After our wonderful visit to the Fredericksburg area we motored down the coast and took a right turn toward Asheville, NC. In Asheville, of course, is the Biltmore Estate, a must see which we have wanted to do for many, many years. A little dark and a bit of rain, but the estate and "house" are awesome.

There are miles of trails and paths and the scenery with the fall foliage was really special.

The tour of the main house, where we weren't allowed pictures, was very well done and about an hour long. It rivaled the Hurst mansion on the west coast in splendor and size. It also reminded me of the Neuschwanstein castle of King Ludwig in Germany as well ... absolute unlimited money to create a living environment ... wow!

For a lunch break in the stable next to the main house we ate in one of the former stalls ... don't think there was any horse meat on the menu though. Really nice lunch, well served, with very patient and professional staff rivaling a fine restaurant.

Then we went to the vinyard and farm ... still on the estate, but about 4 miles from the main house, and had a tour of the wine making facility and caves. Here's my favorite "wine cellar queen." Actually these cellar caves were used for the storage of milk on the estate long before the popularity of the wine.

Ahhh ... so many bottles and so little time ... !