By Holly Bullis, a local writer, living and networking in Asheville and surrounding areas.

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"In the winter, every hike has a view."

My roommate laughs at my overly optimistic tone as I gesture expansively to the valley below us. We’ve paused our hike on a large rock outcrop to sip some water, and to look at something other than our hiking boots on the trail.

Blunt branches twist around the edges of our view, yet we can see the tiny houses bordering Bull Creek. It looks like the quintessential holler.

This is the second day in a row we’ve forgone the shelter of hats and scarves in favor of shorts and hiking boots. After the cold weeks and windy city streets this little February thaw is much appreciated. Finally, it feels like we can get out and stretch our legs, and with this warm leafless winter season comes the chance to discover just where my favorite haunts are.

On a sunny trip to the dog park, we see a large road just up the way from the wide-open field. You wouldn’t notice it if the trees were thick with leaves. I can see miniature silver cars whizzing by like Hot Wheels toys. A quick look at Google Maps confirms that the road is indeed I-40, the stretch just between Asheville and Black Mountain.

Sitting on the front porch just this morning I could hear children playing outside. A walk up the hill revealed a school just down the way on a parallel road. I had seen signs for the elementary school as I turned off the main road, but I never realized just how close the school is to my place.

After our hike, we drive back down the Blue Ridge Parkway. The dog is panting lazily in the back seat. As we pass an overlook facing east we can see the school, which I now know to be less than a mile from our apartment, as the crow flies. There over to the left I can see our complex, snug and sweet and calm. I never realized just how close we are to the Parkway, or just how well-situated our little slice of life is.

I’m very glad for this warm, yet still wintery season for giving me a new view on places I enjoy.