We left the boat in good care with a long list of maintenance to be performed while we are headed out to visit family and friends. Being away from boat for a few weeks will be a big change for us but we are really looking forward to it! Air travel versus cruising at 9 knots will be a huge change though! Mountains, cars and air travel instead of oceans, boats and waves!!! I guess you could say we are now on vacation.
First we took a short tour of the Bellamy Mansion in Wilmington.
Interesting history here. Home was built by a prominent successionist. Not surprising since he made all his money with slave labor and the home was largely built with such as well.
These crown moldings are made of layers and layers of plaster. the last picture in this section is the plaster mold the craftsman used to form it.
But the Union made it their Wilmington headquarters and when the Civil War was over he had to petition President Johnson to get the home back. Most were able to just reclaim their homes but due to the Bellamy's staunch support of the Confederate state, it was very difficult for him to reclaim. It even has a very rare original urban slave quarters dwelling behind the mansion that is open to the tour as well.
Very interesting history lesson here. A great stop.
Next, off to Asheville to see the Biltmore estate. What are these things moving 60MPH??? Cars?
In a word, WOW!!!
Unbelievable architecture and size. It is still the largest family home in America they claim, at 135,000 square feet. 250 rooms and 43 of them bathrooms! Interesting tidbit....how would a guest find the bathrooms with all the various rooms in the house? Easy....each threshold of a bathroom had a white marble sill. One just cannot fathom the glamour and elegance that must have graced these rooms in the day. I guess the railroad and shiping business was quite good to the Vanderbilts.... If you get a chance to see this home, do it, it is just unbelievable and the craftsmanship is phenomenal.
The view from the second story balcony.
The basement had a full gym and an indoor pool. The pool was filled each few days to keep the water fresh. The big black hose running around the bottom was the steam line that would heat the water.
We also travelled the Blue Ridge Parkway for 30 miles or so for a Sunday afternoon drive. The views are really pretty.
On Monday we went to Chimney Rock and climbed the hundreds of stairs 26 stories to the top. We had no choice but to get some exercise as the elevator was out of order! Saved $2 each as they were discounting admission due to the malfunction though. :>)
The view of Lake Lure part way up.
Quite a view of Lake Lure and the mountains from the top of Chimney Rock!
In Chimney Rock (the town) along the Broad River on our way to Lake Lure.
After the climb, we drove down to Lake Lure to enjoy a lunch ! A nice day!
Next post will be visits to family. Until then, Happy Independence Day to all!!
June statistics:
Miles travelled: 419 /Trip to Date: 4345
Travel days: 7 / 90
Engine hours: 45 / 494
Locks: 0/35
Bridges opened: 2 /17
Days on hook or free wall: 0 /34
Gallons of diesel: 342 / 3307
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