Venture back in time by visiting the small pre-civil war homestead of two famous North Carolina brothers

By JP Chartier

Vance homestead originally built in 1795

Just north of Asheville, North Carolina huddled amidst the rolling hills of the Reems Creek Valley is where you’ll find the small homestead and birthplace of arguably western North Carolina’s most influential figure ever –  Zebulon Vance, and his less famous older brother (brigadier general during the Civil War no less) Robert Vance.

So who is Zebulon Vance you ask?

Well Zeb is most famous for being the charismatic governor of North Carolina during the Civil War, but ole Zeb was a busy man, and he lived a very politically-rich life, including that of a –   Lawyer; United States Congressman (1858); Commander of the 26th North Carolina Regiment (1861); Governor of North Carolina (1862), and United States Senator for three terms! 

It was said that Zeb could mesmerize a crowd of folks with his captivating speaking ability and overall likability, but it was his skill in the  art of winning a debate that  ultimately won him political fame and celebrity. So yes, it can be said that Zeb was a master debater…

Zebulon Vance – Charismatic Politician & Master Debater

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The Ride Out to the Vance Birthplace and Homestead is aesthetically pleasing to say the least, I follow a lonely stretch of road that leads from a charming mountain-village of 1,300 souls called Weaverville in western North Carolina. The road wriggles its way through sleepy mountain vistas and the land is dotted here and there with old-style farmhouses, but this is an area mostly left undisturbed by humans.

Just as the road seems intent on disappearing into the upcoming mountain, I notice a perfectly manicured slice of land encircled by an old wooden fence just off the side of the road. Inside, there are six log-style 19th century buildings, including the two-story Vance home and a visitors center sitting cozily together. And instantly my mind conjures up a scene from “Little House on the Prairie.”

Vance family lived here in style during the 1800s

The Grounds at Vance Birthplace

Inside the Vance House

A peek inside the Vance house shows that they had it pretty good. Below is a picture of the original 1795 fireplace.

The Loom House

Much of the cloth and clothing used by the Vance family was produced in the Loom House on a loom much like the one pictured below.

The Tool Shed

Like the name says, this small building was used to store all the tools, and a wooden bench inside was used to do repairs and build things on.

The Spring House

The Vance’s used the spring water from this Spring House to cook, drink and clean with. The small building is constructed over a natural spring, the same one the Vance’s used. Water would be carried from the Spring House to the Vance House in buckets. Inside, there is also a trough, the spring water would flow into the trough where crocks of milk, butter, and other foods could be placed to keep chilled by the cold water.

The Slave Cabin

The original slave cabins (thought to be three) were situated across the street from where they are now. The Vance’s had 16 slaves here in 1811. These slave quarters are very nice compared to the norm.

If you find yourself in the Asheville area and want a family friendly place to spend about an hour or two learning some cool North Carolina history and experiencing first-hand what is was like to live in the 1800’s, then hop in the car, drop the top and enjoy the 20 minute scenic ride from Asheville to the Vance Birthplace.

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At Gutter Pup Adventures.com you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world.

Happy Travels!

The post A Taste of 19th Century Mountain Life North Carolina Style – The Vance Birthplace appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

By JP Chartier

Every Friday evening, hundreds of people gather together, forming a large circle in the delightfully eccentric mountain-town of Asheville, North Carolina. Many bring along some sort of percussive instrument – what happens next is referred to as “The Asheville Drum Circle,” and it’s damned exciting!

Bongo Banging Bliss

I found myself meandering, lost in thought one Friday evening traversing the maze of streets that make up downtown Asheville. It was early autumn and I could feel the change in the air, the cool mountain breeze energized me, and put me in a celebratory mood.

It was about this time I remember, that I felt the ground beneath me begin to shake! I could feel a rhythmic thump pulse deep inside me, vibrating my guts and rattling my bones. It sounded as if the earth had opened wide and let loose an army of combat-boot wearing soldiers stomping in step and set on destruction!

Imagine my relief when I turned a corner and realized that what I thought was an army of combat-boot wearing soldiers intent on annihilation, was in fact just a peaceful gathering of hundreds of very happy looking people dancing and beating away on various percussion instruments.

An eclectic crowd of individuals swayed to the beat, bobbing their heads and undulating their hips as if in a hypnotic trance.

There were street performers rolling crystal orbs with balanced perfection all over different parts of their bodies, something referred to as contact juggling. Mixed throughout the affable crowd were twirling hula-hoopers and hacky-sackers too.

A contact juggler doing his thing

The celebration kicks into full swing

A Little Taste of the Asheville Drum Circle

This peace-loving celebration called “The Asheville Drum Circle” brings together all that is great about this town I love so much. People of all nationalities and backgrounds come together to rejoice in the moment, and in the fact that we are all alive and in a beautiful place at this moment!

The event is free and takes place every Friday starting at 6 pm during the warm months of the year, and generally lasts until 10 pm.

You can find the celebration off of Patton Ave near Grove St in downtown Asheville – Just listen for it!

Bring some bongos, bells, cymbals, gongs or something to bang on so you can join in on the fun.

What are some strange or interesting celebrations that you have witnessed during your travels?

The post Experience the Vibe at the “Asheville Drum Circle” appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

By JP Chartier

Nuzzled snugly, deep within the Pisgah National Forest and encircled by mountains that breathe blue smoke is where you can find this place of fairy tales and magic.

The magnificent Biltmore Estate

The opulent and somewhat imposing French Renaissance, Châteauesque-styled mansion called Biltmore Estate stands proud and illustrious, enveloped by 8,000 acres of forest and lush gardens. The acreage is split down the middle by the third oldest river in the world, the French Broad River, and lies not too far from historic Asheville, North Carolina. The lavish estate, the largest private residence in the U.S. still to this day, is a main attraction for the Asheville area, attracting 1 million visitors a year.

It was the height of the American guilded age when George Washington Vanderbilt decided to buy an enormous tract of land just outside scenic Asheville, North Carolina. Then he hired the ‘premier’ New York architect  Richard Morris Hunt to design the largest home in America.

Finally in 1889, one thousand workers began construction on the 178,926 square foot, 250-room home that would ultimately take 11 million bricks to complete. The construction of the mansion was such a monumental task that the small village of Biltmore, NC was constructed to house all the workers. The village remains today and is very popular with shoppers and tourists.

One thousand workers built the mansion in six years

Six years later, on Christmas Eve 1895, it was officially opened to family and friends. The Biltmore Estate started out as the ultimate bachelor pad for George, the first three years he lived there he was single.

Unfortunately, George would only live to enjoy his “little mountain escape,” as he was fond of calling it, for 19 years. In 1914 he died unexpectedly after complications from an appendectomy.

The estate was a technological wonder back when it opened in 1895, it was fully electrified and centrally heated, unheard of for the time.

Vanderbilt loved to travel to Africa, Asia and Europe, and when he was on those trips he purchased hundreds of pieces of rare art, Sheraton and Chippendale furniture, rare books, expensive novelties and tapestries which now adorn the four-acres of floor space in the estate! That’s more than five football fields of space.

The mansion has thirty-five bedrooms, forty-three bathrooms, and sixty-five fireplaces. In the banquet hall, there is a forty foot-long table that seats sixty-four, and in the library, my favorite part of the house, contains more than ten thousand books. The Vanderbilt art collection contains one hundred and eighty-five paintings from artists such as Renoir, Sargent, Whistler, Pellegrini and Boldini.

The Banquet Hall

My favorite room – The Library

Some of Edison’s first light bulbs illuminated the home, and indoor plumbing was available throughout also.

A few other highlights of the mansion are: Indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, a chess set owned by Napolean while he was exiled on St. Helena, and gymnasium.

Indoor Swimming Pool

Indoor Bowling Alley

Napoleans actual Chess Set, he played on it while exiled

THE GROUNDS: Vanderbilt originally purchased 125,000 acres of land for his estate, and he hired the most celebrated landscape architect in the world at the time, Frederick Law Olmsted, to plan Biltmore’s magnificent grounds and gardens. After Vanderbilt’s death, most of the land was sold, leaving the estate with the present day 8,000 acres. The landscaped gardens cover 75 acres. There is a vineyard on the grounds that covers 94 acres and supplies the on-site winery with 75,00 cases of wine (900,000 bottles) annually.  The surrounding forest — composed of azalea, mountain laurel, dogwood, redwood, and oak trees — appears as wilderness, but it’s actually a strategically designed woodland garden.

Biltmore & the grounds from the air

Walled Garden with Conservatory

BILTMORE WINERY: Stop by the winery for a lesson in wine production and samples, then take home a few bottles of Biltmore’s finest. The winery is a must see (and taste).

LEGACY EXHIBITION: “The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad” is a very interesting exhibit that contains rare treasures from the Vanderbilt collection and focuses primarily on the lives of George, Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt. The collections were obtained during their many trips abroad and give visitors a close-up look into their personalities. Also part of the exhibition is a short film that shares the family story, from the past to modern day. The exhibition can be found in the Antler Hill Village’s Legacy building.

Vanderbilt Exhibition at Biltmore

ANTLER HILL VILLAGE: Here is where you’ll find the Winery, the Vanderbilt exhibit, a shop and a couple places to eat: Cedric’s, the Bistro and the Creamery. Antler Hill Village and the winery are included in the price of your ticket to the Estate, so be sure not to miss out.

Antler Village

Biltmore Winery

THE INN ON BILTMORE ESTATE: There is a fabulous hotel on the grounds here at Biltmore, it’s rated Four Diamonds by AAA and offers guests a luxurious stay on the grounds of Vanderbilts grand estate. It’s pricey – prices range from $199 – $499 a night for their 213 rooms. Includes a fitness center, outdoor pool & hot tub, gift shops, and many outdoor activities to choose from.

The Inn at Biltmore

TOURS AT BILTMORE:

*Audio Guide (headphones) – $10+admission

*Kids Audio Guide – $10+adm

*Guided 90 min. Tour – $17+adm Book ahead

*Architects Tour – $17+adm Book ahead

*Plus many more specialized types of tours

Hours of operation-  9am – 4:30pm

-ADULTS – $59 (cheaper if you buy ahead) $74 during Xmas time

-SENIORS – $44 (Check for discount offers @ Biltmore.com)

-YOUTH – $29.50 (10-16 yrs) Children under 9 free

A visit to the Biltmore Estate is a chance for you to submerge yourself in the opulence of the Vanderbilt family and to see firsthand what it was like to live in such a way. You will see things here that will blow your mind!

Bring some good, comfortable walking shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking here! You can bring your camera but no pictures are allowed inside the house unfortunately.

If you are in the Asheville area, the Biltmore Estate is a must see.

Have you been to the estate? If so, what was your favorite room, or piece of artwork? Would love to hear from you below in the comments.

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At Gutter Pup Adventures.com you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world.

Happy Travels!

The post A Place of Fairy Tales & Magic – The Biltmore Estate appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

An amazing tree near the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary in Asheville, North Carolina

“LET IT GO!”

If we can only master the meaning of these three little words our lives and travels would be the richer for it.

Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary: Is located on the north side of Asheville, and is the best place in the city for bird watching. It’s also a wonderful spot for an early morning or evening walk on the 3/8 mile boardwalk through the wetland area. A great view of Beaver Lake can be seen from the boardwalk too. There is also a place to rent kayaks on the other end of the lake. Once or twice a week there are several folks that bring their remote controlled sailboats to the lake for a race, its real fun to watch because these people take it real serious!

Where is your favorite spot to relax and think, or to read a book at? Explain why this is your favorite spot too.

Photo Credit: JP Chartier

The post The Secret To Life Is Three Little Words… appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.