We get one day in Asheville, so the obvious choice of things to do is the Biltmore Estate. This is my second visit and Joli's first. It's also one of the few things we actually planned on doing before we even left Florida. The place is, of course, huge and magnificent. I won't waste finger taps describing it here, there's more than enough of that elsewhere. The food on the other hand, I can't stop talking about. After touring the house, gardens and grounds, we were ready for a seat and a snack. Oh, and of course, some wine! Lunch at the Bistro was amazing. Yet another Epic Food Score. Both of our meals were fantastic, not that I was surprised considering where're we were. I had salmon cakes with spring leek puree, asparagus bacon hash, crispy polenta, Shiitake and grilled lemon butter. Yeah, it was that damn good. We walked out of there with such a food buzz I seriously had a hard time focusing when we first got in the car to leave. Thankfully the drive to Gatlinburg is short and somewhat familiar. Though I did need the assistance of my faithful copilot as we went through Cherokee and I turned onto the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of 441, that would have been a fun 87 mile drive back to Asheville on pitch black mountain roads!
After sorting that out real quick, it was on to the obligatory stop at the overlook at the NC-TN state line, then straight into town to scout a hotel. No Four Points or Marriott here. Just lots and lots of tourist traps. And then we spotted it, a sign we couldn't resist, "theme rooms". Oh hell to the yeah! Swing on in a parking lot, catch some free wifi on the iPad, and check everybody's rates. Surprisingly, the place we had spotted seemed like one of the safer bets in town so we drove back to check it out. After inquiring at the desk, I found they only had one room left, the Asian suite. Sweet. But no, we can't stay the next night, they are overbooked by one room on Friday. Would hate to be that desk clerk, or that guest, later today. Arriving in the room we were pleasantly surprised at how big and nice it was, especially for the bargain price I paid. It's basically a small apartment, with a gas fireplace in the living room and a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom big enough for both of us (we verified).
No going out this time, we have a few bottles of Biltmore Estate wine and some triscuits, that will have to do. Not that there is much to do in town here anyway unless you're on a school trip or just plain lame. We will save the silly tourist stuff for Friday, can't let Joli miss Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede!
So off we go this bright and warm Friday morning to check out Cades's Cove before jumping over to Pigeon Forge for the horsey show. Looks like we will be staying there to follow, and from there, not sure still. Nashville? Atlanta? Who knows. We are just looking to make the most of our last few days. See everyone soon enough. Krag out.
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