Ghost Signs from Asheville, North Carolina

As it becomes more and more difficult to get outside in the light during the week, I am resorting back to my summer holiday snaps for today's blog post. Although it seems like a distant memory now, we had three wonderful weeks on holiday in the US back in July/August this year. This particular photo set is from an Urban Wander around Asheville, North Carolina, which like many of the towns we visited seemed to be full of ghost signs.

BLUE RIDGE SAVINGS

BANK

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

SOUTHERN FURNITURE Co

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Great ghost sign but I can only make out the word

DELICIOUS

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Two ghost signs here. The first is easy to read but the second one is a mystery to me.

FRESH UP WITH 7 UP

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

It's been a while since I've seen a Woolworth's here in the UK since their mass closure a few years ago. It seems as though in the US it may still be a going concern, but I've called it a ghost sign here. 

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

One of the easier to read ghost signs.

DELICIOUS AND REFRESHING

DRINK

COCA-COLA

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

AUTO ACCESSORIES

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

ASHEVILLE SUPPLY & FOUNDRY CO

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Here's the same building with a better view of the ghost sign on the side.

ASHEVILLE

SUPPLY & FOUNDRY

MACHINERY

PIPE & FITTINGS

BELTING

VALVES

ETC

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Another hard to read ghost sign, but on the left-hand side I can just make out the words

? HARDWARE

MANTELS GRATES

and on the right-hand side I can see

WINDOWS

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

A better view of the fabulous truck outside Pack's Tavern.

Old truck, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

I thought this said painting initially but a closer inspection revealed that it says

PRINTING

not sure about the top right-hand side though.

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

? AND RECTOR

FURNITURE, STOVES

TRUNKS & ?

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

ASHEVILLE FISH CO

ESTABLISHED

1894

AGENTS FOR

CAPE FISH CO

BOSTON, MASS

Ghost sign, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

And finally after a long day wandering around the city, it was time for dinner. Possibly one of the best quesadillas I've ever eaten.

Quesadillas, Salsa Restaurant, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

    

That's all for today folks. I hope to be able to write a couple more blog posts this side of Christmas, but if I don't then a Happy Christmas and New Year to anyone reading this.

2 days back at work and I need another holiday already

I've only been back at work 2 days and I feel like I need another break already. I've included this photograph to cheer me up. It was taken on the way back from Nantucket to Hyannis on our last real holiday back in summer 2008 when we spent 3 weeks in the USA ... oh how I'd deeply love to be there again, but probably a tad cold this time of year.

 This week has been completely mad. As yet I've not made it into London and therefore not managed to go record shopping, which is particularly frustrating as I read more into Electric Eden and am curious to hear more of what's described there. I am making do with listening to the 3 Fairport Convention albums I have, plus topping up my needs through lastfm, but nothing beats owning a record or CD. I am definitely going to London tomorrow and am determined to see if I can get at least to Notting Hill Gate record shops after work.

Also since being back at work the exercise regime has slowed down. After managing a bike ride for the first 3 days of 2011, I've only managed a couple of lunchtime strolls since. We still have a huge amount of cheese left over from Christmas which I'm trying to avoid but did succumb yesterday. And, of course, when you start on the cheese, you need a glass of red, and then you need more cheese, and then ... suddenly it's all gone horribly wrong.

Finally for today, having just got on top of a recent batch of vintage postcards, I am now awaiting delivery of more which should keep me busy of an evening for a few weeks.