2010 Fall trip to the Biltmore

Ok---not suppose to really be a vacation, but it came at a time when I really needed to get away. So it was a vacation for me! I was actually going to the Biltmore estate to check out photo ops for a wedding that I'm taking pictures of in April. I also took engagement pictures of the happy couple. They are both architects who worked on constructing Antler Hill Village and are very knowledgable about the whole estate. I felt like I had my own personal tour guides.

On Oct. 28th, we (Emily, Brian, Angie, and I) left after they got off work and drove about 7 hours 'til we got somewhere in Tennessee. The next morning we continued our trip and arrived in Asheville, NC, a little after noon. First stop was to talk to the florist. Then we were off to the Biltmore where we met up with Beth who took us to Lioncrest where we checked out the place for the reception and sampled appetizers and cakes.

Then we were off to take some engagement photos.

It was a beautiful afternoon/evening and I had a great time. I made Angie be my 2nd shooter.

Emily and Brian knew all the places to go for fantastic views.

We also spent a little time in Antler Hill Village where they showed off their work. They did a fabulous job as the architects for it.

As the sun was going down, we wandered around the outside of the Biltmore House. The 250 room home opened in 1895 and is quite a sight to see.

I bet there were some grand parties out here on the terraces of the house.

The setting of the estate was gorgeous. Lots of rolling hills in the background and lots of trees.

Another view of the house from the big terrace running from the side of it.

Going back up the great lawn in front of the house, we marveled at the size of the place. Unfortunately, the light was really dipping low and not the best for photography by then.

Next day we headed up to the Blue Ridge mountains to enjoy the colorful leaves on the trees. It was a little past peak season, but still very beautiful.

At least from a distance the mountains appeared colorful.

A picture of my 2nd shooter.

More of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Emily and Brian even knew where to stop to get this great view of the Biltmore house from the mountains.

Of course we weren't going to leave without touring the house! We even were treated to the tickets via Beth---Thanks, Beth! It is definately a place to see!

We parked above and walked down enjoying the midday light on the house.

These italian gardens grace the side front of the house.

Unfortunately pictures weren't allowed inside the house, but I did take a couple looking out at the lawn from inside the house.

After a couple hours enjoying the inside of the house and pondering what it must have been like to live there, we headed back outside to walk around the grounds some more.

A short ways from the house are the estate gardens designed by Frederick Olmsted. There's even a grand Consevatory with free floral demonstrations daily.

In Oct., the mums were the star of the gardens.

Back at Antler Hill Village, we did a personal tour of the wine cellar on our way to the wine tasting.

Decisions, decisions! Which wine to buy!? Between all of us, we ended up with about 5 cases.

Back to the Village to check out the lighting for sunset (where and when their wedding will be).

While we were waiting for our dinner reservations at the restaurant (Cedrics) there in the Village, we had an appetizer of ice cream from the Creamery. Both were great!

As we watched the sunset, we discussed how to run the actual wedding ceremony.

The only bad thing about the trip was that it ended too soon! I can't wait to go back in April to celebrate a very special occassion.

2010 Nov. 7 nt E Carib Eurodam

2010 Nov.5-12 - Another Dam vacation! 7 nt, Eurodam: Samana, San Juan, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay 

 It was going to take a lot more then a rude airport gate attendant and port agent, and a little storm named Hurricane Tomas to ruin my vacation! So on Friday, Nov. 5th, 2010, the fun began.

This was Ken's 2nd cruise and my 8th (I think) cruise. This was my 2nd Holland America cruise. I thought the laid back clientele and more unique activities, such as cooking classes and computer classes, not to mention the food, would be something Ken would enjoy. That it left out of Ft. Lauderdale was also a plus (that was even before our daughter moved there, now it's really a plus!). So on the day before the cruise, we hopped on a non-stop flight and eventually headed off to Ft. Lauderdale.

I say eventually because there was a problem with our plane being overweight. So they grounded us for about 45 minutes while they pleaded for 3 people to delay their trips. 1 couple did finally agree to, but noone else on the plane was budging. I guess we were all heading to a cruise. Finally the gate attendant threatened us in a harsh voice that since noone else would get off the plane, then 4 pieces of luggage were being removed and they wouldn't tell us whose. Soon the flight attendants took over the intercom and apologized profusely and guaranteed us that noones luggage was going to be left behind. Over weight and all, we did make it to Fort Lauderdale safely.

We spent that night overlooking the ocean at one of our Wyndham properties in Pompono Beach. We rented a car for the day and enjoyed our short, but sweet, stay there.

Next morning our adventure continued. We dropped the rental car off at the Budget dealer closest to the port since it offered complimentary shuttle service to the cruise port.

Soon we were waiting in line at the port to board the Eurodam. But only for a short time. The scanners quit working and we were all told to sit down. Passengers just arriving walked up and got in line and before they were made to sit down, the scanners would start working and we would be at the back of the line again. This happened 3 times before we finally were able to board.

Around the Eurodam:

11-8-2010 Samana, Dominican Republic:

11-9-2010 San Juan

11-10-2010 a rainy St. Thomas

11-12-2010 Halfmoon Cay

What started out as a challenging vacation turned out to be another fantastic one.