Asheville NC Vacation

Western North Carolina’s  Spring flowering season has just begun in the lower elevations of Asheville and Hendersonville, and with plenty of winter moisture, a spectacular spring it will be!  We toured the Biltmore Estate Azalea Gardens on Thursday, April 29, 2010, and their trees and shrubs were beautiful beyond words.  The foresight of George W. Vanderbilt, who built the Biltmore Estate, Frederick Law Olmsted (the father of American landscape architecture), and Richard Morris Hunt (the architect of the Biltmore House) shows every time we walk the grounds of Americas largest single family home.  The planning, the layouts, the plant placement, the walls, the gardens, the fields, and the water features all were combined to create a magical wonderland.  The family of George Vanderbilt continued the traditions since the house first opened Christmas Eve, 1895, and are still creating more and more joy for themselves and for us.

Spectacular Azalea Colors at Biltmore Estate's Azalea Garden - photo by Robert Bowles of www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

 

 

Ginny adores wandering the acres of pathways of the Biltmore Estate's Azalea Gardens. www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

While hiking the Mountain-to-Sea Trail earlier in the week, Stephanie and I noticed some beautiful orange flowering trees, and wondered what they were. Imagine my delight upon arriving at our Mountain Laurel Lodge to see the exact same flowering tree in our own backyard! I believe they are Flame Azalea (rhododendron calendulaceum) or Florida Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum). There are several other shrubs and bushes that have already shown their spring flowers, and we’ve yet to identify them with certainty, although we are pretty certain the following are also in the Rhododendron and Azalea species. Perhaps someone reading this may have an answer.

Our latest vacation rental home acquisition, the Mountain Laurel Lodge, has as its back yard a mountain side rising up to a peak, almost entirely covered in Mountain Laurels, Rhododendrons, Dogwoods, and other trees and shrubs unidentified or perhaps unseen by us so far. We can’t wait for the surprises in store for us, especially when the huge number of Mountain Laurels and Rhododendrons open up for their private spring decoration show. There is still time to rent the home for your vacation to witness the show for yourself! www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

Photos and text by Robert A Bowles,  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com, 828-274-9777.  While visiting the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Smoky Mountains, please call us to reserve one of our luxurious vacation rental cottages, chalets and lodges.  You deserve to be spoiled!

The Asheville, North Carolina mountain area is famous for many things, one of which is the moderate four seasons weather.  Located in an isothermal geological area where temperatures are not extreme, our weather is predictably mild from season to season.   This year was an exception, in that we’ve had two major snow falls, and now are experiencing a beautiful ice storm.  Owning Asheville Vacation Homes affords me an opportunity to take pictures all through the region as I visit each property.    It is a truly spectacular experience to live and play in the Asheville/Blue Ridge Mountain region.

We have taken cutting from curly willow trees, rooted them in buckets of water (very easy, very prolific) and replanted them at our Asheville Vacation Homes. They make an artistic ice sculpture that only nature can create! www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

 

Our outdoor playgrounds with slides, swings & forts located at nearly all of our vacation homes are usually covered with children and adults, but today they are covered with snow and ice. Here’s the one at White Stone Lake Manor. www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

I discovered that snow, ice and rain still raises the stream levels, but with the frozen ground, the water stays its usual crystal clear color. This is one of the streams feeding our lake at White Stone Lake Manor. Our footbridge and fence are also in the picture. www.WhiteStoneLake.com

Our Leyland Cyprus at the White Stone Lake Manor relax with their new snow decorations. photo by Robert Bowles - www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

We invite you to visit this awesome area of Western North Carolina and stay at one of our luxury vacation rental cabins and lodges.  Our motto is “You deserve to be spoiled!” and we do our best to make that come true for your stay with us!  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com   828-274-9777 or email us at Joyah@aol.com 

We had a major snow in Asheville, NC, starting Friday, December 18, 2009, which blanketed this beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain area in gorgeous white, shimmery snow!  We had guests in all of our Asheville Vacation Homes (vacation rental cabins, chalets, cottages) that week, and the surprise white Christmas snow was an added bonus to their trips.  I was able to get to the Biltmore Estate to take some pictures of their magnificent property.  The Biltmore staff was out early and had cleared the way to the Biltmore House.  It was spectacular!

The Biltmore Estate House just after a Decembr snow fall - www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

The Candlelight Night Time Tours are still going on at The Biltmore House through January 2, 2010.  It is indeed spectacular and well worth your visit.  Our guests often comment that “the Biltmore Estate was even more than we expected.”  And that is also what they also say when they stay at our Asheville Vacation Homes cabins, cottages and chalets, as pictures can’t quite portray the actual luxury, comfort, and total vacation feel of our homes as experienced in person. 

You are invited to spend your mountain vacation in Western North Carolina with at one of our vacation rental cabins where we promise to pamper you with wonderful amenities.  We also are authorized Biltmore Estate ticket agents and have discount tickets good for two full consecutive days for less than the cost of the one day ticket gate price!  Call us at 828-274-9777 or email at joyah@aol.com  For details see our website: www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

 

The main gate into the Biltmore House compound was intriguingly decorated with snow, elegant and mysterious at the same time. Photo by Robert Bowles of www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

Why rent your cabin from an agency when you can receive personal care and service from your vacation rental’s owners!  We are Stephanie Joy Johnson and Robert Bowles, local residents of Asheville NC and owners of Asheville Vacation Homes.  We are in love with this absolutely beautiful mountain town nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and it is our pleasure to share this exquisite area with you. 

For years we have professionally restored and decorated homes.  We now bring this talent to our personally owned vacation rental cabins, chalets, cottages and homes.  We have chosen lush locations….rich forests, private lakes, panoramic mountain views…as ideal settings for our charming vacation rentals filled with delightful amenities and attention to detail.  All homes are only minutes to town, are exquisitely furnished and with all our special touches, it feels like a warm, inviting home rather than a vacation rental house.  Enjoy hot tubs, massage chairs, gas log fireplaces, top quality king and queen beds with luxurious bedding, high speed wireless Internet, quality kitchens, tastefully furnished, pet and child friendly.  We offer discounted Biltmore Estate tickets.  Visit our website for full details and photos of each home:  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

Call us today to book your week’s vacation:  828-274-9777 or email us at joyah@aol.com

Enjoy year round awesome 50 mile panoramic views from the View Chalet in Asheville NC. This luxury home has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2400 SF and sleeps up to 11 guests. www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

White Stone Lake Manor has its own private wild life lake. This 4000 SF home features 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, living room, family room, media room, 2 kitchens & dining rooms, kids play room, multiple decks and sleeps up to 20 guests. www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

In the business of pleasing vacationers for many years, the owners of www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com have established their luxury vacation rental homes in Asheville, Fletcher, Arden and Hendersonville, NC to be the best choice in what vacationers are looking for.  Located in beautiful settings, each home is thoughtfully and elegantly furnished with every comfort in mind:  Hot Tubs; Massage Chairs; Jetted Bath Tubs; King and Queen Beds with absolute top quality mattresses and sumptuous bedding; Gas Log Fireplaces; High Speed Wireless Internet; Pet Friendly; Child & Baby Friendly with playrooms, outdoor playgrounds, cribs, high chairs & strollers….are some of what you can expect in these lovely homes.  Chose a vacation rental cabin with 50 mile views or with its own private lake or nestled at the edge of a forest. 

To see a listing of the homes with photos, pricing and availability calendars:  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com or call at 828-274-9777 or email at joyah@aol.com 

The Secluded Rose Cottage sleeps 9 guests and is a charming mountain home!

Always curious to see what our Rose Cottage guests might have for them, our neighbor's horses visit across the fence for their apple or carrot treats!

We visited the Biltmore House on Thursday, December 10, 2009, for the Candlelight Christmas Evening Special.  Driving through Biltmore Village and up to the front entrance Gatehouse of the Biltmore Estate set the mood for the festive evening.  The Christmas lights framing the Gatehouse and on many of the architectural features of the Village wonderfully outline their unique features.

Christmas at the Biltmore is always a fabulous experience! This is their Gatehouse when you first enter the Estate's grounds. Photo by www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

We drove along the winding Estate roads to the parking area and from there took their very warm and comfortable shuttle bus (no charge) to the entrance of the home.   When the shuttle made the turn toward the house, there were oohs and ahhs from both newcomers and repeat visitors.  Eliciting these exclamations was a giant Christmas tree with surrounding smaller trees all spectacularly arrayed with thousands of lights.  Placed halfway down the front lawn near the fountain, this display made the House a welcoming warm refuge amidst some of the most beautiful lands in the country.  Imagining ourselves as guests of Mr. Vanderbilt’s first Christmas Eve event in 1895 made it all the more thrilling.

Famous for their unbelievably stunning Christmas displays, this  jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains is imaginatively decorated throughout.  There are 55 Christmas trees, each uniquely decorated, with at least one in each room we observed.  Live period entertainment was in place at several spots within the house and could be heard throughout because of the fabulous acoustics.  Our favorite was the two couples dressed in period attire who were dancing in the Winter Garden Room just off the entrance hall.

More observations to follow in other posts….Enjoy the Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings until January 2, 2010 and Christmas daytime visits until January 3, 2010. 

During your stay in our Western North Carolina area, you are invited to stay at our luxury vacation rental homes decorated for the season.  We love to pamper our guests with wonderful amenities such as hot tubs, massage chairs, gas log fireplaces, king beds, sumptuous linens, quality elegant furnishings, high speed wireless Internet, quality kitchens & cookware and so much more!  Please visit our website at www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com for details or call us at 828-274-9777 for reservations.  We also sell Biltmore Estate tickets. Purchase your tickets from us and enjoy two full days at the Biltmore for the price of a one day admission ticket!

What a fabulous Christmas display on the front lawns at the Biltmore Estate! Photo by www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

The NEVER BLUE restaurant is always a dining delight where every meal is made to order.  No matter if we’ve come in for lunch or dinner, it’s challenging to decide which of their fabulous dishes to order.  Fortunately, they offer many of their selections “tapas” style….meaning smaller portions at a smaller price so you can sample a variety of their flavorful offerings.  Or if you have a favorite, you can order it as an entrée.  The setting is relaxed, beautiful and brightly colored.  If nothing else, you have to see their exquisitely tiled bar. 

Ginny loves downtown Hendersonville's Main Street Bistros! Today she's dining at her favorite Never Blue Restaurant. photo by www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

Some of our APPETIZER favorites are:  Sauteed Wild Mushrooms: chipotle-herb butter with garlic toast or the Giant Ravioli:  stuffed with five cheeses, smothered in organic spinach chipotle-parmesan cream sauce.  For SALADS try their Caesar with organic romaine, toasted pumpkin seeds, herb-butter croutons, manchego cheese, classic Caesar dressing or the Spinach Salad made with organic spinach, cranberries, gorgonzola, candied pecans, applewood bacon, Lusty Monk Mustard-Honey Emulsion.  We love their COCAS (made-to-order Spanish style flatbreads) such as Majorca: chilean pebre salsa, goat cheese, fresh basil, olive oil; or Eve’s Delight:  fig preserves, shiitake mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese, baby arugula.  ENTREES:  Very creative & yummy Chicken, Seafood & Meat dishes – see their on-line menu for  mouth-watering descriptions. 

Ginny is fascinated by the tiled bar at the Never Blue Restaurant - truly a work of art! photo by www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

For a fun experience, try their Tapa & Wine Tuesdays, Music & Margarita Wednesdays, and Thirsty Thursdays celebrating the art of the martini with their exclusive unique concoctions.  See their website for more details.

ADDRESS of Never Blue: 119 South Main Street, Hendersonville, NC

PHONE:  828-693-4646

HOURS:  Tue - Thu 11 – 9;  Fri & Sat 11 – 10;  Sun & Mon – Closed
WEBSITE:  www.TheNeverBlue.com    

Reviewed by Stephanie Joy Johnson of Asheville’s luxury vacation rental cabins, chalets, cottages and homes:  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com  You will be outrageously spoiled at our vacation rental homes by our awesome amenities!!! BILTMORE ESTATE TICKETS: Purchase your tickets from us and enjoy two full days at Biltmore for the price of a one day admission ticket!  828-274-9777  Email: Joyah@aol.com

Never Blue Restaurant with several levels of dining and a patio with a lovely fountain. Never Blue Restaurant with several levels of dining and a patio with a lovely fountain.

A delightful new way to discover the Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC is by riding an all-terrain personal Segway through the many Biltmore trails past the lagoon, river, scenic hills and ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Our guests who have taken this two-hour guided tour had “fun, fun, fun!!!”  Rides are from 11 AM to 3 PM daily.

Our vacation rental guests rave about how much they enjoyed taking the two hour guided Segway tour of the Biltmore Estate. What fun! Photo by www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com

Living in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains affords fantastic nature viewing opportunities, and one of our favorites to watch and photograph are the birds that frequent our White Stone Lake Manor vacation rental home near Asheville NC.  One of the most intriguing is the Kingfisher.  Our resident bird is around most of the year.  I usually hear him before I see him, as he is quite vocal when hunting fish in our wildlife lake.  I’m not sure how that serves him, because even as he swoops across the lake, his cries fill the air.  I would think it would warn his dinner, but that is not the case.  He is quite well fed.  Pictured:  He sits in his favorite tree, eyeing his buffet. 

A frequent fisher of our White Stone Lake is the well-fed Kingfisher.

His hearing is quite sharp too, evident by his ability to hear any sound we make when photographing and videoing him.  His head tilts back towards the sound, even when it is from 50 feet away, inside the vacation rental home.  Just after taking this photo from inside the home, I quietly slid open the window.  Somehow he heard it, tilted his head back toward me, and then took off.  I have that on HD video, which I’ll post in the near future.  In that video, after flying back and forth across the lake, he landed in his favorite tree, and the video clearly shows how the movement of the limb transfers into his body, but not his head.  His head stays perfectly level as he eyes the lake surface, while his body moves considerably with the limb.

Kingfisher rests on the bench overlooking our White Stone Lake deciding on his selection for lunch! The plentiful birds at our vacation rental home here are quite entertaining for our guests!

We invite you to stay at our White Stone Lake Manor vacation rental home in Hendersonville NC and experience the abundance of wildlife that gathers at our small lake….blue herons, falcons, kingfishers, hummingbirds, hawks, turkey buzzards, owls, pileated woodpeckers, robins, cardinals, ducks, geese, yellow tufted titmouses, and numerous others.  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com  828-274-9777 or email us at joyah@aol.com 

 

Western North Carolina offers the best of many birding environments:  high mountain peaks, wetlands, forests, rivers, meadows, lakes, ponds, brush and much more.  Our area also has a bird friendly attitude, both in our federal and state parks, as well as our official and unofficial bird sanctuaries.  Bird feeders, bird houses and birding supply stores are seen everywhere in Asheville & Hendersonville NC. Food is plentiful here for the bird population, and the numerous protected areas bring us a huge array of bird species from the largest to the smallest.  From the American Bald Eagle to the hummingbirds, both usual and unusual sightings entertain us daily.

This falcon is a regular fisher at our White Stone Lake Manor vacation rental home in Hendersonville NC which has its own private wildlife lake sanctuary. I took this picture from inside the vacation home, and using the actual measurement of our swing set he is perched on, he measures 20” from head to tail.

From another HD movie I took from inside the home, as he turned, a wind gust came up, offering me this display. Note his talons!

We invite you to stay at our White Stone Lake Manor vacation home in the mountains of Western North Carolia and experience the abundance of wildlife that gathers at our small wildlife lake….blue herons, falcons, kingfishers, hummingbirds, hawks, turkey buzzards, owls, pileated woodpeckers, robins, cardinals, yellow tufted titmouses, and numerous others.  www.AshevilleVacationHomes.com  828-274-9777 or email us at joyah@aol.com