LOOKING FOR BLUE IN THE HISTORIC BALSAM INN

 

Please visit Sally at Smiling Sally for Blue Monday.  If you are in love with the color blue, don't miss a visit to Sally's blog today.

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FEATURING THE BEAUTIFUL 104 YEAR OLD BALASAM INN

This Inn is 45 minutes from our home in the North Carolina Mountains.  We chose the Inn to celebrate our 50th Anniversary celebration.  The charm of this historic Inn is captivating.

Phoro by Dee Hartmann

The Balsam Mountain Inn is perched at 3,500 ft. elevation in the community of Balsam, NC, which is itself nestled in a gap dividing the towering Plott Balsam and Richland Balsam mountain ranges. Balsam Gap was once home to the highest passenger rail station in the east, and guests at the inn – then called the Balsam Mountain Springs Hotel – took day trips to nearby peaks, some of which rise to over 6,000 feet.

Our guests still enjoy such trips – even more so perhaps – by hiking the nearby North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, or by driving the spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway, which has an entrance a half-mile from the inn and reaches some of its highest, wildest and most beautiful points nearby.

This photo was taken from the Balsam Inn website. A very interesting contrast.

I am sharing several photos taken by our long time friend Dee Hartmann. Dee is an award winning amateur photographer. She took some of these photos of the Inn while attending our 50th anniversary party.  Thank you so much Dee.

Dee Hartmann

The dining room

Photo by Dee Hartmann

 

The cozy dining area.

Photo by Dee Hartmann

 

The fireplace in the event room

Photo by Dee Hartmann

 

The event room where we held our 50th anniversary celebration.

Photo by Dee Hartmann

 

The porch for sitting back and enjoying the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while staying at the Balsam Inn.

This was our room...photo by me.

This photo was taken from the Balsam Inn web site.

Our anniversary celebration was a wonderful experience in every way at the beautiful historic Balsam Inn.

This photo is our children and us at our 50th anniversary celebration.

Photo by Rick Hartmann, yep, Dee's husband. He is also an amateur photographer with many award winning photographs in his portfolio. He took photos of our guests at our party as a gift to us for our 50th anniversary.  Thank you very much Rick and Dee.

Rick and Bill have been best friends since they were kids. He was our best man at our wedding 50 years ago and Bill was Rick's best man for his and Dee's wedding 52 years ago.

Rick and Bill...Friends for life.

Happy Blue Monday

Blessings and love,

JEANNE

 

 

 

Comments

[Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti]

The Balsam Inn is so grand and beautiful, Jeanne. It looked like the perfect place to have your anniversary celebration! Happy Blue Monday!

[Penny @ The Comforts of Home & From Harvest To Table]

What a beautiful place to have your anniversary! Lovely pictures.

[Carol and artmusedog ^_^]

All very elegant and divine ~ Happy Anniversary ~ Enjoy each moment ^_^

[Sue]

Hi Jeanne...Wow...The Inn is a spectacular place, and both yours and Dee's photos are stunning. Sure makes me want to visit...Ya'll should do a 'Travel Guide'. Love the photo of your Family!!! Happy Blue Monday!!!

Sue CollectInTexasGal
Blue Monday~Texas Chicken Farm Photography

[Hootin' Anni]

Beautiful...I especially like the veranda/porch image with all the rocking chairs. Charming!

[Sally]

I'm thrilled for you and Bill. What an exciting time! How excellent was your celebration, and you've captured it with exceptional photos. I ike your blues; thanks for sharing.

Happy Blue Monday, Jeanne.

[dix - gypsyczech]

Thank you for the trip around the Balsam Inn! And Happy Anniversary! What a grand event! Happy Blue Monday! dix---

[Pie]

Beautiful photos. Happy Blue Monday. I played too. Mine are here:

http://www.momtalksfashion.com/2013/05/blue-tips.html
http://www.thisismyblog.info/2013/05/blue-sign/

[Joy]

This place looks awesome and I love your photograph that was taken for your anniversary it turned out wonderfully.

[Tondeleya Allen]

Happy Anniversary~ may God bless you with you many more..Happy Belated Blue Monday!

[Beverly]

Great post, Jeanne. Very informative and the photos are excellent. My husband would like this place.

I know Rick and Dee have been special friends to you and Bill. It is wonderful that the two guys have been friends for so many years.

[Bill]

Nice post Jeanne