February Focus

Didn't get a chance to enjoy a Romantic Getaway with your sweetheart so far?  No problem, our Sweetheart Specials continue throughout February and then look for "March Madness" specials next month.

It's been somewhat quiet this month so far.  But that is a great time to catch up on my reading.  I listen to lots of books on tape since I spend a great deal of time in my car and the last two books I read were "Running in the Rain" and "A Dog's Purpose".  I'm surprised I didn't crash the car as I had tears pouring down my face listening to both of them.  I'm an animal lover so anything in which an animal dies or there is something sad...I cry.  But they are both excellent books told from the dog's point of view.

I've always had dogs and horses and cats in my previous life, but now I have cats.  I treat my cats as though they were dogs so that I call them by name, I pat them like you would pat a dog, rub their fur like you would a  dog and they respond like dogs,

Since I've been in Tennessee I've had 3 sets of cats and I arrived with two dogs.  Unfortunately the dogs were elderly when I arrived and they died a few years after we moved here from Connecticut. The cats lived a good long time and when they passed away my neighbor's cat had kittens so.....after giving it some thought I took two.  Then a third showed up on the driveway and moved in.  These were Frankie (blue eyes like Frank Sinatra), Fearless (because she was) and then Gray Cat moved in.  These were inside/outside cats who came in at night.  But even though they stayed around the Inn most of the time, something from the forest got them.  I'm sure it was either a coyote or a bobcat.

I debated getting more animals, but I missed the companionship so when I heard mewing from the garbage truck at the dump, I got the men working there to go into the garbage and bring Squeak out.  Pure white and ribs which stuck through the skin.  I don't know how she was still alive.  Took her the vet, got some food and brought her home.  What a wonderful friend she turned out to be!  Pure white and although she never learned to purr she was my boon companion.  We played tag, hide and seek and she loved to snuggle under the covers at night.

But I was concerned she might be lonely so I went to the animal rescue and found a black and white kitten to keep her company.  Mouse was very standoffish....didn't want anything to do with anyone even though she was just a kitten.  Can't imagine what trauma she had had in her young life.

And a year or so later up the driveway came another cat making lots of noise.  Fat, black and very friendly.  Although I asked all over the neighborhood no one claimed her so once again I had 3 cats because Noisy joined the family.  But these 3 cats are inside and out on the screened in porch only.

All 3 cats live on the Garden Level in my quarters so that guests at the bnb who are allergic don't have to interact with them.
#lovemycats #interesting #romaticgetaway #bedand breakfast #dogs #sadbooks #kitten

IT'S BRISTOL, BABY!

For the past few weeks, all eyes have been on Bristol Motor Speedway and the new Colossus jumbotron which is now hanging high above the track!  No matter where you sit.....you will have a bird's eye view of everything that is happening.

I know there are still seats available for the races this weekend and we still have a couple of rooms if you want to enjoy our "Pampering Perfected" service here at the Iron Mountain Inn B*B.  We are about 45 minutes from the track and give you a "secret" back road so you don't get caught in all the traffic.

Speaking of roads....came down the Bristol Highway aka Volunteer Parkway yesterday and discovered that the left hand turn is now a right hand ramp!  Had to go almost to Piney Flats before I could turn around and head in the right direction.  Think this is going to make travel to and from the track a lot easier.....once you know the new way.

Also saw a notice that Scott's Strawberries will be arriving before too long.  This is an event we wait all winter for - the arrival of the fresh local juicy sweet delicious strawberries at the pop up stands around the area.  Or we can get them at the Food City supermarkets - but by the time I get to town those are usually all gone!

Lots of events coming up in Johnson County this spring and summer.  Check out the events at the johnsoncountytnchamber.org for all the information on events and festivals in Johnson County.

Are you are a motorcycle rider?  Come ride The Snake aka 421.  Check out some great rides at www.421TheSnake.com.  Stay at the Inn or the Creekside Chalet with your friends and enjoy 4 or 5 days of great riding.  

Join the Johnson County Knights bike club invites everyone to come out to Chamber Park for a weekend of Family Fun. Starting at 5pm on Friday, May 6th, this weekend full of live music, games, races and more, will continue through 11pm on Saturday, May 7th. For additional information call (423)291-1082.

Prefer to challenge the trails on an ATV?  Check out the miles of trails on Doe Mountain. New ones are always being created- in fact, if you'd like to help make one down to town, let Larry Potter, Johnson County Mayor know and he'll put together a work party.  I'll supply the picnic food and drinks.

Hope you've enjoyed this compendium

                                         Very secluded and private Creekside Chalet.net

Springing toward Summer

Hooray!  Spring is here and it hasn't come soon enough after the winter just past.  Dancing daffodils are one my favorite flowers because they are the harbinger of warmer weather, sunny days and I can finally get out of those heavy bulky tops, pants and coats!

But oops....when getting out of them....it shows what winter's inactivity has done to the "rack" on which those heavy tops and bottoms hung!  A few extra pounds...what exactly is meant by "a few"?

Is that two or three or could it mean five to ten?  Whatever, thank heavens for elastic waist bands!

Walking around the Inn the other day, I was noticing that the plantings are in need of upgrading.,  Many of them have been here for 10 years or more and like the inside of the Inn. sprucing up is in order.  So I called Mountain View Nursery aka Harvey Burniston, to come have a look.  Now I have lots of new plants waiting to bloom.

So it's time for a trip to Wintergreen Farm to find flowers to fill the flower boxes all around the Inn and the Lake House.  Last year I did great blue pots with red and white geraniums under the deck at the Lake House and boy did they look good against the pale blue, almost white house.   It takes about 10 pots in each box and I have 14 boxes....I'm going to be busy.

Mountain Spring

Looking over some old blogs, it seems I tend to ignore bogging during the cold winter and like spring, I waken and think about sharing the magic of the mountains with friends old and new.

It's been a mostly mild winter and now spring has arrived....disappeared night before last when we had icy snow covering the decks and bird feeders in the am.  Had to put ice melt on the steps, but then the sun came out and melted everything - love the quick changes of season in the mountains.

Spring means that it's time to warm up the Harley or other bike and come ride www.421TheSnake.com.  The start in Mountain City is just up the road from the Inn and Chalet which means a stay with us will get you on the road for the 489 curves, 3 mountains and 1 valley in 33 miles to Bristol following a hearty breakfast.  Return after a day riding for a nice dinner and a chance to compare notes on your ride while you relax with a glass of our local award wining wines from the www.wataugalakewinery.com.

In fact, take a short detour over to the winery to taste the wines and choose a bottle for yourself.

Don't forget Watauga Lake for a relaxing swim or boat ride.  You can even rent paddle boards, canoes and kayaks at www.fishspringsmarina.com by the hour or by the day.

Come for a ride and stay for the fun.  Let us know what libations you like after your ride and we'll have them ready for you.

Share the magic of the mountains with your friends when you visit the Iron Mountain Inn B&B and Creekside Chalet or House on Watauga Lake.

It's Bristol Baby!

Last fall when Red Chair visited Eastern Tennessee and Western Virginia, Red had a great honor to sit in the stands along with fellow red chairs dreaming about "Bristol Baby" and the Border Battle.   Red is just sorry not to be here for the April and August races this year, but will be watching on tv I'm sure.

We still have some rooms available for the April race and we give you a secret back road which gets you out of the after race traffic so you are back at the Inn or Chalet or Lake House in no time at all. Give us a call at 423-768-2446 to reserve.

Spring is finally comin' round to the mountains.  The pastures and fields are turning bright green, spring peepers are noisy in the evenings, the daffodils are stretching to the sun, the red buds are just coming out way at the top of the limbs, and the cardinals are making sure Momma has plenty to eat.  I saw a male feeding his mate just yesterday.  Amazing!

Walking around the Inn property I've noticed that winter was very hard on fish, plants and the window boxes. The last two koi seem to have disappeared...raccoons or bears, I'm not sure.

I've checked with Wintergreen Farm but they said not quite time to plant pansies and other early flowering plants yet.  Darn!  I am in need of some color!  Went to Lowes and just looked at all the colorful pansies and phlox and Easter lilies...dreaming.

Also noticed a couple of dead bushes at the head of the driveway at the Lake House.  Looks like this year is going to be the year of replanting everywhere.  But I guess after 17 years, it's probably time to make some landscaping changes.

Those of you who have come up the driveway the past couple of months noticed it felt like a washboard.  Steve came today to smooth it out....motorcycles will have no problems coming up to the Inn or the Creekside Chalet now!  And my car will be able to get it's rack and pinion straightened out.

Looking forward to sharing the magic of the mountains with you this spring, summer, fall and winter!

Sunrise over Doe Mountain....come see it before the leaves cover the trees and the sunrise will be peeking through the leaves.  March and April are fabulous months in the mountains....no bugs, cool sunny days for hiking and a cozy log home at the end of a day of exploring.

So much do in this area: bike the Virginia Creeper Trail (wisteria in May falling down the sides of the rock faces) in nearby Damascus, VA; attend live professional theater at Barter in Abingdon, VA; "It's Bristol, Baby" the third weekend in April at the world famous Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN; wine tastings at Watauga Lake Winery and of course, hiking the famous Appalachian Trail or trails right on the Iron Mountain Inn property.

Something for everyone and if you want to bring the family...rent the entire Inn for a grand family reunion or group of friends to share the magic of the mountains.  Looking forward to your visit.

Christmas Tree Hunt for Iron Mountain Inn B&B

The Day After Thanksgiving and the family was all here.
Time to cut the perfect tree for the Iron Mountain Inn's front window, you see
Off to the mountaintop and Wintergreen Farm we go
The road winds round up to the top
And there are the trees...all covered with snow!

The day was coming to close so it was a search in a hurry
But just enough daylight to help in our search

From tree to tree we hurried, first this one's perfect, but no, that one's better. Oh dear, which one did we choose....they all seem so perfect!

Dad was our measuring rod - 7-8' would be perfect, that's him plus his arm raised high
After circling the trees and finding no faults, we picked the perfect tree to load on our car.

Simon came with the saw and the stick (to raise the lower branches while Todd did the work)
Another family also had chosen their tree, so both were loaded onto the wagon to be taken and shaken so no snow came home too

Bottom first the trees were loaded into the wrapping machine, then lifted and hefted onto the car.

A few more errands and then home to the Inn where the tree will stand in the window for all to see
As we celebrate this holiday and the start of another year.

Come share the magic of the mountains with us in December, mention this blog and take 15% off your stay.