Exploring Asheville #1

This afternoon I got to go back into Asheville for a few hours, as a friend who had a function to attend let me accompany then into town. Now obviously there is way more to see in Asheville than what a few hours could afford, but on the drive into town I decided to Google some food venues within walking distance of where my friend would my friend would be.

So today, I made up my mind to visit Vortex Doughnuts and Noble Kava Bar.

First I went to Vortext Doughnuts. This is a really trendy little coffee house type place that, as the name suggests, specializes in doughnuts. Not being familiar with their offerings, I was hoping to get my usually jelly filled doughnut. However, as they were in their last hour of business for the day, they were out of the filled kind. So with some guidance from a very friendly staff member, I picked ... and ... I ended up getting two of each because as the guy behind the counter explained they don't use any preservatives, so all doughnut are BOGO during the last hour of business to limit what has to be thrown out; I really appreciated this, as wasting food was a top level sin in my family.

Over all, I highly recommend this place. The prices are reasonable, the dining area is clean, the atmosphere is great, and the staff is really friendly. It is also worth noting that they have a selection of vegan doughnut offerings equal to the regular non-vegan selections.

My second venue for the day was Noble Kava Bar. I had heard of this place before, but was unaware of its location, but as someone who has spend a few months in Vanuatu, the word "kava" got my attention. However, despite my time in Vanuatu, I had never tried kava... for multiple reasons this posting is not meant to discuss. So I was actually pretty excited to see what they had to offer, and to see if I could get my first taste of kava.

Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with kava, it is the root of a plant native to the South Pacific, and it is used by native peoples to make a drink. Please note that this is a non-alcoholic drink. However, the drink contains a compound from the root known as kavain which can have a numbing effect on tissues it makes direct contact with.

If it wasn't for the brightly colored sign, I might have just walked right past the place. As it is a very "hole in the wall" type venue. The atmosphere was quiet, and the lighting reduced, but inviting overall. After looking over the menu, I asked the cashier his recommendation for a first time Kava drinker. He said just try a regular double shot (again non-alcoholic) which is the price of a single for first timers. He ladled kava into a glass and garnished it with a slice of pineapple.

I took a seat off to the side and prepared to have my first taste of kava. The color looks a lot like ice coffee. However, know that this drink will not be sweet or chocolaty like a McCafe. Kava has a very unique taste that I can't quite describe other than to say it is kind of mineral-y. The place is trendy looking hangout, and I would encourage you to stop by if for nothing else other than for the cultural experience of saying that you have drank kava.

I Love Coffee Shops

I am sitting at the Crooked Door Coffee Shop in Marion, NC, one of my favorites. Of course the company is nice too.

While towns like Marion are small, you should never underestimate what they have to offer. I love to explore small American towns.

P.S. If you ever visit here, go to Bob's Donuts and The Crooked Door Coffee House! :D

Sam's Travel Memories #3: Holding My Tounge

As I have stated before, I travel with Allegiant Airlines fairly often for domestic trips. Since Allegiant charges ($50 or more) for carry-ons and checked bags, I have learned to how to stuff my back-pack (about the only thing I can take on their planes free) with all I need and mail  home what I buy.

So this particular time I was traveling back up to Asheville, NC for a couple weeks with an exceptionally stuffed back-pack. On my way through the normal security line a TSA guy took my bag out of the x-ray machine and with a smile made the comment, "That bag looks like its' ready to burst!" I thought for a second (anyone who knows me knows that I am very quick witted with funny sarcastic quips) and I almost said, "More like explode!" However, I ended-up holding my tongue. In all honesty I don't think any TSA agent would have found such a remark very funny... :P

It was probably a good thing that I held my tongue that time, I would not have wanted to get delayed or miss my flight. As it turned out, I would have missed the joy of eating squirrel soup for the first time. It tastes just like chicken (I thought it was chicken soup at first) in my opinion! LOL :D

Back to Ohio

Next month I will be traveling up to Ohio for Heart Camp, as I usually do every September. I have been attending Heart Camp every year (excluding years 2012 and 2013 due to other travels) since I was 7 years old, first as a "Camper" then as a "Counselor" when I turned 15.

While Heart Camp and family/friends are the reason I want to go up, Allegiant Air is the reason I can go up. Allegiant Air is my favorite domestic airline as I am always able to get REALLY cheap flights. Their main East-Coast hub is about an 1hr north of me in Sanford, FL (SFB). They have direct flights from SFB to Asheville, NC (AVL) and Columbus, OH via the Rickenbacker Airport (LCK).

The key to keeping costs low while flying on Allegiant Air, is to NOT use any of their paid features. Such as, skip their online seat selection (I let the computer assign me at check-in), do not have any checked or carry-on bags (I only use a school sized backpack which they consider my free "personal item"), skip priority boarding (a really pointless waste of money) and most recently check-in online via their phone app to get a digital boarding pass or online via a link they send to your e-mail and print out your boarding pass (they now charge $5 for check-ins as the airport and boarding pass print outs). Oh, I almost forgot, use a debit card! They will charge a fee for credit cards and even with a good rewards card it is NOT worth it. Also, I guess this does not need to be said but, I will say it anyway: DON'T buy snacks and drinks on the plane, so NOT worth the costs. They will give you a free cup of ice if you ask though.

So, those are some tips for saving money on airfare. I strongly suggest that you see if Allegiant Air flies to an airport near you. Do remember that they do not do connecting flights, only direct flights.

My Favorite City!

This is probably not what many of you, who don't know, might be expecting. You probably think that with all of my travels, my favorite city in the world is some far off exotic destination. Well, not exactly.

My favorite city is Asheville, North Carolina. I had lived in the area for a good portion of my life. And though I am hanging my hat in the Orlando, Florida area right now, my heart is still truly in Asheville.

I do fly up to visit Asheville at least once a year sometimes more, Allegiant Air has direct flights, I will post about them later. However for the time being, I have not planned-out a "return to the promise land" strategy.

Here is a YouTube video that will help you see part of the reason why I just love Asheville so much. You might just decide to live there yourself!

#florida
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carolina
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