Biltmore Adventures

...or should I call the day HoneyBuns and Cupcakes? (You'll see why below.)

On Saturday, I went to Asheville, NC and visited the Biltmore estate with friends, Mary Beth, Christy and Melissa.

When I walked outside I saw this Star leaf attached to the back of my vehicle. I had to take a picture!



This truck made it several miles with us on our way to Asheville. Can I just add, I hate HoneyBuns- as much as the word Bun makes me laugh- HoneyBuns are the equivalent of nasty!

The view was amazing. I was driving so no I did not take the pictures, nor did I really spend much time looking side to side, but it was gorgeous just following the road!



This is Wendy. I would like to add that the time it said we'd make it by- well, I beat it.
Overheard in the car:
Mary Beth and Christy -"I can't wait until we get to the mountains."
Melissa to me - "When should we tell them we are in the mountains?"

We ate in the stable. Note the lovely centerpieces.

Which is which? Unsweetened vs. Sweetened?
The mansion. Awesome, no?
The Biltmore house was actually built by George Vanderbuilt. Notice the "V" that the trees make. This was the view from the center of the house. If you were right in the middle this is what you see straight in front of you.
We went on the "Rooftop tour," and if you see the window at the top of this tower, I actually went out that window and around the side of the roof! I'm afraid of heights- whew- it was a touch scary, but oh so cool! Fortunately MB and Christy let me hang on to them for dear life!
Pictures from the roof.

On the roof.
This is part of the roof. You could actually still see some of the flecks of gold that were used when building the house.


See the "V"?





Wouldn't the be just darling on my porch?

I would like to add right here that I was going to post a picture of Christy, but I deleted it so she wouldn't hurt me later!

My SECOND star leaf of the day!



I want one of these for my apartment.


MB, do you notice how the flowers are bursting with color. Can you imagine it in the spring?

I was trying to take a picture of myself, but the sun was bright and I couldn't keep my eyes open! I don't know why I didn't try it from the other angle.
Notice the design on the side of the building. That is actually the counterweight to the stairs on the inside (other side of the wall).



Cucumbers? Or maybe Zuchini? Nope- neither. Actually this is a LOOFA. Weird that they grow like this, I had no idea!


I am disappointed that I did not get any pictures of the bamboo growing along side the road. I also did not get a picture of the WILD beaver along side it either.
"How often do ANY of us get to see a beaver in the wild?" Well, after yesterday I am proud to say that I have.