Out of towners will find 12 Bones to be a bit difficult to find (River Arts District) but if you’re a barbecue fan, don’t miss this spare lunch spot. There’s a good map on their web site.

Open 11-4 p.m. weekdays. I suggest you go early or late to avoid the lines. Barbecue with two sides runs $5-18; sandwiches with sides from $4. 12 Bones is in the River Arts District. 828-253-4499; www.12bones.com

Good News! 12 Bones is opening a second location in Arden in an old gas station near BB Barnes on Sweeten Creek Road.

Check out Side Street Pizza if you get to Tryon.

“Often voted #1 Best Asian Restaurant in Western North Carolina! This local cross-cultural Asian diner features delicious noodle soups, stir-fries and salads—including many vegetarian options—served up in a lively, hip atmosphere. All selections are made with the freshest ingredients (and with no MSG). Doc Chey’s Noodle House also features a full selection of wine, beer and sake.”

We love it. It’s part of a small chain but has no evidence of “chain” when you enjoy their atmosphere and cuisine. Very reasonable. Very fast. Very good. “High-minded Asian noodle and rice dishes at ridiculously low prices.” Don’t miss the coconut soup.

37 Biltmore Ave., Asheville/252-8220

12 College St., Asheville/255-4404

http://www.exploreasheville.com/index.aspx This is one of the best ones – Welcome to the official Asheville, North Carolina, tourism site.

http://www.southfest.com/northcarolina.shtml Listings of festivals for NC, but also access to other southern frestivals

http://www.historichendersonville.org/ Hendersonville visitors center site.

http://www.ncarts.org/homepage.cfm NC Arts council

http://goasheville.com/wncevents.htm Good listings of all kinds of events around Asheville

http://www.wncmagazine.com/ Monthly online magazine with calendar of events for that month

http://www.boldlife.com/ Nothing to speak of here yet, but I think their freebee paper magazine is one of the best and this could be good once they get the website going

http://www.opportunityhouse.org/Homepage.asp Always something going on here – older crowd.

http://www.ncarboretum.org/ One of our favorite places, never get tired of it. One of the few annual passes we renewed this year. But Tuesdays are always free, so maybe the pass isn’t necessary.

http://www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/ Botanical gardens – haven’t been there yet, on our to do list.

http://www.ncagr.com/markets/facilit/farmark/ashevill/index.htm WNC Farmers Market – Asheville

http://www.nps.gov/carl/ Carl Sandburg home

http://www.flatrockplayhouse.com/ Flat Rock Playhouse

http://www.tryonarts.org/ Tryon Fine Arts Center – another one we have not been to, but they have some good shows.

http://www.fence.org/ Foothills Equestrian Nature Center. Besides horsey activities they have concerts, hiking trails, astronomy sessions, gardening classes, etc. This may be in SC, right ouside of Landrum, one of our favorite little towns.

http://www.biltmore.com/ It is nice to have a season pass when company comes and for at least the first year the gardens are worth seeing several times. You can buy season passes in January for a discount and they are good for 12 months.

http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/ A cool place, but pricey for what it has. This has been bought by the state and will be incorporated into the new Hickory Nut Gorge State Park. I would think it would be much cheaper at that point. Nice to have a season pass if you are taking visitors there regularly. (Of course, they still have to pay)

http://www.brevard-nc.com/ and http://www.brevardnc.org/ Brevard web sites – good links to some outdoor activities as well as what is happening in Brevard

http://www.brevardmusic.org/index.php 7 weeks of summer music from 400 young talented musicians from across the country attending the summer session. Guest artists often featured.

http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Pisgah/ and http://www.pisgahforest.com/ These are not the National Forest web sites, but have good info.

http://www.cradleofforestry.com/ A lot of this is for youngsters, but have some very interesting sounding sessions for all.

http://theblueridgehighlander.com/ Somewhat geared towards selling the area, but has some great links.

http://www.hendersonvillenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage Hendersonville newspaper: Click on Features and then either community calendar or daybook for the same info that is printed in the paper for activities scheduled for that day. They don’t have everything, but it comes close for Hendersonville activities.

http://www.blueridgeorchestra.org/about.html One of many orchestras in the area

http://www.pari.edu/programs/PublicPrograms/EaP/index_html If you are interested in astronomy, check out this site for Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. Been meaning to go, but haven’t made it yet.

http://www.hendersoncountync.org/ Hendersonville County site – not so much for activities, but general info

http://www.henderson.lib.nc.us/ Hendersonville Library – they actually have some very good presentations sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

On our visit to Side Street last night, the people at the next table were from Greenville and come there often for the lasagna ($8.25).

But most people go for the pizza. It IS terrific. Four crust options (normal, thin, Sicilian and “crustless”). Crustless is an interesting option for carb watchers. Sauce options include “white sauce” or “red and white” or “wild mushroom pesto”.

Check out the ten “specialty pizas” or over 20 topping options. But for the traditionalists, italian sausage is exceptional.

As a “starter” don’t miss the “Sidestreet Wings” ($6.75 for a dozen) or the homemade Pasta & Fagioll Soup ($3.35 bowl; $2.35 cup.

Side Street Pizza (on the south side of Tryon on Hwy 176)
102 S Trade St.
828 859-5325

11 am to 9 pm But Closed Tues and Wed; Sunday 3-9

It’s really a fresh seafood market with a pretty good wine market. But they have a few tables (inside or out) for your fresh seafood lunch. They also do a lot of prepared seafood meals “to go”. Very interesting place.

I found their flounder sandwich ($8.95 with two sides) just about the best I have ever tried. Soups are prepared in-house and are exceptional.

Downtown Hendersonville:
532 Kanuga Street
828-697-0503

www.BlueWaterSeafood.net

I haven’t stayed there, but it’s reputed to be one of the very best in the Western North Carolina Mountains.

They are known for their 10,000 volume library, large stone fireplaces and gourmet cuisine.

Snowbird closes from late November until early spring.

Snowbird Mountain Lodge
Robbinsville, NC

800-941-9290

Wonderful place. Built in late 1800s. Five fireplaces. Victorian inside and out. On the main floor, enjoy the wrap around front porch, the well-stocked library, the breakfast dining room or the very romantic living room which includes an adjoining deck overlooking the mountain forest.

Dale seems to be the chef. His history includes jobs as Food and Beverage Manager in major hotels. He and Donna have owned or managed several B&Bs during the recent years so they know their business.

The five upstairs rooms are turn-of-the-century. Each has its own private bath. Everything is clean as a whistle.

If you need a bit more room, a guest house on the property with 2, one bedroom suites is often available.

Guests enjoy a complimentary “get aquainted” wine reception at 4 pm.

Bette and I toured The Oaks this afternoon. You’ll love it.

339 Greenville St., Saluda, North Carolina
Reservations: 1 800-893-6091 Website: www.theoaksbedand breakfast.com