And the vacation continues: Biltmore Estate

It seems that we have been granted a reprieve from the summer heat. Today's forecast is calling for highs in the mid seventies, which means I've busted out jeans and some apple spice tea(between June and September, as I make it a rule to never wear jeans or drink hot tea when the temperature is above 80)

I wanted to share pictures of the Biltmore from our vacation last month. It was a lovely estate, but crazy expensive- $60 for admission, no student discounts?!!!! We figured we probably wouldn't go back, so we paid the $120 to get in. While the estate and gardens are lovely, I'm a little disappointed with the Biltmore. Sure its gorgeous, but it is not a nonprofit, there are no educational or outreach programs. Being in the museum/nonprofity/historic houses world, I'm all about preserving, but preserving with a purpose. Call me a socialist (;-)), but I like the idea of art, historical houses, museums, etc giving back in some way to the community. The Biltmore doesn't really give back, rather it takes, at $60.00 a pop. And I understand that it is expensive to run the place (its totally massive), and appreciate the preservation of the land and the house and the 23 wines we got to taste, but I was expecting the admission fee to be more in the realm of $25- $35.

Now that I am down from my soap box. Please enjoy the pictures we took of the beautiful Biltmore. Its truly a lovely place, and I suggest visiting once (but check with your hotel and see if you can get a discount like my Mom did).

Beach Camping

We have been so lucky to have been able to camp several times this summer. Last weekend we went beach camping with some of our closest friends, Erin and Charley, down at Frisco in the outer banks. Days were spent on the beach, and nights were spent around beach bon fires where we feasted on the most delicious dinners and watched the meteor showers

Asheville

Oh goodness, where has the past week gone! Asheville is the most awesome city! Breweries, delicious restaurants....need I say more? I will let the pictures speak for themselves :)

The LAB

Delicious pizza at Modesto

Lemon love

Early Girl Eatery where I had the most delicious sweet potato, local sausage scramble

Vacation: Hot Springs (pt 2)

We stayed in Hot Springs for two nights and three days. Hot Springs is a tiny little town and the Appalachian Trail actually follows main street for about a half a mile. It was a little late in the season for north-bound AT hikers and a little early in the season for south-bound hikers, so unfortunately we didn't meet any through hikers, which I was bummed about. (I love talking to people and hearing their stories- which is most likely the reason I love all your blogs :)).

After our big hike we headed for, of course, the hot springs. Because what else would we want to do on a hot sticky July day, but sit in 101 degree sulfer springs? No but really, the hot springs were incredible. For 25 dollars we got our own little private hot springs hot tub, which had private walls and sat right along the river. It was delightful and a great way to relax.

The next morning we packed up camp and headed to Max Patch, a bald mountain about 45 minutes south of Hot Springs. If you are ever in Western North Carolina I highly recommend checking out Max Patch. Its a short hike (only 2.5 miles) but it is magnificent. On clear days you get a 360 degree view of the mountains. Unfortunatley for us we had some major cloud cover, but it was still a great hike!

ahhh...hot springs in july :)

Super dork

Max Patch

On the top of Max Patch

Epic

Up Next: Asheville!

Vacation: Hot Springs (pt 1)

JM and I both grew up camping, but if I had to pick an expert it would def. be my sweet husband. He is an awesome planner, and found some of the best hiking trails! We camped outside of Hot Springs, NC on the French Broad River. It was mighty humid and a few thunderstorms rolled in at night, but thanks to JM's expert tenting skills we stayed nice and dry.

hiking along the AT (immediately after this picture was taken we encountered a cute little black bear- of course since it was a baby we didn't stick around to take pictures, as I'm sure momma was right around the corner)

camp food!

smokey mountains

home sweet camp

Vacation!!!

We are off tomorrow morning for a little bit of camping and hiking, and a lotta hanging with old friends, eating and exploring new places.

If you miss me too much you might want to head over to this fine lady's blog.

Leslie and I have been friends since college, and even though she's lived as far away as Texas and now Louisiana we have always been close. We share lots of similar interests, including but not limited to organic food, local shops, delicious recipes, Jcrew, New Orleans and Monticello. When I told her I was starting my little etsy shop, Leslie, the amazing graphic designer that she is, created the banner! And I love it!

Both Leslie's personal and professional blog are a delight to read. So while you are missing me this next week, check her out!

mexico

TOMORRRRRROWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

Friday through Tuesday we'll be hanging out in Mexico City which is super exciting for me since my art historical interests lie in late 19th early 20th century Mexican art and architecture(nerd alert!!!!!)

Then Tuesday we fly to Cancun and take a ferry to Isla de Mujeres for 3 nights of tropical amazingness, and maybe some snorkeling.

THEN on Friday we fly to Santibel Island for a weekend of remembering my grandfather.

THEN we fly home and goodness gracious I don't have to work and might actually be able to get the rest of my wedding thank you notes out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that is six flights, meaning six take offs the hubster gets to have me digging my nails into his hands. Anyone have any anti flight anxiety tips?

grad school you've kicked my butt this semester, you made me super grumpy and over caffinated but I'll be back in January for my last class to show you whats up....