From the Low Country to the High Country

Last weekend we drove from Charleston, South Carolina to Asheville, North Carolina...the coast to the mountains - about 260 miles of a major change in the landscape!  We heard on the news that the President and Mrs. Obama were in Asheville for the weekend, also,  We heard that they stood in line for a half hour (give or take) for lunch at a little bitty place - 12 Bones BBQ - just down the road from our campground.  The Obamas stayed at the Grove Park Inn (we saw the place on a tour - wow!) and they had dinner at a very unassuming restaurant called the Corner Kitchen (they dined at the table just inside the top front window).

We understand that Tiger Woods was also here in Asheville at the beginning of the week to oversee the design plans for his soon-to-be signature golf course.  Oh, and then we were passed on the street by (left to right) actress Andie McDowell (trust me - I saw her face and heard her voice!), her 15-year old daughter and Andie's friend or sister - oh, yeah...we are so where it's at!

When we got to our campground , I took this picture from the back of our campsite...

...and then we took off for a nice drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway...

I think Denny did a great job of capturing the mountains and the valley below! 

A few days ago, we took a tour of the Biltmore Estate and the neighboring Biltmore Village; we were out all day, but it seemed only a moment.  In fact, I still feel locked in the era of the late 1880's to the early 1900's - it must have been a magical time.  See for yourself!

We were only allowed to take exterior pictures.... this is, of course, the Biltmore House; a 250-room French chateau, completed in 1895 by the then 33-year-old bachelor, George Washington Vanderbilt.  George brought his new bride, Edith, here after their 4-month honeymoon in Europe in 1898.  Can you imagine turning the corner and seeing this little mountain villa for the first time?!

Before our 2+ hour tour of the home, we toured the gardens...

...here is Denny on the azalea trail.

I call this "Wisteria Lane"

Denny took this shot of the azaleas....we walked up that sidewalk and the plants were shoulder-height!

I love this angle of the tulips in the walled garden.  I was told that they are about to pull the tulips up and plant snapdragons and poppies - oh, what a glorious sight that will be!

This shows one of the many garden areas around the house.

Vanderbilt house cats?!  No, just gargoyles.

After our tour, we had a terrific lunch in the Stable Cafe.  Yes, we ate in the horse barn!

On the way home that day, we drove through Biltmore Village, which has shops and cottages built by good ol' George, back in the day.  He also built, and worshipped in, the Cathedral of All Souls (Episcopal).  This beautiful church was consecrated in 1896. 

Dear old George died in 1914, at the age of 51, from complications of a ruptured appendix.  He left behind his wife of 16 years and his 13-year-old daughter, Cornelia.  Their daughter was born in the Biltmore House, as were her 2 sons (now in their 80's).  Cornelia's sons and their children (and grandchildren) keep the house open to the public every day of the year.  We were told that 4,000 people visit it every day.  I, for one, am thankful that they do so...it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!