Justin's Beach House: March 2006

Playing Catch Up

Justin: So it’s mid March already… Actually, today is our year and month anniversary… funny, almost didn’t notice! Shhhhh.. don’t tell OJ. Heck, I bet she doesn’t say anything either… Maybe I should make a big to-do about it and embarrass her? <big evil grin>
Na. I couldn’t do that.
Well, maybe…
Anyway, its been way too long since the last post and I thought I’d get people caught up on what has been going on. I posted some pics to help you see where we’ve been.
In mid Feb we bundled Oscar up and we all jumped in the Wrangler and headed to my sissy’s for my nephew’s 4th birthday. Whoo hoo! I can’t believe he’s 4 already. If I let myself reflect too long on it I would probably become rather distraught at the amount of time that has gone by… But he’s doing wonderfully, as are my sis and her new hubby. Interestingly enough, it’s been 6 months since their wedding alone… <sigh>
So the weekend after that OJ and I piled into her car this time and headed into the not so big city of Asheville, NC.
No, we didn’t see Biltmore. Sorry.
We got into town late as we had to leave after work and we just relaxed in the room on Friday night. Saturday we got up early and ran around town and along the Blue Ridge Parkway (what was still open). Since we couldn’t get to our planned hikes, he made an impromptu jaunt along a couple miles of trail that run parallel with the parkway. After that we dropped into downtown to shop a bit, then it was off to dinner.
Now, I think I’ve said this before, however I believe it bears repeating: If you want GOOD SUSHI, got to ASHEVILLE. I know, I know… scary to think you should go to the mountains for fresh fish, but I’m telling you… Maybe they treat it with methamphetamines or its marijuana laced, I don’t know, but the product at ZENSUSHI on Merriman Road is the best I’ve found so far. Even in Charlotte I’ve yet to find anywhere that truly compares, let alone beat out. Of course, I haven’t been everywhere, so that could change, however the current winner, hands down, is Zen. If you get the chance, drop in and try their specialty rolls.
Say it with me: YUM.
Well, after getting a full tummy of fish, we went back to the hotel to relax a little bit before catching the shuttle to Jack of the Wood back downtown. Jack of the Wood is another reason to visit Asheville. They have incredible bluegrass bands to warm your heart and tasty microbrews to warm your gullet. Bands ranging from open microphone to the Sons of Ralph appear regularly, so check them out. Sunday we got up and after a wonderful breakfast downtown of blueberry crepes we hit the Dupont State Forest area that is about 30 miles away and east of Brevard. We hiked around on a couple of trails to catch some rather scenic waterfall action… even climbed down to play on some.
Since then we have spent our weekends working around the house… we repainted the bathroom, painted the office, bought a sofa, etc. I was on-call a couple weeks ago so that shot doing anything fun that week...
We should have pics of the changes coming soon.. I think we’ll wait until the sofa arrives.

Be safe and well.
JJ