Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Parkway

Biltmore Estates, Asheville, NC

We slept SOOO well last night!  After all that walking, and then swimming, we slept like logs.  Well, Bailey slept like a sprawling log - kind of like a weeping willow, really, but I digress...

We spent our morning and early afternoon at the Biltmore Estate - the stunning mansion built by the Vanderbilts and still owned by the Vanderbilt/Cecil's.  The mansion/estate is magnificent.  We did the Upstairs/Downstairs tour where we learned about the inner workings of a magnificent home (think Downton Abbey life).  We saw the housekeepers rooms, the ladies' maid quarters, the stable and groomsmen quarters, the butler's pantry, the kitchen, and many of the connecting features to the glorious home. 

Gargoyle detail at Biltmore Estate

After the Upstairs/Downstairs tour, we wandered the rest of the Estate on our own, viewing the banquet hall (the table is 40 feet long when fully extended!), the Winter Garden, and the Library (over 10,000 books in 8 different languages).  We saw the swimming pool, which holds 70,000 gallons of water.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photographs inside.



Bailey by one of the bridges

As we drove away from the big house, we drove through the gardens, farm, and Biltmore Village.  Lovely lakes, streams, and rolling hills. 

Miles of corn and sunflowers

After we left the Biltmore, we decided to take a cruise on the Blue Ridge Parkway - to save time tomorrow (because we are driving to Kentucky tomorrow).  We drove up the Parkway about 20 miles to Craggy Gardens - I don't know how high our elevation was, but it was only 70 degrees outside, and beautiful!  Bailey got another stamp in her National Parks Passport book! 

View of the valley from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Craggy Garden

Another beautiful day, and we're a bit tired.  Bailey and I are going to go swimming, then we'll go get some dinner.  Tomorrow - Bardstown, KY via Gatlinburg, TN and the Great Smoky Mountains.