The Biltmore (Asheville, NC)

A self-portrait outside the Biltmore in Asheville, NC.





















This is one big house. It has 250 rooms and covers four acres. There are 33 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and three kitchens. I am so amazed that this was built in 1895 - they even had an indoor swimming pool and a bowling alley. The bowling alley obviously didn't have automatic ball returns or pin setters so butlers had to fill that role.

Unfortunately, they don't let you take photos inside. But they will sell you a $20 photo book. Go figure. And of course, I bought it. So if anyone wants to borrow it.....























I liked the gargoyle detail on the roofs.



























The view of the lawns from the front of the house. The grounds originally had 125,000 acres of forests, farms, and a dairy. It also had a 250 acre wooded park, five different pleasure gardens, and 30 miles of roadways.


















I loved the way they have trimmed these plants.