Thursday, November 26, 2009

The Biltmore at night
Bill & Joan inside the Biltmore

The entrance gate at the Biltmore


Barbie is at the Biltmore Too!!!



Joan & Bill enjoying the grounds at the Biltmore!!!!

We drove about 5 miles to the Group Welcome Center at the gate to the Biltmore America’s largest house and got entrance assignment for 9:30 am. We proceeded through the large arched brick gateway and followed the road to the Welcome Center a large place that served as the temporary house while the Mansion was being built. We already had our discounted tickets from AAA so the gate attended told us to go straight ahead to the Biltmore House. A long 5 mile drive through the lush woods that were laid out by Frederick Law Olmstead the same man that designed Central Park in New York City. Originally the plantation was 125,000 acres now just a mere 8,000 acres. The walk from the parking lot to the mansion was 8 minutes according to the sign. We approached from the long court yard and walked to an elevated walkway to get a grand view of the mansion from 1,000 feet. The fountains were silent but the majesty of the view of the mountains in the background was just grand and hard to put into words. The 250 room house covers 4 acres under roof. There are 43 bathrooms, a bowling alley and an indoor heated and lighted swimming pool 10 feet deep. We entered the mansion at 9:00 am and we rented the audio head sets for $10.00 each. There were 55 stops on the tour covering 4 floors above and one floor below. The large glass conservatory was decorated with long strands of garland and a large Christmas tree on each of the 55 stops. The one guide told us that they used over 5 miles of garland throughout the mansion. The large Banquet Hall had a 40ft Christmas tree fully decorated. When the tree is not in place the dining table is 40 feet long. The three large fire places seem to be as big as car garages. We saw Sculptures, fountains, fixtures and furniture from all over the world. Everything was a piece of art. Tapestries re-constructed on a 100 year old loom in Lyon, France. It took us about 2 hours to take the audio tour. We ate lunch at the Stable CafĂ© a very unique experience. After checking out the toy store, the gift shop, the confectionery and more, we walked the gardens and viewed the roses and the acres of dormant gardens. The green houses were loaded with colorful plants to many to remember but bright colors were everywhere. I rested on a terrace overlooking the gardens before climbing back up the 200 steps to the main grounds. Joan got lots of pictures and a few of Barbie at the mansion. Next we drove another three mile on the paved road way winding around the farm land along the river and through the woods over custom stone bridges. We could see biking and walking trails along the way. We stopped at the Biltmore Winery and got another tour then tasting and then purchasing. Tired we headed home stopped for gas paid $2.63. The Biltmore is still owned and operated by the family and they are still preserving, restoring and maintaining the estate from revenue from tickets sales. The Christmas trees all 55 of them plus the many other decorations was a real sight to see and we would recommend it. Just be sure to make reservations in advance as they are sold out Fri. Sat. & Sunday on Thanksgiving weekend. Decorations are up until January 6th.
Bill & Joan



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Here is John Strawser enjoying the South!!! Have Fun John!!!





The Winter ramble is under way and finds me seaside midway between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA, deep in the land of the Gullahs ( famous Gullahs, Jim Brown, Joe Frazier, and Clarence Thomas). The port of call is Edisto Beach and its cozy state park under the shade of live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss and groves of Palmettos, with the breaking waves of the Atlantic at the front door and a tidal marsh outback. The diet is naturally enough seafood, fresh shrimp and oysters predominate; but is nicely balanced with BBQ from Po Pigs' served up by Robert E. "Bobo" Lee himself. The birding is excellent, with another chance to finally add a Red-cockaded woodpecker to the life list. And for the sunny days there's cycling down the long, level back roads through the tunnels of over arching live oaks, or paddling the endless tidal creeks of the the vast ACE estuary. Do enjoy your Thanksgiving, and may your birds be full of fresh oysters. John Strawser

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Happy 80th Birthday ...Jackie Light
Carl and Jackie Light....The 80's Couple!!!!

Guess who this is??? She is 80 now!!!
Today, Nov 7, Jackie's Family had a Surprise Birthday Party for her. I am sure she was surprised and happy to see friends and family...
Happy Birthday...Jackie...from your Central Penn Unit Friends!!!!!!!!