Michael and Krystal's place is in a lovely, wooded, retreat-like setting near the appealing and walkable UNCA campus, the botanical gardens, and it's a straight shot into downtown Asheville (in mere minutes). There is an easy walk a short distance from the house that affords the visitor an exquisite panoramic view of the city and the mountains beyond, part of a compound where the university houses its observatory: check ahead to see whether your visit coincides with one of its public observing days, and make a reservation. We brought Scout-the-Lab with us and he was quite comfortable in the house, and Michael was super flexible and accommodating when we announced we'd be traveling with an additional human visitor. Also drive around in the neighborhood to admire an interesting mix of architectural styles, including a few 'statement'-style homes you might see on the cover of Architectural Digest. Fun fact: there's a 'Little Free Library' across the street from the driveway with an impressive collection of reading you'd expect of a neighborhood teeming with college kids and professors. A wonderful getaway for any budget-minded traveler.