AN AFTERNOON AT THE GEYSER

We took advantage of a 65-degree day recently and took the innpugs, Csaba and Bugsy, to the Andrews Geyser. This is the first time they've really had a chance to explore the area around the Geyser, which was the site of a railroad resort hotel in the late 1800s but is now all green space (covered in winter leaves) and perfect for pug play.

We had fun watching two ecstatic pugs chasing each other for a few minutes then jumping (or being assisted, in lazy Csaba's case) onto a stone bench to catch their breath and pose for pictures.

Bugsy especially enjoyed walking around the Geyser's basin under the watchful eye of his mom and brother.

Bugsy and Csaba would also like to mention that today, February 26, is National Spay Day. Several local restaurants are taking part in the Animal Compassion Network's 6th Annual Dine to be Kind event. Dine in or carry out at one of the participating restaurants and a portion of the proceeds goes to support spay/neuter assistance programs.

DELIGHTFUL DISCOVERIES

Our 2008 quest is to discover great finds for our guests. Some of what we've discovered so far:

On a hunt for chocolate covered strawberries, we met a fellow small business owner who has a local catering company and a delightful cafe. Once we tasted some of her delicious food and learned that she makes creative long-stemmed, hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries, we knew we needed to look no further. We're excited to add these wonderful strawberries to the list of things you might like to enjoy while staying with us.



We also met the local chocolatiers and we were so impressed with their creativity and love for what they do that we now offer their company's gourmet truffles for you to enjoy as well. With choices such as Coffee Caramel, Peanut Butter, Lavender, Raspberry Almond and Cappuccino (just to name a few) you can't go wrong with these heavenly little pieces of chocolate.

Switching gears a bit -- several of our guests arrive in great anticipation of doing absolutely nothing while they're here. They've had a stressful week, maybe even a stressful month or year, and they're very much ready to get away from the rat race for a while and find peace. Other guests come with 4-page itinerary in hand, ready to do as much as possible in a short timeframe. No matter what category you fit into, a massage is a great thing to add to your stay. Looking to de-stress and relax? Answer: Massage. Been hiking, walking around, driving, shopping 'til you drop and now the muscles ache? Answer: Massage.

We've found some talented massage therapists who are trained in a variety of massages, from relaxation massages to deep tissue, from swedish to thai. Aromatherapy massages. Couples massages. Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Strawberries. Chocolate Truffles. Massages. Just some of the great things we've discovered that we're happy to share with you. You can find more on our packages page, which we update periodically with new discoveries for you to enjoy.

42 DAYS AND COUNTING...

Spring is just a little over a month away...we're getting excited about seeing all the bulbs that have starting springing up here at the Inn on Mill Creek, such as crocuses, tulips and daffodils. The irises are peeking out, too, as is the stonecrop. No sign of the hyacinths yet. Those were put in just last Fall as part of the 500-bulb addition to the Pool Garden.

Enjoy this little taste of things to come (photos taken this week):

NEW EXHIBIT AT THE ARBORETUM

As members of the North Carolina Arboretum Society, we recently learned about a new exhibit on display at the North Carolina Arboretum and we wanted to share the information with you in the event you're looking for things to do in our area during this quiet winter season.

Those of you (like Brigette) who are trying to find garden-inspired activities to tide you over until Spring will enjoy seeing botanical artist Jamie Kirkell's silk painting exhibit, "Orchids and Iris in the Garden," on display in the Arboretum's Education Center Second Floor Gallery, from now through April 20, 2008. The exhibit presents Mr. Kirkell’s wall tapestries and large silk floral paintings. Original paintings will be available for purchase.


Sunset Iris / Jamie Kirkell

Mr. Kirkell draws on his education and experiences in Indonesia, the Philippines and Southeast Asia in the creation of his contemporary botanical paintings. He studied batik and textile design under Master Batik Artist, Bambang Oetoro at the Batik Research Institute of Indonesia. While in the Peace Corps, he spent time in the Philippines and Southeast Asia furthering his interest in orchid collecting and floral design. His studies have also taken him to Ohio State University and The Art Students League in New York.

Mr. Kirkell has exhibited work across the US, including galleries and botanic gardens in New York City, San Diego, Miami, and Cleveland. Internationally, his works have been exhibited in Israel and Aruba. His pieces are also in the collections at the Chrysler Building in New York, the Aish Hatorah Library in Jerusalem, Devi Sri Hotels in Aruba and the Turnberry Isla Resort in Miami.

An artist's reception will take place on February 3, from 2pm to 4pm in the Arboretum's Education Center. The reception is free to the public and does not require registration.

More about the Arboretum from its website: The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Surrounded by the dense folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Arboretum is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural garden settings in America.

A TRULY WINTER WONDERLAND

We woke up to an absolutely gorgeous sight at the Inn this first day of February. It rained last evening, and as the temperatures dropped overnight, the water froze on the trees, blanketing the forest and our property with a sparkling, beautiful cover of ice. These photos were taken from the Main House looking toward the lake and Lake House before the sun came up over the ridge:





As the sun came up over the ridge, we were treated to the sounds of rapidly melting ice, which sounded like a waterfall in all directions, as the partly-frozen water cascaded in small and large pieces down to the forest floor. The ice falling off the branches of our apple trees in the orchard retained much of their shape so that you could see the outline of the branches in the ice.



More shots of the orchard:





The warm sun that melted the ice and the evaporation of the water also created a slowly moving, surreal mist, which covered parts of our property for a short time. This is the southern end of the property, where our blueberry bushes are:



The blue sky and 50-degree day made for several blog-worthy photo opportunities (and we were careful not to walk under any trees; not easy to do when you have 125,000 acres of trees around you). Enjoy these photos...we took them in a span of about an hour. The ice melted away rather quickly!









Can you find Dave in the following shot? You might have to click the photo and enlarge it to see him!



If these photos are making you say Brrrrrrrr, it might help to know that the afternoon temperature was higher (50 degrees) than the number of days until Spring...49 days and counting! We're also happy to report that the crocuses are starting to come up in the Pool Garden...wonder when they'll bloom.