"April 2005 Gatlinburg / NC - the Biltmore Estate" Personal Page by JudiandBill

On April 21, we struck out on the road from Columbus to Gatlinburg, TN to a beautiful cabin we rented with another couple. This is the same trip Bill took last year, without me, but I was SO glad I was able to go this year. The view from our deck was breathtaking, and combine that with the fellowship of friends, and it was a trip of a lifetime!

Misty Water Fall

Just below our cabin we found this small but beautiful waterfall. Bill and I took a scenic tour just outside of Gatlinburg, along one of the many turn offs you see along the highway. The second picture was taken at the Ramsey Cascades. He promised I wouldn't be getting out of the car, thus I am in high heel sandles, and shorts! Note to self - always leave my tennis shoes in the van.. just in case!

Not a good angle for my rearend!

The cabin was through the Great American Getaways. This cabin was perfect for two couples. Identical bedrooms on either side of a large living area with a pool table. Each room had a queen sized bed, and fireplace and large jacuzzi tub. It was your basic honeymoon suite!

and the storms move in

When we arrived in Gatlinburg on Thursday, the temps were in the 70s, sunny and beautiful. By the next morning it was raining. It stops and starts, but that night we had one BIG thunderstorm, complete with the loss of electricity. Saturday Bill and I headed for NC to the Biltmore, and went over the mountain. On top, we experienced snow. And the next morning, back in Gatlinburg, we awoke to a couple of inches of snow. Word to the wise - take all different kinds of clothes!

Ahhh the good life...

Jeannie lives in Tennesse, and gets to enjoy the beauty of the Smokies all the time. But she certainly enjoyed the hottub. This trip was very nice in that the boys did all the food shopping and cooking. We loved being ladies of leisure!

Our dream home...lol

Since we were close, Bill and I decided to make a day trip over the mountains from Gatlinburg, to Asheville, NC to see the Biltmore Estate. Home of George Vanderbilt. Still thought by some to be the largest single family home in the United States. Although the admission price seemed outrageous - $40 a head, Bill and I agreed by the end of the day it was more than worth it.

Oh the roof of the Biltmore

Bill has always had a fascination with Gargoyles, and when I learned there was a tour of the rooftop of the Biltmore where you could actually reach out and touch them, I surprised Bill with that added trip. It is $14 more a person, and we nearly froze our butts off, but WOW it was a shared memory that we both will cherish.