Aug 6 2012: Asheville NC, Bear Creek Campground: Biltmore House Estate

Waking up at the foothills of the Smokey Mountains on this Monday morning we realized that we have so much to see and so little time....so, we have extended our days here at Bear Creek. After rescheduling our visit to Tom Johnson's in Marion and reserving a few days at Indian Springs in Hickory we got to the major event of the day: Biltmore. We had purchased a two-day pass from the campground and have done some research on line. Our approach to Biltmore was a nearly 6 mile drive to a parking area where shuttles are provided to "the house". For those who ever ponder whether they should take the time to visit this home, by all means, do so. It is absolutely incredible. Walking through Biltmore is at your leisure. We highly recommend the audio tour, which allows you to hear information about each stop along the tour. Although photographs are not allowed within Biltmore there are many opportunities for outside 'Kodak moments'.  We spent nearly three hours in the house and learned so much about the gilded age and the aristocrats of that era. After touring the home we found ourselves at what was, at one time, the stables, which is a nice area where casual dining and of course shopping is. Once refreshed we strolled the closer grounds of Biltmore including the South Terrace, where they were setting up for a Steve Miller Band event, and the Italian Garden, that has three very large water lily ponds and statuary. Since we have a two-day pass we will be taking in the gardens and the conservatory first thing Tuesday morning while it is cooler. We drove to Antler Hill Village, which at one time was the Biltmore Dairy, and did some wine tasting and visiting a museum about the Vanderbilts. Our day ended with rain showers so we headed back to camp to put our feet up..and start again tomorrow!