A LITTLE GUIDE TO OUR PLACE

Stay awhile.

We’re so happy you’re here.

Whether you’ve come for dinner, a few days, or just an afternoon on the porch, this is our little collection of things we love about home and Cullowhee, along with a few useful details. Settle in, and ask us what we’ve been enjoying lately.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Make yourself
at home.

WI-FI NETWORKinterwebs
PASSWORDbilliejean

Choose “interwebs” in your device’s WiFi settings.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?
THE SPIRIT OF THIS PLACE

Bide a wee.

An old way of saying stay awhile.

We’ve always loved the sentiment behind those words. They remind us of Fred Tornow, who loved the phrase and everything it represented: front porch sitting, conversations that ran a little longer, and the kind of welcome where nobody was in a hurry for you to leave.

That’s the feeling we hope you find here on Canterbury.

A SPACE TO REFLECT

Life on Canterbury.

A few moments from around the house, through the seasons.

Pink and orange sunset over the mountains, seen from the porch
THE VIEW FROM THE PORCH
Monarch butterfly resting on a white garden flower
IN THE GARDEN
Two barred chickens walking through the grass
OUR CHICKENS
Pink coneflowers growing beside the garden path
SUMMER BLOOMS
Pink lady’s slipper wildflowers on the forest floor
IN THE WOODS
Wild turkeys gathering along the driveway
WILD VISITORS
Snow on the garden path at dusk
A WINTER EVENING
Snow-covered trees framing a winter view across the mountains
WINTER IN THE MOUNTAINS
Webster, our brown-and-white pup, bounding through the snow
WEBSTER IN THE SNOW
SMALL THINGS TO KNOW

Around the house.

There’s always something to notice if you slow down a little.

01

Blue ghosts

In early summer, blue ghost fireflies sometimes appear along Canterbury below our front door. Try 9–10 p.m.; turn off your light and let your eyes adjust.

02

Look up at dusk

On summer evenings, stand in the driveway and look up. The bats often make their rounds as the light fades.

03

Overnight visitors

Bears sometimes come by. Please bring food, trash, and coolers inside rather than leaving them on the deck overnight.

04

Visit the chickens

They enjoy a visit and some dried worms from the big plastic tub. About ¼ cup is plenty for the whole flock.

05

Help yourself

Depending on the season: grapes along the driveway and blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in the garden. If they’re ripe, enjoy. Or anything you find in the vegetable garden that looks delicious, enjoy!

06

Stay a little longer

Past the garden is a black swing for kids and grownups. Keep walking and you’ll find a hammock tucked a little farther away.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Something good to eat.

Our favorite spots for a quick bite, a slow brunch, a glass of wine, or a dinner out.

01 / CULLOWHEE

Peak Pizza

Great wings, pizza, and a surprisingly full bar. Just a few minutes down the road.

About 3 minutes away
02 / SYLVA

Lucy in the Rye

Our brunch pick: eggs Benedict, the Panko BLT, fresh orange juice, and great burgers.

About 15 minutes away
03 / SYLVA

Balsam Falls Brewing

Burgers and tots, pretzels with beer cheese, and a fried chicken sandwich we keep coming back for.

About 15 minutes away
04 / SYLVA

Santé Wine Bar & Market

A relaxed place to linger over a glass of wine, with tapas and charcuterie from Ilda next door.

About 15 minutes away
05 / SYLVA

Ilda

Charred romaine, arancini, cocktails, and an elevated dinner when the evening calls for one.

About 15 minutes away
A LITTLE TIME IN TOWN

Shops we love.

Three good reasons to wander downtown Sylva, about 15 minutes from here.

01 / SYLVA

Black Balsam Outdoors

Hiking and outdoor gear, with gifts worth browsing even if you’re not headed to a trail.

02 / SYLVA

Noon

Housewares and gifts with a fresh, stylish point of view. A fun place to find something you didn’t know you wanted.

03 / SYLVA

Snake Song

Flowers, plants, and wonderfully witchy gifts in a shop with a vibe all its own.

RIGHT AROUND HERE

Cullowhee days.

You don’t have to go far to have a good day.

01 / THE VIEW

Jackson County Airport

Head up to Berry Ridge for a beautiful view of WCU and Cullowhee below.

02 / A WANDER

Western Carolina University

Walk the campus, find the fountain, and explore the older side of WCU. Use designated visitor parking during the day.

03 / THE RIVER

East LaPorte River Access Park

A sweet little spot on the Tuckasegee for wading, swimming, or sitting by the river.

04 / A WALK

Jackson County Greenway

A paved path beside the Tuckasegee, with wooded stretches and an easy walk for just about anyone.

05 / A SWIM

Jackson County Recreation Center

Indoor pools and a sauna. Check current hours and the pool schedule before you go.

WHEN YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS

A little farther.

Mountain places we love, roughly 45 minutes to an hour away. Check weather and access before heading out.

01 / GARDENS

Highlands Biological Station & Botanical Garden

Native plants, quiet paths, and mountain air. For the garden, use the Lower Lake Road entrance.

03 / THE PARKWAY

Richland Balsam

The highest point reached by the Blue Ridge Parkway, with a beautiful forest walk if you’d like to stretch your legs.

04 / BIG SKY

Black Balsam

Open grassy balds and sweeping mountain views. One of our favorite places for a proper outing.

05 / THE LAKE

Lake Glenville

Swim, paddle, rent a boat, or just spend a little time beside the water.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Leave us a little note.

The guest book is in the foyer. Whether you’re here for an evening or a few days, we’d love a note from you. Tell us something you noticed, a place you loved, or a small moment you’d like us to remember. The people who spend time with us become part of the story of this place.

AT HOME IN THE WOODS

An ant crosses your carpet.
A spider weaves a pattern older than mammals beneath your stairs.
Just nod, breathe, and think,
“Good. It’s all still here.
The forest, the mountains, the desert.
At home in my home.”
The sterile white box is the stranger.
Not the ant.
Not the spider.

— Jarod K. Anderson

STAY AWHILE

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

— Mary Oliver

A NOTE ABOUT THIS HOME

Tyree and Sarah Kiser built this house in 1966. Tyree served as Dean of Admissions of Western Carolina University, while Sarah ran a framing business from home as they raised their 4 children. We’re grateful for the life they began here and for everyone who adds a little more to its story.