Over the weekend, my family and I took a mini holiday to Asheville, North Carolina, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Living so close to these cities made this an easy weekend trip for us. While in Asheville, we visited the Biltmore Estate, an extravagant late 19th century mansion that is still decorated in its original manner. I can't begin to tell you how grand this estate is, it's really something you have to see in person to fully appreciate. Not only is the architecture of the house breathtaking, but the histories of the items inside as well as the technologies utilized within the home at the time are incredible. After taking a tour at the house, we went back to Gatlinburg, had dinner with some family that lives in the area, and then made our way back to our hotel. The next day, we spend time in Gatlinburg. My boyfriend Josh and I hit some touristy locations, but they were still very fun. After having breakfast with my family inside a cozy log cabin restaurant (which made me feel at home since I live in a cabin), went to the aquarium, took the chair lift to the top of the mountain (a scenic mistake that made a great story), had lunch, took the tram to go ice skating (I have a whole new respect for figure skaters), and visited a candy shop.
Here are two photographs of the intricacies in the architecture that cover every inch of the Biltmore house. ▴
Here's a picture of Josh and I standing under a vine-covered pathway. I'd never gotten to see this area in winter until now, and it's just as beautiful without being green.
The Biltmore also has little shops in another area of the house. Josh and I went in the gift shop, toy shop, bookstore, and candy shop. Josh got me a little sea salt caramel and himself a chocolate covered peanut butter truffle in the candy shop.
Here are some pictures of some jellyfish. The top jellies were called moon jellyfish, and I'm not sure what the bottom is called. I really loved the pictures of the jellyfish, especially the delicate tentacles of the jelly in the bottom photograph. Another feature of the aquarium Josh and I thought was really neat was the underwater tunnel with sharks and other fishes swimming above. We also loved the penguins. ▴
And here is my attempt at ice skating for the first time in roughly 14 years. I credit my ability to stay upright to that bar I was death gripping and Josh who held my hand and encouraged me to move away from the bar the entire time. I finally got a tiny bit better towards the end and somehow managed not to fall down at all! ▴
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