Drennen Ridge is a sunny country home where lovely views and amenities abound, and horses graze nearby. Close to biking, hiking on Greenbrier River Trail; Cass steam engine trains; Greenbank telescope; Droop Civil War battlefield and Snowshoe year round resort with skiing and world-class downhill biking & racing. Certified dark sky viewing nearby. Warm Spring pools 45 min. drive. Enjoy astronomical events from your own private deck. Or read a book in your porch rocker while listening to birdsong.
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The space
"Drennen Ridge Guest House is a one-story home with a large, open living space that includes a living room, dining area and fully equipped kitchen . The house sleeps 4 guests. The large master bedroom has a queen bed and ensuite bathroom w/tub. Two additional guests can be comfortably accommodated in the second bedroom, which also has a queen bed, and full bath w/ tub immediately next to it. The two bedrooms and baths are quite separate from each other, which accommodate two couples ideally. If you are a family who needs a separate bed, we have an inflatable mattress available; the couch is not a sleeping option. A pack and play is also available - let us know if you need it. Well-supervised children are welcome, but please understand that you take full responsibility for their safety, as there is a raised deck on the back of the house and the horses are pastured nearby.
The house is stocked with books, family games and jigsaw puzzles, as well as a Smart 48" flat panel TV. There is not cable, but the house has a large library of movies, as well as Roku and a blue-tooth VCR.
The house has WiFi, which should support your own Netflix membership. Several couples and families have had extended stays, requiring multiple users on WiFi, and we have not had any complaints. Many of our recent guests have included two adults working from home.
You will find several collections of books: cookbooks, astronomy, WV history and nature, handbooks in nature topics, and a basket of novels. If you start a novel, you may take it with you. Please enjoy other books for reference during your stay. There is no phone at the house, but you are welcome to use ours, as well as your internet options. AT&T is the only cell phone service that works in town - there is little reception at the house - as we are in the "quiet zone" of the Greenbank deep space listening station. Most tech-savvy guests have been able to use their phones and the internet to meet their calling needs.
There is a free washer and dryer. Guests may enjoy interacting with our two draft horses - 1 Belgian and 1 Suffolk who live directly across the driveway; cut up apples or carrots , are the best way to make friends with The Big Boys from outside their fence. There is extensive lawn and outdoor space around the house, with croquet, ladder ball and corn hole games available in season. Grocery store, gas, pharmacy, liquor store and several local restaurants are one mile away.
The kitchen has some basic cooking staples if you choose to cook during your stay (oil, spices, condiments, etc.), and is extensively equipped for most cooking/baking - pots, pans, baking pans, muffin tin, waffle iron, mixer, casseroles, etc. There are drip coffee makers, complete with filters and coffee, both caffeinated and decaf. We also furnish creamer, sugar and sugar substitute.
Summer guests are welcome to enjoy our perennial gardens and pond at the farmhouse during their stay. Artists and photographers have especially enjoyed visiting our grounds.
Guest access
The house will be your private residence during your stay. Our farmhouse is within view across the horse meadow, and we will arrange access when you book and supply you with your personalized lock code. There is an attached garage, where you may park motorcycles and store sports equipment. Bicycles, canoes and kayaks are available for rent in our nearby village, and ski equipment can be rented at Snowshoe. The porch has two steps and both bathrooms have tub showers, so the property is not wheelchair accessible.
We love animals, but cannot accommodate pets in the guest house, as others may have allergies. You may see our cats when you stroll the grounds at the farmhouse. Our check in and out times are flexible if the house is available. Please turn off outside lights when you are in for the night - we maintain dark skies for everyone's star viewing.
Other things to note
We have put away the lovely bed linens and duvet covers in favor of white linens, including Marriott rippled coverlets, that can be laundered in hot water with bleach. All blankets, mattress covers, pillow covers and sofa throw pillow covers are laundered between guests. All possible surfaces, handles and knobs are sanitized. The house is aired out with all windows open and fans running during vigorous cleaning. We value your health and safety as our own.
Pocahontas County is a year-round natural playground. Snowshoe Mt. Resort is 35-40 minutes north (depending on weather) - a short drive for a day of skiing, with privacy and quiet when you leave the slopes; most summer weekends offer events in the Snowshoe Village. In milder weather, you can fly fish, hike, kayak and bike to your heart's content - the Greenbrier River Trail offers 76 miles of max 1% grade, and access is a mile away. We can usually help with transportation. This trail has been voted number one running and walking trail in the Blue Ridge . World-class mountain biking nearby, too.
Bird watching is a rewarding activity in this natural setting. At night, settle back on the deck and watch for shooting stars and meteors in our pristine skies, with little light pollution.
Cass and Durbin Scenic Railroads (purchase tickets ahead), and Green Bank Observatory offer interesting visits and are close by, as well as a growing number of artisan shops. There are two local golf courses; Raven is a Gary Player designed course at Snowshoe that offers challenging play and magnificent topography. Locally, Pocahontas Country Club is a 9 hole course that is enjoyable, friendly, rarely crowded and is inexpensive to play.
There are diverse choices within an hour drive - hiking, biking, a deep space listening center to tour, newly refurbished Warm Springs Pools, The Greenbrier Resort Bunker Tour and/or a casual lunch in an opulent setting, The Homestead Resort to visit, galleries and shops in Lewisburg - the house has informative brochures and there is a tourism center in town
There is plenty of room to stretch in the mountains - your body, your interests, your friendships and your activities. Local people are interesting, friendly and helpful, and there is plenty to keep all ages and interests busy. If you are looking to unwind and recharge, quiet and solitude abound.
We warmly welcome guests of all ethnicities, religions, cultures, orientations and views, as long as kindness prevails.
