Our Biltmore experience was truly magical...and the more we learned and did...the more magical it became. We booked a "bed and breakfast deal" that allowed us unlimited access during our stay. So the plan was to get up early Monday, drive a scenic route, arrive at Biltmore early afternoon and tour the house. We did get up early and leave right on time. Can I just say a thing or three about traffic on the major highways...during the week...and not during summer vacation time...holy cow, it was bumper to bumper...so we decided against the scenic route....good thing cause we had neglected to consider that fact that we were crossing the time zone line....yep, lost an hour, just like that!!! But it all worked out just fine...when we arrived at Biltmore at 3 (instead of 2) there was plenty of parking...and plenty of time for us to pick up the audio, self guided tour package...oh, and we were inside during most of that HUGE rain storm that came blowing in. Though we did think the lightning could have eased up a bit...wow, what sound at the top of the mountain....by the time we finished the rain had let up enough that we didn't get toooooo wet searching for our car!!!! cause for much laughter!!! Good thing Floyd is a good man...he had grounds to ditch me on that deal!!! hehehehe