January 26, 2011

Gilded Weekend

I mentioned I'd been meaning to tell you about our weekend trip to Asheville.  Have you been?

Well, D and I headed over there recently for two nights to check out the Biltmore Estate, hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and spend a few hours strolling around the town.


We got through most of the list, even if we did have to add a few twists.  Asheville?  Reminded me of my college town.  But with a much higher ratio of granola-to-not.  I was used to this.  D?  Well.

"Kathleen.  Where on god's earth have you brought me?"

Blue Ridge Parkway was a check.  So long as you count walking on the pavement rather than the trails as a "complete."  Apparently the parkway is closed in the winter.  (um.  oops?) And the trails that we could access?  Too covered with snow to follow.

Let's take a pause.


Did I mention that I was in charge of booking this fab weekend getaway?

I was holding out hope for the Biltmore.  It didn't let us down.  The gardens were beautiful, the sun was shining, and the house itself was clearly a marvel in its day.  Finally, I'd nailed it.  Then we walked outside and soaked the whole thing in.  "Hmm,"  said D.

"You know, it really doesn't look that old."


I forget sometimes that he is a Brit.


my favorite bit about the biltmore?  that they had an indoor pool in 1895.  complete with underwater lighting.  posh.


3 comments:

Anna said...

envious. i've read some of your (mis)adventures already in the US. but i'm sure glad to be back home, right?

kathleen said...

being closer to friends and family is great but i won't lie, the south is still a bit foreign to me!

Rachel said...

oh man! Alex lives in Asheville! I should have mentioned that.