While in Asheville, I was lucky enough to catch the last tour for the day at Sierra Nevada.


We went to the brewery to try a beer before the tour started.


Sierra Nevada is super cool because it's often one of the first craft beers that a person has.


The pale ale is often the beer that gets people into craft beer.


So, I'll stop rambling now and let you check out some of the photos!

Not too long ago, I saw "MannCave Moonshine" in a local store. I saw it was created in West Virginia, so I put it on my list to try as soon as I could.


The Lewis County distillery actually makes three products: whiskey, moonshine and vodka.


And Lisa and I were lucky enough to take a quick tour around the facility to learn more.


Here are some shots from our adventure:

Cool Springs Grocery is a convenience shop attached to a gas station on Kingwood Pike in Morgantown.


They also serve some food, like pizza, chicken strings, cheeseburgers and ... pepperoni rolls!


In fact, they have a bunch of unique pepperoni rolls.


They have bacon & mozzarella or hot pepper cheese, banana peppers & mozzarella or hot pepper cheese, Italian pepperoni & mozzarella or hot pepper cheese, Oliverio's peppers & mozzarella or hot pepper cheese, plus plain ones.


I got one of each variety with the hot pepper cheese! And, I gotta say, I really like the addition of the banana peppers!

Mast General Store is not a restaurant, but they have such a cool collection of old-fashioned candy that I wanted to share.


They have a little bit of everything - home goods, books, candy, camping gear. All of it.


But my favorite part was the giant barrels of candy.


These Moon Pies are adorable.


Think of that old-fashioned candy you might find at Cracker Barrel or another spot.

DakZen is an authentic Thai restaurant in Somerville that has made a name for itself with its street noodles and tasty dishes.



"DAKZEN IS AN AUTHENTIC THAI STREET FOOD & NOODLES RIGHT NEAR DAVIS SQUARE, SOMERVILLE. AT DAKZEN, WE ARE BRINGING BACK THE AUTHENTIC THAI TASTES, AND THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS IN EVERY DISH. WE SERVE A LOT FEWER MENUS THAN THE OTHER THAI RESTAURANTS SINCE "THE REAL GOOD THAI FOOD TAKES TIME TO PREPARE""


The menu has so many tasty items that I wish I could've ordered them all. But I was curious about an authentic take on Pad Thai (since I order this every chance I get). I got it with shrimp.


My pad thai arrived a little while later, looking pretty familiar to what I've become accustomed to. It did have the addition fo some shredded egg and crispy onion throughout. But I really love this combination of flavors.


A sweetness in the sauce, a nutty flavor, the freshness of the green onion and crisp of bean sprouts. Really a delish dish.

In downtown Asheville, there's a red double decker bus that slings coffee.


Double D's Coffee & Desserts is a cash-only coffee shop that is as fun and quirky as it is tasty.


The shop features pastries, as well as various kinds of coffee.


I went for a caramel frappe (my usual).


I went upstairs to check out the space, and there were a few folks up there working - but it was a bit too warm for me.


This drink was delish and a perfect addition to a hot day.

Let's hit up just one more coffee shop before we leave Boston.


Revival is a really cool, modern coffee shop that has this large front window, perfect for folks to enjoy the outdoors while being indoors.



Here, I was a bit coffee-ed out, but I still wanted to experience the place.


So, I looked over the pastries and bakery items they had available in the case.


And, I went with the lavender corn muffin. I stowed this in my bag until I got to the airport to have as a snack. I think I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that lavender is something I enjoy smelling, but not necessarily eating. Still, better than any snack I'd find in an airport.

It's hard for me to walk past a chocolate store and NOT go in.


Asheville Chocolate was beckoning me, and who am I to not oblige?


The store has a little bit of everything - so I made my way to the cases and perused.


I always look for milk chocolate, then look for caramel. That's the ultimate for me.


And, in the process, I found bark, truffles and more.


The one I left with, though, was gingerbread caramel chocolate. I mean, yes!