THE BILTMORE ESTATE -

George Vanderbilt's 250 room estate was completed in 1895, and today is still as impressive - not only the mansion but the grounds and setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The first time Skip and I were here was in the summer over 10 years ago and thought the tour was great. At Christmas, it is even more impressive

with 28 rooms decorated for your self-guided tour. Due to the volume of visitors, there are start times on the tickets to try and keep the flow moving. We had chosen one of the evening tours.
  On entry into the salon,  musicians playing and a quartet signing various Christmas songs.

 Definitely put you in the Christmas spirit! The tour covers four floors - my personal favorite was the library.

The tour covers four floors from main living areas, to the primary bedrooms and  to the lower level where the kitchen area, along with

 Holloween room

bowling alley

indoor swimming pool

are located. When going through the servants quarters, you felt like you were in Downton Abbey. It is a delightful tour! Here a few of the outdoor shots and some more of the inside rooms!

 

  After a great Thanksgiving dinner with family,and their dog - Chewy

finished packing the motorhome and on Sunday we left Connecticut heading first to Asheville, North Carolina then onto Louisiana. We took our usual route across the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York heading to Route 78 then  to I-81 in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia into Virginia.

This is one of the prettiest drives - Virginia countryside is beautiful. - Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. We always love coming through this area.
  We stopped for the night in Winchester, VA at Candy Hill Campground. They have a really large dog area - Thumper was happy. Site was nice. Because of the cold temps at night - water is turned off. We were tired - had homemade turkey soup and the rest of the Mac and Cheese made by Joan (daughter-in-law). Perfect meal for on the road!
 Up early and after breakfast, on the road. Traffic is light!  Since we didn't have to be in Ashville until Tuesday, we stopped in Lexington, VA at the KOA National Bridge Campground. Entrance is right across from the exit ramp of I-81 - easy on and off! Greeted by chickens

as we went to office. Campground is set in the woods. We had our own patio-deck.

Unfortunately it started raining!!! Forget about using the deck!
  The campground had its own nature hiking trail. Easy to use. Nice campground. Cold nights!!
Up early and after breakfast onto Asheville, NC. Continued on I-81 to I-77 south to I-40 West. Asheville is in the mountains - our elevation was 2, 176 feet before we reached our exit to the Asheville East-KOA.

The Sammosa River runs through the campground. As we were checking in, there was a notice on the door about a bear sighting in the campground. We were taken to our sight and eventually were greeted by the ducks who reside on property! This is a large campground! Thumper loved walking around and so did we. Our primary goal for coming here was to go to the Biltmore Estate which is decorated for Christmas!  Am looking forward to going there.So far we have not met the bear!
 
  

    On our final day in Denali, Skip and I did the gift shopping at the various shops around the lodge. In a grocery store across from the lodge, Skip bought a pack of cigarettes - shop keeper gave him a book of matches pointing out the telephone number on the cover for cannabis if we needed some.  We left laughing and worked our way up to the Dog Stand - and had hot dogs for lunch. This stand is very busy!
  Had dinner at Karsten's on the premises - shared table with Terri and Chuck. Afterwards, our tour host, Leah,

had a final get together of smores at the campfire.  Fun to sit around with everyone talking about our adventures!

We left early - wanted to head to river for last time.

  Up early to get the bus that would take to the McKinley Express - train from Denali to Anchorage. This is about a6 hour train ride.

This is a domed top so everyone had great views. Skip and I had breakfast and lunch aboard train. We had our own bartender and train guide throughout the journey. Could also order food at your seat!  On lower level of car you could go outside on enclosed platform.
  The farther south you travel the mountains recede and forestation takes over.  Let me tell you - lots and lots of trees.

  We arrived in Anchorage about 5:00 p.m., were taken to the Anchorage Hilton. Went to dinner at Fletcher's in the hotel; ran into Cindy and Ken on elevator and they joined us for dinner. Skip had spaghetti and meatballs; I had lasagna - and a few drinks - all very good!!!
  Up early for our flight home. Limo picked us up at 5:30 a.m. for 8:00 a.m. flight from Anchorage to Seattle-the Seattle to New York. Airport in Anchorage - is really nice and quiet - not millions of people running through airport to catch flights. Had breakfast at one of the restaurants.
  Flights were great! Thank you Carol (our travel agent) for putting us in business class - lots of leg room!!! Due to thunderstorms in the east, were delayed about 40 minutes.
 Driver picked up up and made it home around 2 a.m.
 GREAT TRIP - Our cruise ship Holland America, was great; Leah our tour host for our land adventure was awesome!
 Absolutely loved Alaska!!!!

We are staying at the McKinley Lodge complex just outside the National Park. Behind our lodge, the Namena River flows - We would sit down by river and watch the groups of rafters come by.

Strong current and cold water!!!!
Denali National Park and Preserve - over 6,000,000+ acres of forest at low elevation, with tundra at middle elevations and glaciers, snow and rock at the higher elevation with Mount McKinley k/n/a Mount Denali the highest mountain peak in North America. Our day was clear as a bell, and were offered a great view of Mount Denali about 15 miles away (wish I had a zoom lens).

  To keep animals and humans safe, tourists to the park ride in a bus (like a school bus) for an approximate 60 mile journey into the park. One can drive in the park only to Savage River (15 miles inside park). For those who want to hike or camp, there are separate buses to take them to their destinations in park and bring them back.

The landscape is breathtaking, but most tourists  are mainly looking for the grizzly bears, moose, caribou, foxes, etc. For those who have been through national parks before, you know it is not a given that you will see these wild animals.

  The drive over the Polychrome Pass gives great views of the area. Our driver, Ken, was very knowledgeable and loaded us with tons of info!!!

This is one of the highlights of our trip. Skip and I love going to our national parks - THEY ARE OUR TREASURES AND SHOULD BE KEPT SAFE AND PROTECTED!!!
  

Up early - We head to Dawson City, Yukon today, about 330.00 miles. Long day on bus - we do stop at scenic overviews and also for lunch (whole trip about 8 hours). We will be on the Klondike Highway for a good part of the trip. Scenery is more flatland, then the high mountains we had seen.  stopped at Braeburn's Lodge for coffee, etc. They also sell the largest cinnamon rolls I have ever seen!

Lunch was at a campground with a lake we could sit around. In fact, moose antlers were sitting on ground for anyone wanting to pick them up.  Believe me, they are heavy!! Grateful for Cindy and Ken's assistance.

Stopped for our group picture along the way

and at a small village of Moose Creek - this is the only place mosquitos found us!!!  They did have a unique campfire set up!!!

 Continuing on, we stopped at the Tintina Trench - this is a large valley which depending on how you see it, per our driver, either the end of the Rocky Mountains or the beginning of the Rockies.

  Late afternoon, we arrive in Dawson City. Dawson City was home to Klondike God Rush in 1898 and thousands make there way to find their fortune. Today, Dawson City has preserved its past - with unpaved roads and wooden boardwalks. Had breakfast at the hotel - their french toast consists of 5 huge slices of bread with cranberry rhubarb butter. Could not finish it.
  Afterwards, we met at the Klondike Spirit - a paddlewheeler which took up for a cruise on the Yukon River.

Spent rest of day walking around the town. Later that evening, we headed to Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall for the local show. Skip was treated to Gertie sitting on his lap singing "You Made me Love You".

Afterwards, stopped at Bombay Peggy's for a martini.

 Skip went out at midnight to take pics!  Light as day!

 Dawson City is a fun place to visit. We enjoyed our stay.
     Today we fly (charter) out of Dawson City, Yukon to Fairbanks, Alaska. It is about a 45 minute flight.  Arriving in Fairbanks, we all got hit by the heat!   In the 80's! - this is Alaska - not supposed to be this hot!
    Skip and I had dinner at the hotel (Red Lantern) - Skip had the reindeer meatloaf and I had the reindeer medallions - meals were excellent!!! One of my nieces was upset that we ate "Rudolf".  All I can say was reindeer was delicious!

   In the morning we boarded our bus to view the pipeline!

 and afterwards went to goldmine and panned for gold - Skip got $24.00 in gold!!! Good for him!! I was too busy taking pictures. I now have a necklace containing our gold!

  After learning about pipeline and panning for gold, we are on our way to McKinley Chalet at Denali National Park.