Biltmore, A Mansion

In the faraway land of Asheville, NC, this beautiful home is open for touring.

On Memorial Day, Elizabeth and some guys in our ward visited Biltmore, the largest home in America.

 It was stunning.

Sitting atop a sprawling estate, surrounded by lush gardens and a lake, the home is impressive; it took us all day just to tour the part that is currently open to the public. E has a million amazing pictures and does a great job detailing the trip. You can read her version of this day here.

Built by the Vanderbuilt family in 1895, the home swirls Victorian-era grandeur with European style resulting in: the biggest, baddest place to spend a season with other high society guests.

After touring the very stately estate, we played on the lawn like little kids. Beautiful Elizabeth, who can't help looking like a model, played photo shoot while Brett snapped some pictures.

The second story has a balcony spanning the length of the home, with a view of the valley (beautiful! Wish you were there!).

And don't even worry; if walking the gardens, meeting for a secret tryst by the pond, or playing golf didn't keep you busy, there's a bowling alley and an INDOOR SWIMMING POOL in the basement. In 1895!! These people were classy. I'd have loved to come to a party here.

It was peaceful and elegant. We've made plans to return at Christmas time, when they make the estate look like a twinkling wonderland. Ooh, i can't wait!

They had a candy store.

We were happy about that.

The shops were made in the old stable. One end of the barn was turned into a restaraunt.

We sat in a booth that used to be a horse stable. The grate for hay was still mounted to the wall. It was great. I ate a delicious BLT, with fried green tomatoes. Oh, the South! I'll never have a BLT without a fried green tomato again (well, that's not true, but I loveloveloved it)

Followed by classic icecream cones in the shade of ancient trees. A full, wonderful day with friends.