Holly House of Hamilton Bed & Breakfast Inn
Hamilton, GA
January 12-14th, 2014
When the Red Chair arrived at the Holly House of Hamilton Bed and Breakfast Inn in Hamilton, Georgia, Red found a place that felt like home. Here Red celebrated with the wonderful Innkeepers what is best about America in this small, rural town. Although the Red Chairs adventures may not have been as thrilling, but what the Red Chair was able to experience here was a strong sense of history in the values that have made America the land of the free. All of this sentiment was conveyed in a lovely song written to commemorate the visit of the Red Chair to the Holly House. This song is featured below.
Red also visited the beautiful Callaway Gardens and the Little White House once owned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Red Chair left feeling like it had shared in some of the simple pleasures that are at the heart of a meaningful life. Red felt the strength that faith imparts, the sacrifice that freedom entails, the warmth of family and where they lived, the beauty of nature and it's healing power. The Red Chairs conclusion: this Holly House of Hamilton felt like home.
Red also visited the beautiful Callaway Gardens and the Little White House once owned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Red Chair left feeling like it had shared in some of the simple pleasures that are at the heart of a meaningful life. Red felt the strength that faith imparts, the sacrifice that freedom entails, the warmth of family and where they lived, the beauty of nature and it's healing power. The Red Chairs conclusion: this Holly House of Hamilton felt like home.
Brady Inn Bed & Breakfast
Madison, GA
January 9-11th, 2014
On the way to the Brady Inn Bed and Breakfast the Red Chair passed cotton fields, beautiful horse farms, pine forests, and pastures filled with dairy cows. First stop was at the Williams Dairy, one of Georgia’s largest, for a morning milking. Those heifers acted as if they had never seen a Red Chair before in their lives!
Madison, the county seat, has the largest collection of 19th century architecture and the second largest historical district in the state. Known as the “Town Sherman Refused to Burn” it has been designated by various travel magazines as the Number One Small Town in America, The Prettiest Small Town in America, and one of the Most Picturesque Villages in the World! First up: the Madison Morgan Cultural Center housed in the 1895 Romanesque Revival building that was one of the South’s first graded public schools. Red toured the regional museum, got rather chummy with the baby grand in the acoustically perfect auditorium, and gave a guest lecture on B&Bs in the schoolroom!
Next the Red Chair headed to the Madison Tea Room for an elegant luncheon. What a gorgeous setting! For some local knowledge, Red visited Heritage Hall, an 1811 Greek Revival home filled with history, period antiques, lovely art, and open for daily tours. Madison’s antebellum homes, churches, and buildings survived due to the intercession by Joshua Hill, a former US Congressman, which spared Madison from being burned to the ground during General Sherman’s March to the Sea during the Civil War. Red stopped to get a photo in front of the Joshua Hill Home. The Red Chair sure does take a good picture!
Red then visited the Old Madison Cemetery, wandering among the grave sites of the founding families, unknown Confederate soldiers, and weathered monuments.
Later that afternoon Innkeeper Peter and the Red Chair decided to sit a spell at the Brady Inn fire pit and enjoy a glass of Georgia wine, appropriately named Scarlett, from Habersham Winery. Retiring to Reds lovely guest room, it realized how sore all four legs were from exploring, so Red drew a bath in the luxurious claw foot tub and surrounded the tub with candles, bath salts, thick cotton towels, and a hand-painted mural by local artist Molly Lesnikowski of Red Doors Studio. The Brady Inn’s Southern hospitality was warm and welcoming and sunny – more than the Red Chair had ever hoped for! The Red Chair would love to come back and spend more time at this beautiful place.
Madison, the county seat, has the largest collection of 19th century architecture and the second largest historical district in the state. Known as the “Town Sherman Refused to Burn” it has been designated by various travel magazines as the Number One Small Town in America, The Prettiest Small Town in America, and one of the Most Picturesque Villages in the World! First up: the Madison Morgan Cultural Center housed in the 1895 Romanesque Revival building that was one of the South’s first graded public schools. Red toured the regional museum, got rather chummy with the baby grand in the acoustically perfect auditorium, and gave a guest lecture on B&Bs in the schoolroom!
Next the Red Chair headed to the Madison Tea Room for an elegant luncheon. What a gorgeous setting! For some local knowledge, Red visited Heritage Hall, an 1811 Greek Revival home filled with history, period antiques, lovely art, and open for daily tours. Madison’s antebellum homes, churches, and buildings survived due to the intercession by Joshua Hill, a former US Congressman, which spared Madison from being burned to the ground during General Sherman’s March to the Sea during the Civil War. Red stopped to get a photo in front of the Joshua Hill Home. The Red Chair sure does take a good picture!
Red then visited the Old Madison Cemetery, wandering among the grave sites of the founding families, unknown Confederate soldiers, and weathered monuments.
Later that afternoon Innkeeper Peter and the Red Chair decided to sit a spell at the Brady Inn fire pit and enjoy a glass of Georgia wine, appropriately named Scarlett, from Habersham Winery. Retiring to Reds lovely guest room, it realized how sore all four legs were from exploring, so Red drew a bath in the luxurious claw foot tub and surrounded the tub with candles, bath salts, thick cotton towels, and a hand-painted mural by local artist Molly Lesnikowski of Red Doors Studio. The Brady Inn’s Southern hospitality was warm and welcoming and sunny – more than the Red Chair had ever hoped for! The Red Chair would love to come back and spend more time at this beautiful place.
Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast
Covington, GA
January 6-8th, 2014
Arriving at the Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast, the Red Chair was mesmerized by the beautiful sight! Apparently with the Red Chair came some of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in Georgia's history. A little chilly weather was not nearly enough to hinder the adventures the Innkeepers had in store for the Red Chair! Red met a whole bunch of new people from the local Chamber of Commerce and also the Main Street Director. After the Red Chair wandered around the grounds of the Bed and Breakfast, then spent some quality time just enjoying the moment and the beautiful sunset from the rope swing. After sunset the Red Chair was shown to its room. A quick tour around the rest of the Inn and the Red Chair wanted to stay in every room, they were so luxurious! Did you know this house was the inspiration for Twelve Oaks in the movie Gone With the Wind?
Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast
Altanta, GA
January 3-5th, 2014
The Red Chair made its way to Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast, in Atlanta, Georgia, through howling wind and bone-chilling temperatures. Innkeepers Paul and Lori Worrell quickly got Red inside and in front of the welcoming foyer fire, and it didn’t take long before Red could feel its legs again. But it was late and Red had already had a long day, so after a quick sit-down, they left the Red Chair in peace to absorb its new surroundings.
The next morning was crisp, cold, and sunny. A quick walk down the street and Red was at Piedmont Park, an almost 200-acre park with history dating back for two centuries. Playing the typical Atlanta tourist, Red took in the Atlanta Aquarium, the Coca-Cola Museum, and watched a bit of ice-skating at Centennial Park. Feeling good about the day’s site-seeing, Red returned to the warmth of Stonehurst’s kitchen, propped up its legs, and learned how to poach pears from Innkeeper Lori.
Like many guests, Red decided to spend the last day relaxing in the unique ambiance that is Stonehurst Place. Foregoing any more sight-seeing, Red enjoyed the fire in the Music Room, while playing Reds favorite “After You’ve Gone” on the piano. The Red Chair received a fine tour from the innkeepers, learning the history of the Hinman home, built in 1896. Left to its own wanderings, Red poked in every corner. As Lori’s grandmother used to say, “He must have a hollow leg,” or in this case, more than one, because the sweets on the sideboard seemed to disappear. The Red Chair was sad to say goodbye to all of the new members of the Red Chair family but the journey must continue. Don't worry the Red Chair will be back again someday!
The next morning was crisp, cold, and sunny. A quick walk down the street and Red was at Piedmont Park, an almost 200-acre park with history dating back for two centuries. Playing the typical Atlanta tourist, Red took in the Atlanta Aquarium, the Coca-Cola Museum, and watched a bit of ice-skating at Centennial Park. Feeling good about the day’s site-seeing, Red returned to the warmth of Stonehurst’s kitchen, propped up its legs, and learned how to poach pears from Innkeeper Lori.
Like many guests, Red decided to spend the last day relaxing in the unique ambiance that is Stonehurst Place. Foregoing any more sight-seeing, Red enjoyed the fire in the Music Room, while playing Reds favorite “After You’ve Gone” on the piano. The Red Chair received a fine tour from the innkeepers, learning the history of the Hinman home, built in 1896. Left to its own wanderings, Red poked in every corner. As Lori’s grandmother used to say, “He must have a hollow leg,” or in this case, more than one, because the sweets on the sideboard seemed to disappear. The Red Chair was sad to say goodbye to all of the new members of the Red Chair family but the journey must continue. Don't worry the Red Chair will be back again someday!
Claremont House Bed & Breakfast
Rome, GA
December 30th - January 2nd, 2014
The Red Chair arrived a little early to the Claremont House Bed and Breakfast in Rome, GA, and was quickly recruited to help out with a minor plumbing project. Innkeepers Holly and Chris needed a little perspective that only Red could provide. With the faucet replaced Red enjoyed a tour of The Claremont House Bed & Breakfast. The grand Victorian home built in 1882 offers architectural delights around every corner. The safe filled with games became a delightful spot for Red to visit with the locals and visitors from afar.
After a good nights rest, Holly and Chris invited Red to join the whole extended family for some light hiking and picnicking at Berry College. After all it was the Holiday Season and all the folks who keep Claremont House running were gathered for celebrating and visiting. The largest contiguous college campus in the world offers visitors a glimpse at historic buildings, fantastic trails for recreation, and serene landscapes. Then Red visited historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery to learn about the Yancey family who built The Claremont House and experienced some of the best views of downtown Rome, Georgia. Back at the B & B Red enjoyed visiting with the resident animals, Diesel put on his finest hat for the occasion. With good friends Red rang in the New Year.
Guests loved learning of Reds travels over breakfast. Red enjoyed soaking up history all through downtown Rome with visits to the Capitoline Wolf and the Sarah Hightower Regional Library for a little ancestry work. At the Rome Visitor Center Red met a large Cannon, and several historic machines. Stopping at the Labyrinth helped Red meditate on the moment and fully recognize the gift of one year passing on to the next.
Red traveled throughout the rolling hills of Rome, Georgia experiencing Victorian architecture, outdoor adventures, family fun, and relaxing meditation. There was so much more to see here, but it came time for Red to move along to the next B&B. Red will just have to come back soon!
After a good nights rest, Holly and Chris invited Red to join the whole extended family for some light hiking and picnicking at Berry College. After all it was the Holiday Season and all the folks who keep Claremont House running were gathered for celebrating and visiting. The largest contiguous college campus in the world offers visitors a glimpse at historic buildings, fantastic trails for recreation, and serene landscapes. Then Red visited historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery to learn about the Yancey family who built The Claremont House and experienced some of the best views of downtown Rome, Georgia. Back at the B & B Red enjoyed visiting with the resident animals, Diesel put on his finest hat for the occasion. With good friends Red rang in the New Year.
Guests loved learning of Reds travels over breakfast. Red enjoyed soaking up history all through downtown Rome with visits to the Capitoline Wolf and the Sarah Hightower Regional Library for a little ancestry work. At the Rome Visitor Center Red met a large Cannon, and several historic machines. Stopping at the Labyrinth helped Red meditate on the moment and fully recognize the gift of one year passing on to the next.
Red traveled throughout the rolling hills of Rome, Georgia experiencing Victorian architecture, outdoor adventures, family fun, and relaxing meditation. There was so much more to see here, but it came time for Red to move along to the next B&B. Red will just have to come back soon!
Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast
Lookout Mountain, GA
December 24-26th, 2013
Another first has been added to the Red Chair Travels adventures! While visiting the innkeepers of the Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast in, Lookout Mountain, GA, the Red Chair was able to see seven states all from one spot. The only place in the world you can find a single spot where you can see seven different states is located in Rock City, which is just across the street from the Chanticleer Inn. Rock City is just an amazing experience you have just got to check out for yourself! After touring around Rock City for the afternoon, the Red Chair felt a little tired so it headed back to the Chanticleer Inn for a little R&R. That evening, the Red Chair wandered around the Inn and grounds with some of the guests taking all kinds of pictures. They ended the evening beside the fire pit and swapped adventure stories. What a cool place to visit!