Biltmore Estate

May 8, 2016  Happy Mother's Day!

Biltmore is a name that has become synonymous with Asheville.
It is the largest visitor attraction in the area and it is, quite simply, absolutely unbelievably gob-smacking magnificent.  
Think Downton Abbey gone mad.

Between 1889 and 1895, George Vanderbilt II built a French Renaissance-styled mansion on a 125,000 acre property; it is the largest privately owned house in the United States.  The Vanderbilt's were and are still known for their hospitality; the 250 room mansion hosted huge parties, balls and was a retreat for the Vanderbilt's many family and friends who were able to escape the sweltering heat in the south and relax here in the in the moderate, pleasant climate of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. Today, Biltmore, is open to the public (for a fee). 

At Bear Creek, we are blessed to have Missy here to help us with all our many questions.  She is a young, vibrant, super-organized go-getting gal who runs the office and we really appreciate her.

Among the many gifts of hospitality she has given us, Missy offered us a free pass to Biltmore on Mother's Day.  A couple who were coming for the weekend had to cancel due to illness and asked Missy to find a taker for the their day pass.  Missy chose us!  This gave Doug entry and Mothers were given free admission for the day.  Due to the overwhelming number of people wanting to take their families there, it was imperative to schedule an appointment to go through the house.  

We arrived early and the lineups were already starting to gain momentum.  Our main goal was to exercise Zuma with a long stroll around the grounds as Biltmore is totally dog-friendly (in the gardens).  Of course, we walked her several times prior and all but squeezed every drop out of her so as not to humiliate ourselves her. She doesn't care what people think.  She felt quite at home slurping from one of the ornate fountains.  People stopped and told her "You look like you belong here".  Apparently, she felt right at home.  Now we'll have to install a fancy fountain at the farm.

We were only on the grounds for a few minutes and decided we would purchase an annual pass so we may return any time to tour the house and grounds.  It's about a 10 minute drive from Bear Creek and a luxury to walk about the ever-changing gardens. 
The roses are beginning to burst into cascades of blooms now:

The Siberian Irises are putting on a brilliant show of bold purple color (one of my personal favorite flowers):

The Conservatory:

This is a view of inside one of the many greenhouses:

 We walked around part of the gardens for three hours, stopped for a coffee at the cafe near the Stable Cafe (where Zuma was doted upon by the friendly waiters and waitresses).  Babies and toddlers were hugging her, families were petting her and a groups of teenage boys at the next table wear taking selfies with her.  She is so tolerant and seems to like it!  On our way out, the traffic was lined up on both sides of the road; we counted at least 300 vehicles waiting to get into Biltmore.

We headed for Hendersonville, to our fave Thai restaurant, Lime Leaf.  We sat in the sun enjoying our lunch while Zuma lolled out in the shade taking up half the sidewalk.  Nobody minded and several people and dogs stopped by for a chat and a pat.  

We detoured for a quick stop in Hendersonville for a light lunch:

                                      Thai Papaya Salad:

Thai Seaweed Salad:

It was cooler when we returned to Asheville so we went for a walk along the river in Carrier Park.

We were sorry Emma couldn't be here to share with us but otherwise, it was a perfect Mother's Day!