Friday, April 17 - Asheville, NC
We arrived here in Asheville, NC, after a short (2-1/2 hour) drive from Columbia, SC, at noon. We are staying at a local campground, which is located about 2-1/2 miles from the Biltmore Estate.
I have to say, right now, that this was one of the best attractions we have visited, other than the National Parks last fall. The Biltmore house and grounds are magnificent! The only regrettable thing about our visit was that we were not able to take any photos inside the house, and that is a crying shame! This house contains 255 rooms, including 43 bathroom, and is 7 stories tall, from basement (finished) to attic (not finished). The basement contains a very large indoor swimming pool with an adjoining weight room/shower room. Also found in the basement were several different food pantries, kitchens, and servant's quarters (there were also servant's quarters up on the fourth floor). Every room we saw was meticulously restored, with period wall coverings, draperies, furniture, etc.
The house construction began in 1889 and was completed in time for Christmas, 1895. George Vanderbilt, the original owner of the house, brought his new bride, Edith, to live at Biltmore in 1898. Their only child, a daughter, Cornelia, was born there a couple of years later. After George died, Edith and Cornelia lived there, alone, until Cornelia was married, in 1924, to a Mr. Cecil (I forgot his name). Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil gave birth to two sons at Biltmore, one of which, William A. V. Cecil, is the current owner, and the person responsible for much of the restoration.
For additional information on Biltmore and, possibly, pictures of the interior, go to www.biltmore.com.
Tomorrow morning we will head out for Tennessee. We will be staying at an RV Resort in Sevierville, TN, which is a little southeast of Knoxville. Stay tuned for pictures and a blog entry on that adventure.
Here's the link to today's web album. Enjoy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/cbenoitiii/AshevilleNC?feat=directlink
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