Amy and I just had the amazing opportunity to spend the weekend at Half Mile Farm, one of the properties of the Old Edwards Inn, in Highlands, NC. In short- What a blessing. You need to go!

First of all- I prefer rustic over fancy. My standards aren’t impossibly out of reach when it comes to being comfortable. On the other hand, I know a unique and special place when I find it. This place is definitely all of the above.

The Farm sits on 14 acres, complete with fishing pond, called Apple Lake (poles provided), walking trails to walk off the carbs from the chef prepared quiche breakfast and tree frogs that seem to start on cue around sunset.

The Farm claims to be a Bed and Breakfast style Inn, but it’s truly much more than that. With a recently completed bar and hors d’ouvres at sunset, you’ll quickly find that it’s nothing short of ideal.

The Main building at The Farm has a number of rooms that boast courtyard or woodland views. Of particular interest to folks that might choose these rooms is the Old Edwards Inn’s all encompassing “Zero Tolerance” Noise Policy. From their website:

“To support a peaceful, sleep-friendly environment for guests, all properties of Old Edwards maintain a zero-tolerance noise policy. If there is a noise complaint from another guest, you will be issued a warning. If there is a second noise complaint, you will be evicted from the premises without a refund.”

Believe me, I wouldn’t want to be on their bad list!

For those that wouldn’t mind spending an extra nickel (my Dad always said that for a nickel more you can go first class) then The Farm has several incredible cabins that are only a short walk down the hill.

The second you walk in the door of any of the cabins, you’ll know you’re stepping back in time while still having access to all the creature comforts of a 21st Century home.

The barn wood that was used to build the cabins was actually taken from locations all over the southeast.

The cabin building project was started back in 2004 and it took over two years to complete them all. The effort was masterminded by several different entities who put a masterful touch on the property. Ronny Bolton, a Real Estate Developer from Aiken, SC, Todd Blair of Atlanta and David Grant Howard, President and Founder of Historic Lumber in Greenville, TN all came together for the project.

The Team’s vision is evident in their successful result of a perfect blend of nature and history. Mixed among the rhododendrons and hemlocks are the historic and rustic cabins that, if they could talk, would tell stories of families and frontiers from early 19th Century Mountain living.

From the cabin construction Team’s website regarding one of the cabin’s history:

“The v-notching at the corners is characteristic of the construction technique attributed to the Scottish and Irish that settled (in Kentucky in the early 1800s), however the Earnest name has a distinctly German origin. The Scotch, Irish, and Germans fled Europe by the tens of thousands and entered the United States predominantly through the port of Philadelphia. They came across and down the Great Wagon Road of Pennsylvania, south through central and western Virginia to Long Island in Tennessee (now Kingsport) and then into Kentucky, following the Wilderness Road to the interior of the state. The Earnest House is built in the architectural style of the early houses of the Valley of Virginia which often combined log, half timber, which you see in the middle section of the building, and stone. There were few, if any, architects, so as each generation added what was needed to meet the needs of the family, a rambling mix of styles and construction technologies actually became the wondering architecture of that region that we see today. It is unlike any in this country.”

It’s apparent through their study of the history of the buildings that their commitment to reconstructing, while not re-shaping, history was of prime interest.

To say that Half Mile Farm is a special place is an understatement. Its ideal mix of history, nature, service and comfort is truly immeasurable. If you can find an open weekend, and if they have an extra room (or cabin), you should go. I hope to see you there soon!