_store.php
Blue Spiral Gallery: http://bluespiral1.com/
Rivers Edge Outfitters: http://www.riversedgeoutfittersnc.com/
The Blue Ridge Parkway Highlights from The Cove at Celo Mountain blog: http://coveatcelo.blogspot.com/2010/02/beauty-on-blue-ridge-parkway-with.html