North Carolina Escape - Day 4 - 30 March- Hendersonville to Asheville

This morning we had to get moving at an earlier hour than normal since we had to be in Asheville at the Biltmore Estate by 11:30. We wanted to allow enough time because of all the construction on the route.

Our first stop was at the Amherst area to see the Monet and Friends immersion program. It was very similar to the Van Gogh exhibit touring the country. Impressionism is my favorite time period in art history and this was a wonderful experience that not only featured Monet, but also Manet, Renoir, Cassatt, Pissarro, Degas, and Cezanne, to name a few. It was spectacular as was the music that accompanied the images projected on more than 20 screens.

From the Monet exhibit we then headed to the Biltmore House. It was built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895.  We had time for a very quick bite to eat at the Bakery before heading for the house tour. 

 

It is hard to imagine how the rich and famous lived in these homes. The opulence is overwhelming. The library was especially impressive with the collection of more than 17,000 books, all chosen by Mr. Vanderbilt. With 33 guest rooms and 43 bathrooms, a pool, and bowling alley, it was the epitome of living in the lap of luxury and the center of the entertaining world.  

The tour took nearly 2 hours with the guided audio receivers and it very clearly explained each room. On the 2nd floor there was also a video about the 3rd floor and basement that we watched after we toured the 3rd floor. Charles would have had a hard time navigating up the stairs to the 3rd floor with a walker, but we did all manage the basement where the kitchen, laundry and servants worked.

We drove down to the gardens and the conservatory. The tulips and hyacinths were blooming, but not much else. 

There was even a flower bed bed

 

From the gardens it was off to Antler Village and Winery where we enjoyed a complimentary wine tasting. Biltmore produces a lot of wine and we got to taste 5 kinds. They were expensive and not as good as some of the wines we have found through our wine flights. It was fun at any rate. 

From Asheville we headed back to Hendersonville and brainstormed what we wanted to do for dinner. We had seen a German restaurant in our travels so decided to stop there at the Heidelberg Haus. It was a good choice. Our meal included Sauerkraut soup and a sampler for Barbara, a marinated salad and Sauerbraten for me, Schnitzel Carbonara for Earle and a roast pork for Charles. It was all very tasty and prepared by a chef from Bavaria. 

Back to Eagle Rock and Godfather Part II. Bed a bit after 1 a.m.