Biltmore Estates - A Feast for the Eyes

This is for "Watery Wednesday #172"  If you have a moment, click over as there are sights to marvel at and enjoy from all around the world.  This charming slice of the world I feature is Biltmore Estates nestled in the mountains of Asheville, NC.  These photos are from late May, 2011.  It is exciting to think this weather is just around the corner...

The time of day is KEY in capturing the reflection of the Biltmore Mansion,  and that key time is late afternoon.  This is late morning and I was taking a bike ride from the Biltmore Inn to the Mansion to explore the flower gardens and walking paths.  The photo below is not crisp, it is a bit blurry, but it does portray the serenity that is abundant here.  There are many grassy spots around this lake (watch out for goose poop!) and people set up chairs and picnic along its edge.

and of course, I went back in the late afternoon (see below).  The water had a lot of movement, so I was unable to get a smooth mirror image, but I guess that means I have to go back someday and try again:

The bikes one is able to rent to ride the numerous trails are very comfortable.  My girls took the more strenuous trails and I opted for the scenic route.  The river you see below is the French Broad River and  the next morning we rented kayaks and paddled our way along this shallow river.  Please come back next week as I plan to continue sharing this leisurely day spent with my camera.

A few of Biltmore's garden statues

A few of Biltmore's statues...  I'm saving the lions and a few house "details" for tomorrow.  HERE is an interesting guide to Asheville and the Western North Carolina Mountains.  I have it set for Biltmore and I think it does a nice job with its presentation of what is to see when visiting the estate.

Biltmore's Italian Garden

The Biltmore Italian Gardens are very peaceful.  I copied the following description from the Biltmore website:  Frederick Law Olmsted envisioned this space as an outdoor room for Vanderbilt and his guests. With its three symmetrical pools, manicured lawns, and classical statuary, the elegant Italian Garden is the perfect setting for quiet reflection. However, the contemplative mood transformed into a festive atmosphere whenever the Vanderbilts and their guests engaged in a lively set of tennis, on the grassy area nearest the house. After the match, guests could slip through the handy basement doorway to change clothes. 

"HERE" is a link to all the gardens that are on this estate.

The lillie pad's splash of color contrasting with the stone walls and statues is mesmerizing.  It isn't hard to  imagine the sounds of laughter and conversation of long ago...

I took these photos mid-day and hesitated to share them as the shadows are harsh.  But I got to thinking that this IS a garden designed for full sun and to be enjoyed as such.  Yes, photos with less shadow would be nice, but I think the play of shadow here is interesting.

This sweet cherub is at the end of the garden, centered overlooking the expanse of lillie pools and statues.  The house can be seen to the right and the covered terrace is directly in front of the Italian Garden.

The photo above is for "Macro Monday".

Views from the covered terrace.  I submitted this to the "Creative Exchange" as I think it exudes peace... I wasn't sure which one to use of the two, but chose the top one...

Tomorrow I will post the other statues from the Italian Garden.  

Biltmore Walk - The Bass Pond

The above photo I THINK is of wild grapes?  The colors are not enhanced in anyway - just mother nature at her best!

I see so many natural "frames" while walking along Biltmore.  The following description is from the Biltmore.com website "HERE" - (what to see each month in the gardens).  I printed out the paragraph about the Bass Pond below, but I encourage you to visit their website!

Enjoy the Bass Pond

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Bass Pond south of the Azalea Garden was created in 1895 by building a 20–foot–high dam on Four Mile Creek, which enters the valley from the east.  Olmsted paid careful attention to such details as the bottom surface (rock ledge and clay), the depth of the water (sloping from the shores to 20 feet at the dam), the irregular shoreline, the need for two small islands as protected nesting sites for shore birds and waterfowl, and the types of varied vegetation along the shore.  But the most ingenious aspect of the pond is the flume, which was engineered by Olmsted to carry storm waters laden with silt and debris through a brick aqueduct under the pond and out the base of the dam, thus avoiding siltation of the pond.  Renovated in 1990, the flume continues to serve its original function and remains unique to Biltmore.  The lovely curved brick bridge, which you may recognize from a scene in the movie "Last of the Mohicans," and the boat house on the north shore designed by the architect of Biltmore House, Richard Morris Hunt in collaboration with Olmsted, complete this beautiful setting.

These black and white photos I love because somehow it just captures the texture in a unique way...

I submitted the above boat house for "Weekend Reflections".

The bridge was used in a scene from "The Last of the Mohicans" with Daniel Day Lewis.  I didn't have time to walk over to it and take some unique shots, but I will next time.

The above is some Photoshop fun.  Might use this as a guide for a watercolor.   This weekend I plan on posting some of the amazing statues that grace the gardens of Biltmore.

Biltmore Walk - The Walled Garden - Part 2

I'm not sure if this was a caretakers cottage or just a garden shed.  Maybe it is used as an office today?  Either way, isn't it charming!?  

Frederick Law Olmstead created this "garden of ornament rather than utility" at Mr. Vanderbilt's request.   When touring this garden one can dial a number with a cell phone and listen to a  self-guided tour.

I had a little Photoshop fun above.  The flowers were a little bit past their prime and this was a fun way to play with them.  I think I should try and watercolor the image above...

Tomorrow I will post photos of my walk to the Bass Pond.  

Biltmore Walk Continued - The Walled Garden's Roses

The Rose Garden is located within Biltmore's Walled  Garden.  I had fun with photoshop and the last one in this series is for "Black &  White Wednesday".   I will be posting more photos of different views of the walled garden tomorrow

The "Conservatory" of Biltmore

I copied this directly from the Biltmore.com website:  The glass–roofed Conservatory, designed by Biltmore House architect Richard Morris Hunt, nurtures flowers and plants for Biltmore House and tender bedding plants for the gardens—just as it did in Vanderbilt's day. Its central room is a Palm House where a large collection of palms, ferns, and other foliage plants thrive year round. Annexes include a cool house, hot house and orchid house.

I took a few photos inside and in November 2010 I took these HERE.

I will post photos tomorrow of the walled garden directly outside the conservatory.  It was too hot and sunny to get any good photos so I went and ate in the "old" horse stable.  HERE is a "virtual" tour of this "barn".  You won't regret taking a peek.  And the food was wonderful.  After the late lunch, I strolled to the Bass Pond which I will show you later this week.  

Biltmore's Deer Park, my bike ride

Deer Park was created by Frederick Law Olmsted.  It is 250 acres of rolling-meadows and groves of oak, hickory, poplar, and beech trees.  These first two photos are just before getting to Deer Park.

The Broad River is behind me as I biked  up a gradual incline (but it was all down hill on the return!)  I kayaked the shallow river the following morning.

I wasn't stopping for a rest... I needed to take photos!

When taken this trail, one comes up to the side of the Biltmore.

This photo was taken upon my back to the Inn.  The afternoon sun bathes the Biltmore in gold light.

I didn't got into the house this time as I wanted to really see the grounds.  My daughter and her two friends did go on the house tour and were enthralled.   I enjoyed the many gardens (Italian, The Walled, the Rose, The Conservatory, The Botanical) and the Bass Pond where a few scenes of the movie "The Last of the Mohicans" with Daniel Day Lewis was filmed.  I will be sharing photos from these places in my next post.

Click HERE for further details of the Garden Parks of Biltmore Estate.