November 20, 2017
We Are Thankful for the Buckhorn Family
We are so pleased that many of our long-time guests refer to themselves as part of the “Buckhorn Family”! When John and I purchased the Buckhorn, we expected to provide travelers with a respite from the rush of everyday life, and an opportunity to renew their spirits in the tranquility of nature’s bounty. What has delighted us most is that we also are providing a place for family and friends to connect and celebrate each other. Nothing pleases us more than to have a couple or a group announce to us that this is their 5th, or 12th, or 27th visit to the Buckhorn!
Over the last 20 years, Lee and John Mellor have added many wonderful guests to the Buckhorn Family.
Comments from Buckhorn Family Members
We gathered many comments from guests in the book The Buckhorn Experience”. Here is a sampling:
“The fireplace is the perfect backdrop for a cozy opportunity to chat with newly-made friends.” Cyndy
“We are sitting here tonight watching the fire, with a good wine. Everything here is peaceful. Why would you want to be anywhere else? This is and always will be my favorite place to stay.” Cindy and Lamar
“Our ninth visit is as memorable as ever. As my wife said to Lee, the Buckhorn trip is not like going away, it is like coming home!” Philip and Judy
“We do not leave this place behind, for in our hearts, we will always carry the love and beauty we found here.” Babe
“Our 12th trip to the Buckhorn was just as wonderful as the others. We look forward to returning next fall!” Grady and Cindy
“We have been coming here so long, we can’t agree just how many times we’ve been here!” June
“We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary here with four other couples who have also been married for 35 years. Just as good as it was 10 years ago when we were all here for our 25th!” Mel and Bobbie
“There’s magic here. It’s subtle. Worries and fears slip off like ill-fitted garments.” Suzan
“Every time I go to the Buckhorn Inn, I always come away with new friends. I don’t go to the Buckhorn to get friends. I have plenty already. But these are special friends, who have shared the Buckhorn experience.” Douglas
Thank you to all our wonderful guests for being part of the Buckhorn family. We wish you a joyous Thanksgiving!
November 13, 2017
Dessert Is Always a Guest-Favorite at Buckhorn Inn
Guests tell us that dessert is a highlight of any Buckhorn Inn dinner. And why not! With such delights as coconut cream pie, apple-cranberry crisp, and our special “that” chocolate cake, all dinners end on a sweet note. But have you ever wondered about the history of dessert?
How Dessert Came to Be
Ancient peoples enjoyed dried fruits and nuts candied with honey. However it was not until the production of sugar that sweet dishes became popular parts of a meal. Sugar was expensive, so sweet treats were reserved, for the most part, for the wealthy and special occasions.
Desserts include pies, cakes, puddings, fruits, ice creams, and other sweet treats.
In Medieval Europe, sweet and savory dishes were served alongside each other. It was not until the 1600’s that service a la francaise (serving all dishes at once) became replaced with service a la russe (serving one course after another) and sweets claimed their place as the final course of a meal.
It was at that time that the word “dessert” came into popular use. The word comes from the French word “dessirvir” which means “to clear the table”. In other words, desserts were served after the table was cleared of main dishes. For more information on some of your favorite meal-enders, visit http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/category/desserts
The recipe for one of our guest-favorites appears below. Enjoy!
Brown Butter Almond Torte with Sour Cherry Sauce
This torte is a favorite dessert at the Buckhorn Inn.
Torte
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup blanched almonds
1/2 cup AP flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
6 large egg whites
1/3 cup sliced almonds
Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter and flour a 9″ round cake pan. Melt butter over moderately low heat. Continue to cook until golden brown with a nutlike fragrance. Cool and then stir in vanilla. In a food processor finely grind blanched almonds with flour, 2/3 c. sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. With an electric mixer beat egg whites and remaining 1/4 tsp salt until they hold soft peaks. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, beating until meringue holds stiff peaks. Fold in almond mixture. Then fold in butter mixture. Batter will deflate. Spread batter into cake pan and top with sliced almonds. Bake 35-40 minutes until tester comes out clean. Cool in pan on a rack 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.
Sour Cherry Sauce
3 cups sour cherries, pitted. (about 1 1/2 lbs.)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp cornstarch
Bring cherries, sugar and water to a boil. In a cup stir together cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water until dissolved. Stir into cherry mixture. Simmer sauce 2 minutes and cool to room temperature. This recipe makes 6-8 servings.
October 29, 2017
Halloween Happenings at Buckhorn Inn
Scary carved faces were intended to keep the spirit of Stingy Jack at bay.
We love celebrating holidays at the Buckhorn Inn–and Halloween is no exception! Innkeeper Lee Mellor recently conducted a pumpkin carving workshop for our guests. They made some amazing Jack-o-lanterns!
Bats, witches, and ghosts. . . Oh My!
Have you ever wondered from where the tradition of pumpkin-carving came?
A Brief History of Halloween Jack-o-lanterns
It all began with an Irish folktale. The tale revolves around Stingy Jack, who fooled the devil twice. When he eventually died, he was too dishonest to go to Heaven. But the devil had been tricked into promising not to claim his soul. The devil sent him away from the gates of Hell with a single burning coal to light his way. Ever resourceful, Jack carved out a turnip to use as a lantern. In Ireland and England, children would put burning embers in carved turnips, beets, gourds, or potatoes and used them to frighten passers-by. The glowing vegetables often were placed by the front door of homes in order to scare away the spirit of Stingy Jack. The use of vegetable lanterns became associated with Samhain, an autumnal Celtic festival that marked the end of the harvest season.
When the Irish, English, and Scots came to the United States, they brought this tradition with them. Pumpkins, native to South America but long cultivated by Native Americans, became the perfect canvas for creating Jack-0-lanterns. In the early 1800’s, the celebration of Samhain was replaced by the Halloween traditions we know today.
If you carve a pumpkin this year, roasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious seasonal snack. You can find a recipe with several variations at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/pumpkin-seeds-recipe-2105941.
Jack-0-lanterns are one of the most common Halloween decorations. In legend they keep away evil spirts or guide lost souls home. But today they serve as a flickering sign of the season.
October 23, 2017
Mount Le Conte is Buckhorn Inn’s Backyard
The view of Mount Le Conte from the Buckhorn Inn veranda is breathtaking.
Rising 6,593 feet, Mount Le Conte accounts for the majestic view from the Buckhorn Inn veranda. It is the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is entirely within the state of Tennessee. It is the third-highest peak in the national park, behind Clingman’s Dome and Mount Guyot.
Who is Mount Le Conte named after? There is a bit of controversy about that. Joseph Le Conte is listed by the United States Geological Survey as the famous geologist for whom the mountain was named. Others believe the mountain was in fact named for Joseph’s brother, John Le Conte, who was a physicist at South Carolina College. What we do know for sure is that Paul Adams, an enthusiastic hiker, had a major impact on this area. In 1924 he joined the Great Smoky Mountain Conservation Association, whose mission was to make the region into a national park. As part of the campaign Adams led a group of Washington DC dignitaries on a hike up the mountain so that they could appreciate first-hand its rugged beauty. The trip was successful and eventually the entire region became protected as part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There are five trails that hikers may use to reach the summit of Mount Le Conte. They are the Alum Cave, Boulevard, Bullhead, Rainbow Falls, and Trillium Gap Trails. Millions of years of erosion and weathering have given Mount Le Conte its gently sloping shape. It is composed largely of sandstone, siltstone, and shale that was formed hundreds of millions of years ago. One remnant of the Ice Age can be seen today–a dense stand of Southern Appalachian Spruce-Fir Forest blankets the upper slopes.
Lodging at the Top of Mount Le Conte
The Le Conte Lodge, established in 1925, is the inn with the highest elevation in the eastern United States. Guests may only access the lodge by hiking. Its inaccessibility means that supplies are brought to the lodge by llama train and helicopter. http://www.lecontelodge.com
During your next visit to the Buckhorn Inn we encourage you to appreciate Mount Le Conte, whether that means hiking to the summit or enjoying the view, spiced tea in hand, from one of our veranda rocking chairs.
October 16, 2017
Fall Color in the Great Smoky Mountains
Guests often ask us when is the best time to see the beautiful fall color in the Great Smoky Mountains. Our honest answer: “It depends”! Fall color timing depends on a wide variety of variables, making peak times impossible to predict.
Many guests plan their trips hoping to see the fall color.
We do know, however, that the autumnal hues light up the landscape for as long as seven weeks each year. The colors begin first in the higher elevations, then gradually move downward. Adding to this extended show is the fact that the Smokies are home to more than 100 varieties of native trees, most of them deciduous.
Most years the displays in the very highest elevations may be seen as early as mid-September, with colors visible from Clingman’s Dome Road. The colors in the middle and lower elevations can peak anywhere from mid-October through mid-November. According to http://www.gatlinburg.com/event/autumn-color-in-the-smokies, visitors can expect to enjoy beautiful colors from sugar maples, scarlet oak, sweet gum trees, red maples, and the hickories.
What Causes the Fall Color Change?
Cooler temperatures and longer nights cause the green pigment in the leaves to deteriorate. Carotenoids, the pigments that makes the leaves yellow (and carrots orange!) become more prominent. Red and purple colors come from anthocyanins. This pigments are formed when leaf sugars break down in bright sunlight.
We recommend the Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway as being especially scenic drives this time of year. The National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fall-suggestions recommends the following fall hikes: Appalachian Trail, Inspiration Point on Alum Cave Trail, Oconaluftee River Trail, Look Rock Tower, and Sutton Ridge Overlook.
Whether you have made your Great Smoky Mountain trip plans for this year, or are looking forward to 2018, remember that the fall color season typically lasts from mid-September through early November. This is a busy time of year, so we advise making your travel plans far in advance. Feel free to check with us at the Buckhorn Inn periodically–we sometimes have cancellations and then you can book accommodation with short lead times. Our dining room fills up quickly this time of year, so we encourage you to make your dinner reservations early. And don’t forget that Buckhorn Inn guests can pre-order hearty sack lunches to enjoy on a scenic drive or beautiful hike.
Happy fall!
October 9, 2017
Comments from our Guests
We were so happy to meet guests James and Cheryl Nipper this September. The Nippers were first-time
James and Cheryl Nipper made their first visit to the Buckhorn this year.
Buckhorn Inn visitors from Jacksonville, FL and were so warm and friendly.
He is an attorney, but we suspect also a photographer because he took some great shots of the Inn. James described the Inn as “laid-back, quaint, all-Southern”. We were so flattered when he said the Inn reminds him of what he sees in Southern Living! We actually have been in the magazine several times. Here is a “throwback” recommendation on our dining room from 2008! http://southernliving.com/travel/south-central/cozy-cabin-getaway-two
Guests Enjoy Buckhorn Grounds
The Nippers especially enjoyed the view of Mount LeConte from their room, and pointed out that it is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains that is fully situated in Tennessee. They walked the Buckhorn Inn Nature Trail and took some great photos of the pond. James says the scene reminds him of the movie “On Golden Pond”. He was kind enough to give us permission to share some of the great photos they took at the Buckhorn Inn. We are sharing them with no filters or special effects–we think they are gorgeous “as is”! We look forward to the Nippers’ next visit and in the meantime, please enjoy their photos.
The Buckhorn Inn gardens are a lovely place to stroll.
We think the back of the Inn looks very majestic.
The library makes a cozy retreat.
Share Your Buckhorn Experience
We love seeing and sharing photos taken by our guests. Please send them by email to [email protected] along with a few descriptive comments. If you are on Instagram, please tag @innbuckhorn. Seeing the property through the eyes of our guests often gives us a brand new appreciation and perspective!
Our traditional rooms are very charming.
October 2, 2017
Carp-e Diem! New Denizens of Buckhorn Pond
Have you visited Buckhorn Pond? The spring-fed pond was created after Douglas Bebb built a dam there in the early 1950’s. The pond was designed with an ingenious overflow to protect the dam during heavy rains. Bass, carp and perch make their home here, as well as frogs, turtles and a few snakes. The brilliantly-colored wood duck, spotted sandpiper, heron, and other water fowl are attracted here.
Buckhorn Pond is home to fish, amphibians, and water fowl.
We are responsible caretakers of our property, and invited a representative from the Tennessee Department of Natural Resources to review Buckhorn Pond and provide advice. He told us that our water and surrounding area is in excellent shape! His only recommendation was that a species of carp, the grass carp, could help us more easily maintain optimum levels of water plants.
Grass Carp Released in Pond
Our research revealed that the local farmers’ co-op is visited about once a month by a truck selling live fish. We went there on “fish truck day” and purchased six 12″-long triploid grass carp. The size was important as the naturalist told us if they were too small they could be eaten by the bass, and if they were done growing, they would not eat many water plants.
Six grass carp were released into Buckhorn Pond.
Innkeeper John and daughter-in-law Sharon took the large plastic bags filled with water and carp down to the pier. They “tempered” the fish by adding water from the pond to the bags until the temperatures equaled. Then they lowered the bags into the water and let the fish swim out. They report the fish looked happy in their new home!
The grass carp is a large, herbivorous, fresh-water fish. It is used as a food fish in China, but in the United States and Europe used mainly for controlling aquatic weeds. The use of these fishy friends lessens use of herbicides. The fish live up to 11 years and eat three times their weight in vegetation daily. They grow rapidly, as much as 10 inches in a summer. The average length of a fully-grown grass carp is around 30″. The grass carp are sterile and will not produce young in our pond.
For more information on stocking ponds, visit http://tn.gov/twra/article/fish-for-stocking.
September 25, 2017
Fall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Fall is a great time to be in eastern Tennessee! The experts are predicting a magnificent display of colors this year and the Buckhorn Inn is so convenient to the Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers have planned many free activities to help you enjoy the park. Here are some of our favorites!
Fall is a beautiful time of year in eastern Tennessee.
Evening Campfire
A ranger is available to tell stories and histories around the campfire from 7:30 to 8:30 pm in the Elkmont Campground. The campfire program runs on Friday and Saturday evenings from September 16 through October 28.
The “Good Ol’ Days”
Walk the Mountain Farm Museum with a ranger and learn about the early settlers in this area. The Museum is located by the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This event is available every Saturday at 10:30 am from September 16 through October 28.
Porters Creek Hike
Join a ranger in “our own backyard” to engage in an eye-opening exploration of how much, and how little, things have changed over the years in the Greenbrier Cove area. The hike is conducted on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hikers should meet at the Porters Creek trailhead.
Fall Amble
This is one of our favorite ways to take in all the beautiful colors of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Locations for this hike vary as the ranger will take you to the elevation where the leaves currently are at their peak. The hikes begin at 10:30 and are classified as moderately difficult. This hike is available on Sundays and Wednesdays from September 17 through October 25.
School Days at Little Greenbrier
Discover what it was like to live in a mountain community and to attend a one-room school house. This trip back in time happens every Tuesday through October 24 at 11 am and 2 pm. Meet at the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse near the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area.
All of these events, and many more, are detailed at the National Park Service website. Please visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar. We look forward to seeing you this fall!
September 11, 2017
Black-eyed Pea Soup is Perfect for Fall!
A hearty soup is perfect for fall, whether you are tailgating or relaxing after an afternoon of raking leaves. This soup is a Buckhorn Inn favorite and we are happy to share it with you.
Black-eyed peas star in this flavorful soup.
Black-eyed Pea and Collards Soup
In a stockpot, bring to a boil:
1 lb. dried black-eyed peas
3 qts chicken stock
3 ribs diced celery
1 diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tbl chopped parsley
2 bay leaves
1 tsp black pepper
Slowly boil until the peas are just tender. Then add:
12 ozs fresh or frozen chopped collards
Salt to taste
1 cup diced cooked ham or 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Continue to cook until the peas are tender, adding more stock if necessary. Taste and correct seasonings. Some of our guests enjoy this soup with hot pepper-flavored vinegar or other hot sauce. Cornbread makes a wonderful accompaniment. This recipe makes 12 servings.
Black-Eyed Peas are Popular Throughout the South
The legume was introduced to the Southern U.S. as early as the 17th century. George Washington Carver was a proponent of planting the crop as it puts nitrogen back into the soil and is densely nutritious. The peas contain calcium, folate, protein, fiber, and vitamin A–all for less than 200 calories a cup! The blossoms produce nectar and attract bees and other pollinators.
A black-eyed pea soup such as this one often is served on New Year’s Day as it is thought to bring prosperity in the coming year. The peas swell when they cook, thus symbolizing prosperity. The greens represent money. Because of the rooting style of pigs, pork products are thought to symbolize forward motion. And serving this dish with cornbread (symbolizing gold) must guarantee success in this New Year!
Some say that when General Sherman marched his Union Army to the sea during the Civil War they pillaged the Confederate food supply. They left behind, though, the dried peas and salt port as they thought these foodstuffs not fit for human consumption. The Southerners considered themselves fortunate to have this food left behind to see them through, and this may be how the peas first became associated with good luck in the United States.
For more black-eyed pea recipes and cooking tips, visit the Southern Living website http://www.southernliving.com/side-dishes/how-to-cook-black-eyed-peas
Happy fall, y’all!
September 4, 2017
Buckhorn Neighbor: G Webb Gallery
One of our favorite depictions of the Buckhorn Inn is by our neighbor, G Webb.
Prints of “Buckhorn Inn” are available in our gift shop.
The painting captures the timeless charm of the Inn, and includes our beautiful views.
The G Webb Gallery is on Buckhorn Road
Virginia born, G Webb grew up in Nashville, TN. By age 10 he already was an avid painter. In 1971 he opened his first gallery in Murfreesboro, TN. However, once he began painting the beautiful mountain scenery in east Tennessee, he knew he was “home”. His scenic watercolors convey a sense of the serenity he feels in this part of the country. G’s work focuses on landscapes, mountainscapes, mountain heritage, and historical sites. G and his wife Vickie are the proud parents of Cami Monet, a talented water colour artist in her own right. Their gallery on Buckhorn Road showcases the art of both father and daughter. You can find more details at http://www.gwebbgallery.com. Both original watercolors and limited edition lithographs are available at the gallery.
What is a Lithograph?
Lithography was invited in 1796 by the Alois Senefelder in Bavaria. Essentially, an oil-based image is put on the surface of a smooth sheet of limestone. Then a gum Arabic solution is applied to the surface. The solution only sticks to the non-oily surface. During printing, water is attracted to the gum Arabic parts and repelled by the oily surfaces. The oily ink used for printing does the opposite. A refined method of this technique is still used for fine art prints today. The process for fine-art prints was enhanced around 1816 and was used by such artists as Delacroix in the 1820’s. Goya produced his last series by lithography and during the 1870’s such artists as Degas began producing most of their art by lithography.
The G Webb Gallery is on Buckhorn Road, a short distance from the Buckhorn Inn. They are a proud member of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. The next time you visit us, we encourage you to spend an afternoon exploring the 8-mile craft loop. We have maps showing the locations of some of our favorite artist galleries and artisan shops.
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