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In the aftermath, buildings, railroad cars, and trees lining the French Broad River in the town’s center were completely turned upside down.

Two miles south of downtown Asheville and along the French Broad River, the River Arts District is home to some 200 working artists who came here for the affordable warehouse spaces, not to mention the coffee shops, bakeries, and breweries.

“When I saw him at Elk Pasture Gap to give him supplies he needed to reach the French Broad River he was looking good, the sun was out, and he was exactly on the same pace as Shaun Pope,” Paul said.

They’re free to hug their friends, climb a rock wall, float on an inner tube down the French Broad River and sing at the top of their lungs.

The French Broad River Academy Girls School, which opened in the River Arts District in 2015, moved closer to the boys school in November, in Woodfin, on the banks of the French Broad River.