Things I didn't have time to post when I was in NC, Part The Last

There was much that we didn't see at Biltmore- inexplicably, the estate has no shuttle to The Winery, which is 5 miles from the house, or to Deerpark, or to the farms. I understand that each has much to admire, but all of them were too far for us to hike. There were horse-drawn carriage garden tours available, but not enough time to indulge. Even in late October, there were still many blooms (and in the spring, with the rhododendrons, azaleas and other plants blooming, it must be thoroughly stunning). We were too pooped to walk 2 miles to the Bass Pond, which also looked to be gorgeous.

But we did wander down

past this gnarly tree

through the wisteria

the seeds of which, my sister Terri thought looked like Bat Eggs

down among the mums

which were totally gorgeous

to the glass-roofed conservatory. (those are 8' tall doors, btw)

I've posted pictures of a few of the hundreds of orchids already but we also saw

cactii in bloom

palm trees

koi ponds

and tangerine trees.

Outside, we got this view of

Biltmore House

and beautiful maples

and trees trained to grow on a stone wall.

I want to go back.