Italian Water Garden at Biltmore

A picture from the side of Biltmore House.. Isn't that porch wonderful?

One of the places George took me during my Birthday Trip was to one of our all-time favorite places,  the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville,  NC.  Each time we go,  we try to see something new and different... As you know by now,  if you have followed my blog for awhile,  there are many different gardens to visit there plus many other things (most of which we haven't been to).

All of the gardens were designed by Frederick Olmstead---who worked with the client,  George Washington Vanderbilt.  The Esplanade in front of the house is a rectangular court with double rows of trees.  North of the Esplanade is a rectangular Italian garden and farther to the north is a Walled Garden, a Rose Garden and a 200 acre Azalea Garden.

There is also a Conservatory--which shelters Biltmore Garden's collection of Palms,  tropical plants and orchids --as well as the bedding plants for the outside gardens. And---there is also a Spring Garden --which is a nice little hike  on the 'other' side of the conservatory --away from the Azalea Gardens.  Like I've said,  you need to spend many days here --and come during all seasons.

These formal elements are set in a picturesque park,  making Biltmore a classic example of the Repton-influenced Mixed Style.  Olmstead was also interested in the layout of the vast wood estate (125,000 acres) in which the garden is set. Biltmore is the grandest estate ever built in America. 

Today,  I will show you the ITALIAN GARDEN.  Close to the house,  the elegant garden features geometric pools and fountains within a courtyard filled with classic statuary and symmetrical plantings.  As you will see,  there is a good view of the Biltmore House from here.

Here's a funny story I read.  Olmstead envisioned this space as an outdoor room for Vanderbilt and his guests.  With the garden's three symmetrical pools,  this garden is the perfect setting for QUIET reflection.  Well---apparently Vanderbilt and his guests had other ideas ----as they engaged in a lively tennis game nearby on the grassy area near the house!!!!

Sit back and enjoy seeing my photos from the beautiful Water Gardens.

You can see how close these gardens are to the Biltmore House.

As I said above, there are three pools like this one. And the area is manicured all around.

I love this one since you can see the reflection of the Biltmore House in the water.

In this picture,  you can see more of the lily pads --and some of the gorgeous sculptures around.

For some reason,  this picture captured my attention..  Maybe it's because you can see down into the water.

I don't know the name of this water plant --but I thought it was beautiful.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the water gardens at Biltmore.  I have lots more photos --which I will share at other time...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  I certainly am enjoying Facebook --and have already caught up with so many old friends.  AWESOME.   Join me---won't you?

Hugs,
Betsy

Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah

Cute Little Visitor Center--surrounded by Snow

Cedar Breaks National Monument (north of Zion) is not far from Cedar City, Utah.  This park had only been opened for a few days before we visited there on June 20,  due to the heavy snow this past winter.  We took Scenic Road 14 in order to get there.  It was a beautiful day --and we (me especially since I LOVE snow) were thrilled to get there to find LOTS of snow still on the ground.

The Amphitheater

The ranger told us that there was so much snow up there this past winter that they quit counting it after about 400 inches.... Mercy Me!!!!!!  We went UP UP UP to over 10,000 feet above sea level in order to get there.  Just GORGEOUS---and quite cool up there for June!  (Wish I were there NOW! ha)

At Point Supreme,  10,350'

Cedar Breaks is a natural amphitheater canyon,  stretching across 3 miles, with a depth of over 2,000 feet.  The eroded rock of the canyon is similar to formations at Bryce Canyon, but has its own distinct look.  Because of its elevation,  vehicles cannot get there between October through May, due to the snow accumulations.

We were lucky to be there on a cool, crisp day!

The national monument area is the headwaters of Mammoth Creek,  a tributary of the Sevier River.  The amphitheater,   located near the west end of the Colorado Plateau,  covers the west side of the Markagunt Plateau,  the same plateau that forms parts of Zion National Park.

I love this picture showing the snow, that blue sky and the beautiful trees.

Uplift and erosion formed the canyon over millions of years,  raising and then wearing away the shale, limestone, and sandstone that was deposited at the bottom of an ancient 70 by 250 mile lake,  known as Lake Claron about 60 million years ago.   It continues to erode at a pace of about 2 inches every 5 years.  On top of the plateau,  volcanic rock covers much of the area, formed during cataclysmic eruptions around 28 million years ago.

Notice all of the snow along the cliffs

The rocks of the eroded canyon contain iron and manganese in various combinations,  providing brilliant colors that led Indians to call it the "Circle of Painted Cliffs".  Iron oxides provide the reds, oranges and yellows,  while manganese oxides provide shades of purple.

Chessman Ridge Overlook, 10, 460'

The area is another form of badlands--canyons, spires, walls and cliffs so steep that the land,   while of great aesthetic value, is of little utilitarian worth.  Early settlers called them badlands  (breaks) and created its current name by combining breaks with cedar for the many juniper trees (often incorrectly called cedars) that grow in the area.

Taken at Sunset View;  Wouldn't it be marvelous to be there to see the sunset?  Wow!!!

Cedar Breaks National Monument was established in 1933.  If you ever get to the Bryce and Zion area,  take time to visit Cedar Breaks.  You will truly enjoy it!!!!

Hugs and if you haven't done so,  if you are on Facebook,  I would love to be your 'friend'....  Go to my sidebar and click on my site!!!!! Thanks!
Betsy