Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Biltmore House and Gardens
Day One - 16 September 2021 - The Drive 🚘
We left Nashville just before 9 a.m. and took Interstate 40 east toward Asheville, North Carolina. Along the way, the usual stop at the Caney Fork Rest Area to stretch and recharge. Then on to Cookeville for lunch at McAllister’s Deli, where I had a Reuben sandwich that was genuinely excellent. After a satisfying lunch, we stopped in Knoxville for gas before continuing.
The drive from Knoxville to Asheville on I-40 is one of the better stretches of road in the region. The mountains start closing in on both sides and there's a lot of winding through passes. We stopped at the North Carolina Welcome Center to stretch again before the final push to the Bent Creek Lodge. My car was glad for the rest.
Day Two - 17 September - Blue Ridge Parkway to the Craggy Gardens and onwards to Mount Mitchell
The staff at the Inn had prepared an excellent breakfast, which set us up well for a day on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We immediately went the wrong direction, realized our mistake when Apple Maps turned out to be right, turned around, and headed north toward Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Multiple overlooks along the way made it easy to keep stopping for photos.
The road passed through Craggy Gardens before we reached the summit at Mount Mitchell. The view from the top was a full 360-degree panorama, and the clouds were rolling through the summit. We took the obligatory selfies and photos, then made our way back down. The descent felt much shorter than the climb. Before leaving, a stop at the visitor center and gift shop yielded the obligatory mugs and stickers. I even used the highest port-a-potty in the eastern US.
On the way back to Asheville along the Parkway, a stop at the Craggy Gardens visitor center resulted in another mug. We skipped the hiking trails since recent rain had made the rocks slippery. Back at the lodge, a brief rest before heading out for a late lunch.
Day Three - 18 September - The Biltmore House
We had reservations to tour the Biltmore House. We made a wrong turn getting there but eventually found the entrance and parked. Walking toward the house, the iconic stairway at the end of the lawn came into view and left us genuinely awestruck. Obligatory selfie. More photos from the viewpoint.
Being early for the timed entry, we explored the koi ponds on the side of the house between the lawn and the azalea gardens. At the appointed time, we went through the house. The grandeur of what George Vanderbilt built is the kind of thing you have to see in person. About an hour and twenty minutes inside, with plenty of time to photograph each room.
After the house, the old Carriage House area had cafes, an ice cream shop, and gift shops. A milkshake for me, my friend's fourth coffee of the day. The usual overpriced souvenirs, though I did come away with a book about the Biltmore House and Gardens, a sticker, and a refrigerator magnet. Then on to the Azalea Gardens and Conservatory.
The Azalea Gardens were beautiful and the Conservatory was remarkable. At the time we visited, a model train was snaking its way through the interior, which was a nice touch.
After the conservatory, we drove the winding five-mile road through the estate to Antler Village, where a small sandwich at the Kitchen Café hit the spot. The Creamery afterward for ice cream, then the five-mile drive back out.
Day Four - 19 September - The drive back home 🚘
A lovely weekend in Asheville, then back to Nashville. We retraced I-40 with a stop at the Tennessee Welcome Center after crossing from North Carolina. Then the Crossville rest area before Cookeville, where we refueled before pushing through wind and rain back to Nashville. Rain on the way home instead of the way there was a genuine blessing.
Using points from my Capital One Venture card, I managed to offset some travel-related expenses, which brought the overall cost down considerably.