One of our quiet season projects this winter was the construction of a boardwalk on roughly half an acre of boggy land at the Inn on Mill Creek, where a tributary of Mill Creek comes in to the pond. It is a beautiful area of the property that has been inaccessible to guests… until now!
This project has been a few years in the making, with time needed to plan and also an unexpected physical recovery for Innkeeper Dave, who had to have two shoulder surgeries in early 2019. However, he was feeling better by the end of the year and ready to start back up with his project list. So in November, he put on his engineer hat (except he really never takes it off to be honest) and he has been hard at work over the past six months laying the boardwalk — on his own — and it is now ready to be used for exploring this neat outdoor area at the Inn as soon as we reopen. The boardwalk splits into four branches, two of which connect the two entrances to the boardwalk. Also part of the boardwalk are platforms for relaxing and observing nature on the southern portion of the property, with one end adjacent to Pisgah National Forest and the other backing up to our pond.
Here are progress reports with photos and video in chronological order, from November of 2019 through April 2020:
As this is still an ongoing project, we have work yet to do, including controlling vegetation so the boardwalk stays clear, installation of seating (Dave is building some of it himself of course) and adding interesting pieces of artwork. So watch for those updates as the year progresses.
WOW…. You guys are amazing. Each visit remains among our absolute favorite low-key get aways… and now a Dave-built boardwalk through the boggy land too! Can’t wait to walk the walk and share interesting discoveries and experiences with B over your delicious breakfasts. Heal well, be well, and stay safe during these challenging times, and thanks as always, for offering to all your guests, such a comfortable, peaceful place.