1898 Waverly Inn
Innkeeper(s):
John & Diane Sheiry, Darla Olmstead and Debbie Joness
3 Shopping Meccas: Tailgate Markets, Farmers Markets and Roadside Stands 22 May 2012, 11:21 am
It is the end of May in our small North Carolina vacation spot. The tailgate markets, farmers markets and roadside stands are really starting to bustle. The last few weeks have brought beautiful, sweet strawberries, and pretty soon it will be blueberry season. And then the tomatoes come in, and do not forget about the fresh corn on the cob. Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention watermelon (my personal favorite!).
Keeping a farm fresh kitchen at our Hendersonville inn would be tough if we did not get out and find all of those wonderful small growers that are near to us. Finding fresh and tasty, newly grown morsels to eat is also fun and educational. Locating fresh fruits and vegetables is definitely part of the charm of Henderson County and if you can take the time to wander around the area on a Saturday, you will not be disappointed. Every other day- of-the-week will also net you some goodies if you do a little homework first. Do not be put off. It is not much homework if you look for Diane Daniel’s book “Farm Fresh North Carolina”, go to www.farmfreshnorthcarolina.comor do a little research on the internet.
Here are just a few of the more memorable tailgate and farmers' markets near the inn:
o Henderson County Tailgate Market – Saturday mornings on King Street in Hendersonville. Local farmers come to the parking lot with produce, flowers and meats. www.hendersoncountytailgatemarket.com
o Curb Market – Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturday mornings on Church Street in Hendersonville. The vendors sell local foods, herbs, vegetables, fruits and crafts made and grown in Henderson County. www.curbmarket.com
o Flat Rock Tailgate Market - Thursdays, 3 – 6pm Little Rainbow Row on Greenville Highway in Flat Rock. Locally and regionally grown plants and produce is usually grown using organic or sustainable practices. 828-697-7719
Do you know of any special tailgate or farmers markets that we all need to try?
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon! John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
Putting Things In Perspective 25 Apr 2012, 8:47 am
Last year I spent an inordinate amount of time researching how to change the look and image of our inn. To make it more complicated, along with changing the "look" of the inn, we have had to change how we manage the inn. A daunting task for all of us but the creation has been well worth the effort.Some of the lessons learned have been funny while others were pure frustration.
The next time you want to look within and change remember a few of these truths. They have nothing to do with your inner search but they will stay with you.
- When the can of paint primer says that it will "stick to any surface" it probably will.
- Vacuum cleaners will only pick up so much.
- The reason for drop cloths is to keep the paint off of the floor. Use them.
- There are endless holes that caulk will not solve.
- Did you know that sometimes doing more than one room at a time can be a mistake?
- As hard as wallpaper is to put up it is harder to take down.
- Lowe's really does an excellent job on returns.
- Keeping a website up to date can be a full time job.
- The internet is king. Debbie is queen.
- A paint bubble is not a good thing.
- Taking "stuff" out of the rooms is fun. Sleeker looks good.
- A can of spilled paint can make a huge mess.
- We can throw a lot away with John noticing.
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla &; Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
Why Do You Hang Up When I Answer The Telephone??? 15 Apr 2012, 8:26 am
Instead of being constructive and telling you about something going on in the local area I am going to tell you what is going on in my head that wants to come out. Have I scared you yet?
A local doctor has a telephone number that is one digit off of the inn number. Do you know where this is going? Yeah -- you are right. On top of people telling me their symptoms I get a lot of people hanging up when they hear my voice. The positive on people hanging up on me is that I now have proof that some people do listen to me. Did you hear that John?
In years past we used to joke that "your boyfriend /girlfriend just called." These days I do not joke about that to my husband. He no longer considers it flattering. Wrong number hangups have increased as our town grows in population and age. The doctor is a gerentologist.
If you are a person that hangs up when you get the wrong person has it occurred to you that a button could be pushed that redials who called last and a frustrated menopausal woman could ask you why you hung up? If this has not happened to you yet think about the endless possibilities of that conversation. But...in the meantime, let me tell you how I see it.
My biggest question of the day is who are you? Have you finally gotten to an age that you no longer care about etiquette or what your mother taught you about being polite? It is not that I do not want to call you back and ask you where you are from and who raised you. I do! I have just been trained well. My mother, who died ten years ago, still makes me afraid when I misbehave. Do not laugh but I am afraid she is still watching everything that I do. If she is taking a day off the job John's mother is probably the person she contacts to take over for the day.
Where I am from we do not hang up when we get the wrong person on the other end of the phone. We want to know why you answered that phone. Think about it...Have you ever had someone want to know the number of the phone is that you answered? Or they double check to make sure that the person that they want to talk to is not there?
I know that when I dial that number that I did not dial a wrong number. You answered the wrong telephone.
So...keep this in mind when you hang up. I know how to reach you and one day when mother is not looking I may.
I will just sign this with my name. No one else should be blamed.
Diane
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
A local doctor has a telephone number that is one digit off of the inn number. Do you know where this is going? Yeah -- you are right. On top of people telling me their symptoms I get a lot of people hanging up when they hear my voice. The positive on people hanging up on me is that I now have proof that some people do listen to me. Did you hear that John?
In years past we used to joke that "your boyfriend /girlfriend just called." These days I do not joke about that to my husband. He no longer considers it flattering. Wrong number hangups have increased as our town grows in population and age. The doctor is a gerentologist.
If you are a person that hangs up when you get the wrong person has it occurred to you that a button could be pushed that redials who called last and a frustrated menopausal woman could ask you why you hung up? If this has not happened to you yet think about the endless possibilities of that conversation. But...in the meantime, let me tell you how I see it.
My biggest question of the day is who are you? Have you finally gotten to an age that you no longer care about etiquette or what your mother taught you about being polite? It is not that I do not want to call you back and ask you where you are from and who raised you. I do! I have just been trained well. My mother, who died ten years ago, still makes me afraid when I misbehave. Do not laugh but I am afraid she is still watching everything that I do. If she is taking a day off the job John's mother is probably the person she contacts to take over for the day.
Where I am from we do not hang up when we get the wrong person on the other end of the phone. We want to know why you answered that phone. Think about it...Have you ever had someone want to know the number of the phone is that you answered? Or they double check to make sure that the person that they want to talk to is not there?
I know that when I dial that number that I did not dial a wrong number. You answered the wrong telephone.
So...keep this in mind when you hang up. I know how to reach you and one day when mother is not looking I may.
I will just sign this with my name. No one else should be blamed.
Diane
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
Have You Ever Wanted To Take A Barbeque Tour? 24 Feb 2012, 10:45 am
Have you ever wanted to feast from one barbeque restaurant to the next while travelling? My husband John would like to. Have you ever wanted to create your own barbecue tour? This blogger would like to do that! With the passing of local chef and dear friend Tom Young this week, we have decided that this needs to be done sooner rather than later.First, a little bit about my motivation for this piece. Chef Thomas Young was born in Asheville NC and after working in several high end markets like Hilton Head Island he decided to come back home and open up his own restaurant in the 1980’s. Expressions Restaurant was a four diamond restaurant in Historic Downtown Hendersonville for over twenty years. When the economy took a down turn, Tom closed his beloved “Expression’s Restaurant and Wine Bar” and after spending some time pondering his next venture, partnered up with his friend and fellow restaurateur Scott Surette to open up “The Tractor Shed”. Barbeque was always something special to him so Tom, with his thirst for knowledge, went to some of the best BBQ pit masters
and teachers in the southeast to learn the craft of making great barbeque. He also taught a lot of “fledgling chefs” along the way. While we mourn the passing of a wonderful friend with a big heart, and a great chef, we will also continue to enjoy his creations for generations into the future because Tom was never possessive about his knowledge or his recipes.
John does not have a favorite barbeque spot. I think this is because there are quite a few really great barbeque places in and around 1898 Waverly Inn.
Hendersonville – Tractor Shed – Scott Surette
What happens when you put a four diamond chef in the middle of a restaurant with barbecue and bluegrass? It is a barbecue “mecca” with lots of choices on foods and sauces. Scott Surette and Tom Young have had a deep and abiding love for the small farmers in the local area and wanted to create a restaurant where their fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and meats could be showcased. The sides are unique with Root Beer Baked Beans and Mama’s Potato Salad leading the list of reasons that vegetarians show up to what you would think is a meat lover’s only oasis! Three of the former patron favorites that were served at Expressions are on the menu here. The locals would not leave Tom alone until he agreed to serve his scrumptious crab cakes, shrimp & grits and the unforgettable wild mushroom pasta. So many dishes to try and so little time! You will see more of Tom Young’s influence in the great wine list and the availability of local micro-brewery beers at the Tractor Shed. In addition to his culinary interest, Tom co-owned Purple Sage Wine Shop in downtown Hendersonville. The Tractor Shed is located on White Street in
Hendersonville, where you will see the newest tractor or truck that Scott has taken from obscurity to a rehabilitated work of art. Scott is there to talk about whatever you want to each and every day. He is a delightful cross-section of America. He knows a little bit about everything and will let you expound on your subject of the moment with a thoughtful and attentive ear.
Flat Rock - Hubba Bubba Barbeque - Starr Teel
Starr Teel loves smokehouse barbeque. The NC BBQ Society keeps track of how many traditional wood-fired smokehouses are in the state and Starr is one of only thirty. Pulled pork and chicken, ribs and sliced brisket are on the menu along with “The Legend”, Mike Mills’, Smokehouse Baked Beans and a cornbread that has the texture of cake. It is different and yummy. Our favorite is
the Fish Taco Fridays and Saturdays during the summer months. The fish is smoked and served on soft tacos with avocado slaw and salsa fresca. This restaurant sits in Rainbow Row in Flat
Rock and has an informal atmosphere. They are located on Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, just south of the Flat Rock Playhouse and are open March through December. It needs to be noted that they do not take credit cards and they are closed on Sunday and Monday.
Asheville - Twelve Bones Tom Montgomery and Sabra Kelley
President Obama has put this restaurant on the national map but everyone in our area has known about this one for quite a while. They are so good that they branched out a couple of years ago and now there are two restaurants in the Asheville area. One is in the River Arts District and the other one is in Arden at 3578 Sweeten Creek Rd. Twelve Bones is known for ribs and fresh vegetables. John thinks their brisket is “fabulous”. It is so tender that it can be cut with a fork. The smoked potato salad, jalapeno cheese grits and corn pudding are my favorites. It needs to be noted that they are closed on Sunday and Monday also. Their open times are limited to 11am – 4pm.
Saluda - Green River BarBQ - Melanie Talbot
One of the older barbecue restaurants in Western North Carolina is Green River BBQ. It sits on Highway 176 on the outskirts of Saluda, NC. People have been raving about this place since I moved here twenty four years ago. The building looks like it may have originally been a roadside shack that has been winterized but do not let that deter you. The side vegetables keep luring me back to this local eatery. While I am sure that the barbecue is probably good I am not sure that I can say that I have ever had it. John eats it every time we go and he likes it. I cannot seem to get passed the long list of vegetables, salads and greens. I always come out well fed and wishing I had space for one more bite though! They are closed on Mondays and definitely worth the stop.
Shelby – Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge - Debbie Bridges-Webb
Opened in 1946 by Debbie’s parents this restaurant has been
at this location on Highway 74 in Shelby, NC since 1953. Debbie knows that pit cooked barbecue is becoming a lost art and she is doing her part to keep it going. This well-known barbecue place slow cooks pork over hickory all night long. Doesn’t that make your mouth water just thinking about it? Because of this lengthy process they occasionally run out of pork so arrive early. This is one of John’s all-time favorite barbecue restaurants and we always stop if we get within thirty miles of the door. It is closed Monday and Tuesday so keep that in mind.
Have you got a favorite place that we did not mention? Let us know about it. We are always looking…
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
A Microbrewery in Hendersonville? 30 Jan 2012, 9:36 am
With all the talk this last week about beer and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s
decision to build their east coast brewery just nine miles from our inn, my ears perked up the other day when a friend of mine mentioned that he was going to listen to a singer from Saluda on Saturday night at the new micro- brewery in Hendersonville. I invited myself along and got my chance to go to The Southern Appalachian Brewing Company’s brewery which is located just 300
yards from the front door of the inn (ahhhh, that’s walking distance y’all!).
decision to build their east coast brewery just nine miles from our inn, my ears perked up the other day when a friend of mine mentioned that he was going to listen to a singer from Saluda on Saturday night at the new micro- brewery in Hendersonville. I invited myself along and got my chance to go to The Southern Appalachian Brewing Company’s brewery which is located just 300
yards from the front door of the inn (ahhhh, that’s walking distance y’all!).
As we walked in the back door the first thing you notice are the twelve shiny stainless steel tanks standing floor to almost ceiling like wonderful stoic defenders of the realm (in this case “the hops”).
My husband John is the beer drinker in the family and he immediately decided to try a flight of beers. At the Southern Appalachian, that translates into you being able to pick four of the five beers they are currently offering and get a four ounce taste of each. John’s choices were:
1. Belgian Blonde Ale - This golden-blonde Belgian style ale uses a traditional yeast strain which gives a gentle citrusy flavor and fruity aroma. Saaz hops and light spices balance the sweetness from the Pilsen malt and provide an earthy taste. This is a refreshing ale with a crisp, dry finish. 6.5% ABV
2. Copperhead Amber Ale - The Copperhead Amber Ale is a crisp, medium bodied ale with a deep copper color and a rich, caramel, malty sweetness, balanced with a light floral hops flavor. 5.5% ABV
3. India Pale Ale - This IPA utilizes 3 varieties of hops throughout the 90 minute boil and 5 in the fermenter to dry hop. Even at 95 IBU’s the hops flavor is well-balanced from nose to finish. 6.5% ABV
4. Black Bear Stout - Black Bear Stout is a robust, full-bodied beer with a rich roasted malt flavor and hints of dark chocolate and coffee. 5.5% ABV.
They had lots of choices for the non-drinker and the wine drinker also. They served a local wine from Falderal Winery and even had a couple of guest taps. If you need a little food with your drink there was a food truck outside the front door with sandwiches including pulled pork. They also had hot pretzels inside. Yum!
We did not get to meet the owners because they were at a beer class but the staff was friendly and very responsive. They were great representatives in every way. The band was fantastic. Our friend was right about the quality of the band. We really enjoyed the music and the atmosphere. There was a couple with a small child (a quiet small child – I did not know that they existed!) dancing at the front of the room with the music. All we needed was a dog to round out the atmosphere. The evening was so satisfying that our party ended the night there. None of us felt the need to return to the front room of the inn to continue the fun.
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
How Do You Spell "Fun"? S E G W A Y 1 Dec 2011, 7:42 am
This past Thanksgiving weekend, the Sheiry family and friends took our second tour with segways. Segway rides are definitely fun for a wide range of people and physical abilities. On the first tour the age group was 18 – 54 and it was a beginner’s tour with a guide. There is probably a place near you to do this. Our nearest place is at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC.
Each guided tour begins with training conducted by the guide. Twenty minutes of getting used to the mechanics is more than enough. We all felt like masters of our universe by the time we got out of the practice field. That tour was on a paved surface with not a bump or a rock. Easy, peaceful and the scenery was spectacular.
During Thanksgiving quite of few of the young adults (that means 18 – 30 here) decided to tackle the “Off Road Tour” at The Biltmore Estate. Some areas of the estate that guests do not usually see are part of the scenery. A beautiful lagoon with ducks, a field of sunflowers, the pasture where they filmed Forrest Gump’s “run Forrest run” scene and a bamboo thicket are among the sights. The guides are knowledgeable and fun. The guide on the both tours was really funny. They shared lots of local facts and tidbits about the estate that stuck in Tori’s mind. Tori remembers cool facts and wipe out statistics (Definition of wipe out: who fell, how they fell and how far they fell) so I asked her what she remembered the most. Here are a few of her
recollections:
Each guided tour begins with training conducted by the guide. Twenty minutes of getting used to the mechanics is more than enough. We all felt like masters of our universe by the time we got out of the practice field. That tour was on a paved surface with not a bump or a rock. Easy, peaceful and the scenery was spectacular.
During Thanksgiving quite of few of the young adults (that means 18 – 30 here) decided to tackle the “Off Road Tour” at The Biltmore Estate. Some areas of the estate that guests do not usually see are part of the scenery. A beautiful lagoon with ducks, a field of sunflowers, the pasture where they filmed Forrest Gump’s “run Forrest run” scene and a bamboo thicket are among the sights. The guides are knowledgeable and fun. The guide on the both tours was really funny. They shared lots of local facts and tidbits about the estate that stuck in Tori’s mind. Tori remembers cool facts and wipe out statistics (Definition of wipe out: who fell, how they fell and how far they fell) so I asked her what she remembered the most. Here are a few of her
recollections:
- Every tree on the Biltmore property, and there are over 4,000, was hand planted.
- The Biltmore Estate is split into two plots of land. Both plots are 4,000 acres totaling 8,000 acres. They are separated by the French Broad River and could only reach one side from the other via a 25 minute ride on I-40 up until recently when they finished a bridge stretching over the French Broad to connect the two sides for the first time since the 1800s.
- A tour guide watched a lady drive her Segway into the lagoon by accident.... Oops.
- And another guy caught the side of the walking bridge with his wheel and flung himself into the French Broad River.
I would like to have been a fly on that bridge when that last one happened! Jessica had a near scare in the field where Forrest Gump ran until his leg braces fell off. She definitely felt a bump. She did not have any leg braces but she jumped off her Segway anyway. Neither she nor the Segway fell over so she claimed it could not be counted as an incident In reality, she wouldn’t even concede any lack of coordination….sheeesh, kids! It will be a great family story in the future as soon as I figure out how to embellish it.
Before turning back, the crowd took a break and enjoyed a beautiful view of Biltmore House.
This two hour jaunt through hill and dale will be one of our highlights for 2011. If you get a chance you really should try on a Segway. You will find out that it fits fine!
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
Navitat named "one of the best in the nation" in USA TODAY's "10 Great Ziplines Across the USA!" 7 Nov 2011, 11:56 am
What could be better than hiking through the last of the color season in Western North Carolina? I have decided that ziplining through the trees and looking out over the mountainous splendor that is locally known as Moody Cove is definitely a better way to do it. This canopy
tour allows participants to experience a secluded mountain cove from high in the treetops in what is advertised as “one hundred percent tree-based adventure.” It is in beautiful acreage about forty five minutes from the inn on the north side of Asheville.
tour allows participants to experience a secluded mountain cove from high in the treetops in what is advertised as “one hundred percent tree-based adventure.” It is in beautiful acreage about forty five minutes from the inn on the north side of Asheville.
How did you find a zipline company you ask? My daughter decided that a trip to Navitat was the perfect Mothers’ Day gift in 2010. Have I mentioned that I was afraid of heights? Do you think this was a test of love and devotion? I debated this issue and decided that in fact she just thought it would be fun and this was a great excuse to get me out into nature on a Sunday afternoon. So, knowing that there are things that you just have to do for your children, I went out to try my new adventure “gift”.
With encouragement and some fake praise from my family I was soon ziplining like a semi-pro. My fears were no longer an issue and I felt younger and more carefree that I had felt in quite a while. There were ten ziplines that gradually took us farther, faster and higher into the woods. There are also two rappelling experiences. I loved the rappelling. While thinking that I positively was not going to be able to do this, I did it...gracefully. An amazing feat for a woman with two left feet and more than a few extra pounds on my frame! I learned so much from our super human guides about the plants, trees and birds that we saw. They taught me something new on each walk or tree stand. It was three and a half hours of fun that will be repeated often.
Navitat www.navitat.com/asheville/about-navitat/the-navitat-difference closes at the end of November for the winter so you really should get out there as soon as possible. To experience the fall in Western North Carolina from 120 – 1100 foot ziplines is spectacular. It has been an incredible autumn for foliage and the color is not gone yet. Navitat is committed to helping their customers discover the world from a higher and different perspective and it is one of my favorite experiences. There is even a ‘Navitat at Night’ beginning at dark on Saturday evenings. “Zip under a blanket of stars in beautiful Moody Cove. Allow nighttime noises to surround you as you travel from tree to tree by lamplight and learn about life in the cove after the sun goes down.” Their words – not mine. It makes me want to clear my schedule and head out to my next great adventure.
Times and spaces are limited so you will need to make a reservation. Either go to www.navitat.com or call 828.626.3700 to make your reservation.
For those of you that cannot cut loose this month Navitat will open again in the spring for what will feel like a totally different experience because of the topography and seasonal differences of the area.
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
Best Antique Fair in Asheville 25 Oct 2011, 7:08 am
The 65th Annual Asheville Antiques Fair will be
in Asheville during the first weekend in November. It is a brief twenty mile trip from Hendersonville. And, despite the fact
that the color season is slowly winding down, this is still an absolutely beautiful drive. I start singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning!” and have a hard time deciding which coffee shop to
stop at on my way to the Fair. Oh, and this is not your everyday, dime-a-dozen fair or show either. It is truly an event. Wandering through the old treasures and watching the people is a great way to relax after a long week.
Even the story about the beginning of this fair is my favorite of all of the antique shows in this region. Close your eyes…wait do not close your eyes. You will not be able to read how this annual event started if you do. “It began one day with a conversation on a train bound for New York City. The year was 1945, and two Asheville women, Beulah Harrison and Ava Keener, were headed
to the New York City’s renowned Antiques Fair. The trip inspired the pair, who believed that serious study would foster an understanding and appreciation of antiques, to create the Vetust Study Club of Asheville and later, the Asheville Antiques Fair.” Now, sixty-five years later, the fair has a lot more than just antiques. The Heirloom Roadshow and
the Expert Lecture Series run concurrent with the Fair. I will never be too old to learn something. Last year was my introduction to Stickley furniture. This year I am hoping to learn about something just a bit more affordable.
Bring your treasure to the Heirloom Roadshow and one of three appraisers will be available to give you an evaluation of your heirloom. They charge for the evaluations so do not bring the whole house. But, if you bring the three items about which you are most curious, they will charge you just twenty dollars for their valuations. Obviously, it will be less for just one or two of your treasures. The appraisers will be there on Saturday from 10am – 4pm. To find out more about the appraisers and what they cannot appraise go to http://www.ashevilleantiquesfair.com/events.html
Lecture Series topics include Appalachian Harmonies -- Collecting and Preserving Mountain Music and Crafts and WNC Collectable Folk and Art Pottery from 1845-1950. This year the topics will center on the Blue Ridge Mountains and the culture here.
The Antiques Show is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel OneResort Drive • Asheville, NC 28806 • (828) 254-3211. Ample parking is available at no charge.
For more information and the specific hours during Friday, Saturday and Sunday go to http://www.ashevilleantiquesfair.com/information.html I will see you there!
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
When Is The Best Time To Hike Chimney Rock Park? 28 Sep 2011, 10:32 am
If I could post just two words about Chimney Rock this fall they would be “Hikers Needed!” When was the last time you hiked to a 400 foot waterfall and stood there all by yourself? How about hiking a “skyline trail” that enabled you to actually look out at Hickory Nut Gorge, take some pictures of it, and then turn the other direction and have a gorgeous view of colored splendor? When was the last time you had a picnic lunch feeling like you were the only person on the planet at that particular moment?Well, if any of those images resonate with you, then now is the perfect time for you to go visit Chimney Rock Park. Why is a visit to the park any better now than any other time you ask? Well, here’s why….under normal, everyday circumstances, Chimney Rock Park is like every other attraction out there…it’s BUSY. But, this Autumn (and this Autumn only), the elevator that is normally in service to lift all those folks that cannot or do not want to hike up to the rock, is being refurbished and will not be in service throughout the autumn color season.
What does that mean for those of you who are able to hike moderate or more strenuous trails? A gorgeous landscape, a nearly perfect experience and because of the improvements being done at this time the rates to get into the park have been reduced also.If you want to add to your experience the park has some classes also. Survival skills workshops, guided nature hikes, crafts demonstrations and music programs are among some of the events. You can even register for some of their classes such as photography and birding. They even have rock climbing classes. Could you have guessed that one? All events are listed on the website at this page http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/events/month_view.php?monthYear=2011&month=10&category=8&catYear=2011
For those of you that are not familiar with Chimney Rock Park, a little bit of information might be in order. The monolith, or chimney, is 535 million years old! Guests have a 75-mile panoramic view of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure and it has been known to make hikers sit down and revel in the beauty. Hickory Nut Gorge, one of the state’s most significant centers of biodiversity, is home to 36 rare plant species and 14 rare animal species, as well as the second highest waterfall of its kind in the eastern United States. This park has been entertaining guests for over one hundred years with all of the sights and wonders that nature can provide. There are five different hiking trails and if you are really observant you will have the opportunity to see rare and indigenous plants, unusual geological formations and lots of native wildlife.
So…put on your hiking boots, grab your water bottle and bring lunch to Chimney Rock Park. And as they say in their brochure: Get ready to explore!
Reduced Admission: $12 for adults, $5 for youth (ages 6-15); other discounts still applySeasonal hours: Open daily from 8:30am to 7pm with the Ticket Plaza and front entrance gate closing at 5:30pm; hours change in November
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
1898 Waverly Inn: Where all of our guests are our friends, even the furry ones. 19 Sep 2011, 7:24 am
We have lots of squirrels on Main Street in Hendersonville. I am talking about the standard garden variety of small animal that visits our trees, bird feeders and sometimes our porch at the inn. We cross paths a lot with these furry creatures and usually find them to be smarter and more tenacious than we are. This time of year I am reminded of just how much they affect our lives. They have created hundreds of little holes all over the property where they are burying “things” with the efficiency of a computer.
A few weeks ago a lovely lady, who has been a more than frequent guest because of her work, heard one of our squirrel stories and decided that “everyone was welcome at the inn”. And she created a picture to prove it!
This one was told by Innkeeper Debbie Jones about her dining room adventure…
This one was told by Innkeeper Debbie Jones about her dining room adventure…
“One day we had some guests arrive a little early and their room was not quite ready. I was attempting to give the housekeeper a few minutes to finish their room by giving the guests a grand tour of the first floor. I showed them the dining room and moved into the library. As we entered the library I heard a noise in the corner and wondered what it was but went on talking to the guests. Suddenly a squirrel jumped up on the top of the chair in the corner of the room! I quickly backed the guests back into the dining room and shut the door. I sent the guests on to their room and then went and opened the front door and attempted to shoo the squirrel towards the front door. The squirrel ran towards the door but I could not see for sure that it went out. I looked around didn’t see the squirrel anywhere so I shut the front door, reopened the library door and went back to work.
About 45 minutes later Darla walks into the office with Casey (the dog) with her. Darla made the comment that Casey acted strangely in the front hall and even walked into a guest room like she was following a scent. I told Darla about the squirrel and we went to investigate. Sure enough, there was the squirrel hiding in the guest room! Casey scared it out and it ran across the hall into the dining room where it jumped up on the back of a chair and then jumped from table to table around the room in a mad dash to get away from us! Eventually the squirrel fell down between a radiator and the wall. He appeared to be stuck. Darla and I are thinking “now what?”
I went to the office and called animal control to see if they could help. They informed me that they only handle domestic animals and I would have to call a specialist. The closest one is half an hour away. I went back to the dining room to check on our furry friend. On my way I stopped to close the doors to guest rooms and reopen the front door. The squirrel was just working himself out of his tight spot. He got free and then jumped around a few more tables before heading back into the library where the story began. Together Darla and I, using my winter coat as a shield, worked to get him back towards the front door and eventually outside again. This all took about 45 minutes. Our little guest had been with us for at least an hour and a half. It was by far the most unusual day at work I have ever had at any job!”
Autumn has arrived here in Western North Carolina. From leaves changing to animals foraging, it is a beautiful time of year to be surrounded by nature. Here at the 1898 Waverly Inn, our guests leave as our friends; while fear will likely keep our furry visitor from ever coming back, we will always consider him our friend, Squirrel the Explorer!
We hope we've given you yet another reason to visit the 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, NC very soon!
John, Diane, Darla & Debbie
1898 Waverly Inn
Bed and Breakfast Hendersonville NC
