Down On The Farm And Away From It All
By Jan Mann
Secluded in a private, 10-acre wildlife sanctuary, the Jackson Farm guest house offers visitors a genuine "country" experience without the work. Remembering the rich, simple pleasures of rural North Carolina fifty years ago, the
Jacksons designed the house to capture that quiet time from the past but to retain modern com-. forts.
The pond-side, two-bedroom house offers a working fireplace, a ready supply of seasoned hardwood for win- ter warmth and a spacious screened porch (with rocking chairs) to catch breezes off the water for summer cooling. For those who prefer it, the house also has central heating and air- conditioning. There is no television, telephone, radio or current newspa- pers at the house, but instead you'll find an eclectic library of books to suit any reading taste, an oversized claw foot bathtub for soaking and a screened outdoor shower for pleasure. You may fish, walk the nature trail around the pond (you'll encounter deer, raccoon, some of the 100 identified species of birds and a variety of other wildlife), observe the seasonal farm activities or just relax on the porch while reading and napping.
Downstream, the Gate House perches over the pond's spillway offering a beautiful, 360-degree view and the music of falling water. It's a wonderful place for tea or mint Juleps late in the afternoon. The Gate House is a favorite spot to receive a private massage from a licensed therapist or for couples to exchange vows in this naturally romantic setting.
The pond serves as the centerpiece of the farm's ecosystem. Almost all of the wildlife on the farm visits the pond sooner or later, and a large number of critters live on or near it. Frogs announce the coming of spring and Canada geese bring in the cool days of autumn. The first-ever bald eagle on the farm appeared in 2005. The wood duck hatches her young, the kingfisher patrols for dinner, the muskrat goes about his business and the otters play. Here, life concentrates its force and springs forth in infinite mystery and variety.
Prospective visitors may view the Jackson's website at:
http://www.jacksonfarm.com or may
telephone them at 910 567-2978.
Guest House
Tom and Jan Jackson