Asheville is America's new Aspen . . .

"The Cleveland Plain Dealer" travel section reports:

 "Asheville is America's new "Aspen", a celebrity hideaway discovered by the likes of
Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Andie MacDowell, and John Travolta.  And it's no wonder. 
Western North Carolina's glorious mountains are the backdrop to one
of the nation's most sought-after communities.  

On one hand, access to thousands of acres of mountain forest, streams,
and national parks make Western North Carolina, the "land of waterfalls",
a natural paradise.  Set within the Blue Ridge Mountains, the region
satisfies extreme sports enthusiasts with some of the nation's best
paddling, climbing, mountain biking, trail riding, fishing, skiing,
and hiking. 

On the other hand, Asheville is a vibrant, eclectic city that effortlessly
combines small-town charm with extraordinary urban sensibility.
Asheville is the home to one of the best music scenes in the Southeast,
sporting everything from rockabilly to ragtime, bluegrass, blues,
mountain folk, swing, and jazz.  Its warm, funky energy is fueled by
a thriving community of entrepreneurs, artists, writers, filmmakers,
musicians, and cultural creatives drawn from around the world.
 
This progressive attitude, blended into rich Appalachian tradition,
helps Asheville rank as a top draw for people around the world."