Early Girl, Tom Wolfe and The Wedge

Wed. February 23: Ruth, Tom, Kim, her dog Asa plus two other temporarily-adopted frisky, fun-loving neighbor dogs went for a brisk morning walk in the nearby woods. Kim went to work so we met our very fit nephew Brendan (recent Warren Wilson college graduate about to start his first career job) for lunch at a cute, southern cafe named for a tomato: “Early Girl”. [Tom, Brendan, Ruth in Asheville at left, figuring out directions, below.] Brendan is Tom's Brother Dave & wife Alex's son.

He then led us on a walking tour of Asheville, such a lovely city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, full of art deco architecture, narrow streets, interesting galleries, boutiques, and home of the Tom Wolfe Memorial Historic House and Museum. Sadly none of us remembered reading Look Homeward, Angel. Since the tour cost $1.00 we said “why not?” and followed the guide into a huge, rambling boardinghouse once owned by Julia Wolfe, Tom’s mother. She rented out not rooms but beds, for $1.00/night. Want heat with that? It’ll be a penny per lump of coal. Tom slept in whichever of the 49 beds not rented for the night. The endless supply of characters, including him, made the boarding house an abundant resource for his novels.

Brendan suggested we all go to The Wedge, one of nine breweries in town, this one an old building in a dilapidated industrial section one would not look at twice, thinking it was slated for demolition. Hah! It opened at 4 PM and by 4:10 the narrow bar inside and funky, eclectic outside patio was packed. [Just before 4 PM at right.] You might be interested to know that Asheville has been designated as a great place to live by many organizations including Tom and Ruth. Now you know why.

Kim, Tom, and Ruth met for a salutary dinner at “Salsas”, a creative blend of Caribbean, Latin, Cuban, Mexican cuisine with BIG flavor. For breakfast, with Kim, we had wonderful homemade granola both mornings. Kim gave us the secret recipe, so we can continue to enjoy this delicious healthy concoction. Kim (nee Lathrop) and Tom reviewed family memories and hoped it wouldn’t be long before their next visit.