A better land for a better tomorrow

As we all know, America's land is depleting due to the pollution and mass building projects.  It seems (and should be ) a concern for most Americans.  Our vegetation  and healthy livestock is getting slimmer and the pesticides/chemicals are growing more rapidly than ever.  Take a look at this article if you do not believe me :http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com/growing-evidence-that-chemical-agriculture-is-killing-us/

However, my point to this blog is not to downgrade mass production, but to promote smaller farming and outdoor/healthy living.   If you follow us at all on Facebook or Twitter you will find that our newfeed has been filled with an adbundance of wonderful fluffy (and hairy) animals who have found their new home on the gorge.  We are starting a sustainable farm and garden.  BMBR has been blessed with chickens already (read the previous blogs about our chicken love and heartwrenching stories).  While chicken farming, we learned about our love for mother nature, the land, and protecting our bodies against harmful chemicals.  Our family has expanded into 2 pigs (who are soon to be breeding) 2 angora rabbits and a friendly horse to help along the way, chickens, one cat and a dog.  Each animal (including little Snoops- everyones favorite miniature long haired dachshund) has a job around the farm.  From feeding our bodies, to using the wool for socks and blankets, herding the animals in at night and running off unwanted farm guests- our animals are very happy and know how to do their job perfectly.  We are starting off small in hopes of expanding our farm into a great CSA for children and families to enjoy and learn about a green America.
BMBR is also expanding our Summer gardens into a all year round garden.  We have done extensive research of how to grow summer crops in the winter.  Our gardens have been put in and ready for planting. (this might answer the questions from our regular sandwich shop comers about how we are going to have fresh products all year round).  The new gardens are not just for the sandwiches. Stop by and pick this winter, pick some herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and hang out in our farm.

Muggles and Theodore before sheering!

See you on the creek!

Paddle Faster I Want to Hear Banjos!

Summer has been hot but beautiful here at Brown Mountain.  Luckily, Wilson Creek stays nice and cool no matter what the outside temperature  (the fish and swimmers appreciate it).  One of the things Danny and I have been working on is different amenities to the resort. We have been scoping out numerous adventures and believe we have come up with some great packages.  However, before we go on about business details, I need to share with you our personal stories and why we love and chose these new amenities. 

Canoeing and Shuttle Packages:  Danny comes to me a little before we finish work bright eyed and bushy tailed with the grand idea of canoeing to Johns River.  He exclaims that this will be the ride of a lifetime and only an hour.  So after convincing me that the dishes can wait to be washed and the floor can wait to be mopped we get our swim suits on -canoe in the river- powerade in hand and we are off.
 Side Note:  Danny and I know upper Wilson like the back of our hand- almost every afternoon we are up there doing something and exploring new territory, but we have never seen Johns River.

Don't worry Snoops was with us on this adventure too!

So off we go- from the resort to the lower bridge off Playmore Beach Rd.  An hour goes by of pure fun and excitement as were "tour" new land- finding rope swing after rope swing and land that looks like it hasn't been touched in years.  It was a sight! We arrive at what seems to be the conjoining of Johns River and Wilson Creek (a friend told us that when we get there paddle up Johns River from Wilson Creek for a 1/4 mile and you will be at the bridge) but me and my mind started wandering as I noticed a large cow in the creek drinnking water.  This cow was gorgeous- black and white, very clean and plump- one happy cow!  We waved to it as we paddled by.  Next site was a  handmade diving board into a very deep pool- then trees that formed an arch over the entire river to make it look enchanted and then more rope swings and then.........
it started to get dark.  This one hour trip turned into 5 hours very quickly.  Nevertheless it was gorgeous!  We ended up on Johns River on a very well maintained bridge and boat access point.
So this is my point:  What a great memory we made canoeing down gorgeous Wilson Creek and Johns River.  I do have to say if you are looking for a lazy river to relax and have some relationship building this is the activity for you. It helped us with our communication, and we enjoyed an evening of no electronics (except my camera) and just talking with each other!  Don't worry we have scouted everything out and know where to pick you up and drop you off- and also the times!:)

Equestrian Trail Riding: Now this one seems to be a favorite to many already!  Horse trails on Wilson Creek are unlike any other.  They cross creeks, go up mountains, through waterfalls and go for miles.  Fortunatley for us we have the best wrangler out there!  Julie has 5 horses of her own which she keeps on her solar powered farm along with her other farm animals that provide for the resort and her farm.  Julie constnatly lets me know that the trails are so vast that you can ride for 2 years and never experience the same trail! Trail rides can be beginner, intermediate or advance and are by the hour- so if you are up to it you can do a12 hour ride (holy moly leg power!)




So these are our newest packages- and very fun ones at that.  But don't forget we do have Flyfishing packages and Kayaking instruction packages that are amazing as well.

Want to include a package in your stay- or just have aday trip on Wilson Creek Call us and we can set you up! 828-758-4257 or bmbresort@gmail.com

Pack it in- Pack it out!

BMBR Goes Private

As most of you know (and if you don't here's a run down) BMBR has been an existing business since 1904. Back in the day it was a thriving entertainment mecca for the surrounding cities. People would come far and near to enjoy the views of the gorge, dip their toes in the crystal clear ice cold water, and create memories that will last them a lifetime.  Lately, we have been under renovation (in which we still are but it is slowly but surely finishing) and have only had cabin rentals.  Now, we have put our minds together, recreated and restored BMBR back to what it was originally built for.  Family Entertainment and a place to create a legacy for your grandchildren and provide them with life lasting memories.

I am beyond excited to introduce this------- (drum roll please) BMBR is now offering family memberships!  It will be a private resort for families to come and enjoy exclusive family time, discover nature and relax on the river. Members will have exclusive use of the private beach area, our infamous 25' deep swimming hole and rope swing, use of the historical rock pavilion for private parties and events, use of our (soon to be built) fitness area, gardens and private reading room, discounts on rental cabins as well as other member discounts through out the resort, and we will also be hosting private events for members each month. (super excited about all these party plans!)

The memberships will be for 6 months basis.  STARTING JULY 1ST!!  So don't hesitate the first 15 families will get a $100 off of their 6 month membership.
Come by this whole month of June and check out what we have to offer as a private resort for only $5 a person!

If you would like more information please call the office at 828-758-4257 or email me at bmbresort@gmail.com

Chime the bells and the trash bags!

I feel like a stranger to my own blog.  Looking at the latest and greatest of what google has created since my last blog  I don't even know how to work this thing anymore.  Needless to say, summer is here and that's when the creek comes alive.  First and foremost, the Spring wedding season has just passed! (chime the bells) I`m sure everyone has seen my many postings on Facebook with the pictures and me in awe of the beautiful brides that got hitched at bmbr.  But if not, here are some pictures

Also upon my surprise, another blogger, who was a guest at Myra and Erik's wedding (pictured left) wrote ablog about the wedding.http://christinehennessey.blogspot.com/2012/05/wedding-in-mountains.html (awesome pictures!)

Each bride and groom were so amazing and unique- it was a true pleasure to get to know each couple and create a signature wedding just for them!

What else is new?  Memorial Day=no parking up the gorge and everyone run around like they have no sense and have never seen warm weather/ throw trash everywhere. However it was nice to see and meet old and new friends.  I am enjoying all the new travelers and first timers to the gorge- it is so neat to experience new cultures and learn new ideas.

Bigger news-  WE NEED OUR FREE GORGE DUMPSTER BACK-  I can't tell you how many people stopped in to ask where they can put their trash (thanks for picking it up) or the countless number of people who just see a business and put/throw their trash in our parking lot- causing me to spend all afternoon picking up drink cups, snot rags, and all other fun things (grrr).  So we need ideas on how to raise money to get our gorge dumpster back!  Any comments???Let me know (bmbresort@gmail.com).

What's next on the event calendar??? Many new and exciting things on the Gorge and at BMBR!  Stay in touch!

A sad and heart wrenching day...

I always seem to have a happy themed blog but today, it is different.  Brown Mountain is known for their great chicken eggs and free range chickens.  Many guests love receiving our freshly laid chicken eggs upon arrival and then visiting our fun feathered friends down at the coop.  If you were to come visit our chicken coop, you would have undoubtly been greeted by 13 chickens running up to you (almost dog like) waiting for you to squat down, open your hand for them to gently peck the crumbles out of your hand- or if you came in the morning you would spend an hour giving each chicken a good  morning pet on the back, and a big hug.  You see, these chickens were raised with dogs and picked up all of there habits.  It was such a joy to have them around.  Yesterday (Sunday March 4) a masacre occurred in our land.  A domesticated animal snuck in and slaughtered 12 or our chickens, scattering the chickens up and down the roads and yard.  It truely is heart wrenching.  One lone chicken is remaining- left lonely and confused.  Our dogs and cats remained with the chicken all night to comfort her.  It was such an amazing act of friendship.
As you can tell, animals have feelings just like humans and can feel the same heartache for each other.  Needless to say these chickens will be greatly missed but we are thankful for our lone chicken and our other animals who are great friends to her and stay with her to help.

Saying all that to mean this- Don't teach your animals to be evil and kill systematically.  Your animals feed off your character.  Keep an eye on your animals- because they could be hurting someones pets/family.

Brown Mountain Lights! Are they real?

I have lived in Western NC for over 10 years now, and still hearing different stories of the brown mountain lights.  I took the liberty on myself to climb to the top of table rock (if you haven't been there take a day off and go on the hike- it is truely life changing!)  and search for these "so-called" brown mountain lights.  Reaching the top of the rock about dusk I was alert and waiting for these lights (or alien like creature) to appear.  Low and behold!  They are real!  The lights started blinking, dimming in and dimming out.  I couldn't believe it, people were right, the brown mountain lights are real. 
I spent the last couple months asking around and researching what the lights really are?  Ghosts? Scientific phenomenon?  It wasn't until this morning while doing my usual morning news check did this link appear on the front of the AOL webpage.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/26/brown-mountain-lights-nc_n_1302204.html

I couldn't believe it!  Not only did WNC make the front page, but our own brown mountain lights will catch the eye of thousands of viewers.  We are so excited to learn more about the phenomenon!
Let us know your unique story of the brown mountain lights- bmbresort@gmail.com or stop by and tell us!

Atmosphere, Tastebuds, and Romance

Hello Everyone!

Man, it has been a long time since I have written about what is happening. And boy! A lot of things have been going on.  But the most important would have to be the food.  One of the things BMBR is most known for is Mrs. Wendy's (my mothers) cooking.  If you haven't tried it, you need to stop by.  The cooking starts with a breakfast that will knock your socks off.  From our farm fresh chicken eggs, home cooked bacon sizzling on your plate and some warm homemade fluffy buttery biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy.  Then you move on to lunch that can range anywhere from a gourmet chicken and avocado sandwich topped off with red onion and her secret sauce (that I have tried and tried to pry outta her but can't seem to get the recipe :) all of that is packed into fresh homemade warm bread just outta the oven.  Then, if that doesn't fill you up, snacks are on the way!  Fresh local goat cheese, with local honey and local apples, or maybe some fried green tomatoes just picked outta the garden, and when you think the day of eating it almost done the handmade pizza dough pops outta the oven and toppings (anything you could imagine) is thrown on the pizza smothered with her homemade marinara sauce and tossed into the NEW stone pizza oven!
 Is your mouth watering yet?  So when is this all going to be done?  Late Spring!  And I can't even wait!  We are playing around with ideas about what days the cafe will be open, but man o' man is the food going to be terrific!
You can sample some of these items if you stay in one of our cabins.   You will be sweetly greeted with some of her homemade bread and butter and for a night snack some fresh cookies.  These foods will be a great "topper" to the evening of sitting in your hot tub or porch swing over looking the river as the moon shines down glistening the rapids.

Local goat cheese, apples and honey, ready to be eaten after a day of fun on the river.

If I didn't make it obvious enough, we are so excited for everyone to sample and see our new additions to the resort.  We invite you to enjoy a romantic weekend with the one you love and stay with us at delight yourselves in tasting the most unequalled food and unforgettable atmosphere.
Questions or to make a reservation- call us! 828-758-4257