Asheville NC --Hooligans and Hiking --Oct 6

[Tartan Hiker]

Shameless bump.

I'll be calling for a show of hands early next week so I can finalize the tour plans.

[Tartan Hiker]

OK, here's the call for a head count for the weekend.

Myself, my youngest son, MadBagpiper, Barclay...that's four hikers.

I propose that we meet for breakfast at Denny's in Black Mountain. It's right at the foot of exit 64 off I-40, so it's easy to find. Should be an excellent opportunity to "baffle the locals." From there it's a short drive to the trail head in Montreat. If we meet there at Denny's at 7:30 that would give us 2 1/2 to 3 hours for walking, which would be long enough to get up to Walker's Knob, the best view in the area.

If you plan on going on the tour, please reply here so I can tell the brewery that we are good to go. We need at least 5 more bodies to be polite to the folks that arranged the special tour time. I can recruit some of my bifurcated buddies to join us if I have to.

[Kiltedmusiclover]

I will be able to meet ya'll at the Brewery at say 1:45.

My wife will be at a Birthday party so it will just be me.

[MacMoose]

Add three! Myself, my lady and her friend. All well over 21 and looking forward to the hike, the comradeship and the brewery tour (ok, the last bit is more for me than the other two!)

[Tartan Hiker]

No we're talking! Looks like a fine, diverse rabble shaping up here.

Somebody bring a camera!

[Tartan Hiker]

I just got a note from the brewery. The gift shop will be open, but they will only be able to take cash or checks...no plastic. They will also be offering one of their heavy IPA's (10% ABV) in 22 oz bottles for for a special price ($10) if anyone is interested.
Bill

[Barclay]

Bill, I'm home now. Are you guys bringing Fred? I may bring the Grace monster and see how she does with so many people and Fred (she's just so damned puppyish ) If I bring her, I'll probably pass on meeting at Denny's and meet you at the Conference Center around 8ish. (She can eat my car seat in less time than I can eat a Grand Slam. ) And, I've gotta get my nephews early on Sunday, so you and the Hooligans are gonna hafta be gentle with me tomorrow night.

[Barclay]

They will also be offering one of their heavy IPA's (10% ABV) in 22 oz bottles for for a special price ($10) if anyone is interested.
Bill

ooh! It's like Canadian beer...only lighter.

[Tartan Hiker]

An excellent day. I have a few pics, and KiltedMusicLover will no doubt add his in due time.

The day was perfect for a hike in the mountains. MacMoose brought his lady and her friend who had partied a bit too much the night before, so being the good boyfriend he escorted them back down the hill before we reached the top. Barclay and I persevered, and here's the view which greeted us.



And here is Barclay with Gracie, the WonderBoxer (Buzz Kidder OD canvas) and myself (Carolina district cotton)




After the hike we took lunch at a local grill, then met KiltedMusicLover for a tour of the Highland Brewing Company. Our guide Bob, extremely personable, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic, plied us with one delightful beverage after another. A good time was indeed had by all.

Following the Highland tour we journeyed to the another brewery/tasting room where more favorite Asheville brews, Green Man Ales, are created. We happened upon "free burgers and dogs" afternoon, so we ordered Green Man ales all around with KiltedMusicLover taking a turn at the grill.



Later that night we saw the Hooligans at Jack of the Wood pub. Excellent music, nice crowd, great food. Splendid.

All in all a great fall day in western NC.

[Kiltedmusiclover]

I joined up with the rabble at the Highland Brewing company.
MacMoose and Tartan hiker taking in the brewery tanks.



In order to cool their facility, they have several HUGE fans.
The size and Scale are lost in this photo.




MacMoose having a wee sampling.




The Rabble.




We had an excellent afternoon and evening.
I did not take my camera to the pub so I hope some
others may have a few more photos to add.