Biltmore Day 4

We joined Julia's parents at Chimney Rock.  This time we got the annual passes.  We just managed to beat the rain.  Sebastian was quite fun to have there.  After we were done, we planned initially to eat in the town below but they didn't allow dogs.

Here are some pictures from Julia and her mother.

Ashville Trip Day 2 and Day 3

Day two we took the upstairs downstairs tour at Biltmore and also saw the dressing downton exhibit.  Our tour guide was quite fun and we learned a lot about the servants quarters.  For being a 1%, George Vanderbelt seemed to be a pretty stand up guy. My grandmother is from around here, and if you pissed off the natives, believe me, you'd hear about it. The gardens were even more amazing than December though apparently it gets even better in a few weeks. Later, we went to a fantastic indie book store, a few clothing stores and then White Duck Taco.  It reminded me a  lot of Voodoo donoughts in Portland.  I got a huge reference tome on Symbology and a book on Bob Dylan.  Julia got the Quick by Lauren Owen and some earrings and a gorgeous fan.  Ice Cream at Marble Slab and Coffee at The Bomba.  There were also some AMAZING street performers here, some of the best I've seen anywhere.

Day three (Easter) we listened to Frenchy and the Punk as we desperately tried to get to our tour on time.  You do NOT rush in biltmore, you just don't...slow, windy roads make it impossible, but our tour guide had  waited a few extra minutes and it was awesome.  The rooftop of the estate is even more interesting with clay tiles  wrapped in copper wire.  There were lots of little hidden gargoyles like a bear with honey, a sword in a stone and an angry monkey.  Brunch at  the Inn on Biltmore estate was just...elegant and delicious. The concierge did an awesome job of helping us get back after their shuttle driver...was dumb.  Finally, the wine shop was wonderful when we got a local bottle of Champaign for Julia's folks. We also got a bottle of rasperry flavoring for...whatever miracles Julia intends to whip up later.  Then we drove to Hendersenson to meet w  Julia's folks at  the Melange Inn which is just this delightful and well hidden bed and breakfast in the  middle of the city.  They brought the Best Dog in the World, Sebastian.  Julia's father treated us to dinner at Square Root.   I had delightful pasta, Julia had a trout which turned out to be...a lot of food.  Delightful day.  We listened to Jesus Christ Superstar on the way back and I wrote an easter poem on my writing blog.

We are packing up to meet Julia's family at Chimney rock.  Happy birthday dear ;)

Ashville - Day 1 and More

On Friday, I worked from home and we drove to Ashville.  We listened to a CD and I read some of Death Masks from the Dresden Files out loud.   We tried to f ind the sushi place we ate at before and ended up at a place called Cambio instead which was Japanese Thai.   It was cheap and excellent.  The place we are staying is an Airbnb place run  by Rita, but she couldn't be there when we arrived, since often performs with her husband at Biltmore.   When we arrived a little black cat wanted in, but we were unsure if he belonged to her or not but he went right in.  I put him out gently  but it turned out that he  was her cat so all was well.

Meant to write but was playing MOO 2 until 2am.  Because I am dumb sometimes.

This morning we had a delightful breakfast with a teacher and her husband from Maryland, and another couple with their daughter in the third grade.   Rita is an excellent host and was quite laid back when I accidentally dropped  a plate.  Like most bed and breakfast we all chatted and it was very social.  The cats were very cute.  The house is gorgeous and quite victorian.

The trip to Miami gave us a chance to get a local po box and a phone with a Miami number.  We are looking exclusively in South Florida at this point.  Not a lot of hits so far.  Julia is doing well in school, though  she was stressed about a group assignment. I'm sure she did fine.  Work is ok for me, not as weird as wells fargo or  quite as awesome as qualcom, but it pays the bills and we get by.