The Biltmore Estate 15-K

On Monday of this week, we left for a short trip to the Biltmore House in Asheville, a place we had not visited for many years.  We have fond memories of visiting here perhaps 35 years ago when my Mom and Dad were both alive, and I also ran the Biltmore Estate Classis here in 2002, 2005, and 2007.  Martha ran it in 2006 (I was apparently injured that year).

I think I still have some of those classic Biltmore 15-K shirts in my drawer!  And I definitely have some of those memories of gathering at the Winery, running up that long hill, turning and heading straight down the iconic driveway toward the house, and finally rambling downhill through the gardens and back to the finish near the French Broad River.  I would like to do this race again, and soon!  What wonderful memories runners have of races!  We forget the pain and the effort, but we remember the good times, the beautiful scenery, the post-race celebrations, and friends who go the journey with us.

Some great friends ran this race with us, and they are still with us in spirit even though Richard (on the left) is no longer with us.  Helen and Jim are still very much alive!

All of those memories came flooding back Tuesday as we awoke to a beautiful snow, the kind that clings to everything - icing on the cake for a visit to this breath-taking house and estate: