Blackberry Farm

This past weekend Graham and I went to Blackberry Farm to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. The weekend could not have been better timed (as you can see from my last post!). We knew this trip would be perfect for us because we had heard it is beautiful and relaxing with amazing food and wine. Right up our alley! And they were right!!! We got there late Thursday afternoon and checked into our cottage. After we had booked our weekend, they called to see if we would change it since a wedding was trying to book the weekend we had planned. They said they would upgrade our cottage for free if we swapped so of course we said yes and I am so glad we did. We stayed in a Singing Hill cottage which are more secluded and you get a golf cart...this was key! Here is a pic of the den/sitting area of the cottage...

We checked in and got settled and dressed for dinner...

We went up to the bar at the barn for a drink and then sat down for a fabulous tasting menu and wine pairing. It was such a great start to the weekend, but we were SO stuffed already!

I didn't bring my camera for this part, but the next morning we got up and had breakfast and went for a 2 hour horseback ride. It was such a great start because we were able to see all of the property. We don't ride hardly ever so we really enjoyed that opportunity. After that, we decided to do a hiking trail. It marked how the trails were from moderate to very strenuous. We decided that when they said very strenuous, they were being overcautious so we took that route. They were not kidding. It was VERY strenuous. We were going straight up a mountain in the smokies. Graham was in front of me and his foot would slip and rocks would slide down! We decided we had come too far to turn around so we just powered through. The second half when we were coming back down was much more enjoyable. We decided we had definitely earned our meals that day! We then went to the main house for a yummy lunch and then on to the spa for massages. Let me say, we were SO relaxed after that. They were amazing.

We decided to go clean up a little and head up to the main house for afternoon cocktails in rocking chairs on the porch. We had perfect weather in the mid 70s and just sat in the rocking chairs and read and had a drink. It was heavenly. Here is a pic of my view...

That night we were so excited that our sweet friends John and Paula were going to join us for dinner since they live nearby in Knoxville. We got ready and had a drink on our cottage's porch and then headed up to the barn to meet them for a drink and then dinner.

We had so much fun seeing them and a yummy meal with some great wine. We also saw one of Blackberry's llamas break loose and run through the road and the property...quite a sight.

Saturday morning I drug Graham back to the spa with me to get pedicures. He has never had one and I have been trying to get him to for a while now so this was the perfect place. I mean the man has not had one in 29 years...who knows what was on those feet!! He couldn't pretend he didn't enjoy it.

After that we had a set up a private lunch picnic. It was in the garden and we showed up to find no one there and this amazing picnic set up for us. It was wonderful...one of my favorite parts. Of course they gave us way too much food, but we weren't complaining because it was all so yummy and the weather was so beautiful. Not too mention amazing scenery in their garden.

We spent the afternoon reading at the pool enjoying our view of the mountains.

That night we went back to the rocking chairs at the main house for happy hour and back up to the barn for our last dinner there.

We could not resist sitting outside for a drink because it was so nice. Our last meal was delicious and we were sad to say good bye!

We got up the next morning and had an enormous brunch and then headed home :(. We truly loved our experience and hope to be able to go back some day. We were excited to see our girls and so thankful to my mom, Graham's mom and Graham's dad for taking such good care of them. It was so nice knowing they were well taken care of and having a blast and it really allowed us to enjoy our trip. I feel refreshed and am so thankful to have had this time alone with the hubs and to have had a little break from the kids to get me rejuvenated and excited to be back with them.