PART 1 of 5: THE BILTMORE ESTATE SERIES-“THE CASTLE”

MY TRIP WITH FAMILY TO ASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.
 
Few weeks ago I went to visit my son and daughter in NC, the Durham-Raleigh area. Then, I was thrilled when the whole family drove about four hours west for my grandson’s 2-day soccer tournament in Ashville, a quaint city in western NC’s Blue Ridge Mountains. (By the way, my baby scored the winning goal, J.)
 
George Vanderbilt loved the NC mountains and after a visit, he began to purchase land. In 1895 he created this castle as a retreat similar to several castles in France and Britain.
 
The Biltmore Estate is perhaps, the only “castle” in the USA. The total building has four acres of floor space holding 250 rooms of which 35 are bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, with indoor plumbing, an elevator and electricity. But get this about electricity; Biltmore Estate had underwater lights in its indoor 70,000-gallon swimming pool at a time when most homes in USA were still lit with candles, gas lamps and oil.
 
The estate continues to be owned by Vanderbilt descendants and operates as a self-sufficient for-profit, meaning no federal or local dollars are used to operate it.
 
Finally, to this day, the castle is still filled with the original furnishings, and other pieces collected by Mr. Vanderbilt, including an impressive art collection. I can only imagine the grandeur of that era, been invited to tea, to wear my hats, or a party or even Christmas, since they continue to decorate the place as the owners did back in those days.
 
I invite you to visit the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC to experience what was like living back in those days.  I was transported back in time to 1895. Charming. Therefore, stay tuned for my Biltmore Series, you will not regret it, smile:
PART 2: THE INDOOR LIVING
PART 3: THE WINERY
PART 4: THE GARDEN
PART 5: THE MANY PATHS