CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME! Tuesday, January 31, 2017 - Day Three - Fort Mill, SC to Asheville, NC to Chattanooga, TN

On the road again by 8:30. We decided to go visit the Biltmore Estates since it was somewhat close and we hadn't ever been there. It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day for a drive through the mountains. The temperature was 66 degrees so I was able to shed some of my winter gear. The Biltmore tour was impressive. The self guided tour gave us the facts and background on this elegant mansion. The 8000 acre estate, which took 6 years to build, was completed in 1895. I'm not sure my photos will do it justice. We walked the gardens but obviously there were only a few things blooming. The Conservatory had some beautiful plants on display though. After our tour of the home and grounds we went to Antler Hill - 4 miles away -   and did a complimentary wine tasting, sampling some whites and reds from the Biltmore winery. We stopped along the way for something to eat and then headed to Chattanooga, TN to spend the night.

Views of the Biltmore

Biltmore Estate

Ceiling of the indoor garden

Indoor Garden

Breakfast Room

Cornelia Vanderbilt's room

George Vanderbilt's Library

Vanderbilt personally selected the 10,000 books in his library

Main Staircase

Heading to the Gardens

Views from the Conservatory

Enjoying tasting the fine Biltmore wines