The Biltmore Estate began their Christmas traditions today, kicking it off with the arrival of the big tree that goes in the dining room.
We planned to go around 9 this morning, but we were late and they were ahead of schedule. Still you can see the "outdoor" tree by the fountain. Wish we had seen the tree go in because they take it in on a horse drawn wagon to the front door. I did get pics of them with the empty wagon as they were leaving. By the time we got there and fought the crowd, the tree was already going in the front door. About 30 men just "muscle" it to the dining room. Then the cleaning crew comes behind them. I had a few pics of them raising it in the dining room, but I was so far away, they were too dark to see what it was. The lady at the front door said it only takes them about 3 hours to decorate it once they get it up. Geez, it takes me that long to do mine!! I guess if I had a crew, mine would be done in 10 minutes? LOL
After the crowd finally dispersed, we could get in, so I took a couple of pics so you could get an idea of how they handle it. they have a bunch of guys up by the organ pipes pulling on ropes to raise the tree, while other guys below are guiding with other ropes. I was amazed that they had a TON of boxes of bulbs and they were screwing them all into the strands one at a time just like we do at home. But SO MANY!! Hopefully, I will go back later to get a pic of the finished product. Last year the staff member told us that they have TWO trees during the season from Nov. 1 through the beginning of next year. The whole thing is disassembled in late November and totally redone with a new tree!
The Winter Garden in the front "rotunda" was really pretty with all the poinsettas. My picture is on the wrong side of the "light", but you get the idea.
There were carolers (lots of harmony and pretty voices) and Santa and Mrs. Clause were there too ( for kids of ALL ages). We stopped in the courtyard to have hot chocolate.......some of the best I've ever had, but VERY rich!
As a side note, I think I overdid it yesterday, because today I had to come home and take a nap, so we didn't walk much at Biltmore, but I was glad to be able to get out and see it all.
It was a beautiful, crisp, bright, sunny day. Perfect for a trip to our beautiful "second home"! I'm so glad George and his family saw fit to keep the estate open for all of us to enjoy!!
Here's a link to the pics taken by the local newspaper. It fills in the gap of the tree being raised that I couldn't get. 34 feet!!! I forgot to mention that it smelled heavenly!! It scented the whole room.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=B0&Dato=20111102&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=311020086&Ref=PH&odyssey=mod|galleriespic|umbrella&referrer=PHOTOFEATURE
2 comments:
How fun to see YOUR pictures of this annual event - an your photo of Mr. and Mrs. Clause beats the ACT's hands down!
anD there - I had to take the "d" key off and clean out the crumbs and cat hair that made it not work!
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