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Category Archives: Hotels

Whitestone Country Inn “A Sanctuary for More Than Your The Soul”

Bob & Barb Epstein “On The Road Again” and Stopping to Smell The Roses”

American Press travel News–5/19 -“On the Road Again”—We travel far and wide to experience and bring you to places that are just off the beaten path and this week we have a special treat that’s just down the road from the Glade.

The Whitestone Inn  (just down I-40 towards Knoxville) sits on some 360 acres of prime country land in Tennessee on the shores of Watts Bar Lake (stripers-big guys and dolls, walleye, bass, huge cat’s and a dozen other fighters). Surrounded by a wildlife and waterfowl refuge, the Inn is close to all East Tennessee activities and attractions such as DollyWood , the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg to mention a few. Yet this Inn is still far enough away for you to find sanctuary and relaxation in the tranquility of God’s creation-nature in all her abundance. This Inn has been voted one of the “Ten Most Romantic Inns in America” by America’s Historic Inns Group. More than a few weddings have been held here at their chapel and gazebo overlook. Huge Belgian horses offer up wagon and hay rides and just looking over the paddocks and landscape can be a major breath of fresh air and excitement for every member of the family.

The Innkeepers are the Chambers family; all 8 of them, and they offer what has become to be known as the “Brigadoon Experience” where one guest (Bobby Scobey) says it all “Whitestone is the only place I’ve ever been homesick for other than home and Barbara and I after spending just one night, reluctantly left after a breakfast we’ll never forget with that same feeling. To say that the Inn has comfortable rooms and terrific décor would be an understatement. We slept in one of their rooms with a view that wouldn’t quit, eagles flying by our windows as we relaxed in our bathroom Jaccuzi bath, giant king size poster bed-we just didn’t want to leave!

Watt’s Bar Lake is a fisherman’s paradise, striped bass are a big draw here and just about every freshwater warm water fish can be taken in these prolific waters. The walking trails through and around the Whitestone property are absolutely terrific. The views just go on and on and on-a landscape of special treasures all around you.

The food at the Inn is also quite excellent. So wonderful that guests kept requesting the recipes so the owners published a book titled “Favorite Recipes of Whitestone Inn.”

We loved the poached eggs on potato cakes and blueberry stuffed French toast. We are now spoiled so we can’t even think of just a bagel and cheese anymore-just kidding!

The hardcover recipe book full of their charming Tennessee recipes and pictures of the Inn, with dinner meals and breakfast meals is available by contacting the Inn at www.whitestoneinn.com or calling 1-888-247-2464. You can of course make reservations to stay or just visit for dinner by contacting these numbers and e-mail address.

An interesting note for you RV’r’s wanting to drive into the Inn you cannot. The entrance is through an authentic barn-right through the middle of it. So you would have to park your unit at another drive area entrance and walk over. Naturally you can drive your tow car through the barn and that’s how we visited.

Get in touch and make a visit to the Whitestone Inn, you cannot be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

 

Continue Alabama Rising Part 2

American Press Travel News–Part 2 of Alabama visit by Bob and Barb Epstein “On The Road Again”–After a great dinner at Lulu’s-owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister. Lulu’s restaurant has become an iconic emporium of drink and vittles, and the place was a real happening for families and anyone wanting to visit an American Caribbean spot full of fun and frivolities.
Last month’s article ended with a trip out on the Gulf for red snapper with Captain Randy Boggs of Distraction Charters. Fishing was excellent and we caught and released several fish in the 3-6 pound class with a couple even larger. No, we could not keep any fish for dinner, but the catch and release that Captain Boggs believes is important for the future of the fishery and was A-OK with us too! Do I recommend this Captain? Absolutely! Beverly Hogg really enjoyed herself hauling in these strong-pulling red snapper.
(www.distractioncharters.com Give Boggs or Captain Troy Frady a call at 251-975-8111 These guys are terrific at what they do. Their mate, 39-year old Ken Wright had the right stuff too!
After the fishing we headed out on an informative nature cruise with Sailaway Charters-we eased our way through the estuaries and backwaters of Longs Bayou and Wolf Bay. We learned about oystering techniques, crabbing and shrimping which is big business in this area. We checked out the various sea-birds and had dolphin (major residents and fishers) come over to inspect us several times. For more information, visit wwwgeocites.com/sailorskip
The next day we headed for Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research and Education Center- we meandered along a 5,000 foot elevated boardwalk that winds through 6,000 acres of coastal habitats and wetlands, including a protected estuary.

 Knoxville Tennessee

 

American Press Travel News–Feb. 28th, Crossville, TN. “Bob and Barb On The Road Again.”–An hour’s drive on I-40, from Crossville, sitting on the shores of the Tennessee River, and surrounded by some of the most scenic lands and lakes that Middle Southern America has to offer, Knoxville, Tennessee is as gracious a host as you’ll find anywhere. Stop anyone and ask them about Knoxville, and then be prepared to listen up and smile. “People are very friendly. We like “friendly.”

Several main highways bisect, or are very close to the city. I-75 from S.W. Florida through Atlanta and Chattanooga, I-81 that links the northeast with the southeast, and I-40 that cuts across from Memphis west to the eastern corridor to Asheville, and links up with I-95, the eastern seaboards main highway from the Florida Keys all the way to N.Y., and the north east.

With world class museums, antique shops, and quaint boutique shops that you can shake a credit card at, great accommodations, and really fine cuisine, Knoxville offers something for everyone, and on everyone’s budget too.

Sounds like a Chamber of Commerce ad, huh? Well, no not from me, I call it as I experience it!

Bet you didn’t know that Knoxville is and was home to the Blues phenomenon. Music does take center stage here.

We checked in to the excellent Disney-like, pyramid Hotel Knoxville, with soaring floors open to a courtyard grand space, and a restaurant. The hotel was so conveniently located, that many of the great restaurants and locations (such as the Basketball Hall of Fame) and the Sun sphere left over from the Knoxville, Worlds Fair we visited, were in walking distance.

For a walking tour, we found Paula. Paula A. Johnson created her own business: “Knoxville Food Tours.” Her tour incorporates the history food and fun that Knoxville has to offer for a very reasonable fee. She took us for tastings (yes, its always lunch time for Paula’s guests) to Oliver Royale, Bistro at the Bijou, Dazzo’s, Coolato Gelato, and a for great juice bar on the square. She gave a us a running history of these, and other restaurants, as well as a fine taste of what Knoxville was, and is today in the arts, music, craft beer and food scene.

Paula also has published “The Lost Restaurants of Knoxville.” A great historical read! For reservations, go: www.knoxvillefoodtours.com and give Paula a call at (865) 201-7270. Paula A. Johnson is a great personality, adding to the terrific personality of Knoxville. She helped make our visit “excellent.”
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The next day we attended a early dinner aboard the big Star of Knoxville, on Neyland Drive. This paddle boat is the queen of the Tennessee Riverboat Company, docked at the Volunteer Landing on the Tennessee River. We and other visitors were serenely and quietly paddled past great landscapes, and architectural glimpses of the Knoxville area. We enjoyed a nice meal, great local company, and views of a green land that just wouldn’t quit. www.TNriverboat.com (865) 525-7827

Becky Hancock, Executive Director, toured us through the restored Tennessee Bijou Theatre, the official state theatre of Tennessee. $23-million was spent in the restoration of this former 1928 Spanish-Moorish style early movie palace. They even did over a mighty Wurlitzer organ, and some the interior details included Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers, and Asian influenced carpets and drapery patterns that hung over and around Italian terrazzo floors in the Grand Lobby. Give a call for information: 865-684-1200 www.tennesseetheatre.com

The Knoxville Museum of the Arts was especially delightful. Their permanent collection exhibits could keep one enthralled for an entire day, all by themselves.
On Gay Street, we stopped in to The Blue Plate Special; a daily live traditional music performance that was broadcast on historic WDVX Radio. The live broadcasts allow everyone to just come in, sit down during the broadcast, a local and tourist treat since it started in 2005. We enjoyed several sets of great country and bluegrass from well-seasoned musicians.

Today, there’s a place for you genealogical minded folks-the Calvin H. McClung Historical Collection at the Museum of the same name. It is an affiliate of the Family History Library in Salt lake City, Utah, and one of the south’s best genealogy research facilities, as well as the Knox County Archives established in 1792 and virtually intact. This museum is also a Smithsonian affiliate, and it emphasizes archeological research in the Tennessee Valley Region with an award-winning permanent exhibit “Archeology and The Native Peoples of Tennessee.

We visited the Ijams Nature Center on 2915 Island Home Ave. (865-577-4717) For a 108 years, the Nature Center is a renowned bird sanctuary on 275-acres, and it has played an important role in the environmental education and outdoor movement in East Tennessee. The Ijams legacy is largely untold in a historical perspective, but it includes Girl Scouting, horticulture, ornithology and hiking-all encouraged by the Ijam’s by example and design. The Center has a Lost Species Exhibition exhibit, and is well worth visiting. Remember, we all live downstream and “A day going down stream puts your head firmly into upstream of life!

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The Carriage Inn Bed & Breakfast – Charles Town, West Virginia – A Beautiful Place

Donn & Marie Davis, owners of the Carriage Inn  B & B were spectacular hosts. On a scale of 1-10-they were an eleven! They treat their guests as true family! We saw it with other guests, not just ourselves.
The young lady business woman loves to stay at this B&B. She feels safe and happy compared to cold motels and hotels. We love the breakfasts that are made to order, hot and tasty-home-made. Marie truly made us the best breakfast of our trip to W.VA.

WWW.americanpresstravelnews.com – June 20 – West, VA. Bob and Barb “Stopping to Smell the Roses” and “On the Road Again.” This time at the Carriage Inn, Historically significant bed & breakfast. We felt the history here in the footsteps of Pres. George Washington’s brother home-a truly historic place to visit. The building is on the Federal Register of Historic Places visited by Southern Generals, Lee, Jackson, Stuart, Ashby and Northern Generals Sheridan and Grant. The rooms are large and comfortable as they were two Centuries ago.  Today, with TV and Internet access, modern electricity and toiletry, so expected and important to us and every visitor as well. Note: they have excellent high speed internet. We enjoyed visiting Harpers Ferry and the Antietam Battlefields. Our visit was too short and we will come back with our bikes, so we can enjoy the countryside. Barb did try her luck at the Charles Town Casino (although we ran out from the smoke smell). The nearby Potomac River is full of small mouth bass. I fly fished a portion of it. 48-catch and release bass.

Delicious asparagus stuffed eggs and real home-made muffins. I still miss her perfectly done bacon!
Our comfy room! It had a fireplace, full bath and great internet and tv.
Washington, General Lee, Sherman were a few of the famous historic figures who sat in this room.
These historic Civil War Generals and officers met at the Historic Carriage Inn in 1860’s.

The Innkeepers Donn and Marie Davis  (304) 728-8003 or (800) 867-9830. They were a delight! We enjoyed their wonderful breakfast in their historic dining room. Check out their website: www.carriageinn.com