Recess For Active Retirees - RFAR

Meet 10 AM Monday June 16 2025 @ Bear Wallow Mountain Trail Head 4854 County Rd 1594 ( Bear Wallow Mountain Rd) Gerton area....Hendersonville. The road from Gerton area is narrow gravel.. (I do not recommend coming this way.)There is some info that it may not be open due to hurricane damage. If you come from the west side the roads are paved up to the trailhead. I suggest you get to Arden and set the GPS. A housing development called Grand Highlands is next to the trail head. According to All Trails 2.1 mile loop with elevation gain of 584 feet . Listed as moderate. Please be aware of your physical ablilities/limitations . Water and walking stick would be good. Supposed to be cows at the top. Trail can be steep and have stone steps. Bring picnic lunch and chairs and we can picnic afterwards at the trail head. No restrooms the last time I was there. Hope you can make it . Ben 561 425-3077 bbsdob525@aol.com

Meet Grovewood Village 111 Grovewood road Thursday June 19 2025 @10 AM . Follow signs to Grovewood Village . Look for RFAR signs in the parking lot . Adjacent and below to The Omni Grove Park Inn is one of Asheville’s hidden gems. Known today as Grovewood Village, this historic site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries. There are metal mobiles and sculptures outside. There is an inside art gallery with objects and furniture . The actual weaving museum is closed but the car museum docent is supposed to be able to give us a brief history. Now you’ll discover an arts and crafts destination that offers a glimpse into an important part of Asheville’s story. Museums are donation based ..Please help them with your contribution. Thank You..The vintage car museum showcases a collection of vintage automobiles dating from the romance-filled days of wooden steering wheels and polished brass headlamps. These antique beauties were owned by local legend Harry D. Blomberg, who purchased Biltmore Industries in 1953 and saved it from going under. Lunch option . picnic tables if you bring a lunch to leave in your car. Other choice could be book lunch at the Grove Park Inn. We can tour the village and outdoor sculpture gardens and go over to Omni Grove Park Inn for a short visit. If you go to the Omni Grove Park Inn there is a parking garage and first hour was free the last time I was there and $10 1-3 hrs. There is the Sunset Trail you can eyeball for another time. This event is just to give you an overview so you can return and spend more time. Hope you can make it. Ben 561 425-3077 bbsdob525@aol.com

. .Meet 10 AM Friday June 20 2025 at trail head ( about 30 miles north of Asheville) in Madison County intersection of Hwy 208 and Hwy 70 east/ Hwy 25 for Laurel Creek trail walk along the water. I suggest taking the by-pass around Marshall .. There may not be cell phone coverage out there . Look for RFAR signs. See photo below of parking area for the trail head. Deborah suggested Walk 3- 4 miles RT. About 1 1/2 miles in trail gets rocky further in.... Walking stick/poles good to have. You can turn around at anytime . Can't get lost. Some elevation getting down and up from the river bed but other wise fairly level. There are some roots and rocks. See photos below. Walking stick suggested. Afterwards option: bring picnic lunch to leave in your car and a chair and we can find some shade. . Thanks to Deborah for suggesting this activity/venue. Hope you can make it. Ben 561 425-3077 bbsdob525@aol.com

Meet 10 AM at Barnard St and WT Weaver Street. About 15 parking spots on paved section off the road. The only address I could find before you have to pull off was residence 131 WT Weaver Blvd .The location shows 118 Wt Weaver as Meet Up did not list 131. Do not park in the parking lot. We are on North side of WT Weaver Blvd before Barnard Ave going West.Note there is a Weaver street too. Walk paved greenway down to Asheville Botanical Gardens.No dogs as will be going though Botanical Gardens. Will cut through there on a gravel path . Restrooms available. Please pay attention as bikers and others sharing this trail. Have option of walking some unpaved trails on the opposite side of Glenn's Creek. Then have to cross over Broadway to Reed Creek path. Mostly flat with some inclines . Probably 4 miles total out and back. Some benches along the way to rest. You can stop and turn back if you need to as you can't get lost. Lunch option at Luella's BBQ 501. Merrimon Ave... Hope you can make it Ben 561 425-3077 bbsdob525@aol.com