#144: The Bourbon Trail (Page 631; 2nd Ed pg 794)

Reportedly >90% of the world's bourbon comes from Kentucky made in a distillery like this one. It is  aged in barrels like this one for 2-4 years or more.  There are 9 distilleries and 7 of them are open to the public.  

Cost:  Free to peruse around the distillery, see the hops grown outside and attached gift shops with bourbon in abundance.  A nominal fee is charged for tours.

Verdict:  No.  Interesting to learn about, but definitely not a must do unless you are a die-hard bourbon lover.

#143: Bluegrass Country (Page 632; 2nd Ed pg 793)

July 29, 2013

Views from the Old Frankfort Pike

Bluegrass country is spread over ~4,000 square miles....

And covered with beautiful farm houses.  Most of them gated like this one.....

And this one.

The area serves as the international center of thoroughbred horse breeding and horses live in gorgeous stables like this one.

Look closely.... one of these horses may be a Kentucky Derby winner and/or serving as a stud for a hopeful future winner!

Cost:  Free to drive up and down Old Frankfort Pike and Paris Pike

Verdict:  No, not something you have to do before you die..... unless you are a major horse lover.  If that is the case, then you not only need to visit here, you need to MOVE here!

#142: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (pg 690, 2nd Ed pg 871)

Okay, so I mentioned on my previous post (Blackberry Farm) about my photography-challenged friend.  Yes, that same friend took this picture.  And unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures here.

Cost:  Free!

Verdict:  Yes!  Loved the National Park and loved the surrounding area.  Beautiful drives, great hikes.  Tons of stuff to do, places to eat, camping, etc.  I was with friends on this trip and we thought it was great!  But would love to come back here with my family.  My only regret is that we weren't able to spend more time here.  

#141: Blackberry Farm (Page 713)

July 27, 2013

This is my friend, Mariellen.  I had her take one of me by this sign as well, but photography is not one of Mariellen's strong suits :)  And the picture didn't take....

While most people come here to just relax, there are many activities to do on Blackberry Farm's ~2500 acres.

The dinner barn. 

Cost:  $745/night based on double occupancy.  All meals are included in this rate, but a 2-night minimum is required and longer stays are required over holidays.  This rate does not include tax or 19% gratuity.

Verdict:  Blackberry Farm is remote. It's scenic and a beautiful destination getaway.  They do accommodate families and have activities for children, but we didn't see any while we were "checking it out" and it seemed to cater more to the romantic getaway rather than a family vacation and the "crowd" is "older."  You're bound to have a nice weekend getaway here and eat fabulously well, but no, not a "must do."

#140: The Biltmore Estate (Page 689, 2nd Ed pg 850)

July 29, 2013

The Biltmore is located in Asheville, North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 1800's.  He spent 6 years building this gorgeous estate which has 250 rooms including 34 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms.

Very few homes at this time had running water - this home had hot AND cold running water.  Few homes had telephones.  This one had ten.  Few had electricity.  This had elevators and refrigeration.  

The gorgeous landscape surrounding the home was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who famously designed Central Park in NYC.  The estate originally spread over 125,000 acres!  However today, it covers "only" ~8,000 acres.  

The Greenhouse

Flower garden

Cost:  If you buy your tickets online at least 7 days in advance, the cost is $44/person which includes parking.  However, I was surprised to discover it did not include the hand-held audio tour device.  That cost an additional $10.

Verdict:  I'm a little torn on this one.  I guess this is what I think.... if you live in or visit the eastern half of the United States, then yes, this is a must do!  But otherwise, not something you necessarily need to travel thousands of miles to see.

#139: The Greenbriar (Page 738, 2nd Ed pg 902)

July 28, 2013

The Greenbriar is located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in a valley of the Allegheny Mountains.  The scenery is gorgeous.  And so is the hotel!

Eating dinner at Drapers, one of several restaurants inside the Greenbriar.

There are dozens of activities here including three golf courses, a 30,000 square foot spa, tennis courts, an indoor pool and much more.

Cost:  Varies depending on when you stay, but averages $300-$600/night.

Verdict:  Like the Homestead in Hot Springs, VA, this is a place that I absolutely loved and would love to come back some day with my husband.  It definitely had a sense of romance about it.  If you have the money, I would recommend this gorgeous resort for sure!  But not necessarily a "must do" before you die.

#138: The Homestead (Page 728)

July 28, 2013.

The Homestead is located in Hot Springs, VA (southwestern VA)

The Homestead is a fabulous resort consisting of ~500 rooms

The outdoor pools were impressive!  A lazy river, main pool, water slides, sand area, etc

Even a little putt-putt course!

One of the highlights of staying here is taking advantage of the "Jefferson Pools" located 5 miles down the road.  This place was originally developed as a spa resort in the mid 1750's.  There are two buildings that enclose the warm springs.  The first was built in 1761 and the other in 1836.

Thomas Jefferson came here in 1818 at the age of 75.  He suffered from rheumatism and soaked in the waters several times a day over a period of three weeks.

Cost:  $17 for one hour for the "Jefferson Soak."  To stay at the Homestead, prices vary depending on the time of year.

Verdict:  I actually thoroughly enjoyed our visit here and would love to go back with my family some day.  But not necessarily a "must do" before you die.

#137: Monticello (Page 728; Listed as The Thomas Jefferson Trail in the 2nd Ed, pg 890)

July 26, 2013

Monticello is located in Charlottesville, VA.  It is the home that Jefferson designed and lived in for most of his adult life.  

He died here on July 4, 1826 and is buried on the property

Cost:  $24 which includes a tour of the home.  Parking is free.  There are two additional tours (Gardens and Grounds and Slavery at Monticello) available for an additional charge.

Verdict:  Yes.  It would be one thing if Thomas Jefferson, one of our country's Founding Fathers simply lived here.  But the fact that he designed every aspect of this home and also was intimately involved in constructing and remodeling all of its dependencies and landscape makes it a tangible autobiography of his life.