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We departed Atlanta by bus for Fletcher North Carolina where we received an enthusiastic welcome followed by a potluck dinner.
Welcome to Western North Carolina
Our hosts lived in Hendersonville, a city with a population of 11,000, or in Asheville which is 35 kilometres southeast of Hendersonville and has a population of 72,000.
 
Snowy Morning in Asheville Ice Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Weather was Icy but the Welcome was Warm......!
Highlights of the exchange were:
- To awake on Sunday morning to snow falling.
- A walk through Asheville with a commentary provided by Ron.
- Lunch at the post and beam home of Becky and Chuck, and singing Peter's lyrics to “Waltzing Matilda”
- Tour of the North Carolina Arboretum with Jim, a retired forester, followed by tour of the Bonsai Garden with explanations provided by Virginia
- Visit to Biltmore House
- Tour the home of Carl Sandburg
- Behind the scenes tour of the North Carolina State Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse
- The Lonesome Road Band playing ‘good ole mountain music’ at the farewell dinner
Sharing a Convivial ‘Red’ - or Two....
At the farewell dinner President Eric presented the gavel and striker made by John from Currumbin Valley as a gift from the Gold Coast club to commemorate Western North Carolina's thirtieth anniversary.
We reaffirmed old friendships and made many new ones during this exchange. The week concluded with our hosts driving us the 125 miles to Charlotte International Airport.
NOTE: Western North Carolina Exchange Director was Becky Elston
For a web gallery of photographs taken during the week click here
Looking forward to our second week - click to go to Northern Illinois page.
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