Happy 4 th of July from Asheville NC. We arrived on July 2 after a beautiful drive through Tenn. and the Great Smokey MTs. Asheville is larger than I thought, about 80,000 people. The downtown however is compact and easily walkable which was what we did Sat night.

On Sunday we spent over 5 hours at the Biltmore home. The house contains 250 rooms and acres of formal gardens. Based upon some Chateaux in France. Took six years to build completed in 1895 and occupied by the Biltmore family until some where into to the 30s. Still owned by descendents of the family. We were fascinated by the reconnstruction process. A lot of the fine work is being done in France, wallpaper, fabric and furniture.. The gardens were designed by Olmsted who did Cenral Park and Golden Gate Park.. Beautiful walled garden.. This must be the day lilly capital of the world, they are all over, on the interstate deviders and in the fields.

Before we arrived in Asheville we spent two nights with Karens high school friend just outside Nashville in Hermitage TN. Visited Opryland, home the the Grand Old Opry. Took a backstage tour of the theatre. Just like OSF.. Not our choice of music so we did not know any of the performers. Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff etc. We also went to the Gaylord Opryhouse Hotel.. Check it out on Google. Huge gardens all under climate controlled areas.. Did not spend any time in downtown Nashville so no report on that. Karens friend took us on a drive through the town.

Off to spend the day in Asheville..