Girls Trip: From Baton Rouge to Biltmore Estates

November 2018: Biltmore Estates – Asheville, North Carolina

A friend Karen and I decided to take a road trip during the Veterans Day weekend. We both wanted to see this historic home and grounds built for George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 1800’s.  It is still owned by the Vanderbilt family.

Day 1 – Off We Go!

Packing is a challenge. I love packing! But I can’t pack for a three-day weekend with less than two suitcases and three bags. So many variables … weather and indecisiveness. Even with all those organization bags that fit right into your suitcase, I still try to take my home contents.  Why, my face (synonym for a southern lady’s makeup bag) takes up one large carry-on …and I don’t leave home without it.

Driving to Asheville, NC from Baton Rouge, LA was a 14-hour adventure.  It included two Cracker Barrel stops and four gas station stops. And for those of you who may have never heard of Cracker Barrel, they are known for their country style cooking and old-time candy selections.  You can find every type of candy you had as a kid (well, if you were born in the 50’s, I can promise you). I was the passenger so I caught up on naps between stops.

With hotel room assignments, sometimes mistakes are made. We assumed that the key we were given would lead us into a pristine room where we could fall out after that long journey. But, on this day we learned that sometimes room assignments get crossed up. Lugging up 100 pounds of luggage to the sixth floor after an all-day drive only to find a family of messy jesses already in the room was a bit of a jolt. But getting comped with a suite near the bar made up for human error and the hair-raising experience.

Doogie Howzar has a doppelgänger; and he was our desk clerk. He provided outstanding customer service (including assuring us we did not have to share a room with the messy jesses). He introduced us to Beau, the bartender, who provided excellent martinis and Hawaiian volcanos. We slept well that night.

Day 2 – Biltmore Estate and Antler Hill Village & Winery

 One thing we learned was that this was a sprawling estate; and it was a big damn place. The house covered four acres on an 8000-acre estate. Thirty something bedrooms may give you an idea … and yes, we had to have a ticket for the tour. We purchased tickets online prior to the trip.

The brochure reported that there were a million visitors annually. We went the first week of candlelight tours because we wanted to see it at night in all of the Christmas splendor. We jostled with the thousands that wanted to see the same.  We were not disappointed.

Tip: Go on a weekday.

The map gave us the mileage between highlights of the estate. For example, it was about three miles from the ticket office to the house, and about five miles to Antler Hill Village & Winery. We drove to the various locations. We saw three parking lots near the actual Biltmore house. One was a Park and Ride (shuttle). This lot was very large.  The other two were small and called Park and Walk lots. Well, let me tell you the Park and Ride had few spots left to park your vehicle; and the Park and Walk lot had very few cars. No explanation necessary. There may have been other options for parking; but we were running to catch the bus.

The steps inside of the house included a huge winding staircase … thought I had made it to heaven.  Only to find out there were lots more steps to go … and I definitely was not in heaven. We shuffled along as we followed the  crowd while viewing this vast home. We saw the bowling alley, swimming pool, library, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and so on.  Considering the times when this home was built, I have to admit it was pretty impressive.  A swimming pool and bowling alley in the house. Wow!

Having that information, you can imagine the number of steps we took this day.  I could’ve blown up a Fitbit had I been wearing one.

Antler Hill Village & Winery had several shops and places to eat.  We skipped the wine tasting. The line was way too long; and it was moving at a snail’s pace. We bought a few bottles to have a tasting at home with our feet up. Heads up … the wine was great!

All in all, it was a great day. It was cold and windy. Definitely needed those layers. Checking more things off my bucket list was a satisfying experience. If you’ve already visited, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t been and are considering making the trip, download the app. Everyone should see it!

Day 3: Exploring Ashville

My friend, Karen, is a part-time Uber driver. That gal can drive with one knee, apply a dab of lipstick and google map a destination. Why today, I said I’d like some ice cream. Next thing I knew, we were pulling up to Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream! And in a prime parking spot. A dream come true. When you visit, don’t forget to make a stop here.

Having a free day where there are no time constraints is good for the soul. Asheville is an artsy little town with lots to see and do. It’s also hilly so more steps are involved. I tried to keep our direction downhill lest I end up rolling downhill like a tumbleweed.

Many of the little brunch eateries require a reservation. We learned that the previous day after we were told it’d be an hour wait. Well, we were smart enough to make reservations for the following day ahead of time … and we walked on in The Corner Kitchen like we were locals. You can reserve a table here online! I walked by all those tourists coming in putting their name on the wait list smiling like the cat that ate the canary. Suckers!!!!!

The fall colors were still evident and it was such an experience to see.

Day 4 – The Trip Home (Lessons Learned)

What I learned was that the drive home was a heck of a lot faster. Seems one is more motivated to be home in familiar surroundings. So putting the pedal to the medal was the only option.

Driving in blinding rain doesn’t deter one … just turn those flashers on and keep moving along with the rest of the semis, big rigs and ambulances!

Of course, after driving in blinding rain for several hours, seeing that Welcome to Louisiana sign made me want to genuflect. But it’s a difficult thing to do while wearing a seatbelt with a blanket enfolding me, holding my drink and couple of snacks. I was able to make the sign of the cross and yelled THANK YOU JESUS! And I know HE heard me because it didn’t rain for a few minutes.

The weeping began as we turned onto my stomping ground. The tears subsided and a flood of warmth and contentment filled my soul as I knew I would be entering my charming lil’ townhome soon.

Lo and behold, we arrived, and the unloading began. OMG. Everyone knows you come home with more than you left with. Extra bags, junk purchases, little shampoos from the hotel, pamphlets you’ll never look at again … stuff. My kids will love my place when I pass on to the yonder, they’ll find all this stuff in drawers and cabinets. They’ll talk about me for years to come.

Soon after we arrived home, there is the sudden realization that it is all over. It is.

But it went by so quickly … just like my life … at the speed of light. After all, I just graduated from high school yesterday, didn’t I? Well, it’s time to take a breath, get back in the routine, apply spackle to the wrinkles and plan another getaway. After all, life is short; and I need to collect some more memorabilia for my precious children.