Peaks of Otter

As we continued our drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway,  we finally got to our destination,  the Peaks of Otter... We had stopped so much during the drive that we didn't get to the Peaks of Otter until WAY after dark....

NOTE for anyone driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway after DARK:  ALL of the deer come out after dark---so we had to drive very slowly so that we wouldn't hit them .  We also didn't want damage to our Prius!!!!  We must have seen from 50-100 deer that night on the parkway.  I was on 'deer patrol' ----trying to spot them as George drove!!!   Not FUN --and kinda scary!!!  SO-----------don't drive up there after dark!!!

We got to the Peaks just in time for some dinner in their restaurant and then to our room to get some sleep... I think we went to bed about 9 p.m.  that night.  We were 'tarred'... ha ha

Here are some pictures around the Peaks of Otter which we took that next morning.  The picture above shows the lake and surrounding area.  Pretty,  isn't it???

George wandered outside to get more photos... The grounds here and facilities are SO nice and so peaceful.

You can see the fog on top of Sharp Top Mountain (one of three PEAKS here).  The last time we were here (Summer of 2010),  we took a bus part of the way UP that mountain --and hiked the rest of the way up to the top... I remember that hike well --since I had had knee surgery in June that year!!!!!

As I said,  the property maintenance/facilities here are so nice... I just feel a peace when I'm here.  Our room looked out toward the lake ---and we had a balcony where we could sit and enjoy the area... Isn't that little bridge pretty?

Here is another view of the sun shining on the lake.

I have one more set of photos from the Peaks of Otter to show you --and will do that next week...  Have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday.

Hugs,
Betsy

The Lagoon at Biltmore

Our favorite spot at the Biltmore House and Gardens is when we drive to the Lagoon...  This is a wonderful (and not highly publicized) area of the estate.   We drive down a gravel road ---and love it here, since we can see both the back of the house (mansion),  and we can enjoy a picnic along the water while watching a 'ton' of Canada Geese making lots of noise.  We can also continue driving in that area --as the gravel road goes between the lagoon and the French Broad River... IF you ever get to Biltmore,  check out this area!!!

Today I'll share some pictures from this area.  Above is a picture of the Lagoon and the back of the Biltmore House...

George took this picture with his long-lens, so that we could get a better view of the back of the Biltmore House.  By looking at the first picture,  you can see how far away the house really is --from where we were.

I love seeing the Canada Geese ---and there are lots and lots of them here..  There's a small island in the middle of the Lagoon ---and the geese live on that island.. I wish I knew how many geese there are ---but I'll guarantee there are MANY.

More Canada Geese!!!!

And ---here's one more shot of the Canada Geese!!!

Finally,  here's a picture of us standing next to the Lagoon --with a view of the Biltmore House and Gardens in the background. 

Hope you enjoyed my photos from the Lagoon...

Welcome to DECEMBER.... (Hard to believe,  isn't it???)

Hugs,
Betsy