24 Oct Turning Heads Linkup-Asheville Trip

( mountain house we stayed in)

Morning Ladies,

We just got back from Asheville and I am exhausted! We did so much in a week. I wanted to share some of the things we did and enjoyed in this mountain town. Since we just got back, i am playing a bit of “catch up’. I apologize I couldn’t get to your posts last week, but i really was computer free, and it felt a bit refreshing! Just needed some time with family to recharge.

Just a note: I have included 4 other posts near the top of the linkup if you want to read more about my trips to Asheville. We had gone there for the yearly film festival excursion as well as spending time there to enjoy the mountains. Feel free to click on those links as well.

( I love to sit outside and enjoy the mountain view from the deck in the morning. )

We were there to attend the wedding of my nephew Corey, and that was to take place at the end of the week. Prior to, we made plans to visit the Biltmore with everyone. My brothers Matt and tim have never been to Asheville or the Biltmore, so we knew they would enjoy it. We also planned to go to Sierra Nevada Brewing co for dinner and a tour. With all the planning, we were also going to enjoy the scenic mountain house my mom rented for the family.

Even though the usual choices at any brewery for me is “red” or ‘white’ as I drink wine, there were more options in both categories at Sierra Nevada Brewing. Our family went Monday night and enjoyed dinner and drinks. I have tried to like beer but it just isn’t my taste ( at the moment). The grounds there are very lovely and we sat out by the fire pit after dinner. Hubby then said, he was going to “wear a dress and a nice pair of pants”  to the wedding, after one too many IPA’s! We all just cracked up as the image popped into our heads.

I enjoyed the stuffed butternut squash roasted with chickpeas, quinoa, onions, and veggies. It was delicious and something I could make at home.

The Biltmore Estate is immense. It is just as impressive the 5th visit as it is the first. From Wikipedia, Biltmore Estate is a large (6950.4 acre or 10.86 square miles) private estate and tourist attraction near Asheville, North Carolina. Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Châteauesque-style mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 square feet (16,622.8 m²)^[2] of floor space (135,280 square feet (12,568 m²) of living area). Still owned by George Vanderbilt’s descendants, it stands today as one of the most prominent remaining examples of the Gilded Age. *photo-biltmore.com

( One of my favorite decorated rooms . Every room was so ornate and decorated with opulant fabrics. Every room was decorated with a Christmas tree, with the exception of the Dining Hall. I was told the tree had to be finished in early November and it took 4 weeks to complete.

( I love all of the fireplaces in the house. )

( We visited the lower level which are the servant quarters. Here is the kitchen/eating area for the servants of the Biltmore. It did remind me of Downton Abbey.

Roy, my brother Matt and his wife Shannon did go to Chimney Rock. My sister, Sue, her hubby and my niece, Makaila, went for a short hike there as well, a nature trail-exploration. It was a bit easier on my legs than vertical stair climbing to the top of Chimney Rock. I have hiked it before and it is an amazing view!

Roy and I hiked at Triple Falls another day. It was very busy that day, where we saw people enjoying different levels of the falls. We hiked to the top and it was about 3 miles of a pretty good climb. I felt it was an achievement for me to climb the hills, but it would catch up with me later in the week! The falls were a beautiful sight and so picturesque they looked like a postcard. These are the type of hikes my hubby and i would go on before I got sick.

I love looking around the little shops in Asheville, and we always go into Kress and Woolworth. They have art and jewelry, among other items, and i was able to pick up a few Christmas gifts.  While browsing, I came across this rack of authentic Kimonos from Kyoto, Japan. Boy, I was tempted!

( This was the one that got away)

We visited the Historic Grove Park Inn, and all had lunch over looking the mountains. Sis in Law and I checked out the Spa and what they offered. Very nice! I could get used to this… hehe!

That’s my kind of cozy fireplace!

( A part of the view as we sat outside at the Grove Park Inn)

( credit* Omni hotels)

The wedding was a few days ago on the weekend. The rehearsal dinner was at a farm house, and since i was missing my pups ( they were being watched by a neighbor) i needed a surrogate puppy to love. We were greeted by Charlie, a golden doodle, with a penchant for belly rubs. I would pet her, and she would fall to the left side, belly exposed and waiting. She would then get up, only to soon fall to her right side for a rub. So funny!

The rehearsal dinner was lovely and we enjoyed margaritas and tacos. The wedding took place at Claxton Farms, and was very beautiful as the mountain backdrop behind the ceremony.

My nephew Tyler ( left) and brother Tim ( right) strike a pose while waiting for dinner at the farm.

( You all know i love animals, so I had to pet this guy ..)

We all were exhausted by Sunday, as it was time to head home. In between visiting breweries, the Biltmore, Triple Falls and Chimney Rock, we all got to play Phase 10- one of mom’s favorite card games. My brother and i were reliving our rock days singing Journey and Boston while playing cards.:-)

I could go on and on, but let me just say, it was a break that was needed! I used only IG and was basically tech-free otherwise, which gave me more of a chance to chat, get caught up and enjoy family. I am playing catch-up with the blog, and will post Friday, but I have fell behind with commenting. Will be “back in business” this week!

For more photos and Instastories about my trip, follow me on INSTAGRAM. 

 I Feel Pretty 

Straight A Style

The Queen In Between

Oh Hey Girl with Pumps and Pushups

Color and Grace Link Up with Color and Grace

Jersey Girl Texan Heart Linkup with Jersey Girl Texan Heart

 2 Years ago my hubby and I spent a month in Asheville, NC and I posted several blog posts then. We would go to the film festival in the Fall, and also come to enjoy the artsy town.  For more Asheville info, check out these posts:

Asheville trip PART I

Asheville Trip PART II

A  SMALL GLIMPSE OF ASHEVILLE 

ASHEVILLE TRIP

LET’S PARTY FRIENDS!  AS LINKUP ETIQUETTE, PLEASE DO VISIT OTHER BLOGGERS AND LEAVE SOME COMMENTS. IT IS THE INTERACTION THAT MAKES THIS LINKUP. A COMMENT CAN MAKE SOMEONES DAY!

I’LL BE BACK TO CHECKING OUT YOUR BLOGS AND LINKING UP.  I WILL ALSO BE BACK TO CHOOSING THE MOST LINKED AND PINTEREST PIC FROM THIS WEEKS LINKUP. HAVE FUN!

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