Merrily Farms

Amenities at Merrily Farms

"We thank you for the wonderful 3 days at the farm last weekend. A special warm "thank you" to Merri for the wonderful cooking and the "feel at home" atmosphere!"

The Indian Trough

The native Americans used to work their way up a narrow trail through these mountains and they stopped right here at the farm at a now historic spot called the Indian's Trough.

Just up from the Meadow Pond where our flock of not-totally wild mallards swim and really wild turkeys graze sits this magnificent spring - gallons of the purest fresh water pouring out every minute. They carved out a hollow at the base of the spring to water their horses and this moss covered watering hole is still there.

Later the locals came and found the water held healing magic as well. They would hike the same trail and collect it to purify their blood and heal their aches as well. This must have worked. The headstones in the family cemetery here show the residents were aged 86-91-95-100 and 115! They (the locals) still come. Recently one neighbor made a dying wish, "Could he taste the sweetness of those waters just one more time?". We happily with sadness sent an oak barrel full to comfort his last days.

But what to do with all this water that just pours into Fern Creek? Can't drink that much and we wouldn't dare sell it to a fancy bottler who would bring in trucks, pollution and noise. I worried this question so often someone in the family finally piped up, "Would you go soak your head!" I of course took them literally and set out to create the most unique spa where I could luxuriously soak my whole body (head included) at the Indian's Trough. Scouring the world we found the answer in Seattle (created by students at the University of Alaska). A solid cedar Japanese soaking tub, (650 gallons that easily sits six) heated by a wood burning stove plunked down in the middle of the water. They call it a snorkel.

The building is all cedar construction in a hollow just below the Indian's Trough and sits right above Fern Creek. The tin roof makes it cozy in the rain and even more stunningly beautiful in the snow. Changing the water every day (it pours in fresh from the spring) means no chemicals are required. Start a fire in the morning (the water from the spring comes in at 49 degrees-burr!) and viola! By noon it's 105 degrees (the fire box raises the temperature about 30 degrees an hour). Soak in the afternoon and we guarantee (we have learned this from experience) you'll sleep well though the night. We have hollowed out a pool in the creek for serious Scandinavian type bathers who want to go from hot to cold. 105 to 49 is quite a shock but we've been told doing this seven times in a row will heal anything (though so far I don't think anyone has tried).

All guests are welcome in the spa, the steam bath and massage chair (we call the chair Fred and costing several thousand dollars he is not a toy). He really does work wonders.., no extra charge. A spring water fed washing machine and dryer are also available. We bring in a licensed massage therapist when a number of guests are staying and several would like a long leisurely massage in a meadow, by the bubbling creek or in front of a roaring fire. Pure water right from the springs, fresh air and homespun silence so you can really hear, are always...always free.

Food? There are great restaurants surrounding us serving ample supplies of delicious food plus some quite sophisticated places dressed up in country style. "Sweet Aromas" a bakery in West Jefferson, serves dinner sized English muffins and hot cinnamon rolls made for lumberjacks. Though I wonder if the loggers have caught onto their excellent lattes yet? Lunches there or up the road at "Isabel's" (killer hamburger)...really or vegetarian food at the "Wildflower Cafe" Our friend Steve at "Desies" cooks up a veggie omelet you cannot get all down without practice. Plus there is elegant dining at the historic Washington Inn over in Abingdon.

The best food might be that which you cook yourself here on the farm. In the summer we usually have some fresh vegetables in the garden. They are free but we'll charge a little to let you steal them. Plus there are plenty of places, gas stoves and open fire pits where you can cook up a storm or barbecue or fix up sandwiches to eat at a picnic at one of our many tree stump tables scattered in beautiful spots around the farm in places of isolation, charming views, waterfalls and magic woods. Nobody has ever been lost, but you can feel like you are truly alone (Ma our hound can always sniff you out if you aren't back a bit after sunset).

For breakfast, there is usually someone here, who'll be cooking up something pretty good, coddled eggs from our flock of hens (my favorite are with cream and cheese), organic oatmeal, pumpkin or apple bread and cream cheese. On nice days we eat on the porch and you can come down and join us. This is not part of the deal, but were friendly folks up here and like to share what we have. When we have groups and seminars our friends at Sweet Aromas in town bring us wonderful vegetarian meals. Laws of decency forbid me to describe the hot bread. You'll find the food like the rest of your stay here life changing...I promise because on top of every page at this website are quotes from people who've stayed here.

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