Yep, vacation, I know, I know, this is the craziest time in the world for a market farmer to go on vacation but it just came up, so we went. We worked like a demon before we left to get everything as ready as possible and then took off for 10 days. My husband just said "come on, let's go" so we did.
OK OK Where did we go...well, it was very impromptu. We had tickets to the Biltmore (the huge mansion in Asheville, NC) for Wed. but no plan before that. We just left Sunday morning and didn't look back. Ok, in my mind's eye, I looked back and asked the weeds to please not grow while we were gone. They didn't listen.
First stop: Pigeon Forge, TN. We like this little community, haven't been there in about 10 years. WOW, did it grow. We did several of the touristy things: stayed in a Christmas hotel (kind of cool but hard to imagine Christmas in May), went to the Titanic museum, a dinosaur museum, a magic house and finally Dollywood. I was very disappointed in Dollywood. Very expensive about $120.00 for 2 people to get in and then everything was costly. We had a small slushy (kool aid) that cost 14.35 for 2. Not much to see or do there. I highly suggest that you visit Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana instead. Cheaper to get in, clean environment, 2 parks (water and rides for the price of 1 ticket), free soft drinks, sun screen. Just a really nice place.
Second Stop: Asheville NC. I need to start this one with I DO NOT SHOP. Hard to believe I know, being a woman and all but shopping is not a favorite past time of mine. That is all there is to do there besides the Biltmore. We took a side trip to an Indian reservation and gambled at the casino. Lost our pants but hey it was cool in there and fun to boot.
Third Stop: Biltmore: Ultracool. That has to be the biggest darn house I have ever seen. Wonderful craftsmanship, beautiful furnishings. If you go definitely spring for the audio tour. It is well worth the extra $10.00. Less impressed with the gardens. It probably was just not what I was expecting. They were pretty, don't get me wrong. But I thought I would take one look and be speechless. Yes, it does happen. But no. Mine are not as elaborate but would rate right up there with theirs. The newest addition is Antler Hill Farm. A definite touist trap. Got money - go there. It is on the Biltmore estate and is supposed to be a "look back in time" kind of thing. Again less than impressive. But I did hear some comments from "city" kids who had never seen some of this stuff before, so well worth the effort by the Biltmore people.
It is hard to believe that this is a private owned home. It has been in the same family for generations. There is a small video there showing the generations and what they have contributed to the estate. It is worth the time to watch.
Fourth Stop: Friends house in Pearisburg, VA. How many people do you know that you can just knock on their door and say we spending the night and not have them freak out? Brad and Ellen are just those kind of friends. We spent a nice quiet evening chatting, got up and left for Colonial Williamsburg in VA.
I took lots of pictures but as this is a super long post already. I'll stop the recap now and pick up later. I will also post pics as soon as I get them on a disk.
Thanks for waiting on me to get back. Farmers markets starts tomorrow. We will have goodies from the bakery and raspberries from the farm. Nothing else is ready to go as of yet but I'm suspecting tomatoes by next week. Fingers crossed.
See ya on the farm
Charlotte
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