Everything started today at 11, when Cooper and Janelle dropped me off at Enterprise. We had reserved a SUV to take, knowing Janelle's car might not make it and mine was way too small for this trip. (Funny thing about traveling with a toddler -- you think you need to take everything in the world with you.) Well, in typical Enterprise fashion, they did not have our SUV when we arrived. But the good news is they gave us a free upgrade to a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country minivan. It's really sweet - our own Swagger Wagon for the week. A very packed Swagger Wagon.
We loaded up the van, made sure the dogs were okay (Janelle's cousins Tyler and Robbie are house/dog sitting for us) and left home around 1:00. The ride down was pretty smooth, except for Janelle's car sickness kicking in on Jelico Mountain. Cooper did really well, thanks in part to a Micky Mouse DVD that kept him occupied (other than the 45 minutes he actually slept).
We arrived in Asheville, NC around 5 and after getting lost for a few minutes found our way to Moose Cafe. We ate here in 2007 when we spent several days in Asheville. It's a hole-in-the-wall looking place, resembling an un-updated Kentucky state park dining hall. But the food is unbeatable if you like down-home cooking. Cooper ordered chicken fingers and fries, but found more interest in Janelle's fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. I went for the all-you-can-eat sampler. Seriously -- check this out. You get your choice of two meats out of a selection of about eight things, and three vegetables out of a dozen or so for only $8.99. I chose chicken and dumplings, country ham, spiced apples, mashed potatoes and a side salad, ya know...for a healthy choice. I didn't touch the salad, but had seconds on the chicken and dumplings. We also enjoyed some wonderful homemade biscuits with the best apple butter on the planet. (We bought a jar to take with us, but I'm guessing it will disappear before the trip is over.)
After dinner, we made it down I-26 a short bit to our hotel, Quality Inn just south of Biltmore. We checked in, changed clothes and hit the indoor pool. And boy, was it warm. It felt more like bathwater, but Cooper enjoyed it. We swam and swam, and even practiced jumping in from the sides. (Note to grandparents: he didn't really jump in, but more of an assisted step off the side while one of us held on to him the whole time.)
Pool time let to bed time, which was a little amusing. I'm sure anyone can imagine the challenge of trying to get a 22-month old to go to sleep in a pack and play which, by the way, is almost too small for him, while mommy and daddy are in the same room. After reading some books and snuggling with mommy, he stood in his "crib" starring at us and crying. Janelle finally got up with him and cuddled in the chair until he fell asleep. He's been down for almost an hour now, but who knows what the rest of the night holds.
Tomorrow morning the plan is to wake, hit the continental breakfast in the hotel lobby and, if there's time, the pool again befor checking out around 11. From there, it's on to North Myrtle Beach and our awaiting condo. Check in is 3-5, so we should be in good shape.
If we're Friends on Facebook, check out the photos at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233730&id=576826421&l=6085f19eaa.
Until tomorrow....
David
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