Falling in love with JRTs

Asheville, North Carolina: 19 February 2020

This morning is full of the joy of nothing to do. After adorable bed snuggles (Riley likes to dive right under the covers and snuggle up beside you, while Seamus sits at a distance and judges you for being so easily won over by her), first stop is delicious cinnamon coffee.

Then we walk. Two walks a day (at least!) for these two. It’s here that I really get to see their little personalities just as their owners described. They love to go for a walk but hate having their harnesses put on, so the wrestle in the garage ensues, then we’re away (thank goodness for the waist strap that connects the two harnesses and makes walking both at once doable!).

Riley loves to walk (run!) ahead and poor Seamus would rather take it slowly and sniff around. Occasionally he hilariously just puts on the brakes and refuses to go any further, looking at me like he is absolutely sick of being doing what ever SHE wants to do. But with a bit of encouragement, he continues.

Their home is on a graded dirt road that winds down the hill, with the odd enviable mountain home. This is our daily spot for a walk - half-an-hour out and back. Despite it being uphill on the way back Seamus always gets up a run once we have turned for home.

The view is so much better in person that the housesitting (or the below) photos show. There’s a ridge of snow-capped mountains in the distance, which I come to learn are called the Blue Ridge (and the sought-after view from the famous Blue Ridge Parkway). The house is also beautifully laid out to take advantage of the views. Perfect for a whole lot of nothing, except taking in the views.

Waking up to this view makes me feel so lucky and like I am in just in the right place.

Asheville is such a famous location for all it has to offer that I decide I should head into town, despite being completely seduced by just looking at the view. I head downtown, and enjoy strolling about the cute streets - so many places to eat, gift shops. It’s here I stumble upon Trade and Lore, a super cute oasis for coffee and postcard writing.

It takes me a while but I get myself to the main street - Biltmore Street - and this is definitely that place to head to when you’re in town. I’m looking for something to cover my ears when I run (my visor is completely useless in this cold!), so I head to Diamond Brand Outdoors Downtown and find exactly what I need (and more). Then I head up the street to a Carolina classic, Mast’s General Store, where I really get a feel for the outdoor mecca Asheville is. Next stop is Green Sage Cafe for a delicious Mint Matcha vegan milkshake, then a very productive (and expensive trip in Hazel Twenty, coming away with a new pink jumper perfectly suited to my new mountain life.

One of my jobs today is to turn over the tiny house nestled just beside theirs. This is my dream! A tiny home that needs care and attention - I change all the linen, dust, vacuum, empty bins, add new chocolates and wine.

Then another afternoon walk - just loving these walks with these two. The weather ap says it will snow tomorrow - fingers crossed.