I just love it when I get to visit friends and family along the way. It’s fun if I am staying in a nearby campground, but home hospitality is even better.
I visited Frank and Debbie in Asheville, North Carolina. I know them through my Airstream connections. And, while every house looks better with an Airstream in front of it, a T@b isn’t all that bad. They have electric and water hook ups at their Airstream parking spot, but they invited me to stay inside.
Cora made herself at home very quickly. She looks like she belongs there, don’t you think?
Incidentally, I arrived at Frank and Debbie’s house on April 1, 2019. Since it is now March 20, 2020 when I am finally immortalizing their hospitality, please forgive me if my recollections are a bit fuzzy. Thank goodness that the photos are stored by date, otherwise I wouldn’t even know when I was there!
Anyway, the next day, we set out to explore the River Arts District.
There were many studios and galleries to visit.
I thought this sculpture was interesting. I’ve always had a thing for found objects – otherwise known as “junk.” First I snapped a photo of Debbie and Frank.
Then Frank snapped one of Debbie and me gesturing artistically at each other.
Then, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to snap a shot of Saint Frank.
We continued our way around the studios and galleries.
But, you didn’t even have to go inside to see art. This was quite the Art Van.
Okay, a little humor for those familiar with the Midwest chain of furniture stores that will soon join the ranks of Sears and Montgomery Wards.
At least this art van has a sense of itself. I imagine that colorful van changes any place in the world that it is parked.
I also enjoyed the artistic tiles and grates in the sidewalk.
I didn’t take photos in the galleries and studios we visited out of consideration for the artists. I think they would prefer that people buy their art rather than take photos of their work.
We stopped in at Early Girl Eatery for lunch. I couldn’t resist ordering the same thing I had when I visited the year before. I did have to request a larger bowl to put my granola in. The cup they served it in was too petite to add the milk.
When we got home, we spent some time doing our own things. Frank was working on a “mash up.”
He does some really creative work putting Airstreams in other people’s artwork via photoshop.
This was his first “mash-up,” done shortly after he bought his Airstream.
Some of his works of art are based on more classical paintings.
Others are more modern.
He manages to capture the perpetual desires of the Airstream vagabond…
…as well as more universal themes.
This photo shows Homer Winslow’s “Snap the Whip” before and after the famous Frank DiBona treatment.
He demonstrated how it works, and he let me have the thrill of working together to create this one. I think it needs more work, but it’s a start.
Frank’s sells his Airstream works of art though is business called “Airstreams Everywhere.” And, truly, there are Airstreams everywhere in this house.
There is even one in the terrarium!
That night, Frank and Debbie had a few local Airstreamers over from the Facebook group we belong to. Before going out to dinner, we had a few appetizers and beverages. The Biltmore Estate is in Asheville. (Frank and Debbie have annual passes, and offered to take me there. But, those who are at all familiar with me could predict that I would have trouble justifying the $80 admission fee.)
Anyway, we went out to dinner at Vinnie’s, a popular local Italian restaurant.
Alexis and Chuck were there.
John and Renee also joined in the pasta and merriment.
The next day, Lindy, also known as “The Mitten Kitten” rolled by.
Lindy and her pups are fellow Michiganians.
Get a load of her shiny Airstream! She has a vintage Airstream, and those can be polished to a mirror shine. I just love the shiny ones!
Here’s a photo of Frank, Debbie and me.
And, my own self portrait.
My photo kind of reminded me of a work of art I grew up with in the collection of the Albright-Knox, La Jeune bonne (The Servant Girl). It was painted by Amedeo Modigliani, and Italian Painter who lived from 1884 to 1920.
That evening, we attended a spelling bee that was a fund raiser for the Literacy Council.
The Beauty and the Bee was hosted by MC David Ostergaard.
The teams really got into it with their costumes.
I wonder if they intended to sport those beehive hairdos for the spelling bee?
I love the literary reference in this team’s name – The Extended Metaphors.
I think they were having a ball!
The next day it was time to roll on. I’m not sure when this photo was taken, but here we are together – Debbie, Frank and me.
And, here I am, all hooked up and ready to roll!
Next stop: Raleigh, North Carolina.