Wandering the Biltmore Estate......

If you ever need a place to hang out in the summer, head for the Blue Ridge Mountains.    The weather has been exceptional....it was 54 this morning and just perfect for the morning walk and then warmed up to mid 70's.   It will get warmer but for now, this is ideal in every way.    

We headed over to the Biltmore Estate yesterday....not to see the mansion but to have lunch over at the Bistro at Antler Village.   They grow much of the food used in their menu.    There is also a winery and vineyard.     I had the Carrot bisque soup with creme fraiche....so fresh and complex..  There was a homemade oatmeal bread for dipping in the oil and balsamic....the balsamic was VERY intense and almost bitter.     Then, we split one of the specials....a pizza with a very thin crusty crust, topped with  red onions, red sauce, cheese (a light variety) AND pulled pork.  It also came with jalapeños which we skipped.   This sounded better than it tasted.    The pork was just piled in the middle and was a combo vinegary / BBQ taste....Not my favorite but interesting.     Enough of my food critique.   We have tried to find interesting and different places for lunch.....And trying to avoid the poundage that can come from too many dining experiences.....so we eat at home much of the time.   

The flowers were in full bloom throughout the manicured grounds.

 I have seen this at the NY Botancal Gardens as well and I'm too lazy to look up it up but it is sometimes called something like Ball gown.....All you gardeners will recognize it and call it by it's real name.  

Our days are winding down and we will head north in a few days.    We'd hoped to get in some more plays/concerts but there seems to be a lull in the activities.   We did see a wonderful twin piano concert in Asheville the other evening.    We bought the CD and are enjoying the energy of the Rachmaninoff and Gershwin tunes.