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3/17/2022 The Biltmore. What’s to say here? Originally commissioned by George Vanderbilt II, It was and still is the largest house ever built in the USA. At 178,926sq/ft, it is roughly 260% larger than Hearst Castle in California. It’s pure, over-the-top, madness and I have to assume this is what the ultra-wealthy did before things like private jets and supercars existed. Really, I probably should have taken and posted more picture of this place. It’s just SO big and SO over the top, that it’s really hard to capture…..plus, there were a lot of people there, so LOTS of my pictures have complete strangers in them and that’s no fun.
3/17/2022 The Biltmore. What’s to say here? Originally commissioned by George Vanderbilt II, It was and still is the largest house ever built in the USA. At 178,926sq/ft, it is roughly 260% larger than Hearst Castle in California. It’s pure, over-the-top, madness and I have to assume this is what the ultra-wealthy did before things like private jets and supercars existed. Really, I probably should have taken and posted more picture of this place. It’s just SO big and SO over the top, that it’s really hard to capture…..plus, there were a lot of people there, so LOTS of my pictures have complete strangers in them and that’s no fun.
This “small” dining room has embossed leather wallpaper.
This “small” dining room has embossed leather wallpaper.
Two story library.
Two story library.
Heated indoor swimming pool complete with underwater lighting. Sounds pedestrian today, but in 1895….in a private residence? That was unheard of!
Heated indoor swimming pool complete with underwater lighting. Sounds pedestrian today, but in 1895….in a private residence? That was unheard of!
The conservatory and the gardens and about as good as it gets anywhere.
The conservatory and the gardens and about as good as it gets anywhere.
I got lucky with this big ole’ bee. I was watching it fly around these flowers, it landed and I attempted to take a picture JUST as it was taking off.
I got lucky with this big ole’ bee. I was watching it fly around these flowers, it landed and I attempted to take a picture JUST as it was taking off.
3/19/2022 Blue Ridge Parkway. I’m really not sure how you see this place without days and days and days to spend doing it….and it has to be at the right time of the year because LARGE sections of it are closed for winter. After talking with a ranger at the Park HQ, we decide that the “best” way to see it while we are here is to start at the Main visitor center and work our way to the South from there. Our first stop (based on random decision) is the Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower. It sounded like a nice, easy hike to a place where we could get a pretty decent view.
3/19/2022 Blue Ridge Parkway. I’m really not sure how you see this place without days and days and days to spend doing it….and it has to be at the right time of the year because LARGE sections of it are closed for winter. After talking with a ranger at the Park HQ, we decide that the “best” way to see it while we are here is to start at the Main visitor center and work our way to the South from there. Our first stop (based on random decision) is the Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower. It sounded like a nice, easy hike to a place where we could get a pretty decent view.
And yes, we have managed to find one of the windiest spots there is…..again!!!
And yes, we have managed to find one of the windiest spots there is…..again!!!
Once Dylan, Grace and I came down from the top of the tower, Grant was insistent that it was his turn. A fire tower is NOT something that could be consider "Grant Friendly", but he REALLY wanted to go up. He made it further than I thought he would before realizing what he had asked for.....
Once Dylan, Grace and I came down from the top of the tower, Grant was insistent that it was his turn. A fire tower is NOT something that could be consider "Grant Friendly", but he REALLY wanted to go up. He made it further than I thought he would before realizing what he had asked for.....
I don’t know what this bug is, but even with it’s VERY small size, it stuck out like a sore thumb on the ground.
I don’t know what this bug is, but even with it’s VERY small size, it stuck out like a sore thumb on the ground.
Great place for a lunch!
Great place for a lunch!
The “Devil’s Courthouse” lays claim to being a place you can see 4 different states from one place (TN, SC, GA and of course, you are standing in NC). It’s only a 0.4 mile hike, but you gain 300ft of elevation in that 0.4 mile. That’s a 14.2% grade. It is quite the view though.
The “Devil’s Courthouse” lays claim to being a place you can see 4 different states from one place (TN, SC, GA and of course, you are standing in NC). It’s only a 0.4 mile hike, but you gain 300ft of elevation in that 0.4 mile. That’s a 14.2% grade. It is quite the view though.
….and predictably (because it’s us), it’s windy.
….and predictably (because it’s us), it’s windy.
Looking to Tennessee….
Looking to Tennessee….
….and Georgia and South Carolina.
….and Georgia and South Carolina.
Here’s a fun fact for you: 36% of all the tunnels that the National Park Service is responsible for, no matter what park they are in, are along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Here’s a fun fact for you: 36% of all the tunnels that the National Park Service is responsible for, no matter what park they are in, are along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This is the highest point anywhere along the parkway and on this day, it provides a VERY clear view as to why we call these the Blue Ridge Mountains. It just doesn’t get much bluer than that!
This is the highest point anywhere along the parkway and on this day, it provides a VERY clear view as to why we call these the Blue Ridge Mountains. It just doesn’t get much bluer than that!
Graveyard Falls would round out our long, but satisfying day on the Parkway.
Graveyard Falls would round out our long, but satisfying day on the Parkway.
Did you miss Dylan in that last one?
Did you miss Dylan in that last one?
I’m not sure what’s going on in this one, but I bet she’s having fun.
I’m not sure what’s going on in this one, but I bet she’s having fun.
With some assistance, we got Grant some pretty good views as well.
With some assistance, we got Grant some pretty good views as well.
I guess that’s a good place to nap….sure, why not?
I guess that’s a good place to nap….sure, why not?
3/22/2022 Guilford Courthouse.
3/22/2022 Guilford Courthouse.
Not a lot of pictures from this stop, but we did manage to get Grant to smile AND look at the camera for a picture!
Not a lot of pictures from this stop, but we did manage to get Grant to smile AND look at the camera for a picture!
I’m starting to realize that I am a tad fixated on water and sunrise/sunset scenes. No explanation other than I like them. Maybe a result of not ever living near water in my life?
I’m starting to realize that I am a tad fixated on water and sunrise/sunset scenes. No explanation other than I like them. Maybe a result of not ever living near water in my life?
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