The Biltmore Highlights

  A bright February day proved wonderful

 for a visit to the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains this home 

mounts as stately on the horizon 

as it did one hundred years ago.

Winter skies are chased by 

the lush green garden 

in the glass-domed entrance hall.

 It doesn't take much imagination

 to see the many guests seated 

for dinner in the banquet hall.

This impressive room with its seven-story-high ceiling

 and Flemish tapestries sets the stage for an elegant affair.

 Serving pieces set ready on one end

 underneath the 1916 Skinner pipe organ.

A triple fireplace stands

 sentinel on the other end.

 The art collection in the Biltmore
 includes the Fantastical woodcut by Albrecht Durer.

 And a stunning fire place
 mantel piece- also by Albrecht Durer.
This engraving- The Triumphal Arch was stored 
and forgotten but now resides in its place of honor.

  But, the Blue Ridge
 vista from the loggia is also worthy of mention.

 The 22,000 piece collection of books
 in the library is overlooked by the work-
The Chariot of Aurora by Italian Giovanni Pellegrini

The stunning staircase winds
 three floors past the natural daylight
 from all the windows. 

 Our visit also had the addition 
of many mannequins as they readied 
the house for an exhibition. 
You could SEE what a Vanderbilt gathering
 might have looked like.
Here is the parlor for the ladies.

 The third floor living room.

 A maid ready to assist in dressing.

The 18th century Swiss overmantel.

 The lower level kitchen and storage area provided
 the system for meal preparation 
and the place to practice all culinary arts.

The lower level bowling alley
 was indeed unusual.

 Whether it is a stroll under the wisteria arbor,

or an over the shoulder last glimpse back,
you just might wonder
 if you had turned back time.

What a fun day to share with friends.
The wives of the Council of Presidents- LCMS.

Traipsing North Carolina

Beautiful coastline of North Carolina

 Near Surf City.

Rolling riptides on this day.

Stopping in Kinston, NC 

and tried out the dough burger.

 A bit of Civil War history

 from Kinston.

 We always try to at least stop by the

 LCMS church as we move through cities.

 Next it was on to Wilson, North Carolina.
Our Redeemer is a beautiful stone church.

 Love the Luther's Rose
 stain glass window.

It sits right on the edge of the
 parking lot for Barton College.

Sort of by accident we stumbled across

 the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park 

near downtown Wilson.

Folk art fun and a really neat story 
of a humble man just sharing his talent.

                                                         photo from their website

And if you are looking for Fine antiques 
you just have to stop at 
Boone Antiques in Wilson.
boonesantiques
 I have seen a lot of antique stores
 in my time and this was beyond amazing.
Over 4 acres of inventory.

A bit of the history: (from their website)

Our dad, Edgar Boone, started Boone’s Antiques, Inc.

 in Wilson, North Carolina all the way back in the early 1950s. 

At the time he was a tobacco auctioneer; 

buying and selling antiques was just a small side business. 

But all that changed in 1961 

when he went to England for the first time. 

While there, he discovered a whole new world in antiquing, 

and immediately saw the potential of 

buying and selling antiques in large quantities. 

As soon as he got back, 

he went to work expanding the business.

Branch stores opened in other states,

 but have now consolidated into the original location. 

His sons, Tom and Doug, now run the business.

All in all- fun places to visit in North Carolina.