We stayed in July, windows open, cool under covers at night. The second day I commented, ‘I’ve never been anywhere so quiet’… there are no other residences nearby or within sight, maybe 12-15 cars pass by on the front road all day, the forest trees sigh in the wind, the thunder over the mountains was the loudest sound, and one day, we even found ourselves in the clouds.
The house setting is both pastoral, and woodsy. The front looks out on green, cow-grazing hilltop pastures, with Christmas Tree farmed slopes here and there along that side of the well-maintained, hard pack gravel public road (we has 4WD, but never needed it). Beside the home was a small field with a friendly Palomino and Chestnut stallion, both of whom gently begged across the fence for any apple, carrot or whatever other treat we cared to offer. The woods is behind the house and all along that downhill side of the road for miles, a mix of hardwood and pine broken in the valleys by a patchwork of open fields. On the property, a wide, gravel road starts immediately beside the house and descends through the forest behind, offering an easy quarter mile stroll down to open hillsides, a wide valley view and a rustic cabin, a ‘work in progress’ at the time of our visit. All the lawns, paths and grassy access lanes were freshly mowed and safe for older folks like us (65+).
The house was clean, the kitchen roomy with new appliances, counter and sink, enough equipment, and the bedrooms were comfortable and nicely spaced for privacy. Both bathrooms were just remodeled with all new fixtures, showers, etc., with one in the Master BR, and the other in the hall between for the household and other BRs. There was an enclosed back porch, but we never used it, as the den with gas log fireplace and TV was our hangout place. The internet was 5K, and one of us zoomed our college course student conference during our time. We could have had grandchildren and family along, and had room.
Activities around the house meant a drive north or south towards one of the small towns nearby. GPS got us everywhere reliably, and we ‘ate out’ twice in charming West Jefferson, with its many small shops and large grocery store. We picked blueberries on one farm, lavender on another, drove some miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, walked around Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, and kayaked on the New River. There was more to do, but we ran out of time!
We loved this place, and we’ve reserved it again. Peace!