Climbing Higher at aska lodge
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It's morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and as far as the eye can see . . . nothing, but trees and blue skies. However, the sounds are everywhere . . . the frogs, the birds, the scampering of cats. But it's the smell that first grabs you. The coffee. The bacon. The fact that you are preparing neither, but within minutes, both are yours. I could get used to this.
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I grab my soft bathrobe - just like I would at home - and follow my nose. Of the four rooms on the second floor, I've stayed in two: the king and the intimate corner room. The king is fabulous with its garden tub, but for escapes like this one, I want subtle hints of seclusion, robins eating outside my window and a porch on the other side of my door. There are no TVs (with the exception of the one in the common room) so noise is non-existent, again with the exception of the crackling bacon and shuffling of feet headed toward breakfast. I was asked the evening before what time was good for breakfast; thinking kindly and thoughtfully of my hosts, I say 8:30 a.m. "8:30 a.m. it is," they say, and just like that, I'm sleeping in. As I approach the table set for eight, I'm greeted by Janet and Ric, and for sure, one has my coffee cup in hand and offers it to me. "This is spectacular," I say to myself. They smile as I take my seat, surrounded by seven friends that I have yet to meet. Over a piping hot breakfast - of cup after cup of coffee, grits casserole made from local ingredients, fresh banana bread with apple butter, and a melody of fresh fruit - I find myself. This is exactly where I need to be - in the hands of a couple who will make me forget about life outside of Blue Ridge, Georgia.
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Finding Blue Ridge and Aska Lodge
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Janet and Ric came the long way to Blue Ridge. One could say, they took the high road. For sure, they aren't your conventional innkeepers in that they can be found scouring antique stores, searching for homey accessories, or hosting the local book club. In their downtime, they climb mountains, dive wrecks, and dig through caves. And their stories make extraordinary breakfast conversation, and you wonder how any innkeeper will ever be able to top this. Plus, you wonder how they chose to settle into a community where the most exciting thing is a train which transports people 10 miles down the road.
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Photos courtesy of Janet and Ric
Janet and Ric belong to the High Pointers Club whose objective is to reach the highest point in all 50 states. Ric has reached 49 with only Alaska remaining. Janet has reached 46 with only Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming remaining. Will they finish? Janet isn't sure if they will at this point for Alaska's trek is a three week ordeal, and she admits that "Ric's enthusiasm for sleeping in a tent that long is waning." Their toughest climb was Mt. Rainier. "Going to climb a 14,000 + mountain while living in Key Largo, well, altitude sickness was a problem. We attempted the climb four times, having to turn around each time due to lack of acclimatization. The fifth time we went, we decided to spend a week in Colorado at altitude prior to heading to Mt. Rainer for the climb." Their advice for youngsters just starting out: "Buy the lightest weight equipment possible. It may be pricier, but way better in the long run."
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In their home town of Blue Ridge (only three miles away), there's the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Yes, it only travels along a sliver of the Toccoa River making its way into McCaysville, Georgia - some ten miles away - but it holds magic that is unexplainable. The vintage rail cars never lack for passengers, a charm that keeps the town buzzing. The downtown area swarms with weekend visitors from Atlanta, searching this antique capital for lost treasures. I, like many travelers, seek the food. You can't do much better than Cucina Rustica, says my Italian husband. Just a little out of town, it's worth the drive. Staying in town? Indulge in the freshness of Harvest on Main. I'm having a love affair with their pimento cheese. You stomach and your soul will be filled. Don't miss Mercier Orchard and their fried apple (get the cream cheese ones, too) pies. There are no words. And if you want to drive a tank, you can do that, too.
But it's the serenity and friendship that brings us back to Blue Ridge and Aska. It is a rarity in our non-stop world to be able to do just that - stop. Aska Lodge sits on a hill of three acres of wooded land, a wildlife habitat. You can wander into the little town of Blue Ridge, or stay put. If you'd like to take a hike, Janet and Ric recommend Flat Creek Loop near the Inn as well as Springer Mountain, accessible at Amicalola Falls and is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trial. Maybe it's bird watching or bat watching. Yes, they always have their "bat flag" flying. Their calling as bat conservationists adds another element to their story, don't you think? "We adore all of our guests," says Janet. It's the cliched answer we come to expect from innkeepers, but in this case, it's as obvious as the apple butter on the banana bread. There's a sign hanging above the front door: Enter as strangers, leave as friends. "Nothing could be more true! We very much love the cooking. We even love the cleaning." |
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"We love spoiling our guests," says Janet. I can swear to this fact. If you mention its a special occasion, they will arrange to make it even more special. They even hope someone wants to have a small intimate wedding at the inn. It's the perfect location.
Their work is a shared expression of love. "We both enjoy what we do. Rick takes care of the maintenance and yard work. Of course, he loves to cook and assists with cleaning the rooms." Janet takes care of the overall cleaning and serves as sous chef to Ric. She manages reservation, correspondence and marketing. "We have a good balance of duties and are very, very happy here in Blue Ridge." Janet is a Virginia girl, while Ric is a Florida boy. They spent 20 years in Key Largo where they owned Silent World Dive Center. He is a certified captain, and Janet is a PADI scuba instructor. There's another part of that never ending story. By way of Colorado, they landed in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. The busiest season at Aska Lodge Bed and Breakfast is July and August, and of course, during the fall months, October and November. Reservations are highly recommended if this is when you choose to get away from it all. And if you mention Seeing Southern, Janet will even give you some apple butter to take home! |
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Then, there's Nathan
In addition to their love affair with all things nature and furry, there's Nathan, and Larry and Prancer. In reality, Janet and Ric only live there with the approval of these three. But you won't see them unless you ask. They are tucked inside the innkeeper's living quarters, and only escape when the door just happens to be left open.
To add some of Janet and Ric's great recipes to your collection, click here and get ready for some YUM!
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