Blog bits: Batman

Getting a Batman fix in WNC

I found this recently and thought it was pretty cool. Link to it here. Read on:

There’s more in western North Carolina than a cave for those “Bat-fans” seeking to combine travel trivia – and beating both tourism and public relations folks to the punch. But don’t forget Bat Cave in Henderson County.

GOTHAM: OK, so you won’t find Batman’s “haunt” on any map of North Carolina, but you will find a number of examples of Gothic architecture in Asheville (more commonly known as the home of the *Biltmore Estate*); according to the city’s tourism bureau, one of the best is the *Grove Arcade Public Market*, a neo-Gothic building constructed in 1929 and recently restored; it now houses shops with crafts, fresh foods and eateries.

RA’S AL GHUL: As best as could be determined, there are no branches or sects, hidden or otherwise, of the “terrorist” group Ra’s Al Ghul, headed by actor Ken Watanabe, who trains Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) in the fine art of killing, aided by Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), who takes a liking to the Batman-to-be.

But, if anything Batmanish is your quest, you can come close: Ra’s Al Ghul translates as “The Demon’s Head.” If you hop onto the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville and head north, you’ll find the next best thing – times seven: “Seven Devils,” which is on Highway 105 between Boone and Valle Crucis.

BRUCE WAYNE: Batman’s alter ego doesn’t claim to be a native of, of ever living in, or (as best as we can tell) even visiting North Carolina. But, if you were him, would you tell anyone? So, maybe – just maybe – you’ll rub elbows with him by heading west of Asheville on Interstate 40 toward Maggie Valley, then turning south on Highway 74 to – Waynesville.

HIMALAYAS: Yeah, we know; the famed mountains are not in the United States. But if the movie “Cold Mountain” (which is in North Carolina) can be filmed in Romania …
There’s Mount Mitchell, which, at 6,685 feet, is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. It’s easily accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, north of Asheville.
And if you drive farther north, you can visit Grandfather Mountain, another mile-high-plus peak.