Erica

WEEK FIVE--Erica arrived on Sunday and we began a really jam packed week.  First on the agenda was a visit to the Biltmore Estates. Over the years, I have visited the Biltmore three times and have loved it each time. This time, there is an exhibit featuring the costumes from Titanic—really cool. Turns out George and Edith Vanderbilt were originally booked on the Titanic's maiden voyage but at the eleventh hour, they sailed on her sister ship, the Olympic. 

Workers were in the process of installing a Chihuly exhibit which opens on May 17th—definitely returning for that; but in the meantime, we were fortunate to see a couple of these beautiful glassworks already installed. 

Installation in process on the front lawn.

Outside the front entry.

In the atrium.

The gardens and conservatory were beautiful as well, and we sat in on an orchid growing workshop which was interesting too.

Rhodendrons - so beautiful!

A mound of thread leaf Japanese Maples.

Conservatory.

 

View from the Biltmore Mansion

Of course, I had to take her to my favorite art galleries including Grovewood Gallery. And while we were there, we went across the street to the Omni Grove Park Inn. It is fabulous with a really interesting history. It was built by E. W. Grove who manufactured pharmaceuticals--specifically, a product called Grove's Tasteless Chill Tonic, a quinine elixir to prevent malaria. In the late 1800s, it became a household staple making Grove a fortune. Grove suffered from bronchitis and was told by his doctor that the clean mountain air of western North Carolina would offer him relief. While living in Asheville he gradually acquired the 408 acres that would later house The Grove Park Inn and set about creating a grand luxury resort. The Inn was actually designed by his son-in-law Fred Seely, opened in 1913. and over the next few decades hosted many famous people including Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, Harry Houdini, F. Scott Fitzgerald and several US presidents. Architecturally, it is an example of American Arts and Crafts style and its furnishing were all Mission Style and built by the New York state Roycrofters, one of the most important designers and manufacturers of American Arts and Crafts furniture of the time. It fell into disrepair after WWII  and was no longer operated as a hotel. It wasn't until 1955 when it was purchased by Sammons Enterprises that it was restored to its original use as a luxury hotel. Since then, renovations have included two new wings and a $50 million spa. In 2013, the property was purchased by Omni Hotels.

Grovewood Gallery where some 900 artists/crafter
from across the United States are represented.

Hare Sculpture at the Gallery Entry.

Omni Grove Park Inn which opened its doors in July 1913.

Original Arts and Crafts light fixture.

We also went to the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center. Begun in 1903, the guild is a collection of 900+ artists from Maryland to Alabama who came together to create a market for mountain craftspeople. The artwork is spectacular. Erica and I both bought a variety of wonderful wood carved spoons and serving pieces.

We hiked to two incredibly beautiful waterfalls: Rainbow Falls and Whitewater Falls. Rainbow Falls is 150' tall and is in a temperate rainforest and gets 90+ inches of rain each year. Most days there is a rainbow visible in the mist. This falls is unique because hikers can see it from the bottom, top and back.

Rainbow Falls

Erica & I.

     

Jim, Zoey & I on the way to Rainbow Falls.

                                   

Whitewater Falls is 811' from top to bottom and is the tallest falls east of the Mississippi. We descended 150 steps to get as close to the bottom as possible. While I'm taking pictures from the viewing platform the old-fashioned way, a man next to me was launching his drone to take his pictures.

150 steps down and 150 steps up!

  

Quilt Garden.

And, we went to the North Carolina Arboretum. I first visited the arboretum when Alicia was here but because that was a few weeks ago, new plants were in bloom and the bonsai collection had been moved outdoors so it was almost a totally new experience.

Arboretum entryway.

Cool bonsai specimen.

I took a Fermentation Class this week as well and learned how to make sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha. After the class, I met Erica at Rosetta's a terrific vegetarian restaurant that has kombucha on tap—how cool is that? We ordered a flight and sampled 6 different flavors.

On Saturday, Erica had to return to Baltimore so we drove her to the Charlotte Airport and then went to the US National Whitewater Center for lunch. This is an outdoor recreation and athletic training facility for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking. There are also zip lines and bungee jumping. It is an official Olympic Training Center for whitewater slalom racing. While we ate lunch, we could watch rafters and kayakers navigate the world's largest, recirculating artificial white water river. (What can I say? Art galleries, waterfalls, hiking, beer, food, repeat. I did get to play golf a couple of times, including the Donald Ross course at Black Mountain which has a 747 yard, par 6 hole. I made par...) 

US National Whitewater Center.

Climbing wall.

Ziplining.