 | We offer our reviews of them to help you plan your getaways! When you stop by, please be sure to tell them we said, " HI!" |
The Hawk and Ivy, A Holistic Country B&B Retreat
Organic vegetables and fruits, antiques and experiences await those lucky enough to get to the Inn. Their weddings are unlike any others. Although they could do 10 a week, their counseling and commitment to make the wedding an experience to be remembered a lifetime, causes them to do only one a week. There is no facade at this B&B which was built by a Baptist minister. Everyone and everything is real.
James greeted us as we arrived at the Inn. We met his wife, Eve, as we entered the B&B, through the kitchen. We lingered there talking about the industry and where it seems headed. Then, James took us on a tour and showed us all the family treasures handed down. Each piece has a history of it's own.
They showed us to our room atop the cottage. It had a queen bed with night stands and lamps. A 3-drawer dresser with mirror, alarm clock, baseboard heat, and daybed and overhead fan dressed out the sleeping area. The room itself had wall-to-wall carpet. The living room area had a sofa bed and coffee table. There was a 25-inch TV with remote, dining table and chairs, cards and puzzles and magazines. The kitchen area was fully stocked with dishes, condiments, cookware and silverware. There was a toaster oven, stovetop and refrigerator. Outside, the deck overlooked the gazebo and pond, with the hills in the distance where weddings are performed. There was a full bath with shower, tile floor, lots of towels and soaps. It had a window overlooking the creekbed and a wall heater.
While Cindy downloaded email and worked, I spied a hammock downstairs beckoning to me. But, I had to work, too. James took me around some of the 24 acres of the property. There was a tobacco drying barn that is used for wedding receptions and lots of walking paths through the woods and the organic gardens. The gardens are terraced on the side of the hill.
James explained folks could board their horses locally and that there was a handicap accessible guest room in the main house. He also showed me where to plug in the motorhome so Lexxus could keep warm......we appreciated this because it got really cold tonight!
Throughout the home and cottage you'll find lovely dried flower arrangements made by Eve in one of her studios. She also teaches various gardening classes and seminars at the Arboretum in Asheville.
In the morning, we got to choose our breakfast plate from different patterns. Only then, did we learn the history of the plates we had each chosen from their selection of heritage china. This was a unique experience. Breakfast was served family style as we visited with a mother and daughter from Chicago. We had coffee, tea and orange juice and cantaloupe & pear slices topped with strawberry puree. Eve served us pumpkin ginger bread with cinnamon honey butter and mini cinnamon crisps. Our main course was blueberry pancakes and maple syrup from a local co-op. All were made with organic flours and fruits.
After breakfast, a young lady came to the home and I got one of the best massages of my life. Cindy says I'm even less grumpy......(how is that possible?).
For a great experience -- outside the city limits -- but close enough to "get there", make sure your check out Hawk and Ivy......it's a natural!
Barnardsville, North Carolina
A Winding Road * (formerly Cruising America) * 6301 Cotton St., Pensacola, FL 32526 * 850-292-1599 * freedom@awindingroad.net
User Agreement