On Thursday, we drive some 330 miles across North Carolina from Four Oaks to Flat Rock where we plan on staying five nights.

There is certainly something drawing us back to this area as this is the fourth time that we have visited the region in the last two years! So here we are again and using Flat Rock, located just outside the town of Asheville, as our base to continue exploring.

Today, we have been looking around a new housing development called the Cliffs, some 25 miles from Flat Rock and across the border into South Carolina. The drive was simply breathtaking as the entire region is framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains … trees, trees and more trees. The landscape is magnificent and my only frustration is that I cannot find enough places to stop and take pictures as that’s really all I want to do!

We visit a small town called Travelers Rest, South Carolina which was re-developed about 10 years ago. The town is full of character with interesting restaurants, pet-friendly micro-breweries, and boutique shops such as one called “The Flop Shop” specializing in flip-flops and jewelry. The people are also incredibly friendly and we chat to two different couples like they are long-lost friends!

After Travelers Rest we head into Greenville, South Carolina which is a pretty large city and the North American headquarters for the French tyre company Michelin. Lockheed Martin aircraft also has a facility and logistics centre in town as do 3M and Honeywell. We believe that Greenville also has a happening and somewhat European-style downtown area with a vibrant restaurant and music scene which we have yet to explore!

Breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Imagine having that view every day!