#FlyWashington Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 43

GoodRoad CiderWorks Credit: charlottesgotalot.com/Kyo H. Nam Charlotte Skyline Credit: charlottesgotalot.com/Kyo H. Nam On Saturdays, local luminary and cooking school instructor Chef Alyssa Wilen serves brunch in her new classroom and dining room space, Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen. Learn from the master herself in regular classes, or simply reap the benefits at the Saturday morning brunch. The challenge will be picking between pancake tacos, stuffed French toast, and hash bowls like “Morning Buzz” — coffee-rubbed short ribs, grits, and a poached egg. OFF THE RAILS Adrenalin pumps, muscles flex, and feet spring at this 1,300-acre outdoor playground 13 miles west of Charlotte. Indeed, at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, there’s far more than just rafting, kayaking, and paddling on the artificial channels, rivers, and pools — including the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. Zip-line and rope courses soar above, and 40 miles of groomed trails twist through the preserved woodlands surrounding. Even dancing is on the schedule at the performance venue in the middle of the complex. Here, roots rock, Americana, bluegrass, folk, and funk bands groove it up Thursday to Saturday evenings. GETTING THERE United and American Airlines fly direct to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) from Dulles International Airport (IAD). American also flies daily from Reagan National Airport (DCA). Flights take approximately one hour and 30 minutes one way. AUTUMN 2019 41 FLYWASHINGTON.COM