Asheville Day 2: Biltmore Estate

Do you remember how everything was HUGE as a kid, 

only to be disappointingly NORMAL when you became an adult. 

See: Slides, Cars, balloons, wine bottles (was that just me?)

WELL, There is one place, that has never EVER ceased to amaze me. 

Lemme tell ya all about it. 

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We got up bright and early our second day in Asheville, 

 and headed down to Biltmore Estate.

We stopped at the front gate for all of our tickets, 

drove the mile long driveway and walked through the iron gates. 

There she was. 

Y'all. 

THAT is a house. 

175,000 square feet, 250 rooms, a bowling alley and a 75,000 gallon swimming pool. 

Take THAT MTV cribs. 

We explored the outside, 

lions, 

spirals, 

and statues! Oh My!

Do pay careful attention to the top railing there, 

where the gargoyles are.  

After oogling the outside, we went inside, 

strapped on our blue badges, 

and met up with our tour guide for the Architect Tour. 

They take you up to the very top of the house, 

to make friends with all the gargoyles, 

stare at ALL the detail, 

(Seriously, those are customized ceiling tiles..

on something no one would EVER see. 

Except me. I saw it. 

and DROOL at the view. 

It was completely insane to stare at all the detail 

that George Vanderbilt but into his house. 

(Even Mike liked it) 

Then we went inside for the tour. 

A little tip, GET THE AUDIO GUIDE. 

It's worth it. I promise, and it's set up really well

 to help you make it a super short visit, or a very long one. 

Confession: I was a horrible person. 

There's no photography allowed, and I still feel bad, but

THIS POOL, 

is the thing that makes me love this house. 

It's never EVER gotten any smaller. 

Whether I'm 6 or 26, STILL HUGE.
So, I stole a quick snap. 

I still feel guilty. 

 A quick lunch at the Stable Cafe, 

and then we had a really nice long walk around the garden. 

We had fun watching the koi chase visitors, 

and meandering through the Gardens. 

(Which are, themselves, an entirely separate post)

Then, we headed over to Antler Hill Village. 

First stop was the Biltmore Legacy exhibit. 

It's filled with personal mementos, clothing, furniture, 

vehicles, even Napoleon's chess set. 

<3

A quick walk around the Farm (and a stop for a cheerwine)

(and lots of photos)

As the sun started to set, we found ourselves at the winery. 

We grabbed a little bite (and an early sample)

before our Biltmore Bubbles class. 

It was basically a tour of the Sparkling Wine room at Biltmore, 

showing us their process and then letting us sample the different varieties. 

with our teacher

all the glasses before the sampling

Mike asked a lot of questions. 

It's actually a pretty cool process, I recommend taking the tour!

However, every ticket to Biltmore includes a free tour 

and wine tasting of the main winery.

So, of course, we took advantage of that. 

After a quick peak into the wine shop/souvenir shop, 

(Seriously, I want all those painting)

We headed across the street to Cedric's. 

It's the Tavern that's open late, 

with Asheville brewed beers (in Biltmore names), 

DELICIOUS steak, 

and live music. 

Needless to say, we killed a few hours. 

When we were finally exhausted, we decided to head home. 

After a quick photo. 

We're both impossible. 

One more day of our Asheville adventure, 

but my heart still belongs to Biltmore. 

Blame the little kid in me. 

She's always right. 

Outer Banks 2012

Saturday

Dropped Shiva off early, 

then headed down the road. 

We made a quick stop at Super Wings, 

and a reststop for an awesome picnic lunch. 

We Made It. 

So pretty. 

Going up..

swirly curling turning stairs

Past the lighthouse exhibit

still going!

almost there!

Success. 

My amateur photographer. 

What a view!

Afterwards, we headed to the Beer Garden, 

then over to our hotel for Mets & Wine. 

Dinner at Tortuga's Lie.

I found nirvana, and I need to replicate it. 

Dinner was SPECTACULAR. The dip..well, I could eat it as a soup. 

This is my "I dropped my iPhone in the sink" face. Never fear, it's a Zombie, and all fixed. 

After we returned to our hotel, we walked up the street to OBBS,  

to people watch and have a couple beers. 

Smiles!

Sunday

We slept in a bit..but I don't have any photos of that, 

cause it would be creepy. 

Breakfast was quickly followed by

beach time!

Matching towels, matching beer, awesome weather. 

This is my new FAVORITE beer. Well, for summer. 

Then we headed down the coast line.

I pee'd on Pea Island, and got a stamp.
I actually used a bathroom, so don't worry, and yes, I got a stamp. 

Sorry Bodie Lighthouse, no time this trip. 

HORRRRRRRRRRRRAY!

I walked up very very excited. 

So we went inside, 

paid some respects, 

up more winding stairs, 

til we made it. 

He's more excited than he looks. 

I can see for miles and miles...

back down..

"Oh, hey babe, Let me get a photo of you." 

Good job knee. 

A bit of shopping, 

some delicious food, 

and drooling over houses and we were on our way.
By the way, we decided we want to buy a beach house.
I'm going to name it:
Comfortably Numb. 

Only at 9pm can you stop at McDonalds for a milkshake and a s'mores pie. 

We had a blast. 

Definitely think that we're gonna have to go back