Asheville, NC: Christmas, Decisions, and a Big Upgrade

When we rolled into Asheville, NC, it wasn’t just another stop on our journey—it was also a turning point. We had some big decisions to make. Initially, the plan was to winter in Florida and then head home. However, after Hurricane Ian, those plans no longer felt right. Patrick, our self-proclaimed Chief RV Officer, went back to the drawing board. Instead of going home, we realized what we really wanted was to keep going—to fully embrace life on the road for a year. The idea of returning to our house just didn’t compare to the adventure we were having.

Christmas at the Biltmore

One of the things we were most excited for in Asheville was visiting the Biltmore at Christmas. We enthusiastically purchased tickets for both the daytime and nighttime tours, thinking they would feel wildly different. And while the house was stunning—grand rooms, incredible architecture, and history around every corner—it was pretty much the same tour, just with Christmas trees in every room. Beautiful, yes, but not the big transformation we had imagined. Still, seeing the Biltmore decked out in holiday sparkle was a bucket-list experience.

Patrick and I getting into the Christmas spirit!

Back to Indy for Traditions

A week and a half before Christmas, we headed back home to Indianapolis to celebrate with my family. After weeks of being on the road, it felt so good to slip back into tradition—sharing meals, exchanging gifts, and just spending time together. That week grounded us, reminding us how special family time is, even while chasing adventure.

Freezing Weather in Asheville, NC and Airstream Woes

What we didn’t expect was the weather. The week leading into Christmas brought unseasonably cold temperatures, dipping below freezing. Ice began to build up in the Airstream, and we quickly realized we were unprepared. A trip to Camping World was in order, and we walked out with a heated hose—something we never thought we’d actually need.

It was also during this stretch that the conversation about the Airstream became more serious. We loved it, but without slide-outs, space was tight. Patrick joked that he might as well work my job since there was no room for him to spread out and work comfortably. We both knew we needed something bigger if we were really going to keep living on the road long-term.

A New Year, A New RV

And so, on New Year’s Eve, we did something big: we traded in our beloved Airstream for a brand-new 38-foot Montana High Country fifth wheel. Suddenly, we had more room than we ever imagined—and even a washer and dryer. It felt like we had graduated into the next phase of RV life.

Of course, nothing worth doing is ever easy. We had to drive back to Chicago to pick up the cushions we’d pulled from the Airstream, since leaving them behind would’ve cost us nearly a grand. Then, when it came time to make the switch, we were exhausted from travel and had to be at Camping World by 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

That morning, we pulled into Camping World, unhitched the Airstream, and began the move. That’s when disaster struck—a spaghetti jar tumbled out of a cabinet and shattered all over the floor. Red sauce everywhere. After cleaning up that mess, we powered through the exhausting sprint of transferring all of our belongings into the new RV.

As if that wasn’t enough chaos, the hotel we had crashed at for just four hours the night before called me while we were mid-move. The maid had found Patrick’s wedding ring, which had slipped off during our quick overnight stay. Talk about relief—what could’ve been a heartbreaking loss turned into a lucky save.

By the time we wrapped everything up, we were running on fumes. Our friends Tenille and Arnie had planned to come celebrate New Year’s Eve with us in Asheville, but we were too wiped out. Instead, we made the most of it and quietly rang in the new year in our brand-new home on wheels.

Our new home on wheels!

Good Eats in Asheville, NC

One of the highlights of Asheville (besides all the big life changes) was discovering Rocky’s Chicken Shop. Let’s just say we ate very well there—crispy, flavorful, and everything you want fried chicken to be. It quickly became a favorite and the perfect way to end a whirlwind stretch of decisions, adventures, and new beginnings.

Looking Ahead

Asheville wasn’t just another destination—it was where our road life shifted into something bigger, both figuratively and literally. With a new RV, a renewed commitment to the journey, and memories of Christmas traditions mixed with mishaps (spaghetti jars and wedding rings included), we were more ready than ever to see where the road would take us.