Sometimes you see something and the grandeur and beauty of it is almost overwhelming. That happened twice today. We drove with Paul and Reba to Asheville NC. On the way, we stopped at an overlook, gazed at the tall and majestic mountains all around us, and felt awe at the beauty of nature. Then we arrived at the Biltmore estate and looked at a jewel of a building sitting in an exquisite setting of man-designed natural beauty. And you couldn't help but be awed by its splendor. We spent over 2 1/2 hours in that lovely building bedazzled by the architecture and design, the intricacy of the woodwork and ironwork, the furnishings -- all to the greatest excess with no expense spared. We saw 35 areas in all, from the laundry and kitchen and service rooms to the magnificent dining room with 3 enormous fireplaces and a pipe organ worthy of a cathedral, to a library so big and grand that a librarian was employed to keep track of the books, to a bowling alley and indoor pool, to myriad bedroom suites and guest rooms. And while admiring all, we agreed that it was a spectacular house but nothing about it felt homey. I'd like to return someday and explore the lovely gardens and grounds. We enjoyed dinner at a restaurant in Antler Village on the estate and arrived home very tired and happy.
Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!
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