Authentic Asheville is a blog created by Caroline Whatley (she/her) and Erin McGrady (she/her) that reflects our passions. It’s basically an extension of our life. We are full-time filmmakers, photographers, writers, FAA certified drone pilots, and content creators who share stories about camper van travel and the outdoors. We also run, hike, camp, kayak, canoe, skateboard, surf, and just love being outside in general. This is a place where we share about all of that and what it means to take up space as members of the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making the outdoors a safer and more inclusive place for everyone and our work is a reflection of these values. To learn more about our work, you can visit our portfolio or contact us at hello@authenticasheville.com
Our blog started out in 2016 as a way to share about our Ram Promaster City van with a Wayfarer Conversion Kit as we traveled the country for work. But over the years, as we’ve grown, we’ve expanded to include more articles such as gear reviews, the best places to eat and drink, and LGBTQ+ safe spaces. We also, in 2023, purchased a used standup Ram Promaster Van which we are excited to share more about!
We recognize that the land we live and play on, in what is commonly referred to as Asheville, North Carolina, is the ancestral land of the Anikituwagi, more commonly known as the Cherokee.
We’re happy you’re here. Welcome to our community!
Asheville Adventures
The best things to see and do in Asheville, North Carolina.
Best Places to Hammock in Asheville, North Carolina
There are so many fun things to do in and around western North Carolina. The region has miles of scenic trails, more…
Best Instagram Spots in Asheville
One of our favorite things to do when we travel is to find murals. It’s fun to walk around and discover them…
Best Outdoor Breweries and Bars in Asheville
There are a ton of great places to grab a beer in Asheville but if you’re looking to take advantage of some…
Camper Van Life Adventures
Stories and ideas from the road!
How to Choose a Van for Van Life
Ready for a new adventure? One that involves travel? And possibility living out of your van? We’ve spent many, many hours discussing,…
The Best Camper Van Bed is a DIY Bed
On our most recent van life adventure through Canada in our Ram Promaster City Camper we left our Exped Sim Comfort Duo…
DIY Van Window Screens
They say necessity is the mother of invention, right? Such was the case for our DIY Van Window Screens. We spent about…
Recent Adventures
Come explore with us!
Best Day Trips Near Asheville
There are numerous options when it comes to things to do and places to eat in Asheville. And yet for all the fun that awaits you downtown, there are some really fun adventures in neighboring towns. Keep reading to see some of our ideas best day trips near Asheville. North Weaverville The small town of…
Low Waste Roadtripping
By Gillie of Ware for Authentic Asheville While my real American Dream is extensive passenger rail that lets us all see the country without the reliance on gas (sigh), we’re just not there yet. And the open road remains synonymous with freedom and adventure, so I’ve embraced it often in my life. But it doesn’t…
Authentic Asheville to Run Marathon for LGBTQ Equality
Running has been a huge part of Caroline and I’s life together since we met. One of the first things we did together (and have been doing ever since) is to go for a run. It’s an activity that each of us had done for years before meeting and it’s something that we’ve continued to…
Gear Reviews
Our top picks for camper van travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Review of the Merrell Women’s Speed Solo Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
Erin joined Merrells’ Hiking Club as a Trailblazer in 2023 and has been testing out numerous pairs of their hiking boots. Several pairs have become favorites such as the Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Mids and the Merrell Antora 3 Mid Waterproofs. Today, though, we’re going to do a full review of the Merrell Women’s Speed…
How To Pass the Part 107 Exam To Get Your Remote Pilot Certificate
We’ve been shooting photos for brands and businesses since 2016. We entered into video and filmmaking in 2022. During the summer of 2023, we decided to become certified to fly a drone for commercial work including photos and 4K video four our clients in Asheville and beyond. We wanted to offer them another skill and…
Photography Gear: What Camera, Lenses and Accessories Do We Use?
We sometimes get questions about the kinds of photography equipment we use to create our images. We also briefly touched on this topic in the Adventure Photography class that we recently taught at the REI in Asheville. As a result we decided to create a post that we can point people to! The following is…