DAY 2: Weston, West Virginia → Ashville, North Carolina
It was another long day of driving on mostly highway, but we took an unplanned stop to briefly explore the newest national park, the New River Gorge in West Virginia. There is no doubt that we need to return to explore more of this area in warmer weather.
It was this day that I decided on food rules for the road… no fast food, no chains (including Starbucks), and experience local cuisine. While I mostly prepared very simple food on the road, when I did treat myself to a restaurant meal, it needed to be local and authentic to the region. I kept this up for the entire trip, with just a few necessary exceptions.
We passed through Ashville, NC, sadly without time to explore, and landed at a Harvest Hosts brewery for the night… Sideways Farm and Brewery. It was hopping with friends gathering outdoors and enjoying a beautiful night. We had escaped the northern winter! I enjoyed a beer and German food from a food truck, a visit with goats and chickens, and a reasonably good night’s sleep. I also learned to be more careful about parking the van on level ground.
When I think back, Zeke was so skittish at this busy stop after a quiet day in the van. He was just eight months old and still adjusting to van life and meeting new people and animals at every turn. By the end, he was a pro.
