If I had a Million Dollars

Another part of my adventure, with my friend Mary Stori, last weekend was a trip to Biltmore Estates, the largest privately owned home in the United States. Wow! Biltmore was built by George Vanderbilt on 125,00 acres in Asheville, NC. It took 6 years to build and was officially opened as a home during Christmas of 1895. The “house” has 250 rooms and 43 bathrooms. Considering most homes at that time didn’t have indoor plumbing, the bathroom deal is something astonishing. Of course with all those bathrooms, the only ones open to the public are the ones in the old stable building. Go figure!

I enjoyed looking around the house. They wouldn’t let anyone take pictures inside, so you’ll have to go yourself to believe what I’m saying. Couples didn’t share bedrooms. The house had its own bowling alley, indoor pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center (well at least it was high class for it’s time). Walking through the house reminded me of walking through the castles in Germany. Cold, rigid, elaborate, and excess.

I received the most enjoyment with seeing how the staff lived. Although modest accommodations compared to their employers, the staff seemed to have nice digs. Of course, we wondered how much history is altered for the tour. Was there really only one employee per room, as the single beds suggested? Or did they cram 5 or 6 people in each of the tiny rooms?

Of course the current employees, fully dosed on their happy pills, wouldn’t hint to a different reality.

I loved the ornamental architecture features on the building’s facade. Having lived in Chicago for 25 years, I can’t help appreciate the Gothic characters guarding the building. Makes me think I should add some gargoyles to my house. But most definitely a couple lions, need to protect my front doors (a la Chicago’s Art Institute) .

Be sure to click on the picture of the lion, it pretty cool looking at the lady taking its picture.

After we walked through the Estate, Mary and I went to the Stables. These days, the stable building next to the house no longer houses the horses. The family converted the stables into a restaurant for visitors. Even the horses had it good, the stalls are now booth tables. Fancy wrought iron adorns the top of the stalls. Its a nice place to eat. Food and service is good. The staff here also seemed to have an adequate supply of happy pills. Click on the picture of Mary and you’ll see the stalls behind her.

From the visit to this fabulous mansion, I realized, if I had a million dollars, I couldn’t live in such excess as the Vanderbilts. I prefer my simple life. A wonderful husband, dogs that force me to walk them daily, a yard that needs occasional maintenance, and a messy studio full of fiber. Ah! I’m living the good life!