The Biltmore

We got up and had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the Biltmore at 830AM. The Biltmore Estate is an amazing place. I'm not sure what I'm more impressed with, the grounds or the building. I think its the building because of when it was built, completed in 1895. We took lots of pictures, but I liked this one from over near the entrance to the shrub garden.




The grounds were immaculate but unfortunately mostly bloomed out. More green than anything. Here is a closeup on a Hydrangea.


In this picture Lisa is posing in front of a Japanese Maple. Based on the size of the trees trunk, Lisa estimates it is 100 years old.

We toured until around 1PM. We ate lunch at the Horse Stable Cafe ( http://www.biltmore.com/visit/dining/stable/ ) We had salads. We got some dude to take our picture.

After leaving the Biltmore, we went to the West Asheville Farmers Market. They had vegetables, jams and other canned goods. We bought a few things and then came back to the hotel. Pat worked out in the fitness center. For dinner we went to The Tupelo Honey Cafe. ( http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/ ) This cafe is located on College Street. It was full and the only seats they had were at the counter. Here we had a view of the cooks preparing the meals. We enjoyed watching all the kitchen activities and inhaling the related aromas. Lisa had Shrimp and Grits. Pat had Low Country Salmon. This dish consisted of a piece of grilled salmon lying on mashed sweet potatoes, topped with a crab cake. It was delicious. Lisa is an excellent restuarant selector. And good looking too. We had biscuits with blackberry jam and Tupelo Honey for desert. I know some folks in Mississippi think Tupelo honey comes from Tupelo, MS, but the facts are that Pure Tupelo honey is produced from the White Ogeechee Tupelo (nyssa ogeche), it ranges through the Ogeechee River, the Apalachicola, and the Chattahoochee River Basins of northwest Florida. These river valleys are the only place in the world where Tupelo Honey is produced commercially.

When we got back from the hotel, we caught up with David Scott. The rest of the Scotts were out shopping. We sat out on the pool deck waiting for Joanna. She finally showed up around 9:45PM.

The wedding festivities begin tomorrow. The girls are going to the bridesmaid luncheon and then we'll all go to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow evening.