Costumes + Running= Last Mountain Challenge (Halloween Style)

For our last mountain challenge, we got to dress up for our run!
It's not a party till a Grape and a Runaway Bride show up!

Biltmore Estate Gardens and Grounds

The Biltmore Estate sits on 85,000 acres of land, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stroll acres of formal and informal gardens designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. From the beauty of the Italian Garden to the breathtaking trees in America’s first managed forest, Biltmore’s lush landscape is a living tribute to Olmsted’s genius. Their horticultural experts continually work to preserve the original vision for the gardens and grounds, including our Rose Garden that features more than 250 varieties.

As a century-old model for forest conservation (and, more recently, for sustainability, thanks to six acres of solar panels), Biltmore continues to honor Vanderbilt’s legacy of environmental protection.

Wouldn't mind coming home to this!

The Biltmore Estate was jaw dropping. I was speechless driving up to the house in the shuttle filled with tourists eager to see this amazing mansion.

The Biltmore was built in 1889, and completed in 1895. It was home to The Vanderbilt's 250-room French Renaissance chateau is a true marvel, the largest undertaking in residential architecture. Over a six-year period, an entire community of craftsmen comes together to create America’s premier home and the environmental wonderland that surrounds it. The finished home contains over four acres of floor space, including 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms.

The luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt is a marvel of elegance and charm, as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Your self-guided house visit spans three floors and the basement. You’ll see displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more that tell stories and illustrate the lives of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees. Get a close look at original art by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sargent. Marvel at magnificent 16th century tapestries, a Library with 10,000 volumes, a Banquet Hall with a 70-foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, and a bowling alley. Almost all of the priceless objects that you see throughout the house are from George and Edith Vanderbilt’s original collection.

The dinner hall, where all family dinners and dinner parties were held. It's a seven story room. 

The Grand staircase leading to 3 floors above!

 George Vanderbilt's room, which is located on the 2nd floor. The Mr. and Mrs. had individual rooms with a sitting area in the middle with adjoining doors. 

 Edith Vanderbilt's Room located on the 2nd floor. She had around 5 closets. 

George Vanderbilt's library home to ONLY half of his collection-10,000 books. Which are all of this original books.  

Swimming pool in the basement, with original lighting. 

Biltmore Village

Biltmore Village was conceived by a visionary millionaire, designed by world-renowned architects and home to humble estate workers, Biltmore Village was created as a counterpart to Biltmore Estate. It has a contemporary feel, with restaurants, shops, and local stores lining the streets

Walking with the dead!

The Riverside Cemetery encompasses 87 acres of rolling hills and flower gardens. The Ashville Cemetery Company bought land in 1885 to establish what was first called The Asheville Cemetery and later named the Riverside Cemetery. It is still an active cemetery with more than 13,000 people buried here, 9,000 monuments, and 12 family mausoleums. Riverside is the burial place to noted authors Thomas Wolfe and William Sidney Porter, better known as O. Henry. You can learn about Confederate generals James Martin, Robert B. Vance and Thomas Clingman. 

Chimney Rock Park: Exclamation Point!!!!

This is the highest point in Chimney Rock. At an elevation of 2,480 feet, it’s the pinnacle of the Park. When reaching this point, you have driven and hiked over 1,400 vertical feet from the entrance of the Park. 

Chimney Rock Park: Opera Box

On your way up the Skyline Trail, just a short distance from the Chimney, enjoy the views of Lake Lure and Hickory Nit Nut Gorge from the Opera Box. When you enter this unique sport, you’re covered by a rock overhang with a narrow horizontal opening that presents panoramic scenes of sky, water, and trees. 

Chimney Rock Park-Hickory Nut Falls

The second highest waterfall of its kind east of the Mississippi River. The falls can be reached by taking a gently walk via the Hickory Nut Falls trail to a platform at its bottoms.

Chimney Rock Park-Devil's Head

At the start of the Skyline Trail just above the Chimney, you may notice a menacing rock face peering out over the Gorge. An even closer inspection, it appears to have taken on the countenance of evil incarnate. 

Chimney Rock

Climb to the top of this towering 315-foot monolith located on the very edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains high above beautiful Hickory Nut Gorge. At a soaring elevation of 2,280 feet with its 75-mile views. It was worth the hike! Such a breath-taking view of the mountains and all of the trees covering the mountains. It's a sight to see! 

Topelo Honey Cafe--Downtown Asheville

While Topelo Honey revere the time-honored traditions of the Southern cook, you will find their take on the Southern plate is a little different. Because Topelo Honey Café Is a little different. Their transformation of just about everything Southern-from fried chicken to sweet potatoes-is decidedly spirited, independent, and frequently unscripted. 
Topelo Honey Cafe was delicious. From their complementary homemade jam and biscuit, their Texas Margarita, their shrimp and chicken ricotta entree, and their banana pudding--everything was amazing and hit the spot. I had the privilege of sitting at the bar and was able to see how their cooks work behind the counter!
Shout out to Nick for recommending this delightful place!

Toto, we are not in Texas anymore!

I decided to take a weekend trip to Asheville, North Carolina! It was a "must see". I have never seen much color during the fall due to living in Texas my whole life--until now! Not only did I get to see yellow, orange, red, and green trees, I also saw snow!