Arbor House News and Views

Come sit and relax.

So many of our guests say they like the fact that Arbor House is so comfortable and new.
The inn is only 8 years old and has all the comforts of home plus some.  If you like to be served a hot delicious breakfast in the morning with a steaming cup of coffee or tea while sitting out on the deck on a clear day this is the place for you.  You can enjoy looking at the flowers in the garden , the fountain in the lake and the view up to the Blue Ridge Parkway .
Come sit and relax and enjoy your stay at Arbor House.

Fantastic
"Fantastic,
  Time
   Place
   People
Oh and the food!
We are coming again - hopefully for the snow!
This was our 28th anniversary.
Love the house and the gardens.
PS.
I'm available for cleaning and cooking - will work for room and board."

NC

Dear Carolyn and Dave,
We enjoyed our stay so much! The accommodations were beautiful and comfortable, the scenery just gorgeous , and the breakfast so delicious.  What a great place to spend out 32nd wedding anniversary.
Our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer.  We hope to come back and stay with you soon.

Greensboro, NC

Awesome,
"Awesome house
Remarkable hosts
Beautiful view
Outstanding food
Restful rooms
High-class haven
Over the top hospitality
Undeniable quality
Splendid surroundings
Excellent B&B"

Salisbury, Maryland

Come enjoy the ever changing clouds that hug the mountains and grace our sky.
Summertime in the mountains is one of my favorite seasons. The mountains take on that smokey blue color and on a clear day you can see forever.
Hiking, biking , sitting by the streams to listen to the water are some of the things that I like to do.
Floating in a canoe, rafting, tubeing
on the French Broad River are a great way to spend a day or afternoon. 
WNC is voted one of the best outdoor locations in the US with active water sports.

We enjoyed our stay
"Carolyn and Dave,
We enjoyed our stay so much. The accommodations were beautiful and comfortable, the scenery just gorgeous and the breakfast so delicious. What a great place to spend our 32nd wedding anniversary. Our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer. We hope to come back and stay with you soon.

Greensboro, NC

Things our guests are saying.
"A wesome house
  R emarkable hosts
  B eautiful view
  O utstanding food
  R estful rooms
  H igh-class haven
  Over -the-top hospitality
  Undeniable quality
   S plendid surroundings
   E xcellent B&B "

Thank you, 
From Salisbury, Maryland
  

The evening blooming primroses are blooming now.  Come check out this evening event around dusk in the garden down by the lake.  Dr. John is usually around to give the facts and history about the blooms.  He is happy to share last years seeds for people to take home and grow their own primroses.

You can enjoy the half mile stroll around the lake and see all the new baby ducks.  One mallard just hatched and she has 6 yellow ones and 4 brown ducklings.   The little yellow ones look like tennis balls in the lake.   Just hope the turtles in the water leave them along and let them grow.  

Misty mountain morning today and it felt good with the cool moisture on my skin .
I walked around the lake early this monring before making breakfast and enjoy the quiet in the mist. Even the ducks were subdued and not chasing each other around  quacking.
The summer flowers are starting to show in the garden and it is nice to go out and pick some to bring into the house.  Sitting on the deck looking at the gardens , listening to the water fountain in the lake and watching the people walking around the lake is a good past time and will slow down a hectic life style in no time.

Can't ask for a prettier day than today.  The temps are just right and the sky is beautiful
Our guests are all out hiking or riding up to the Craggy Gardens on the parkway to see the rhododendrons in bloom . This week is suppose to be peak blooming time.

It is also a good day to ride up to Mt. Mitchelle to see the mountain top on a clear day without rain or fog.  You can walk up to the tower from the parking lot to see several states when the sky is clear.
Mt. Mitchell is the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River.  It is taller than Mount Washington in NH.

In the picture above you can see the seven sisters mountain range . The first mountain is Tomahawk and that is were the lake you see got it's name, Lake Tomahawk.  The lake is man made and was constucted as a  goverment work project back in the '30s.  There is a walking path around the lake that is .55 miles . 

Come bring you walking shoes and give it a go.

Come to Black Mountain and let your hair down.  Walking around the lake at Lake Tomahawk you are surely to be surprised at what you might see.  Our B&B connects to the 1/2 walking path that goes around the lake.  The park has a very nice 18th hole golf course , tennis courts and swimming pool.
If you want a mountian hike we have about 20 hikes I can tell you about.  Of course after all that exercise you will want a place to eat and we have lots of good places in Black Mountain to grab lunch or dinner.  Don't worry about breakfast because here at Arbor House we serve a full breakfast from 8-10.

See you soon.

A new sign for the evening blooming primrose garden at the lake.  The Friends of Lake Tomahawk had a sign made for Dr. Wilson's garden.  He has been planting the primroses for over 40 years around the lake and has  people stopping by at dusk in the summer to watch the magic of the blooms opening like a fast time lapse movie.  The blooms have a sweet scent that attracts a certain moth in the evening.
It's a happening things to see around the lake while you are taking a stroll on the 1/2 mile circle trail.

Come check it out.

I love living on a lake, you never know what you are going to see reflected in the water.  Sitting out on our deck you can watch the sunset and see a reflection like this as the day slips by.  We are getting ready for the  free summer concert series on Thursday nights at the park shelter, the blue shelter you can see in this picture.  For seven weeks there is a different band that plays for several hours. Food is offered by  a local vender for a fair price for the evening and all you have to do is pick up on of the many folding chairs we provide and stroll down to listen to the music.

If you are planning to come up for the 4th of July the town will have a parade , a street dance and fireworks.  Check out the SVM plans to hike to the top of Sunset Mountain to get a treat watching the firework looking down on them and also seeing the fireworks displayed down the valley.

With all the spring rains  this year the B&B  grounds look wonderful.  The garden is full of blooms with promises of flowers all summer into fall.  Thanks to Joyce the weeds don't stand a chance with the two of us pulling them out by the roots. She is a welcome addition to help me out in the garden.  Come take a stroll around the gardens and around the half mile circle path around the lake. The path is lite at night and make for a great stroll after dinner.  Black Mountain has several nice places to eat in town and they are a short walking distance from the inn. 
If you are doing the "strive not to drive" then you can just park you car in our drive and head out on foot to enjoy your stay. 

"Perfect"

What our guests are saying.


" Dear Carolyn and Dave,

When reading through the comments the word "perfect" becomes a dominant theme.
Indeed, our trip to Arbor House has been perfect. Your hospiality, hour home, your surroundings are a
"good and perfect gift".
Our anniversary trip have been perfect.
Thank you and God bless you."

New York

What our guests are saying.

"What a delightful spot - thank you Carolyn and Dave for being so generous as to share it will the rest of us!
Mountain views-sweet fragrent air- the lake with its goslings, lovery garden , lots of roses , the bird songs so beautiful for us.
The best sleep we have had in a while, now off to enjoy breakfast."

Columbia SC

Butterfly garden.

It's nice to see the return of the butterflies on the flowers in the gardens.  We are enjoying all the birds in the gardens also that have returned to nest this spring.  The towhee is sitting outside my window singing his song of "Drink you tea" and there are other birds flitting around looking for nesting sites and singing their songs. Yesterday I heard the call "chick burr"  and went out to look for the Scarlet tanager.
Such a beautiful red and black bird he is hard to miss. Dave and I are bird watchers and are happy point out the local birds to our guests and have suggestion for bird watching up on the park way or Chimney Rock State Park.

Greenways of Black Mountain is the theme for tomorrow for the Saturday hike.  I am going to help lead a group of people for National Hiking Day on the greenway along Flat Creek.  Part of the trail has been completed and the hike will be up to Montreat to show people where the new section will be planned.
Looks like the weather will provide a cool sunny day for the hike.
One day the dream is to complete the greenway from Black Mountain to Asheville along the Swannanoa River so you can bike or hike between the two towns.  I am sure it will get lots of bicycle traffic. 

Come check out the green ways we have already, a great little walk.

Wow we had a great May and June is looking good. The gardens are looking very nice since I had a freind helping me pull weeds . Tonight there was a nice rain to water in the new annuals and sounds like another shower tomorrow.
Some of my friends and I are doing the Parks booklet of 30 Trails on the Mountain to Sea trail.
It runs from Mt. Pisgah to Mt. Mitchell. I don't know if we will finish it this year but we are going to give it a good try.  There are so many good hiking trails in our area it's hard to pick which ones we want to hike .

Hope you had a nice holiday weekend.  Our guests enjoyed sittings around the table this morning sharing stories and the other mornings they enjoyed sitting outside on the deck soaking up the sunshine while listening to the water fountain on the lake and looking up to the mountains. 

Come see the gardens and stroll around the lake on the half mile path.

Love a good cup of coffee. In Black Mountain there are several good places to get a cup and relax. The Dripalator is located downtown Black Mountain , The Roasting Company another coffee shop actually roast and grind the beans in house.  Ingles has now added a Starbucks along with a top class wine department.

The Black Mountain shops are in walking distance from Arbor House . While in town check out the two new eateries. Trail Head and Ale House.   Both have local brews and a big selection on tap.  Want to catch a music perforance in a big garden then look on  line Pisguah Brewery not far away on Old Highway 70.

What a busy fun weekend with great weather.  Come next weekend to check out the Old Depot Arts and Crafts fair.  The city pool opened this weekend and the golf course looked really green and inviting.

There is always something fun to do in the mountain. Come check it out for yourself.

Old Depot Arts and Crafts Show coming soon.

 Sutton street will be closed off on June 2 and 3 for the annual Arts and Crafts fair hosted each year but the Old Depot supporters.  There will be new vendors and crafts showing this year at the fair.
Usually they have lunch for sale and the shops of Black Mountain will have their doors open for shopping also.

See the mountain behind the depot. That is High Top and you can climb to the top by way of High Windy.  Today several of my friends and I hiked the 2.5 miles up and back down . If was a great day to hike , not to hot and missed the afternoon rains.  I have lots of good hiking trails to share with you.
Bring you hiking shoes and poles and come check up out.

April showers brought on these pretty May flowers. Snapdragons are one of my favorite floweres.
This morning I planted two more flats of annuals and now will sit back for the rains this afternoon to water them in the ground.
 It was a great morning to walk around the lake and see the baby ducks . The clouds were swirling around the mountian tops on the Craggy Mountain tops and the mountain air was cool and refreshing.
Our guests had a nice breakfast sitting out on the deck this morning and stayed for extra teas and coffees because they felt so relaxed they didn't want to go anywhere.

Come hang out on the deck and enjoy the views.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms. 

What a busy weekend at the B&B,  a wedding, two graduations and lots of friends gettting together.
The cool rain didn't bother them all and the pictures in the garden looked great. 

Looking forward to finishing up planting more annuals in the flower beds this week and then sit back and watch them grow.  I am always amazed how pretty the flowers look through the fall.  We are taking reservations for October now so keep that in mind if you know your travel plans coming to WNC for the leaf season.

Flowers that keep on giving are wonderful.  I planted this snapdragon last year and it returned big and stong this year with lots of blooms.  Yesterday the nursery salemans had a big grin on his face for this was my third visit this spring and each time I came away with a cart load of plants.  With all the gentle spring rains we have been having I have not had to water my new plants and they are looking great.
The garden should be a show stopper this summer and fall. Come check it out.

Can't beat this wedding fern for gracefully beauty on the front porch. Today we had a nice rain to water in all the annuals I have been planting. After a slow start from the two heavy frost this spring the gardens are starting to look green and good again.
We had a great hike today at the arboretum today. With a trail name like Hard Times you expect to have a little discomfort hiking up and over a mountain but it is worth the time and effort. The woods are turning green from all the new leaves and streams have plenty of water to make that wonderful babbling brook sound that can put you to sleep. 
Come hike the wonderful trails around us or just hang out on the deck and listen to the waterfall from the fountain on the lake.  Either way you will relax and unwind.

Pretty in pink, this year I decided not to buy the usual red geraniums but instead found these lovely pink trailing ones to hang instead.  The hostas are coming back from the heavy frost we had and the green ground cover is lush and full doing it's job on the hill side.  On the wall on the window trellis the Lady Banks Rose did a wonderful display of yellow flowers for almost 3 weeks.  Most years it blooms in May and then last only a week in the hot sun.

Today the Black Mountain Farmers Market opens, can't wait  to walk down to see what is growing this time of the year.  Fresh seafood is brought up from the Outer Banks , fresh flowers and other local products will be for sale. The market is open 9  -12 every Saturday through the fall.

Slowly waking up this spring after the cold snap this bumble bee is trying to dry out his new wings.
We had some much needed rain this morning and now I can go out to the garden and pulls up those pesty weeds without to much trouble.

Yesterday a friend and I hiked for about 5 miles on the Mountain to Sea Trail up on the Parkway. The trail starts up in the mountains and continues on paths and roads to the Atlantic Ocean on the NC beaches.  The trails are well marked here in the mountains and a wonderful place to take a walk in the woods.  You can reach the trail in about 10 minutes from our house by car , park and walk as far as you want. 

So happy to see the sunshine today and get over the cold snap we had.  Enjoyed the rain last night and hope it will provide us with many more flowers. 
Looking for a fun thing to do in the mountains.  Sat June 23rd in Black Mountain join in the Cycle to Farms.  Smaple local food at the source as you ride 62 miles thru farmland and on the Greenways.
The bike benefits the Black Mountain Greenways and The Farming community of WNC.
You can register at ACTIVE.COM.

Don't want to bike, then just come walk at your pace anytime on the pretty greenways and listen to the water flow past in the streams and Swannanoa River.  

Can't beat the spring wild flowers in the mountains of North Carolina.  We have lots of good wild flower hikes to tell you about and even provide a book to take along to identify the unknown .
Don't know which I like better , the spring or fall season since each has such beautiful colors.

What our quests are saying,

" Dear Carolyn and Dave,
I have fallen in love with Arbor House due in the small part to your gracious welcoming spirit! For my first private getaway in too many years, Arbor House and specifically the private balcony of the Lookout Room proved the perfect place to relax, breathe , to just be . I am so thankful . I spotted your B&B from the Lake Tomahawk Trail several years ago and finally had the apportunity to stay.  Best wishes for many more years of inviting visits to many, many guests- including a return visit by me."

  
Spring has arrived in the mountains.  Beautiful wild azaleas,  dogwoods,  and many other spectacular flowering shrubs are in full bloom.  Come experience nature's splendor, and enjoy hiking along the mountain streams near Arbor House.