My day trip

Sorry about the light posting today. I left home early this morning and didn't get back till nearly 9:00 PM. I went with a group of friends to the Biltmore House and then out to dinner. It was loads of fun, but I didn't get any pictures. The Estate doesn't allow photography inside and it was too cold to stand around outside snapping pictures.

The best part of the trip (well, the second best) was that there were three folks who had never been before. It is great fun to see the reactions of first timers. The House was wonderful, as always. They have opened up the third floor servant's quarters so you get an idea of how the staff lived as well as how the family and guests lived.

The actual best part of the trip was that it was free. So many people visit the Estate during November and December (to see the Christmas decorations) that attendance falls off in January. To remedy this the company decided to give us annual passholders four free tickets that can be used in Jan. We can get additional tickets for $10.00 and kids under 16 get in free with a passholder, instead of having to have an $8.00 child's ticket.

Even the hotel is discounted with a room on a weeknight going for $119.00 until Feb. 17.

When we got to the ticket office and I asked for 8 tickets the machine printed them all out as free tickets. The manager said that it was too much trouble to cancel the four extra freebies so everybody got in gratis.

It looked like the free and discount tickets were a huge success since the House was packed.

I'll get some pictures in the spring when the gardens are in bloom.