![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-1.jpeg)
At the beginning of the month we hiked around the Montreat area, an easy hike with nice view from the heights over Black Mountain.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-2.jpeg)
Nous n'avions pas eu beaucoup a marche depuis notre appartement pour pouvoir s'installer en bordure d'un parking, sous les arbres et d'admirer le feu d'artifice en centre-ville. Le bâtiment qui s'éclaire de blanc c'est le Palais de Justice, le dôme sombre devant c'est la First Baptist Church.
The Fourth of July is of course Independence Day in the US, the equivalent of our French "Bastille Day". Tradition calls for BBQ, so I made BBQ tofu, not made again because it was too acidic, I should get the recipe back out and rework it for this year.
We didn't have to walk much from our apartment to settle by the side of a parking lot, under the trees and admire the fireworks downtown. The building light up in white is the Courthouse, the dome in front of it the First Baptist Church.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-3.jpeg)
Au passage nous nous sommes arrêté a la boutique de son copain Jason: Sunrise Grocery Store.
Tiens, l'essence n'étais pas bien chère... J'aime toujours autant le look du bâtiment, très pittoresque.
It was time to go visit his family once more in the State of Georgia.
While there we visited his friend Jason's store: Sunrise Grocery Store.
Well, gas wasn't all that expensive... And I still love the very picturesque look of the building.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-4.jpeg)
The crickets to go fishing.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-5.jpeg)
With his siblings, we want to a water hole at the bottom of a waterfall. How welcomed was the cool water on a hot summer day! However the strongest memory I have of that day is that his brother, overweight at the time, almost had a heart attack. He wasn't use to exercise at all.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-6.jpeg)
Back in Asheville, Hubby brought me to a Baseball game. It was certainly Thirsty Thursday, the game with $1 beers. The local team the Tourists was playing with its mascot the bear.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-7.jpeg)
Fed-Ex est passe mais n'a pas sonne a la porte et il fallait donc aller chercher le paquet en boutique. Du coup alors que je fêtait mon anniversaire chez sa cousine, Hubby est passe et c'est occupe du paquet. Je me rappelle avoir été déçue car il était passe a la maison alors que je n'avais pas pu le voir. Snif. Mais en rentrant de chez sa cousine j'ai eu la surprise de découvrir qu'il avait fait venir un magnifique bouquet de fleurs en direct d'Hawaii. Je crois bien que c'est le plus beau bouquet qu'on m'est jamais offert.
For my birthday, Hubby was working sadly, and I had not seen him in days. However he had planned for a surprise. He left me a little note telling me that a package was coming via Fed-Ex, that it would be thirsty and that I would find everything I needed to take care of it under the sink. But I was not allowed to look there until it arrived. Reading thirsty I thought it would be a pet of some sort.
Fed-ex came but never ring the bell and the package had to be picked up a the store. So while I was celebrating my birthday at his cousin's. Hubby came and took care of the package. I remember being disappointed because I had not been able to see him while he went home. Sob. But coming back from his cousin's I had the surprise to discover a beautiful bouquet of flowers straight from Hawaii. I think it the most beautiful bouquet I ever received.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-8.jpeg)
Through my internship, I also had the opportunity to visit Biltmore Estate for the first time. I was impressed, but I have to admit that my memories get mixed up with more recent visits.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-9.jpeg)
But I think the highlight of July was to see Ben Harpe and the Innocent Criminals in Concert. So many people looked at us with envy while we were waiting for the doors to open. An amazing concert with a bass player opening for the show, Beatles song with djembe and bass, and of course Ben Harper's songs.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-10.jpeg)
Le sentier amenait notamment en haut de la cascade Hickory Nut Falls, lieu depuis lequel les dernieres scenes du Dernier des Mohicans avait été filmé.
Ci-dessous la cheminée qui donne son nom au parc.
To finish the month we went to hike in Chimney Rock Park. In 2005 all the trails were open and it was a private Park. Since then it was purchased by the State of North Carolina, and it became a State Park, however the great long trails have been shut for repairs for years.
The trail among other things took you to the top of Hickory Nut falls, location of the last scenes shot on The Last of the Mohicans
Below the chimney that gave its name to the park.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-11.jpeg)
A bit of humour to motivate people to behave.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-12.jpeg)
The famouse Devil's head.
![Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005 Un Stage aux USA: Juillet 2005](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/310/3100544/stage-usa-juillet-2005-L-13.jpeg)