As a review of the table of contents conveys, my new book, Exploring Asheville, is more than just a list of things to do in this unique city and its neighboring areas. I call it the book that has everything you need to know to be Asheville Smart—a guidebook for visitors to get the most out of their Asheville experience. Asheville is more than a place with a lot of things to do and enjoy. It has a rich history filled with extraordinary people who shaped its unique diverse culture. To enjoy the city to the fullest you need to know a little about its history, festivals, mysteries, myths, folklore and love of music and art.

CONTENTS

Part One—Moments in the History of the City......……...1
Part One: Introduction......................................................... 3
Asheville Cure....................................................................... 7
Battery Park Hotel................................................................ 9
Biltmore in WWII................................................................ 12
Cold Mountain..................................................................... 14
Edwin Wiley Grove and his Pig Baby........................……… 16
F. Scott Fitzgerald................................................................. 18
George W. Pack.................................................................... 20
Isaac Dickson........................................................................ 22
Lady on the Hill—George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore........……... 24
Rafael Guastavino Moreno...........................................……..27
O. Henry............................................................................... 29
Thomas Wolfe........................................................................ 31
Thunder Road........................................................................33

Part Two—Things to Do and See.............................……...35
Part Two: Introduction.......................................................… 37
Asheville Downtown..........................................................….39
Arcade Building................................................................…..42
Asheville Urban Trail......................................................... ….44
Antique Car Museum.........................................................….47
Antique Shopping...............................................................…50
Apple Valley........................................................................….53
Arboretum..........................................................................….55
Axe Throwing.....................................................................….58
Basilica of St. Lawrence.....................................................…..60
Bears.......................................................................................62
Biltmore Village..................................................................... 64
Biltmore Visit Tips............................................................... 66
Blue Ghost Fireflies.............................................................…69
Botanical Gardens..............................................................….71
Drum Circle........................................................................…73
Cheese Country................................................................…...75
Chocolates...........................................................................…77
City Hall................................................................................ 79
Cradle of Forestry..............................................................…..81
Crossroads Monument......................................................…. 84
Cycling with Bears..........................................................…… 86
Dog Welcome Center.........................................................… 89
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell......................................................….91
Fall Season..............................................................................93
Festivals and Events..........................................................…..96
Flatiron Building..............................................................…105
Folk Art Center................................................................…107
French Broad River............................................................. 109
Glass blowing...................................................................…112
Halloween Room.............................................................…114
Hot Springs..........................................................................116
Immortal Image................................................................... 118
Miniature Golf.................................................................….120
Mining for Gems...............................................................…122
Motorcycle Museum.......................................................…...125
Mountain Golf................................................................…. 127
Mural Trail.......................................................................….129
Musical Heritage..............................................................….132
Pinball Museum................................................................…134
Radio Museum..................................................................…136
Rat Alley............................................................................…138
River Arts District.............................................................…140
Rooftop views...................................................................... 142
S&W Building......................................................................145
Sister Bad Habit................................................................…148
Stepping Out........................................................................150
Tiny Doors.......................................................................…152
Trains...............................................................................….153
Wake Foot Sanctuary......................................................……155
White Horse....................................................................…..157
Wildlife Park...................................................................…. .159
White Squirrels...............................................................…...161
Wine Country.................................................................…..163

Part Three—Paranormal Events, Mysteries,
and Ghost Stories.....................................................…..167

Part Three: Introduction................................................…169
Chicken Alley.....................................................................171
Church Ghosts.................................................................. 174
Brown Mountain Mystery..............................................… 176
Byrish Haus Ghost............................................................. 178
Ghost Tours........................................................................180
Great Book Heist................................................................182
Helen’s Bridge.....................................................................184
Hope Diamond...................................................................187
L.E.M.U.R.—Paranormal Research.............................….. 190
Reynolds Ghost..................................................................192
Room 545...........................................................................194
Mysterious Seely’s Castle...............................................…..196
Naked Ghost......................................................................199
Subterranean Asheville...................................................….201
Tapping Ghosts..................................................................203
Witches Tree...................................................................…205
Visiting Ghost....................................................................208

Part Four—Tall Tales from the Rocking
Chair Porch..................................................................... 211
Part Four: Introduction...................................................… 213
Chimney Rock Gold...........................................................215
Cow Counting.....................................................................218
Christmas Spiders...........................................................….221
Doctor’s Advice...............................................................….224
Nail Soup.............................................................................227
Old Blue...............................................................................230
One Way Cyclist...................................................................232
Rocking Chair Wish............................................................ 235
Ruinous Wish...................................................................…237
Simpson’s Hearing...........................................................….243
Siren of the Broad...........................................................….245
Special Circumstance......................................................…..248
Valley of the Cross............................................................….251

Learn more and/or order now

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All of my books are available from your favorite bookstore, or click to find one near you. Ebooks and print editions are also available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple iBooks, Smashwords, and other online bookstores. Audio editions are available on Amazon, iTunes and directly from Audible.com.
To purchase my latest book click on the title, Exploring Asheville .

The hospitality Industry magazine, Hospitality Design, reporting on Applewood Manor wrote, “A $1.5 million restoration revitalizes the historic B&B property with a worldly sensibility.” The article by Will Speros included the above picture of Applewood’s parlor or music room and continued as follows:

The historic Applewood Manor in Asheville, North Carolina has reopened following the completion of the first phase in its $1.5 million restoration. Recent upgrades to the 6,000-square-foot B&B include six refurbished accommodations and a slew of upgraded amenities.
“Having lived and worked in more than 20 different countries, I was inspired by boutique hotels such as Soho House, and we aim to bring that level of sophistication, engagement, curation, and service to reinvent the dusty bed and breakfast experience,” says Applewood owner and operator Stephen Collins, who also oversaw renovations with his wife, Robin. “For Robin and me, it’s highly personal, and we are looking forward to forming meaningful relationships and building traditions with our guests.”
The couple drew inspiration from luxury boutique properties across the globe, including a retreat in the South of France which is channeled within Applewood’s “secret” seventh room. The eclectic visual identity of the Applewood Manor comprises curated artwork and furnishings that range from Persian rugs to antique focal points like a Chickering upright piano and 110-year-old butler’s pantry. Contemporary pieces inject a juxtaposition of old and new into the property as well as an international flair.

The 1912 historic bed and breakfast inn has another unique feature. It has its own story book, Stories from Applewood Manor,—a collection of short stories that explores Asheville, North Carolina’s history, attractions, mysteries, ghost stories, and tall tales from the perspective of the historic bed and breakfast inn. There is a feeling about Applewood Manor that is unique. It touches the past yet shares the remarkable character and culture of Asheville—a city that has been called many things: weirdest, happiest, quirkiest, most haunted place in America, Santa Fe of the East, New Age Capital of the World, Paris of the South, Beer City USA, and Land of the Sky. The Manor and its city have many secrets, mysteries, and legends—some factual, some alleged, some exaggerated and some hard to believe at all.

Stories from Applewood Manor is available on Amazon.com and other online bookstores and is available for purchase at the Manor. Signed copies can be ordered from the author, Tom Collins, by going to tomcollinsauthor.com.

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For signed copies of books by Tom Collins, go to TomCollinsAuthor.com. Unsigned print and eBook editions are available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other online bookstores. Audio editions are available on Amazon, iTunes and directly from Audible.com. Check out the latest book by Tom Collins, Stories from Applewood Manor, that explores Asheville, North Carolina’s History, Mysteries, Ghosts, and Tall Tales.
Published by I-65 North, Inc.

Exploring Asheville--Table of Contents

Applewood Manor Makes News

Applewood Manor Stories