Gray Line Asheville's Historic Trolley Tour: A Review

Have you ever wanted to learn about historic Asheville, NC in a relaxed enjoyable setting? I did, and Gray Line Asheville helped me to make it happen. The group of people I went with was picked up at UNCA in a bus made to look like an old trolley. The historic tour began as we turned on to Lexington Avenue and headed toward Pack Place downtown. En route to our destination, our tour guide pointed out some of Asheville’s famous art-deco architecture, as several buildings still stand from that era. As we drove past the Vance Monument, I could see the reflections of what were once the tallest buildings in the area on the windows of a modern office building. The city of Asheville has a beautiful mix of buildings from different times, nestled in the mountains.

The pace of the evening trolley tour helped me to relax and enjoy a bit of sightseeing as we motored down the road. The River Arts District of Asheville is alive and well, as you can tell by looking around the city. Throughout our tour of Asheville bronze sculptures spotted the streets. The buildings where painted attractive colors, as if to be saying, “come visit,” and their front windows were decorated with creative displays. It is easy to see that Asheville is rich with art, craft and culture by all the examples of sculpture on the streets, the architecture and the overall sense of life and festiveness.

As we continued on with our western North Carolina historic trolley tour we learned about the Vanderbilts, and Biltmore Estate along with Biltmore Village and how much of an integral part the construction of the estate had on the area as a whole. It is interesting to learn that Biltmore Village was built for the workers and now it is a luxury shopping center. Pulling into the Renaissance Hotel’s parking lot we walked a short distance over to The Thomas Wolf Estate. The house of his birth had been restored to its original splendor. As we stood before the historic monument, we were told of Thomas Wolfe’s contributions to literature and to Asheville. When our education about Thomas Wolfe and other past citizens of Asheville was over, we all loaded back onto the trolley and headed back to where we started.

For those who wish to just enjoy the ground transportation around asheville without taking the full tour, you can take good advantage of the hop-on, hop-off privileges that Gray Line Asheville offers. Get off the trolley and spend sometime exploring in detail one of Asheville’s many lovely neighborhoods, art districts or boutique-lined streets and avenues. Then get back on the next trolley that comes by and ride to the next destination to spend a little time.

I had a wonderful time with Gray Line Asheville Historic Trolley Tours. Everyone on the trip had a good time and we all learned about many of the great places in the area to stay such as Grove Park Inn, Haywood Park Hotel, and the Renaissance Hotel Asheville. We also got to experience a taste of Asheville River Arts District and learn about the figures that helped to shape the area’s history. All this, along with sightseeing, made my time with Gray Line Asheville time well spent.

Pet Cremation Memorials

Most people who have a pet, or who have had one in the past, have experienced the close personal relationship one can develop with an animal companion. Animals show us unconditional love and loyalty, and stick by us through things a lot of human friends could not or would not. These beings are a lot more than just a novelty kept around the house for show, or a security system designed to keep burglars away. These creatures become friends, teachers, guardians and members of the family.

When a beloved pet dies, it can sometimes be nearly as traumatic as losing a human friend or family member. It’s hard for someone who has never held such a close bond with an animal friend to understand how very true this really is. However hard to imagine it may be for some, it is true nonetheless, and a healthy grieving process is just as essential for the passing of a well-loved animal as it is for a beloved human friend. Some type of pet memorial is often appropriate for this purpose.

For those who feel this kind of bond with a pet, there are many common ways to celebrate the life of a passed pet. A simple burial, often in a yard or in the woods, is the probably the most common. Often this will be accompanied by a small ceremony which gives folks a chance to grieve, much the same way a traditional funeral serves to help people to say goodbye to friends and family.

Another way is to have the pet stuffed by a taxidermist, creating a lifelong memorial of the pet itself. Many people would not be able to handle such a constant reminder, but for some it gives them comfort.

Cremation is quickly gaining popularity as a way to memorialize a pet. A small shrine erected in the home with a beautiful, hand-made cremation urn and a photograph of the pet is a nice way to remember an animal friend. A memorial of this kind can be taken anywhere, and set up inside or outside the home. A unique pet urn can be custom created or selected to reflect the animal it safeguards.

Another option is to have the pet cremated, and have the remains incorporated into a beautiful, one of a kind memorial glass keepsake. A small amount of the cremated remains are introduced into the molten glass, allowing it so swirl and create lovely patterns in the colored glass.

The artists who create such unique works of art are aware of the awesome responsibility they accept when creating hand made decorative urns, cremation urns, memorial jewelry, or memorial objects of any type. Each piece is made by hand in an artists studio by some of the best artisans working anywhere today. Memorial objects created this way are crafted with the deepest respect and intentions. Art created in this way is guaranteed to be made in such a manner that honors the intention of the person creating the memorial, and honors the bond they shared with a special person.

There are many options for memorial objects, and many places to find them. Always make sure you are dealing with a reputable professional dealer, who take the responsibility of creating memorial objects seriously. A good example is Shine On Brightly. Their selection of masterfully crafted decorative cremation urns, textile memorial art, memorial jewelry and other memorial objects are hand made in the studios of artists local to western North Carolina who are dedicated to making art that aids in the healing process while celebrating the lives of those closest to us.

Classic Muscle Cars vs. New Muscle Cars

There is a trend out there…I have seen it happening more and more frequently over the past few years. The big automobile manufacturers such as Ford, Chevy and Dodge have begun re-making their old muscle cars in a new image. The Ford Mustang, the Dodge Charger, the Chevy Camaro and others are back on the roads with sleek new futuristic curves.

Now, I am not saying these cars are not good looking. They are pretty cool I must say, and really do have that muscle car toughness about them. Some police departments in my area are using new Dodge Chargers as cruisers and they look pretty intimidating. My question, however, is this: why mess with perfection?

The old classic muscle cars from the 1960’s and 1970’s were some of the coolest looking cars ever made. There may be some arguments about aerodynamics, or other such concerns, but park a tricked-out, cherry 1970 Barracuda next to any muscle car made in the 2000’s and it will make them look boring and clumsy. In fact, park any classic muscle car that has been lovingly restored next to any of its modern counterparts, and my point will be proven.

The thing is, automotive engineering has improved a lot since the 60’s and 70’s, and these new street rods offer smoother shifting, maximum horse power, better fuel efficiency, and all in all driving smoother and better. My wish is that the auto manufacturers would take the bodies from the old muscle cars and remake them with newer, high quality components.

Well, luckily for the dedicated fans of old-school muscle car restoration, we now have options. Keisler Engineering, a remarkable company in Tennessee, are developing modern components for older muscle cars, effectively doing a big part in the fight to keep these beauties on the road. One of the most notable items available from Keisler, is a wide range of transmission upgrades.

Keisler has developed an amazing transmission kit called the “PerfectFit” system. These are 5 and 6 speed manual transmission system upgrades, and 5 and 6 speed automatic overdrive manual transmission kits. They are available for virtually every make and model of classic muscle cars and street rods, and offer a multitude of benefits for the classic car restoration enthusiast.

Imagine the smooth, perfectly engineered shifting of a modern transmission combined with the fuel efficiency improvements and power-handling capabilities of a custom engineered automotive product. These kits are designed to be able to be installed in the vehicle by the car owner and a friend or two over the course of a weekend, with every part and piece you need included in the package.

Each of these kits is specifically engineered for your make, model and year. This custom crafting ensures that the replacement PerfectFit transmission system upgrade bolts up easily and hassle-free to the motor of your car. Before Keisler Engineering introduced the PerfectFit system, a classic muscle restoration enthusiast had to find parts and accessories and make-shift adaptors to create such an upgrade. With Keisler's offering, everything you need to install your transmission system upgrade is included. On each PerfectFit kit, the shifter is located in a spot that is specific to the car you are upgrading, meaning that you will have minimal, or no cutting of the floorboards necessary.

A Keisler PerfectFit 5 or 6 speed manual transmission upgrade will offer you more power, smoother shifting, better handling, improved fuel economy and an all around more pleasurable driving experience.

Healthy Eating in a Busy World

These days staying healthy and eating nutritious, healthy foods can be challenging. We wake up with barely enough time to get dressed and head to work, and a healthy menu is often replaced with a cup of coffee and a quick snack from a convenience store. Lunch time rolls around and we find ourselves replacing a balanced meal with some take-out from whichever fast food chain happens to be closest to our work place. By the time we get home from work, cooking a proper meal seems to be the furthest thing from our minds, so we order from our favorite delivery restaurant, and we all know the places that deliver tend to have that yummy junk food we should save as an occasional treat.

It may seem like a daunting task for some, but transitioning to a healthy diet even when faced with a busy schedule is not difficult. As a matter of fact, it can be very fun and is virtually guaranteed to improve the quality of every aspect of your life. It simply requires a little bit of planning and a little bit of discipline. Bringing lunches to work, and having a list of easy to prepare wholesome dinners simply requires a small amount of forethought. The ultimate result is that you will be healthier, happier and more capable doing the things you want to do for a much longer period of time.

Start by making a budget for your shopping, and trying to stick to a good shopping list when you go to the grocery store. Try to choose all natural foods and organic foods and vegetables. Buy enough ingredients to make healthy meals that will leave you with leftovers to take in a container for lunch at work throughout the week. Grab sweets and snacks that will satisfy your cravings, but make sure they are all natural, organic and free of refined sugars and artificial ingredients.

Try leaving yourself a little more time in the morning to make a decent meal. Breakfast is crucial and all too often we find ourselves needing to skip it. Keep fresh fruit on hand, perhaps in a bowl on the table. This is a great way to start your day. Try drinking a glass of water before you drink that first cup of coffee, and save that java for your first meal. Cereal with a little fruit takes just moments to prepare, and if you choose whole grain cereals and fresh organic fruits, you will start your day off with a well balanced meal. Simple organic recipes are available all over the internet to get you started.

Dinners don’t have to be complicated if you do a little prep work ahead of time. Take one day to prepare ingredients and keep them in the fridge so you can still make a healthy meal, even when you come home late or have plans for the evening. Soaking beans ahead of time, or keeping some extra chopped vegetables in a bowl for a day or two will make cooking a meal faster and more appealing. Healthy living becomes easier and easier the more you do it

There are plenty of resources available for folks who want to make a transition to healthier living. Plenty of books and videos are available with great tips and encouraging anecdotes. Web sites like Go Natural Living are specifically designed to assist people who are new to the wonderful world of healthy eating and living. At gnliving.com you will actually find explanations, tips, pre-designed organic menus and lots of other great information on making your lifestyle more healthy and sustainable.

The Twin Rivers Media Festival

The Twin Rivers Media Festival is the first weekend in May every year in Asheville, NC. All proceeds from the festival, after promotional and other expenses, go back to the film makers and media artists. Next year is Twin Rivers Media Festival's 15th season. If you love independent film-mark your calendar now!

The festivals judges begin selecting films in March and April and continue right through the festival's official dates, during the first weekend in May, where the finalists are screened in two hour intervals throughout the weekend. The independent media festival typically draws around 150 viewers at each screening or so, for a total of over a thousand or so visitors overall. “The Twin Rivers audience really appreciates the media arts, and this festival gives them a chance to see stuff that might not otherwise be available. We get entries from all across Europe and Asia, as well as all over the Americas, and it’s some of the best in the world,” says Carlos Steward, the festivals founder and driving force.

With 400-500 entries coming in from some of the best independent media artists working all over the world, Twin Rivers focuses on substance instead of glitz, and strives to be more eclectic than the typical film festival. In addition to featuring some of the best independent documentaries, short drama and feature films being made anywhere in the world today, The Twin Rivers Media Festival also offers categories for artists working in CD multimedia, audio media, commercials, internet media and websites. There are even special categories such as “Made on a Mac,” or for projects that deal with outdoor, conservation or environmental themes.

Over the years, Twin Rivers and its predecessors have become extremely popular with independent artists on the West Coast and in film schools. A majority of the US entries come from California, followed by film schools such as NYU and Florida State, then the Southwest. Accomplished professional artists will often be invited to talk about their work and teach workshops. Among students and local budding artists, education is a major draw to the festival. Film makers and other media artist can network, talk about projects and exchange ideas in a supportive setting.

Stewards love of the media arts goes far beyond just film, and he wanted to make his festival more inclusive and open to any media arts. “These art forms are so similar and inter-related,” observes Steward, “ I wanted to do more for independent artists creating amazing work in media besides film.” In the early 80’s, Stewards vision was realized, and a media festival in upstate New York was born. Since then, he has been involved in festivals in states across the country, and most recently has settled in Asheville, North Carolina, where the Twin Rivers Media Arts Festival continues to grow and expand. “Asheville has an amazing community who are very supportive of independent media,” says Steward, “It allows great exposure for artists from the U.S. and other parts of the world.”

As a film student at Florida State University and a documentary film maker in Mexico and Central and South America, Steward learned first hand how difficult it is to get independent film to audiences. “Underground media festivals are a great way to get things shown that normally would not be seen by a very wide audience. That’s where the idea for creating my own film festival began, and this current incarnation here in Asheville is the best so far. ”

Asheville offers other advantages, in that although the festival celebrates art from all around the globe, the entire event is organized and produced with local talent. Film judges belong to and are credentialed by MAP (the Media Arts Project) of Western North Carolina. Judges for audio and screenwriting come from various professional studios in and around Asheville. Steward believes Asheville to be the perfect community to produce a grassroots media arts festival. “I have been all over the world, and Asheville has one of the most amazing pools of local talent I have ever seen,” notes Steward. He tries to involve as many local artists as possible to ensure that the festival has a true community feel and has many art forms represented.

With 102 World Premiers and 8 North American premiers, the Twin Rivers Media Festival provides some of the best independent screenings to be found anywhere. Jamie Hester, a fan of the festival and regular at The Courtyard Gallery’s Friday night “World Cinema” series commented on some of his favorite entries from last year: “I really enjoyed ‘Fix’ by Tao Ruspoli, and ‘Karearea’ by Sandy Crichton was amazing.” Jarrett Leone, a Twin Rivers volunteer noted, “I liked ‘Camp Woz,’ by Jarrad Kritzstein, and not just because of the name. I also really loved ‘Ancestor Eyes’ by Kalani Queypo, the Native American film maker from California.”

The Twin Rivers Media Festival is not your typical film festival. This amazing showcase of some of the brightest international media artists manages to deliver world class talent without being the least bit pretentious. No Hollywood starlets walking down red carpets into fancy screening venues here. At The Courtyard Gallery, home of The Twin Rivers Media Festival, you are more likely to find yourself in a cozy chair or couch surrounded by one of the most diverse collections of work by local and international visual artists, or sit out in the courtyard itself and enjoy the secluded outdoor screening area.

There are a multitude of reasons artists choose to enter Twin Rivers. Many are interested in the highly popular film categories such as feature film, documentary or short drama. This gives competitive film makers a chance to see how their project stacks up against 100-200 entries from some of the worlds best. Other categories are less competitive than other festivals, and draws entrants who may feel they have a better chance to garner rewards for their work. The top placing winners receive a unique hand-made trophy or plaque made by Mexican artist Cynlos.

Although Twin Rivers is a Labor of Love, and consumes most of Steward’s time from March to early May, he believes it's well worth it. "Getting a really outstanding entry from an unknown film maker just blows everyone away. This year, one of these was ‘Rabia’ a student film by Muhammad Ali Hasan, about a young Islamic women that straps explosives around her waist and then shows her previous life in flashbacks. It is an amazing little film. Film makers and media artists need audiences to appreciate the enormous work that goes into their projects. Some of these projects are labors of love that can take a decade to make. Being able to bring these products to an appreciative audience is really a wonderful thing to see.”

Hiking Boots: How to Choose Them

Choosing the correct hiking shoe is a decision that can greatly effect the overall enjoyment of your outdoor experience. Hiking footwear and hiking boots have become extremely fashionable these days, and it is important to ensure that you find a pair of hiking boots or hiking shoes that are functional in the type of environment you might expect to find yourself in.

All hiking shoes should share certain qualities. Quality hiking footwear will offer lots of lateral stability, to keep your ankle from rolling. They will offer a sole that is good and strong, with a good pattern on the bottom for traction. A cushioned heel and some padding under the ball of the foot of some kind are common. Whether or not you choose a high or low top, the design of the shoe will be geared toward stability and traction.

There are certain features in higher end hiking boots that separate them from the less expensive outdoor footwear. Various degrees of water repelling or waterproofing are available, and will generally improve with higher quality shoes or boots. Another aspect that improves with the quality of the shoe is weight. Better hiking shoes or hiking boots will weigh less, as this is always an important consideration when choosing any hiking and camping gear.

Choose a pair of boots or shoes that are appropriate for the conditions you will be hiking in. if you are going to be using one pair of shoes for all situations, you can find a shoe that will suit most purposes, but if you pick a pair of shoes designed for extremely cold climates, and you hike in hot weather, you may find yourself uncomfortably warm. The same is true in reverse, if you find yourself hiking through snow with boots that lack waterproofing or insulation.

Fitting a mens or womens hiking shoe is a lot like fitting any other shoes. When you try the shoes on, put on both pair and walk around a little bit. Crouch down and bend the toe to see how flexible they are, and whether or not they rub around your ankles. Try them on with a pair of socks that are similar to the ones you hike in, as many outdoor sportsmen will have special hosiery that they wear. Move side to side, jump a little bit and run a short distance. Try to get the feel of them on a hard surface so you can see how they grip the floor.

The boot or shoe should fit snug without pinching across the widest part of your foot. This is especially important in quality outdoor shoes, because the terrain you will be moving across is so varied and uneven. If a shoe pinches your toes, the result can be anything from twisted ankles to bunions to stress fractures. The foot depends on a certain range of motion to operate properly during a step, and the footwear you choose should enhance and support that range of motion, not inhibit it. Although hiking uses a very different type of motion and step than walking or running on straight flat surfaces, this is no less important.

Make sure that your heel does not slip, but also ensure that your toes are not hitting the front of the toe box. If the shoe seems to otherwise fit, but your heel is still slipping, make sure you have used all the eyelets at the top of the laces. If the shoe is still slipping even when properly laced, then try a different brand or size. Make sure that if you use special replacement insoles in your shoes, that you bring them along and try the shoes on with them.

If the hiking boot or hiking shoe you choose is not already waterproof, or you simply desire added protection, there are many waterproofing accessories available. Silicone and other materials can be brushed or sprayed on the outer part of the shoe to keep the feet dry and comfortable.

Once you have chosen a brand, or if you already know the shoes you want to purchase, there are many options online for quality discount footwear. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable company and check the return and shipping policies carefully. Companies like HouserShoes.com have incredible selections and prices, and excellent customer service standards.

Wherever you get them, take some extra time to choose your hiking boots carefully, and you will build a great foundation for your explorations of our glorious outdoor treasures.

World's Oldest Shoes

Hey check out my new post at houser shoes about the history of shoes and old shoe information!
This is cool information about 10,000 year old shoes.
More information can be found here about the 10,000 year old shoes.
Other information about shoes and the why they think shoes may have been developed up to 40,000 years ago can be found here.
For the oldest shoes found east of the Rockies check out this site for 8000 year old shoes.

Don't let your shoes get this old--check out the best in discounted online shoes at www.housershoes.com today!