Beautiful day! Warmer than anticipated and very sunny. After work I went outside and finished weed whacking, and since the grass really didn’t need cut again yet I pulled weeds and cleaned up 3 flower beds, with seven more to go!
Jeannette switched out my car – I only have this one – a Mazda CX 30 – a few days, then I’ll get a different one. It’s a really nice little car! Just the right size.
So – Vacation: I forgot to mention yesterday that when we left Greenville and headed to Asheville we took a very twisty, windy mountain road. We were really in the heart of the mountains, and the houses, yards, and forests reflected that. I thought it was a delightful drive but it could be scary at night or if you broke down! No pictures – almost impossible to capture the reality. I don’t remember the Route number. We were behind a tractor-trailer truck and I’m glad I wasn’t driving THAT.
Monday late afternoon and evening. We decided to take a drive over to Biltmore, even though we couldn’t get past the ticket booth. We were trying to see if Paul could wait in the Stables (those are gift shops and food places) while Kathy and I toured the home and gardens. I was excited at the Gatehouse! The flower gardens were wonderful! There were rows and rows of tulips, which are Kathy’s favorite.
Paul pulled over and Kathy and I took some photos. Some of the pictures I post are from the website and I was too enthralled to remember to take photos! When you pulled in, there was a gate house gift shop on the left, and an actual brick gatehouse to drive through. It was so cool!
We drove about a mile (maybe a bit less) up the narrow, winding road to the ticket office. We parked and went inside and got information. Paul asked every question in the BOOK and had at least three ticket clerks involved and laughing. In the end he bought a grounds pass so he could go in and sit in the Stables, chat with visitors, have ice cream, and relax.
We watched the intro movie about the history of Biltmore and it being built. The names of Frederick Law Olms (landscape artist) and Richard Morris Hunt (architect) are common names associated with the rich and famous of that century – Olms was responsible for Central Park (NY) and Hunt designed most of the Gilded Age mansions, especially in New York and Newport.
That being done, we drove back down through the gatehouse and drove to the little city park. It was very warm by now (the warmest day of our trip, in the mid-80’s) and we needed to walk off lunch. Paul parked in the shade, and Kathy and I took a few laps around the park paths. We also walked through the fountains when we could get through without getting wet! It felt good to feel the spray of the cool water.
We drove back to the motel, but really, we hadn’t had supper. Just a very late lunch. So back in the car – we drove down to the Cookout and got milk shakes. They tasted yummy and it was the perfect ending to the day. I was super excited for Tuesday and actually SEEING Biltmore house and gardens!
My friend Diane is at her vacation rental this week in the mountains – it’s such a restful, peaceful place. I hope she has a wonderful week!
My blessing for today was being outside in the fresh air and sunshine, and enjoying happy things!
PEANUTS Thought for the Day:
TOMORROW April 23rd is:
National Lost Dog Awareness Day; National Play in the Mud Day; National Take a Chance Day; National Talk Like Shakespeare Day; World Book Day; Slay a Dragon Day; Army Reserve Birthday; Impossible Astronaut Day; International Creator Day (in regards to the arts); London Marathon; Movie Theatre day; National Cherry Cheesecake Day; National Email Day; National English Muffin Day; National Lover’s Day; National Picnic Day.
Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Farm House Day. Tomorrow is Pennsylvania primary election day – VOTE! I love books – never slayed a dragon EXCEPT in a book. I email a lot and I like picnics. But again, VOTE! God bless…
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