Lunch at Wintergreen’s Edge Restaurant near the Fenton Inn.

The bridge into the Edge.  Below is the ski rental room, ski lessons, ski ticket sales and ski patrol safety offices.

A family style restaurant with a full service bar and two glass walls looking out over the slopes.

Duck tacos, a little twist on a traditional taco.

The chili bowl was on the starter menu, but good luck to anyone wanting an entrée after finishing this bowl.  I am going to put it as my top pick of this year’s menu.

Kid’s menu had the standard chicken fingers and fries, but it was well prepared and about twice what our son could finish without my help.

Grilled cheese, also off the kid’s menu.  I never got offered any left overs from this plate, so I guess it was good.

The real reason we stopped in, the Black Rock Sunday with four spoons.  It disappears rather fast with so many spoons, but clearly large enough for two people to share at a less hurried pace.

Snow making at Wintergreen ski slopes

The ski slopes are set to open on December 16^th this year and it is already a winter wonderland for the holidays.   A snow fort fashioned from the cleared snow show just how much they put down the night before.  With the new water tank and upgrades to the snow making, they can make round the clock snow on all the slopes.

The new turbine style snow guns create a blizzard on the slopes.

The base of snow even off the slopes is about a foot or more.  A thick base should give a longer ski season in spring.

A man made snow storm on Eagle’s Swoop covers a few of the houses near the top.  This is the North side of the mountain and the Fenton Inn is on the south side.  While not that far away, it is a much warmer day on the sunny side of the mountain.  In winter, the temperatures can be 10-20 degrees colder on the Northern slopes up on the mountain.    

Spartan Race and winners of the Fenton Inn.

Congratulation to all the Spartans.  We had a busy week end here at the Fenton Inn.   It was a very lively and International group.  We had people from Sweden, Belgium, England, Cuba and Mexico.  Guests came from different states as well, Georgia, Maryland, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Virginia.   Many who raced at other Spartan Events placed the Wintergreen course as one of the most challenging in the country, both with the steep terrain and number of obstacles.  Temperatures were good and the rain held off for the race, but there was plenty of man-made mud on the course.

One guest, after losing over 100 pounds in training, has now completed the trifecta.  Each medal comes with a third part of a larger medal, that when joined make the circle in the middle.  He has inspired many others with his story and Spartan Victor—y.

Ah, the bigger they are, the harder they crawl.  Being 6.5 feet tall is not always an advantage when crawling under the barb wire.  

       The rope climb was a tough one.  Many people had to do the 30 burpees instead on this one.

                                           One of the ladder climbs on the 8.8 mile long course.

                                                  Raising a sand bag with the rope pull.

               No matter how the race goes, looking strong at the finish line makes it all seem easy.

A guest proudly shows off his first Spartan medal back at the Fenton Inn.    Now, off to the hot tub!

A trip to the Virginia Distillery near the Fenton Inn.

Nelson County is rapidly adding more places to visit.  This newly opened distillery is built in a first class way, with stone fountains and a very nice tasting building separate from the actual Distillery.  I have to admit I couldn’t tell you much about one type of whiskey over another.  I therefore must judge the whiskey on presentation and architecture and on this it gets high marks.   As to the whiskey itself, well they are currently tasting a Scottish Whiskey due to the simple fact that the whiskey they are making now in the distillery must be aged in barrels for around three more years to taste the local results.   In the meantime it really is all about the buildings and the tour of the distillery.

The central area of the tasting room has a large stone fireplace and some comfortable leather furniture.  Unlike some less appointed places, arriving inside makes you feel like you have entered somewhere important.  There is a lot of space, with some interesting architectural elements and bathrooms that make you think you in some New York law office.

The Scottish born whiskey stands above locally made soapstone bar tops.  The staff was very nice                         and we commented on the many finishing touches around the place.

                                                     I suppose the label explains it all. 

Large grain tanks outside the main distillery building.  It is a four year process to get a bottle in the shop on the other end of the distillery.   We rank this among the top places around to see the distilling

  process, based on the nice buildings and friendly staff.  

Open House at the Fenton Inn

Over  50 people from area businesses attended the open house of the Fenton Inn.  While we have been open for several weeks now, we wanted to get the word out to the area businesses and give them a tour of our Inn.  Representatives from a number of Bed and Breakfasts, Wineries and Cideries, including Veritas, Bold Rock Cidery, Hill Top Berry Farm, etc. attended the event. We managed to have over twenty cars in the parking lot and still had some space for late arrivals.  Thanks to everyone for coming out.

Flowers in the lobby welcomed the visitors.

A few folks checked out the gift shop.  We are getting a growing list of local artists to submit their work for display and sale.  Thanks to Brian Lacy for stocking a few shelves with his wonderful pottery.

A view down Main street from the clock tower window above as people wander the cobble stone street.  The entire building is in fact curved to give the perspective that the street is longer and makes one walk the entire way to see all the many different colorful fronts of the different buildings.  In spite of spending a long time looking around, as people gathered in the bakery, everyone was talking about different details, and surprised with just how much they missed on the first stroll.  “Moat, what moat?”  is a rather funny question.  The answer “on the way to see the dragon.”  Is even funnier to overhear replied back.  But really, who doesn’t have a draw bridge these days and everyone seemed to like the light hearted humor that can be seen in the many details around the village.

Plenty of food was on display, including a number of Ukrainian and Russian dishes that most people have never tried before.  That is often the point around here, from the complex floor plan to the many hidden details and custom woodworking all from trees cut from the site, to the food and luxurious bedding.. ..it is all meant to engage the senses and make people feel like they have been transported to another time and place. 

People returned to the line to try more of the many different Russian salads and hand-made sweets in the bakery.  The rain had held off, and people sat outside on the deck or in the bistro style seating out on the street.  There were a lot of different conversations going on, but everyone was amazed by the place and very complimentary of the design, the lush bedding and the food.  Even though many of the people were from Nelson or Augusta County and see mountains and trees a lot, everyone was impressed with the views through the three large windows in the bakery out over the valley below. 

 The fog, or low clouds run along the back of Three Ridges Mountain.  The Swallow’s Nest room, Captain’s Quarters and the Bakery all look out at this valley.  Each morning the fog decorated the area a little different, each season, the mountains seem to be reshaped in different outfits, from a white veil of snow to the warm green of summer to the festive fall oranges,  reds and yellows.

Thanks again to everyone who came to make our open house a great success.  

Veritas Winery in Afton, Virginia.

About a 20 minute drive from the Fenton Inn, is one of Virginias’s premier wineries called Veritas.  The rolling hills at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains are covered with row after row of grapes, resembling the landscapes of France.  I am not sure who the metal sculpture guy is exactly, but I assume he is raising a wine glass, but perhaps with a bit more wine it will become clear.  Either way it stands at the entrance to the winery.

After a quick thunderstorm that rolled over the mountains, a long low rainbow appeared just above the trees.  The Blue Ridge Mountains run perpendicular to the Jetstream and have a profound effect on the local weather as the air rises over the mountains.  It can be raining in one spot and sunny in another.  The tasting room is good spot to find shelter until the storm goes past.

The walk from the parking lot to the winery building leads you past a few rows of grapes. 

I would like to tell you what types of grapes they are, but aside from just saying grapes, you will have to get the tour yourself to learn more.

The long wrap around porch on the tasting room is where everyone hid after the rain started up again. 

The fireplace in the tasting room and a few comfy couches.

As part of the Virginia is for Lovers tourism campaign, the LOVE sign over the tasting bar.  Veritas has a wide range of award winning wines from $18-$30 per bottle and tastings are only $7 per person.  Additionally they have a large basketball court sized ballroom and can host  200 plus people weddings.  These large weddings can fill up the local accommodations, so be sure to book your room at the Fenton Inn well in advance.

Fun at the Fenton Inn

The Fenton Inn is located next to a lot of fun activities and events, there is skiing in the winter, spring bird watching, hiking in the summer and fall festivals and concerts.  Of course you might decide to just spend a day around the Inn.  Have a massage, work out in the gym, watch a movie in the theater or take a soak in the hot tub.  

 The spa room is set for a romantic couples massage.  Two therapists will make you both forget the world outside as you are relaxed in our spa.  Single massages can also be done in the room.  Send your other half to golf or ski while you relax in comfort.  Meet back up for dinner at a local brewery having enjoyed some rest apart.

The movie theater is equipped with surround sound and high definition 3d projection.  The system can also show Dish programming and Hopper stored programs as well, just as in the guest rooms.  The theater can be reserved for small events, making use of the stage and media options in a casual setting. 

With all the activities around the area to do, it is fairly easy to skip a work out to go for a hike on the Appalachian Trail or bike along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  But there are times that a quick morning workout is just the way to get ready for the day.  There is a station for gravity workout (dips, chin ups, abs, pushups), an exercise bike and plenty of room for aerobics and yoga.  There is the less strenuous activity of ping pong, which depending on your opponent can be easy or a challenge. 

 

After all that hiking, skiing, working out and biking…or at least thinking about doing those things and opting for a wine tasting and leisurely drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway,  it is time to relax in the hot tub and watch the sunset.  Hang out in a dream chair and read or dare to dream.  If the romantic backdrop of the village doesn’t inspire some dreamy thoughts, it is time to book another few nights at the http://www.fentoninn.com/ and unwind.

Wilhelm's House at the Fenton Inn

Wilhelm’s house is a three level suite that has two bedrooms and  two full baths, one with a shower and the other with a claw foot soaking tub. It also has a living room with gas fireplace, sofa and card game table.

The main bedroom has a king sized bed and quaint balcony looking out over the treetops to the Blue Ridge Mountains and National Forest.  

The stairs lead up to a second bedroom with queen sized bed and the other stairs lead down to the living room.  The suite has an entrance off the hallway from the Inn on the main level and a street level access door to the living room.

The upper bathroom for “her” has the pedestal sink and claw foot tub looking out over the mountains beyond.   “His” bathroom is below  with curved shower and wide granite vanity, but don’t worry there is also plenty of room in each to share.

The children’s room gives a little privacy but still keeps them nearby.   This is ideal for a young family.

The living room has a gas fireplace with Dutch blue Delf tiles that depict various building trades from the past.  The game table has four chairs and a bear themed deck of cards.  A flat screen TV, mini refrigerator  and sofa make it the place to hang out while not disturbing those upstairs who wanted an early bedtime.

Looking towards the second bathroom and stairs.  Hand planed beams and wild edged trim all cut from a large Poplar tree that stood nearby. 

The second bathroom has a curved glass shower and granite vanity.

Captain's Quarters at the Fenton Inn

Nestled in a steep sloped roof, the captain’s quarters has a unique dormer with a bay window that resembles the back of a boat.  The maple wood trim also has waves and swirls that remind one of the sea.  Looking out the long window on a foggy morning, one can watch the fog rise and fall like the tides in the valley below. 

A queen sized bed and cozy reading seat have top of the trees view in three directions. 

A view back towards the bathroom and entrance room.  Every room or suite at the Fenton Inn has its own remote controlled heating and air conditioning system that provide quiet and ultra-energy efficient temperature control to each room.

Read a book or check emails on the window seat as you decide on the day’s adventures.

The window trim and the wave are centered above and below the window.  This maple tree fell in a wind storm about 100 feet off the port side of the room.  The rather twisted tree made for some very interesting boards, tables and benches throughout the Inn. 

The bathroom has a curved glass shower and a wide granite vanity.