So yesterday I noticed that Tess was still sipping coffee even though it was fast approaching 9 am. Was she feeling OK? Yes, well then what was it? Tess was simply musing over whether or not she would make the long haul down the hill or take the day off. The day off? One would not think that was not such a big decision in view of the fact that she retired 3 years ago… but so it was and now what to do? We decided that we would go “up to Biltmore” and spend a quiet afternoon. We even decided to leave our precious Shih Tzu, Dolce at home by himself so we could truly be free. We found a great dog sitter who lives just a block away so with no problems and no guilt, off we went.
The Biltmore Estate is so majestic and magnificent. It is like visiting a castle from another time and place. Well actually it is, as they say, a whole ‘nother world and yet here it is just minutes away. Following route 25 leaving from the church it is only 23 miles and I find it to be much, much easier on 25 than the interstates. We arrived in less than an hour and settled down to a picnic lunch by the lagoon. We were promptly joined by a group of curious Canadian Geese but I convinced them that the picnic was ours not theirs until we were finished of course at which point they zoomed into high gear to consume our last few morsels of bread. Then it was on up to Antler Village where they are featuring an incredible
Tiffany Glass exhibition that is free with admission. Now admission will set you back a few bucks but we got the annual pass for a few dollars more and if you go more than twice (I go every other week to bike ride the trails) it is well worth it.
The Tiffany displays were absolutely
beautiful. While there we greeted by Mitch, the security guard, who is both personable and very well versed in Tiffany as well as Biltmore history. The workmanship of these glass pieces was incredible and prices, in their time ranged from 17 to 500 dollars. Sounds like a steal but as Mitch pointed out; the average annual salary was around 500 d
ollars so they were quite expensive in their day.
After Tiffany we popped into Cedrick's (named for the Vanderbilt’s pet St Bernard) and before leaving we had a cup of 'delicious' from the creamery and chocolate chip cookies that Tess talked about all the way home. Go ahead and ask her about those cookies. So if you’re sitting at home and thinking “what r they to do”, give Biltmore a try. It’s a whole ‘nother world. Oh and if you go, look for Mitch and tell him Pete sent you.
More Pictures
So yesterday I noticed that Tess was still sipping coffee even though it was fast approaching 9 am. Was she feeling OK? Yes, well then what was it? Tess was simply musing over whether or not she would make the long haul down the hill or take the day off. The day off? One would not think that was not such a big decision in view of the fact that she retired 3 years ago… but so it was and now what to do? We decided that we would go “up to Biltmore” and spend a quiet afternoon. We even decided to leave our precious Shih Tzu, Dolce at home by himself so we could truly be free. We found a great dog sitter who lives just a block away so with no problems and no guilt, off we went.
The Biltmore Estate is so majestic and magnificent. It is like visiting a castle from another time and place. Well actually it is, as they say, a whole ‘nother world and yet here it is just minutes away. Following route 25 leaving from the church it is only 23 miles and I find it to be much, much easier on 25 than the interstates. We arrived in less than an hour and settled down to a picnic lunch by the lagoon. We were promptly joined by a group of curious Canadian Geese but I convinced them that the picnic was ours not theirs until we were finished of course at which point they zoomed into high gear to consume our last few morsels of bread. Then it was on up to Antler Village where they are featuring an incredible Tiffany Glass exhibition that is free with admission. Now admission will set you back a few bucks but we got the annual pass for a few dollars more and if you go more than twice (I go every other week to bike ride the trails) it is well worth it.
The Tiffany displays were absolutely beautiful. While there we greeted by Mitch, the security guard, who is both personable and very well versed in Tiffany as well as Biltmore history. The workmanship of these glass pieces was incredible and prices, in their time ranged from 17 to 500 dollars. Sounds like a steal but as Mitch pointed out; the average annual salary was around 500 d ollars so they were quite expensive in their day.
After Tiffany we popped into Cedrick's (named for the Vanderbilt’s pet St Bernard) and before leaving we had a cup of 'delicious' from the creamery and chocolate chip cookies that Tess talked about all the way home. Go ahead and ask her about those cookies. So if you’re sitting at home and thinking “what r they to do”, give Biltmore a try. It’s a whole ‘nother world. Oh and if you go, look for Mitch and tell him Pete sent you. More Pictures