Balsam Mountain Inn, Balsam, North Carolina

George and I took a wonderful trip to the mountains of North Carolina from April 3-5, 2012.  We stayed in a fabulous mountain inn,  named the Balsam Mountain Inn,  in Balsam, North Carolina (which is not far from Waynesville).

The inn is among the oldest in the North Carolina mountains...  Construction began in 1905 and was completed in 1908.   It was modeled after the Saratoga Inn in New York.  It features neo-classical architecture.   The three-story building has 46,000+ square feet and 225 windows.    A hallmark is the 100-foot,  two-tier porch offering splendid views of the Balsams.  The inn was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in July, 1982.  The inn was renovated beginning in October of 1990. 

The 10-foot wide hallways,  designed to accommodate huge steamer trunks of guests arriving by rail (nearby), are now filled with art and crafts of more than 75 local artists.  Victorian trim accents the interior of the inn.

The 23 acres on which the inn is situated is marked by seven springs.  The elevation exceeds 3500 feet.  And there are several hiking trails around the area ---where you can see lots of wildflowers this time of year.

And for us,  besides a great place to stay and a great restaurant there,  this inn was only 1/2 mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 443).

Today I will show you some pictures we took of the outside of the inn.  In another blog,  I'll share some inside pictures...   Above is a picture of the inn (and sign) from the bottom of the hill looking up there.  Be sure to enlarge the photos for larger pictures.

Here's another cute sign posted on a bench --on the road up to the inn.

Here's a closer view of the front of the inn.  The porches (complete with rocking chairs) run the length of the building --on both the 1st and 2nd floors... There is a huge Balsam Fir on the left in this picture.

While walking up on the porch,  we saw this sign.  

Who is that lady relaxing on the porch?????  They have a huge library inside ---so if you forget to bring a good book,  I'm sure you can find one.  You can rock in the rocking chairs --and just read all day long (unless you are US ---who would rather be out hiking)..... ha

Here's the view from the porch.   I would have a hard time concentrating on that book --with this view all around me....

This is a view from the 2nd floor porch looking back at another wing of the inn.  The inn restaurant is on first floor (where all of the windows are)...  IF the weather had have cooperated,  we could have had breakfast and/or dinner outside down there.

Finally,  here is one more view from the porch of the beautiful area around Balsam Mountain Inn...  If you ever get to this area,   check this place out... We got our visit through Groupon online ---and the price was definitely right.

Hope you had a marvelous Easter Weekend.  We certainly did!!!!

Balsam on Dwellable

Have a wonderful Monday.
Hugs,
Betsy

Birds-Birds-Birds

There are many birds who visit our feeders on the back deck... Recently,  they are all busy singing their songs and finding a mate... It's a great time of year to watch the birds... And since our weather recently has been so nice,  we are able to sleep with the windows opened... The birds love to sing loudly the first thing in the morning ---so it's totally awesome waking up to the beautiful sound of birds singing!!!!!

Today,  I'll show you some pictures (taken at various times over the past 3 years or so) of eight of my favorite Backyard Birds... Above is an all-time favorite bird of mine,  the EASTERN BLUEBIRD...   Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird are busy nesting in the Bluebird House... I hope we have some baby Blues soon.  Be sure to click on the pictures for larger views.

Here is another favorite bird,  our NORTHERN CARDINAL.  The Cardinals are the first ones at the feeders in the morning and the last ones there before dark.   Such beautiful birds --and it's fun to watch the Mister feed the Misses during the mating season!!!!!   I love seeing the colorful birds this time of year since they are beautiful showing off their colors.

We have more GOLDFINCHES this year than any other bird I think... I don't know how many we have --but there are a BUNCH of them!!!  It's fun to watch the males change to this gorgeous yellow color in the spring.

These little CAROLINA CHICKADEES are year-round visitors along with their buddies,  the Tufted Titmice and the Nuthatches....  When you see one of these guys,  you usually see them all.  I love this picture since that Chickadee was telling me to quit taking pictures so that he could come to the feeder!!!!!  Is this a bird with 'attitude'?????? ha

This beauty,  the ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK is a short-term visitor here every year.  They stop here in April or May as they migrate north ---and then they stop again in September on their way back south for the winter.

We have at least five resident woodpeckers which visit the feeders off and on during the year.  Woodpeckers love suet --- so I try to accommodate them!!!!   Above is one of the prettiest woodpeckers,  our NORTHERN FLICKER...  Isn't he gorgeous?

This woodpecker,  the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER,  unfortunately does not come around as much as the others... He comes in the Spring ---and brings the little ones to the feeders during the Spring/Summer... SUCH a beautiful bird!!!!

And finally,  you know I cannot do a bird blog post without featuring this bird...  This is another favorite,  the PILEATED WOODPECKER.    This huge woodpecker lets EVERYONE know when he is nearby... He has a very loud call!!!!   Oh --how I love this bird!!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my Backyard Birds today!!!!!  I have SO much fun --feeding them and watching them...  Soon,  I'll do another bird post showing you some of the 'funny' bird pictures I have taken...

We have been out-of-town for the past 3 days... SO---again,  I'm behind on blogging...  I love traveling and we have a wonderful time ---but it's hard to catch back up when we get home!!!!  I'll catch up with you SOON.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday.
Hugs,
Betsy