Underground at Biltmore Estate and Leaving Asheville...

     I had a few more pictures taken at the Biltmore Estate that I thought you might enjoy. I'm still frustrated that I couldn't take indoor shots, but at some point I will post some pictures of pictures from the book we bought. I just haven't had time to read it yet!

     This is the view (using my zoom setting) from the estate to the hill across from it. This is where the swing set of a very young Ms. Vanderbilt stood. We simply didn't have the energy after the gardens and the house to walk the hill!

 
     The path to the gardens begins with this covered area dripping with Wisteria. Do you see the orb in this photo? It is the only photo from the entire week that has that in it. So, do you believe that an orb means the area is haunted? If any place could be...this is it!

We thought this was so odd.

This very old cypress tree had formed a garden of roots.

It was interesting and a bit creepy.

So who can resist a hydrangea?

Don't you just love this color?

Of course the pink is pretty too!

Of course you would expect the Biltmore Gardens

to include a water element.

We didn't expect there to be such a gorgeous waterfall.

     One of my favorite parts of the Biltmore Estate was getting to the winery. The winery is located a short distance away from the actual home in an area called Antler Hill Village. This area contains the Biltmore farm as well as a few shops and restaurants. In order to get to the winery, we entered through tunnels that once housed the Biltmore Dairy. It was so interesting down there and very cool after an 85 degree day filled with lots of walking.

The actual winery is large and the tastings are free.

There is also a wonderful gift shop.

I found this lamp made from wine bottles interesting.

I'm not sure I want one, but it was clever!

     If you want to, you can stay at this beautiful resort on the grounds at Biltmore. It sits high on a hill just above Antler Hill Village. The Inn on Biltmore Estate beautifully blends into the landscape and is certainly stunning to see.



     After three nights in Asheville, we left early Tuesday morning to head for the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN area. Our drive took us through The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it was breathtaking. I've only been home a few days and I'm already ready to go back and take that drive again.

Next up-Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!

Stay tuned!

Spending a Little Time With the Vanderbilts

     Today it has been a one year since my mother-in-law died. Last year at this time, we had a trip scheduled to Asheville, NC and a few other stops. We cancelled the trip because she was so ill. My husband told me a few months ago that he wanted to take the trip this year and he wanted to spend today touring the Biltmore Estate. It is a place his mother would have loved.

     It is currently the Festival of Flowers at Biltmore. The house is filled with fresh flowers. There are more than I've ever seen. The dining table in the banquet hall must have thousands of flowers standing 4 feet tall and running the length of the table. I was so frustrated that they don't allow any photographs to be taken in the house. I did manage to snap one quick one (above) as we entered the mansion.

     The home was completed in 1895. George Vanderbilt's 250-room chateau is as impressive today as it was more than a century ago. Original art by Pierre Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sargent, magnificent 16th century tapestries, a library with 10,000 volumes, a Banquet Hall with a 70-foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, and a bowling alley are just a few of the things we saw as we walked through this amazing home. Most of the objects throughout the house are from George and Edith Vanderbilt's original collection.

     I really had the feeling as we walked through the rooms that I couldn't absorb everything I was seeing. With my love of flowers, I couldn't get enough of the massive fireplace mantels that were draped with grapevine and hundreds of fresh flowers. The walls were covered with everything from gilted wallpaper to velvet to massive tapestries. The stonework and the carved wood throughout the house was so detailed. The furnishings were lavish and ornate. I can't imagine living in a space this large, but it certainly was interesting to see. Now I want to read the book we bought cover to cover so I can learn more about the famous Vanderbilt family.

     There will be more pictures to share, but I am going to end this post with some of the gorgeous flowers we saw as we strolled the Biltmore gardens. The azaleas are in bloom and the pictures don't begin to do them justice.

     Our weather here is perfect so far. My son says it may be blowing away at my home tonight and tomorrow. I hope all of you in the paths of the storms have been safe.