Sunset on Asheville

We're back from our two-and-a-half weeks in Asheville, which was lots of fun and just a little bittersweet at the end. We were there to pack up and say goodbye to the house that we built there in 2003 and are selling at the end of this week.

When we put the thing up we considered it our "dream house", and it was certainly close to that. We love Asheville, it's close to Leslie's folks and the view is awesome. On the other hand, over the years we did finally come to realize that our actual dream house has fewer square feet to keep clean and neighbors somewhat further removed. Neither of those things can you easily remedy.

We spent our last trip there doing all the things we like doing in Asheville and one thing we've put off doing for years - cleaning out the basement and garage (we sold it furnished, so at least we didn't have to move furniture). We accomplished our primary goal of making enough cash selling off our almost-junk to pay for the hauling away of our actual junk.

Several things helped mitigate any sadness at letting the place go. For one thing, we've been renting it out as a vacation home for a little over a year, so we've been able to go back periodically, each time feeling a little bit less like it's "our place" since so many other people have stayed there. Plus, each time I'm there I spend an inordinate amount of time either fixing things or fixating on things that need to be fixed. Except for this time - that's the beauty of the "as-is" sale.

Still, the last trip out the door you do have to pause and look back wistfully, final-episode-of-Three's-Company-style, and think nice thoughts about the good times, the view, the woods out back and the people (and doggies) who have been inside.

Oh, what's happened to Asheville real estate prices since 2003 was pretty nice too.