Vacation {Take Two} - Asheville, NC

Our next stop on our family vacation was Asheville, NC.  I fell in love with this little town.  I don't know what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised.  Of course, while we were there we had to visit the Biltmore House.  It was truly a sight to see.  Absolutely magnificent!  They didn't allow photos to be taken inside the house due to the flash ruining certain delicate fabrics, etc. and I completely understood it but didn't like it nonetheless.  My finger itched to push that shutter button the whole time.  But as a lover of history, I respected their wishes.  Plus, I didn't want to get us kicked out of the house.  I wanted to see it all.

This is the back of the house from the courtyard which is now a food court.  Because there were people literally EVERYWHERE, I had a tendency to focus my pictures upward.

Ah, I made it into another picture.  Keegan and I enjoyed some ice cream made at the Biltmore sitting by the fountain in the front of the house.  I had no idea that the Vanderbilt family (the family of the Biltmore) had a huge dairy farm there on the grounds back in the day.  

From the front of the house at the fountain where Keegan and I are sitting in the picture above.  Spectacular, right?!  

From the left side of the house...

This is the main entrance to the house...

The walk to the winery.  They had free wine tasting of the Biltmore wines and I enjoyed more than just a few of their selection.  I came home with 3 bottles - all very unique and with distinct flavors.  

The gardens were a sight to see as well.  Everything was in bloom and the fragrance of all the flowers was intoxicating.  We didn't get to walk through them much due to having two small, tired children but what we did see was breathtaking.  I hope to go back someday and spend more time in the gardens and the house.  

If you haven't had an opportunity to see the Biltmore and experience Asheville, I highly recommend  you go - especially if you love a good step back into history.  It's really an incredible experience and I can't wait to go back!  

More vacation pics to come.  Happy Monday, y'all!