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SNUG HOLLOW BED AND BREAKFAST
By Barbie Perkins Cooper
My life was spinning out of control, always rushing to get to the next meeting, racing with time, deadlines, and life. After my father's death in 1999, I promised myself I'd slow down, but like most things in my life, it was only a promise, until I traveled to Kentucky and discovered the sleepy hollow of an impressive inn by the name of Snug Hollow Bed and Breakfast. Located on Highway 594 in secluded Irvine, Kentucky, Snug Hollow Bed and Breakfast provides a large, comfortable family room and a warm, crackling fireplace.
Huddled along rolling hills of mesmerizing green pastures, Snug Hollow is where I found relaxation again. I imagine Papa sitting on the porch with me at Snug Hollow, relaxing while sipping a glass of iced tea after fishing all day in the pond. Owned by Barbara Napier, a slender blondish gray haired woman dressed in a ruffled long dress and white apron, Snug Hollow feels like a little piece of Heaven. Barbara hugs me when I arrive.
"Sit down and relax. I bet you're ready for a nice hot meal and a cup of tea." She fluffs the pillows of a chair. "Have a seat. Lunch is ready."
I inhale the fresh aromas of home cooking, hot biscuits with plenty of homemade jam, fresh vegetables sautéed, and deliciously crisp. "There's nothing like having a gourmet meal ready to eat when you get home." I say. "This is heaven."
Barbara laughs. After lunch she tells me the bed and breakfast opened in 1999. She motions for me to join her for a tour, and what a breathtaking tour it is.
Snug Hollow Bed and Breakfast has a coziness found only in a farm house. Rooms are spacious, decorated with inviting quilts, fluffy pillows, and furnishings befitting country life. The dining room has a long, wooden table dressed with lace table cloths. The table accommodates hearty breakfasts, leisurely lunches, and romantic dinners. Families could sit here for hours, talking about daily events, confessing secrets, sharing family conversations, gestures and memories.
The house is built on the Red Lick Valley along the Appalachian mountains. The air is fresher, birds sing lullabies and rush hour traffic doesn't exist. Looking out from the front porch I see a view of mountains, densely populated trees, rolling hills and valleys. On a hillside is a family cemetery. Three horses were in view on the date of my visit. I will never forget the beautiful white horse I petted and kissed.
The main house has a secluded loft upstairs, an inviting location to sit and write, or listen to your thoughts without interruptions while sipping fresh brewed coffee or a cup of tea from an antique tea cup. The attractive house is filled with many interesting antiques, including a very old piano, lots of charming windows to enjoy the breathtaking views of nature, landscapes, and life at a slower pace. The balcony has a view of Appalachian landscapes. In the springtime, dogwoods and wild flowers blanket the grounds with magical colors and scents.
A creek runs behind the main house and there is a smaller log house on the property, a perfect setting for a writer to finish the great American novel. Occasionally, you can hear a unique melody of rushing waters and creatures of the night harmonizing with a musical symphony of crickets, birds, and nature.
Snug Hollow Bed and Breakfast is etched alongside 300 acres of farm land, complete with mesmerizing views and a melodic creek. This cozy home away from home offers guests a tempting front porch with a view of mountains, horses, and tranquility. High on a hillside is a private family cemetery.
As a child, this is the setting my grandfather described when he spoke of how simple and pleasant life was in the mountainous hills of Kentucky. Papa painted an unforgettable picture of life after retirement. He said he'd buy a nice piece of land with a farm house with a large wrap around porch. "Yes Ma'am," he said. "I'll buy an old house with lots of land, horses, and some cows. I'll grow fresh vegetables. Nothing store bought for me. At night, I'll sit on my porch and rock while looking at the stars."
Sitting on the porch, rocking in a comfy chair, I am spellbound by the beauty and slower pace of this natural setting. I remember Papa and his stories of olden times when life was simpler. The long walks he and my grandmother took to pass the time away. The church socials, baseball games, and quiet nights spent by the blazing fire.
Breathing the freshness of country air, I realize my life and values are changing. No longer needing e-mail, cell phones, or computers, I recognize life is too short. I hunger for simplicity. I blow a kiss to the wind, releasing myself from suburbia, sophistication and the stressful deadlines I allowed to captivate my soul.
Little things mean everything to me now, as I snuggle closer in the chair, never wanting to leave. I wish to rock, relax, and relate at Snug Hollow, a writer's paradise, a place for lovers to unwind, a little piece of Heaven.
If you find yourself trapped in a whirlwind, take a piece of advice from the elders in your life. Make time to come full circle by admiring the simplicity of life, the freshness of country air, the pitter pat of raindrops tapping on a tin roof. The musical chirping of birds, butterflies fluttering in wild flowers, rippling creeks, and horses as they frolic and play on the bluegrass of Kentucky. Take a trip to the blissful country life at Snug Hollow; and snuggle up in the rocking chair while leaving the rat race behind.
Snug Hollow blessed me with a rebirth I never expected. Now, I listen to the wisdom of my Papa's precious dreams. His passion for a simple life taught me to appreciate the little things in life.
GOING INFORMATION
WHERE TO STAY:
Located near Berea, KY Snug Hollow is a perfect location for family and friends to relax and enjoy good times together. Snug Hollow is the perfect setting for romance and rediscovering special times while listening to the sounds of nature in a country setting.
Contact:
Barbara Napier, Owner
Snug Hollow Farm Bed & Breakfast
790 McSwain Branch
Irvine, Kentucky 40336
(located on Highway 594)
Email: info@snughollow.com
Visit Snug Hollow
www.snughollow.com
606-723-4786
Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association
2292 South Highway 27
Somerset, KY 42501
Visit This Site
www.tourseky.com
contact:
Ms.Sheila Kuczko, Exec. Director
Ms. Vicki Kidd, Communications Director
WHAT TO DO:
Snug Hollow is located about twenty miles from Berea, KY the folk arts capital for the State of Kentucky. Located nearby is Berea College, one of the finest colleges in the nation. Founded in 1855, Berea College is a labor of love and education for all. Students work at the college to earn tuition and higher education. The web site for Berea College is: www.berea.edu/publications/History
of-Berea.html
Enjoy the finest in Kentucky crafts, music, and arts, while visiting Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea. Free admission. Visit the web site at:
Visit Our Site
www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov
or phone 859-985-5448
Take the time to enjoy the abundance of activities, from hiking to golf, dancing, bluegrass music, pottery, jewelry, and relaxation at Snug Hollow. Enjoy the beauty of life and the cultures and traditions in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky.
Email: kycraftcap@berea.com
Born in Columbus, Georgia, Barbie Perkins-Cooper is a talented, award-winning writer of screenplays, fiction, non-fiction, plays, and over 60 articles for regional and trade publications. Many of her articles have appeared in regional trade and travel magazines, health and beauty web sites, and newspaper publications. She is a member of North American Travel Journalists, The National Writers Association; and Dramatists Guild. She is Vice President of South Carolina Writers Workshop, and a member of Southeastern Writers Association.
Visit her web site:
Visit Our Site
www.writergazette.com/barbiepc
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