Anniversary Trip: Last Day in Asheville

I’ve been journaling Joel’s and my 25th anniversary trip this week which you can read about here and here. Our last day in Asheville would only be half a day before heading home so we wanted to make the most of our last hours at the Biltmore.

Before I take you to our time at the estate, I have to share with you how our day started. I can say I’ve never had this experience on any vacation!

While in a very peaceful and deep sleep at about 4:30 that morning, we were awakened by buzzing alarms going off in the hallways of our hotel and an automated voice repeating, “Warning! Warning! Exit the building! Exit the building! Use the staircase and exit immediately.” We quickly changed into some day clothes, grabbed our wallets and phones and found the stairs and then an emergency exit which led us outside. Oddly enough, that exit door dumped us into some towering shrubs and we, along with other stumbling sleepy hotel guests, had a good laugh. For a minute there, we felt as if we’d stepped out of the wardrobe and into Narnia.

We made our way around to the parking lot where other guests were gathering–some in very interesting attire, ha. Hotel employees had everyone clear the drive for emergency vehicles, but after waiting about a half hour, none showed up. It turned out to be a false alarm so we got the all clear for everyone to return to their rooms. What a crazy start to the day, right!

Well, we kind of pushed restart on the day and went back to sleep for a little longer, waking later to sunshine and another lovely breakfast in the dining room. Ahhh, that’s better!

I have to admit that I sometimes feel a little uncomfortable in very fancy restaurants, but I honestly think I could get used to having my breakfast in this beautiful room with these big windows and mountain views every morning. Oh, and the delicious food too!

I ordered a toasted bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese. You can’t see the salmon under the onion, but they piled it generously. I’m crazy about smoked salmon!

Joel had the steel cut oatmeal topped with nut butter, vanilla sour cream, dried fruits, honey, and EVOO. Very interesting in all the best ways! He has mentioned this several times since we’ve been home so this will be another meal I’ll try and recreate. I’ll let you know how it goes.

After breakfast I wanted to get in one last walk around the hotel to soak up the mountain morning.

Below is the view of the hotel from the back. Gorgeous, isn’t it!

I love this house nestled in the rolling hills below! It’s located directly across from the hotel.

We checked out of our room and headed over to the estate. Since we had toured the house twice the day before, we took advantage of the cool morning hours to explore the gardens.

Inside the conservatory we saw a fantastically designed and constructed train display, complete with multiple working toy trains winding throughout each room and even outside the building at a couple of points. This exhibit is a nod to Cornelius Vanderbilt’s considerable contributions to the railroad system in the mid 1800s.

Replicas of the Vanderbilt’s home and several other structures from their estate were made of natural materials from the property–bark, pinecones, twigs, sand, etc.– even down to the waterfall from the bass pond. It was simply fascinating!!

And of course the assortment of plants and flowers throughout the conservatory put on their own magnificent show, as usual. I always have to let other guests pass me while I gawk and snap photo after photo, oohing and aahing my whole way through.

Next we walked the path leading to the bass pond and waterfall–a quiet walk with much for the eyes to feast upon.

I can’t help but stop for every detail. My dear husband is very patient.

Love the rustic design of the boat house.

After our time in the gardens and gift shop, we drove over to Antler Village to see an interesting exhibit on the history of Biltmore and the Vanderbilt family, did a little shopping, and had lunch at Cedric’s.

Joel ordered the fish and chips (I had a bite–the fish was perfect!), and I ordered the shepherd’s pie.

The shepherd’s pie was warm and hearty with flavorful beef, fresh vegetables, and rich broth. I really liked the way it was served in this soup crock.

With full tummies we left the estate to make the drive back home. On our ride through the winding roads of the property, we were given one last treat: bears!! This mama and her cub were napping in a tree branch that stretched over the road. That poor little baby bear looks worn out with arms limp and dangling down. I was ready to get home to my own little cubs, so southbound we went!

Our drive home was great as far as weather and conversation and ease of traffic (despite my car sickness–boo). It was a wonderful trip with relaxation and sweet time together, but the anniversary celebration was not over yet, thanks to our awesome children.

While away, our kids planned two special gifts for us. The first one was an outstanding dinner they prepared and served us the day after we got home. Lamb patties, asparagus, chick pea risotto, salad w/ lemony vinaigrette, and chocolate cake and double doozies for dessert!! Every bite was soooo delicious, but even if it hadn’t been, the way they honored us in doing this for us would have been enough. BUT, it WAS good!

The second surprise was that they had a photo session of just the three of them while we were gone! We now have beautiful updated portraits of them to mark our 25th anniversary–what a gift! We were so surprised and delighted! We’re not a perfect family, and Joel and I are not perfect parents and we don’t have a perfect marriage. There are hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and dumb mistakes between us all. But there is always LOVE, silliness, adventure, close bonds, growing in God’s word, and grace, grace, grace. I’m extremely grateful and humbled over God’s blessings of my family.