After a quick stop in Knoxville West Marine (we needed to replace TUMBLEWEEDs American Flag) we were back on major highway...headed to Scottsborro AL....home of the Unclaimed Luggage Store.

As we came out of the Smokey Mountains and approached Gatlinburg, we were still patting ourselves because we had not had to wait long at that road construction site...and then we entered TOURIST CITY...OMG, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville are a nightmare of people and vechiles...6 lanes...tourist trap after tourist trap...Dollywood, go carts, bungie jumpers, and fast food....We saw two cadillacs tangle as both were backing from parking places and neither had checked rear views!!! Just get me back to the boat!!!! Again, ever so thankful that we opted to not take this scenic route to Asheville....we'd have never made the time we needed. We now know why so many were waiting at the construction site to come the other way...they had spent the weekend in Tourist Cities and were taking the scenic route home....good luck with that!

In the early morning hours, we encountered several critters...a turkey (missed that photo)...and this little family crossing the road...aren't they cute??? Floyd was not impressed....though we waited ever so patiently....in fact, it took us 4 and a half hours to cover the miles that we covered in an hour and a half on Monday....four lanes with semis vs two lanes up and down, round and round!!! We loved every minute....and are still thanking our lucky stars that we had gone this way.

We spent many moments thinking about our friend Doug Nelson, now known as Hill Hiker Doug, who is currently walking the Appalachian Trail. We think about him seeing these sites daily...and encountering such things on foot...admire his fortitude and determination. Sure hope he takes some great photos!!!

Wednesday ...we decided to head back to TUMBLEWEED by taking that scenic route...Blue Ridge Parkway....speed tops at about 45...that morning we encountered very few cars, motorcycles...and NO semis (trucks are prohibited from traveling this road)...as noon time approached, we encountered those dreaded orange cones...road work ahead!!!! single lane....yikes, we waited briefly then drove right through...but then we saw ALL the cars waiting to come our direction...hundreds...backed up for miles! Suddenly it dawned on us that had we come this way as we had originally planned we'd have never made the Biltmore on Monday to tour the house before those private tours began on Tuesday. We thanked our lucky stars that we had done this the way we did!!!

Tuesday dawned fog mist over the mountains...but what did we care???? Back to Biltmore for silliness in the gardens...private tours...First an hour or more behind the scenes giving us the Friends and Family gossip and a look at several guest rooms not on the public tour.I think there were about 8 poeple in this group. Then lunch in the courtyard and shopping in the converted stables...then tour two...The Butler tour...another behind the scenes look at the staff quarters and the inner workings of the BIG house...all things not open to the general public...fantastic!!!!! We were with one other couple here. Then down to the winery areas for what ended up being a very private tour (yep, just Floyd and I) of the winery and tasting their wines (paired with gourmet chocolates)...it was awful!!! NOT...then more shopping, had to buy some of that wine!!!! (more rain...but again what did we care???)  Dinner at Cedric's at Antler Hill Village brought an end to our very long, extremely enjoyable day!!!!

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