The idea is to get together for a 50th Birthday celebration in a convenient location for all. The gathering place for the family get-together was to be in Asheville, North Carolina. We secured a woodsy, stream-side cabin in nearby Bat Cave North Carolina. Bat Cave is very small village outside of Asheville near Chimney Rock State Park and Lake Lure.
Family
One couple is coming from the Philadelphia area and another is traveling from Bluffton, South Carolina. The birthday guy and his wife are traveling from New Jersey. A long weekend of family fun in Bat Cave is perfect.
Over the course of this weekend we definitely want to view the majestic vistas of Chimney Rock State Park and the splendors of the Biltmore House in Asheville. Asheville is tucked high in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a city that seems to equally marry natural beauty, historic charm, and a lively culture revolving around numerous brew pubs.
The Drive from Bluffton to Asheville
Leaving from Bluffton we begin to notice the landscape change as we head toward the mountains. The flat, sandy coastal plains becomes rolling hills and then the more rugged terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The roads are heavily treed and winding. Occasionally, the forests open up to panoramic views as we retreat away from coastal urban life.
Bat Cave
Bat Cave is a mountain village, quiet and secluded. A dense canopy of the surrounding forest and the soothing sounds of the river nearby sets the perfect background for our family gathering in a charming country cabin.
Hike to Chimney Rock Lookout
On our first full day we drive to Chimney Rock State Park. It is an area that contains a 315-foot granite monolith called Chimney Rock. The monolith affords panoramic views over the entire surrounding area. The walk up to the lookout was exciting with some good wildlife, colorful songbirds and playful chipmunks darting about on the well-kept trails. The younger four members of our family group climbed to the very top at over 2,400 feet. Patti and I used the elevator.
The views from either “Top”, looking over Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure, was just amazing. Well, Patti and I did not get to the very top. We relied on pictures taken by the other four revelers. The panorama really seemed like a painter’s palette of greens and blues, alive with the dancing shadows that the sun cast across the valley. More than a beautiful view, there was a sense of accomplishment in our group in the trek to get to the top.
Biltmore Estate Tour in Asheville
The next day was to be entirely dedicated to the Biltmore Estate and center city Asheville. The Biltmore is the largest house in America, constructed in 1895 by George Vanderbilt. As we approached the estate by car, the house rose majestically from its surroundings. It is constructed in a French Renaissance styled château. Its architecture sharply contrasting against a Carolina blue sky. There is something utterly humbling about the Biltmore House.
Architecture and Grounds
Visiting the estate is akin to traveling in a time-machine. The Biltmore House is indeed an architectural marvel, with such richness of details. The scale of the building is enormous. The façade is enriched with sculptures and carvings alluding to luxury hidden within the mansion. The estate has designed gardens, a conservatory with exotic plants, miles of walking paths through seasonal blooms and panoramic views of the estate.
Inside Biltmore House
Inside, every room of the Biltmore House held a tale of the lavishness of the Gilded Age. The banquet hall was truly grand, with its 70-foot ceiling, medieval tapestries, and a huge triple fireplace. Thousands of volumes in the library and the huge fireplace in that room spoke of Vanderbilt’s intellect and taste.
The mansion is brilliantly kept with all original furniture, works of art, and personal accessories of the family. From the wood paneling to the made-to-order furniture, details speak of the affluent family and their ability to appreciate an artistic and cultured life.
The Winery
Of course, a visit to Biltmore would not be complete without a visit to the estate winery. This was once the estate dairy, but is now a tasting room for visitors to sample the award-winning wines. The guided tour made sure to cover all the winemaking processes, ending with a selection of reds, whites, and rosés, each telling its story of the estate’s agricultural heritage.
The Heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Our trip from Bluffton to Asheville was more than just a getaway; it was like an immersion into the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chimney Rock, the natural beauty of it, and the Biltmore House with its grand historical elegance, are the impressions of things we saw and heard, the sounds, and views of the area. Back in Bluffton, the landscapes seemed to be repeating our adventures: a reminder of serene moments in Bat Cave and architectural marvels in Asheville, telling us that beauty and history reside in a place where whispers of the past have met tranquility in the natural world.
Traveling after retirement allows one to spend more time than just a weekend. Traveling to Asheville from most anywhere in the Mid Atlantic region, however, is so easy, a normal weekend jaunt is quite doable.
