Sunny Side Up!

May 9, 2016

(Nice server guy at Sunny Point).

Walking in Carrier Park is always a joy.  It's so peaceful strolling calmly alongside the French Broad River, such a silent, soothing pleasure witnessing the ever-changing landscape as spring pushes into summer at a rapid pace.  Now, Carrier Park appeals even more as the wild irises are putting on a grand show in the marshy areas:

The blackberries are reaching out with their delicate, thorny branches.  From a distance, their fragile waving limbs remind me of graceful, elderly ladies at an elegant garden party, their frail arms entwined in elbow length lace gloves under the sun-dappled tree boughs, reaching eagerly for another cup of tea ....

.... (or perhaps another stiff gin and tonic .... if you wouldn't mind, darling?). 

After a late morning walk of a few gentle miles, we headed downtown and enjoyed some lively busker entertainment, did a little shopping, then later we wandered to Wicked Weed, a brewery on the main street. 

Wicked Weed is named after a Shakespearean quote prompted by King Henry VIII, who declared hops to be  a "wicked and pernicious weed".  

Dog-friendly, Zuma loves going there to lounge in the sunshine on the outdoor patio meeting fun people from all over the country, from all over the world.  So do we!  Except we don't lounge on the cement to keep our bellies cooled. 

Well, so far anyway, we haven't taken to doing that.  But anything is possible. As long as we limit ourselves to one beer each, I don't believe there is cause for concern.  No worries, Mate.

This sweet woman spent some time with Zuma there.  She is eager to own a Great Dane and Zuma was happy to convince her it's a great idea!  This is Zuma going in for "The Lean" which she saves for people she feels comfortable with:

As we sat there in the sunshine we watched the always entertaining pubcycle go by.  Yeh, it's all fun on the downhill, wait until you have to pedal that buggy back uptown!

While at Wicked Weed, we met Melanie and her cousin visiting from Ocean City.  Melanie is a former stand-up comedian;  she worked at stand-up for twelve years and her energy is contagious. She is a whole lot of fun.  We all hit it off right away and she invited us to breakfast at the restaurant where she works, Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville.  

So, the following morning we zoomed over to the cafe and Melanie was there!

As well as other kindly admirers who understand "Dane Brain":

Zuma was especially in love with this sweet, handsome man.

We took Melanie's advice about the menu and ordered .... 
Oh WOW!  Best.Breakfast.Ever!  Whenever we've driven by, Sunny Point always has a lineup so we know it is a super breakfast joint.  We don't usually go out for breakfast but this was an exception and it was exceptionally good.

No wonder Sunny Point Cafe has been written up in major newspapers and publications for their outstanding food!  Doug ordered their award-winning Huevos Rancheros and I had a wild mushroom omelette:

Ohhhh!  More walks in Carrier Park for us!  I couldn't even eat half of mine.  I know, Iiii know, I shouldn't have, but it was all so fresh and well-prepared and delicious!  Not to mention the excellent service, thank you, Melanie!

This meal lasted me for three entrees!

A little Bohemian and a lot dog-and human friendly, this gives you an idea of the good vibes and good karma at Sunny Point:

We waddled up the street to the West Asheville Tailgate Market where there is always an abundance of amazing fresh local food:

I purchased this skillfully carved "found" deer antler key ring formed into a morel.  A true work of art:

There were friendly dogs:

Friendly Vendors:

And friendly princesses:

We're looking forward to our next Tuesday outing in 

West Asheville.