Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Antler Hill Village at Biltmore, NC

Today,  I'll show you more pictures from our visit to the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville,  NC on October 4.   If you have not ever been to Biltmore --you may not know that this is a HUGE estate... Not only can you visit that gorgeous home,  or all of the many gardens,  but there's also a winery, several nice restaurants,  a huge inn,  many shops for 'shop-til-you-drop' shopping,  and an entire area called the Antler Hill Village which includes a farm.   There is just ALOT to see there!!!  It's impossible to see everything in one day...

SO--on the day we were there,  we chose to visit the Antler Hill Village (or at least part of it).. On this day,  we visited the old barn (built about 1902),  the woodworker shop,  the smithy shop,  etc.   It turned out to be a GREAT day at Biltmore...

The picture above was taken BEFORE we got to Antler Hill Village.  We were still at the lagoon area.  George took this great Autumn photo of the French Broad River --which runs through the Biltmore grounds.  Isn't it pretty?????




AND---this is where George stood to take that previous picture.  They say that photographers will do most anything to get a good picture.  Ya think?????? ha




Now we are at the Antler Village.   This is a picture of what used to be the old barn on the working estate... As I said above,  this barn was built in 1902.  They showed an awesome video inside the barn about life for the family in the early 1900's   If you ever get to the Antler Village,  be sure and watch the video. 




Look at Farmer Adams on that wagon...  All he needs is a corncob pipe and a straw hat,  don't you think?????  OH---I guess he will need a horse to take him on his way!!!! ha ha




I liked this 'grass' horse...  Neat, huh?




Now---George switched  over to the tractor...  That is an old Ford tractor---and he thinks that his Dad's neighbor may have had an old one similar to that one once...




I am standing behind a sculpture of Cornelia Vanderbilt (the only daughter of Edith and George Vanderbilt) with her 'best friend'--Cedric, a 200 pound  St. Bernard dog.

We enjoyed our visit to the Antler Hill Village at Biltmore...  BUT---there's more to come about our experiences that day!!!!  Just wait until tomorrow to see what else we did on this day!!!!!

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,
Betsy

48 comments:

Beth said...

I can't imagine life on such an estate!
It looks like a fun day. My husband still has several antigue tractors of his dad and his aunt's shed recently surprised us with lots of antique tools and farming implements. Quite fascinating.
I do like the staues the best though--not sure why, just do.
In any case, you both look so happy and yours smiles are always day brighteners!:>)

Anonymous said...

A very interesting post and another fascinating place name i.e. Antler Hill. It looks like a hands-on experience which is always better than viewing museum-pieces. The river photos are lovely and I look forward to more soon.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

I'm a Biltmore fan, although I haven't got to see the whole estate, with the working farm, usually seeing the house alone takes the entire day.
Isn't it the most awesome place, made even more so by learning the huge effort it took to ship in all the building materials from other countries.
Thank you for sharing this part of the estate, it is truly fascinating.
Loved those shots on the old equipment !
~Jo
~Jo

A Brit in Tennessee said...

I'm a Biltmore fan, although I haven't got to see the whole estate, with the working farm, usually seeing the house alone takes the entire day.
Isn't it the most awesome place, made even more so by learning the huge effort it took to ship in all the building materials from other countries.
Thank you for sharing this part of the estate, it is truly fascinating.
Loved those shots on the old equipment !
~Jo
~Jo

Catherine said...

Still seeing some beautiful fall colors Betsy! That grass horse is fun!
xo Catherine

MadSnapper said...

love those last two photos, tractors and wagons and dogs OH MY... the scenery is beautiful

From the Kitchen said...

I hadn't thought of the French Broad in years. My sisters and I always thought the name was very funny!

It has also been many years since I visited Asheville and the Vanderbilt's.

Say "hey" to Farmer George for me.

Best,
Bonnie

Karin said...

That past - a lovely place to visit - not sure I'd want to live there! OR maybe it would be much nicer than the speed with which we travel through our days! Great photos Betsy and George! Such a beautiful place! Enjoyed my visit!

Ginny Hartzler said...

WOW, I had no idea there were so many things at Biltmore!!! Really, I thought it was the huge house and gardens, and that's all. My ears perked up at restaurants, it has it's own restaurants, different kinds? I guess you would have to go to only one part each time. I LOVE the horse topiary!! What are the roofs made of in those buildings, they don't looks like shingles. I have never heard of this river!!! Love your pics from yesterday, especially the orange trees and the sun coming through the hole, I find those sun rays hard to snap, they don't translate well on my camera.

Out on the prairie said...

The blue sky really shows in all your shots with water. Lovely area to share,wish I was there.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Great photos and I think the tractor should be George's "ride"!!! Sorry I've been awol...I'm out trying to save our country!!!
Have a beautiful week Betsy!!!

Christine said...

What a wonderful place to visit! George looks right at home on that tractor!

Big Dude said...

Farm equipment has sure come a long way

Anonymous said...

What an interesting place Ms. Betsy. AND there is no telling what you and Mr. George did next!

Chatty Crone said...

You two are so cute and so funny. Farmer George. And the grass horse.

Lovely area to visit!

sandie

TexWisGirl said...

love that old tractor! but love the roof on that former barn more!!! rust is beautiful!

Ruth Hiebert said...

You guys are having so much fun and I am happy that at least we get to join in via this blog.Thanks.Looks like a fabulous place to spend a day or two.

Fred Alton said...

It's great that you and George are both able to get out and go like you do, visiting these beautiful spots in the country! Yeah, a photographer will do whatever is necessary to get "that" shot - whatever "that" is! Thanks for sharing them here.

Beatriz said...

Hello Betsy!
I'm so glad to be here again. Who knows some day I'll visit this cute place, Biltmore....
Wonderful pictures, as usual!
Happy days!!!
Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I hear the Biltmore calling to me more and more when I see your lovely photos! It is definitely on my bucket list. Looking forward to the next group of photos from the Biltmore estate! Have a great day.

mudderbear said...

It certainly looks like a wonderful place to be. And it must have taken a lot of hard work, but so worth it all. Thank you for sharing.

Diane said...

Looks like you had fun Betsy. We have a family like the girl and dog downtown on the lawn of the bank and I always do a double take when I see the dog! Diane

Diane said...

Looks like you had fun Betsy. We have a family like the girl and dog downtown on the lawn of the bank and I always do a double take when I see the dog! Diane

Linda@VS said...

Betsy, I'm thrilled to see these photos and any more you have of Antler Village. When my sister and I visited the Biltmore Estate this past August, the heat got to us before we could see the whole place, so our visit to the Antler Village was limited to a drive-thru. I'm delighted to be able to see more of it through your eyes.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Wow! What fun. The grass donkey is pretty cute--I guess he couldn't pull George in the wagon, could he?

Ms. A said...

I could live in that barn, it's nicer than my house! Not sure how old Cornelia is supposed to be in that statue, but she's as tall as you. Excellent photos, as always!

Lady Di Tn said...

That was great that GA could climb up and get his photo made as most places have items for looks only with "Do not touch sign" everywhere. Glad George is such a perfectionist as he gave us a grand photo to see. Peace

Busy Bee Suz said...

This home and grounds is just amazing....can we ever get tired of visiting??? never.
Lovely photos of you and your sweetheart!!!

imac said...

Nice to see George about to do some work there, but he wants a different cap, he wants a cowboy hat.lol.

Great shots to Betsy.

Sally Wessely said...

You guys really know how to have some fun when you visit a place. I think George secretly wants to be a farmer. Cute photos.

Ann said...

that sounds like such a fun place to visit. what a fabulous looking barn that is too.

Connie said...

Great pictures, Betsy! Looks like a really neat place to visit. So much to see there.

nanny said...

Wow, another week gone!!

I love your pictures of the Biltmore...I really have to go there someday...

I Am Woody said...

Love that pic of George getting to just the right spot for his photo! So glad he didn't end up in the drink:)

happyone said...

Enjoyed all of your photos. Ken and i will have to take a trip out there one of these days!

Donna said...

I don't remember anything about that area of Biltmore! The last time we visited was probably 10 years ago. Maybe more. Guess we need to go back sometime!

Susie Swanson said...

I've never seen this area of it before either Betsy. It is a nice place, will have to look that up when we visit agin.. Hope you're doing well and ready for the cold...Brrr.. Blessings, Susie

HolleyGarden said...

It has been ages since I've been to Biltmore. I don't recall Antler Hill. I enjoyed seeing this. Look forward to seeing more!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Nice village.

I love that tractor by the way. Pretty old machine.

A Colorful World said...

The scenery around Asheville is so breath-taking, and you and George always take such wonderful photographs! I have never been to Biltmore, though my parents took our daughter and my cousin when they were just girls and saw the castle-like house. I think I would really enjoy the farm! 1910 is the beginning of my favorite era, and I am a farm girl at heart anyway!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Sounds like a great place to see. I have never been there but hope to go next year. I have a friend in N.C. so I can make it a long weekend trip. Have a wonderful day tomorrow. I am enjoying the rains tonight!

Unknown said...

My Son and daughter-inlaw just returned from a trip to the Biltmore estates this past weekend. He was impressed and said they are looking forward to a more lenghty trip. He said the leaves were at their fall peak in the high elevations. They said they have seen the fall leaves before but not like this. It is a wonderful trip. Your photos are a treat.

carolina nana said...

I'm glad George didn't fall in the river getting that beautiful photo !!
Are you getting any rain out of that system that's going to bring winter to us ?
Our temperatures are going to be 20 degrees cooler tomorrow than they were today .
Blessings to you
Marilyn

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

You two are going to have to become tour guides at the Biltmore! Thanks for another interesting post about that place.

Rose said...

There is no doubt you had fun!

Loren said...

George looks like a natural on that tractor! I have a family of photographers as well and YES they will do anything for a shot won't they :) !?!?!?!

Great shots! Such a beautiful place!!

Lynda said...

Look at the sparkle of that river water! I can tell you both had fun - - - but especially George - - - look at his huge smile!

Neal said...

Heck Betsy...sometimes I do about anything and get a bad photograph. George sitting on that wagon takes me back to my childhood because we had a wagon just about like that one and that is what we used to haul stuff.