The Place

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I had to pinch myself!
Imagine driving up to this idyllic cabin in the woods realizing you were really in The Blue Ridge mountains, holidaying with two of your childhood friends.
It was a trip/dream finally come true!

Hilda and Dow have lived in several different places in the south-eastern states over their lifetime together, but at this time in their life this place in The Blue Ridge Mountains is mostly where they “hang their hats”.  

So this is the gorgeous rustic cabin in the woods  that we spent the first four days of our holiday at, rekindling our friendships and rehashing memories. 
An artistic bunch the Barton’s all are, and their beautiful cabin in the woods reflected that in its design/structure alone, continuing with all the fabulous artwork/pictures (local, as in family artwork) hanging on the walls, the beautiful guest rooms and the grand piano gracing the front room. 
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The kitchen had Hilda’s stamp all over it, (including her huge collection of Starbucks mugs from all over the world) and it was a kitchen that you knew had had many a wonderful meal cooked in it by both Dow and Hilda. 
Our meals were a combined effort by all three of us, working alongside Hilda in her kitchen, making yummy food together. I’m hoping Hilda would agree with my thoughts that there had NOT been too many cooks in the kitchen! 
One of the lovely bedrooms



The backyard
The path down to the water 
Happy hour started here 
Only beautiful scenery in whichever direction you looked in.
We started out our days in the sunroom with a cuppa strong coffee, Hilda’s artisan toast and a reading from Bev’s “God Calling” devotional
Each of our days at Hilda’s found us hiking the hills of the Blue Ridge area.  This picture was taken early on in a hike …we must’ve already been sweating, but we’re still smiling. 
With the Fahrenheit temps in the mid to high 90’s, and humidity the likes of which this prairie girl has rarely experienced, it felt like what I imagined boot camp might be like! I was suckin’ wind and trying hard to pull up the rear without falling over! For Hilda and Bev it appeared to be like just another day. 
Sitting after a long hike … cool as cucumbers!
Followed by a hot tub to soothe those tired calves and feet. 
Cheers! 
Here’s to us for making it happen. 

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