by Julianna Squicciarini
As previously posted, Morgan and I have been celebrating our birthdays at Biltmore these past two days! We returned home last night at around 7:00pm, right before the biweekly occurence of Mysteries Al Fresco.
This was the first time for a few things: first, we stayed at the Inn on Biltmore for one night. An exorbitantly expensive hotel, it is everything it is cracked up to be. Four star, at least! My two favorite things about it were the valet parking (!) and the room service. We drove up while a storm was brewing, and the valets took care of everything – the bags, the car, us, etc. Very elegant. And for breakfast, we ordered in and had breakfast in bed on Monday morning!! Something I never get to do, even on special occasions. And the food at Biltmore is always fantastic. Our room had an incredible view of the mountains and the Biltmore Winery. The only downside? No lock on the bathroom door. <gasp>
Anyway, the second thing we did for the first time at Biltmore was horseback riding. Morgan and I agreed that it was our birthday, so to speak, and we should live it up. So we did, and the hour-long horseback ride was really cool. I haven’t been on a horse in 10 years. They’re a lot bigger than I remembered! I am a little stiff today, but I would do it again. Lots of fun.
One of the highlights of the trip was meeting the Otts. At our special birthday dinner at The Bistro on Sunday evening, we happened to strike up an acquaintance with a couple from Cincinnati, Ohio. Dave & Sandy Ott were there celebrating their 40th anniversary – congratulations to them! To make a long story short, we ended up joining them at their table for dessert, and talking the night away. In fact, the three-way conference call we had planned between Asheville, Ocean Isle, and Matthews was forgotten in the excitement of our conversation. I think our parents started to get worried…but anyway, we agreed to meet the Otts for tea the next day.
Which is another first-time event – afternoon tea at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. Wow! It was incredible and beautiful. Biltmore had a lot to live up to, since I have had high tea at the Savoy in London, but they pulled it off with aplomb. I can’t wait to do it again.
Which really sums up my feelings with regard to the entire trip – I can’t wait to go back!
July 8, 2008 at 9:20 am
Wow, I wish I’d been there… it sounds incredible! Next time you go, feel free to take me!!
I’ve never been horseback riding, but I imagine (from the C.S. Lewis story: The Horse and His Boy) that you would be very sore the next day, especially after such a long ride. But I’d still like to try it! 
March 25, 2009 at 9:21 am
[...] July 2008 I also skipped June, for some inexplicable reason. Might have had something to do with the fact that I was focusing all of my attention on my friend Kelly’s visit and my huge 19th birthday party (19). For my birthday, however, Morgan gave me a trip to Biltmore to stay at the beautiful Inn together. Memories: It was very hot. But we tried several new things, like having afternoon tea and doing trail ride. The together-time was priceless. It is unbelievable how much bonding takes place when there are quarts of perspiration pouring out of you Read all about it: July Biltmore Trip. [...]