Asheville, NC - Biltmore Estate

 This is my second time going to North Carolina and let me just say North Carolina and Vermont are pretty much my favorite places on the East Coast. They are gorgeous! I would totally live in NC if it wasn't so humid (it's bad). I don't think I will ever get use to humidity! I tried to take pictures of the gorgeous scenery, but I was too busy looking at it! I know not normal for me, but can you blame me!

 We drove from Tennessee to North Carolina and the route we took was so picturesque. I guess this area is known as the smoky mountains and for a reason! It looks like we are in the clouds. There was so much fog, but it was such a cool effect. 

 We woke up really early and we got there right when they opened at 9am. I wanted to make sure we got our money's worth and we were one of the first ones on the grounds, so there was no one around!

 Love the symmetry of everything here. 

 View of the Biltmore Estate! Built in 1895 with 179,000 sq. ft. and 250 rooms. If you know me I am obsessed with large opulent totally ridiculous houses. This one certainly fits the bill and temporarily eased my craving for Europe. 

 I have wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate for a really long time. It is one of the Vanderbilts houses and the only house of the Vanderbilts that is still privately owned. All the rest of the them are now in the hands of trusts. 

 This place is huge! You can't take pictures inside, but it is gorgeous and has a really homey feel (who knew that was possible in such a huge place). There are 33 guest bedrooms. Who even knows that many people you would want to invite over?

The estate is on 8,000 acres and they sure are gorgeous! The guy who landscaped the area was the one who landscaped Central Park, which I thought was interesting. 

 Loved the gardens. While everyone was going to the house right when it opened we toured the gardens because it was hot and I knew it would just get hotter as the day went on. 

 Doesn't this look like a Mandrake from Harry Potter! I loved it and of course made me want to watch the HP movies. 

 This part creeped me out a lot. They look like statues of squirrels. I just stared at them and tried to understand how this was possible. They still freak me out!

 I mean seriously. I am in love! I want a house like this :D

View from the deck of the backyard...