A Dog’s Blog: A Day of Gardening

May 8, 2019

Yipee! I am so excited to write my first dog blog and share my adventures as an inn dog.

My name is Oreo and I am a handsome, 1′ tall, 15 pound Shih Tzu with black and white fur. I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and now call Asheville my home. My hobbies are playing with squeaky toys, hiking, identifying wildlife and hanging out with Mom and Dad at many of the fun, dog-friendly places around Asheville. I also love long walks on the beach and spending quality time with friends (new and old) out on our inviting wraparound porch. My brother is the extrovert and even though I can still be a little shy, I do enjoy getting my ears scratched and getting a biscuit treat. Hint hint

Oh, what a day!

Today was a great day at our beautiful pink lady known as The Lion and the Rose. My brother, Harley and I are absolutely loving our yard and front porch. The weather has been warm, everything is so green and the flowers are blooming. We spent some time playing outside while Mom and Dad made some enhancements to the garden. I’m happy to help dig in the garden, smell the flowers and look for any critters. Of course, my curiosity always gets the best of me and I like to give them a good sniff. Rut-roh…..that curiosity has gotten me into trouble. I’ve also been embarrassed a few times so I best get back to telling you about my day of gardening.

My family is passionate about nature and wildlife so we decided to introduce some new plants to attract birds and butterflies. Mom has always wanted a NWF Certified Wildlife Garden Habitat so we are all working hard to make that happen. We were all hoping to see the hummingbirds come to the feeder once we took a break on the porch but unfortunately they didn’t show up today. Harley and I worked so hard that we pooped out on the outdoor sofa and took a little nap.

Garden day review

I might be biased since Mom and Dad did the work but the garden is looking really good.  I think that our guests will enjoy the colorful plants and sweet smelling flowers. Oh, and how could I forget how much fun it will be to watch the birds and butterflies that visit our garden. We hope that y’all will be as excited about our garden as we are. I hope to see you enjoying our peaceful yard and the fresh, mountain air.

P.S. Don’t forget to share some photos of your stay with us on our social media pages. We woof to repost your memories!

Snowman in a hat and scarf stands in front of a snow-covered house with lit windows.

Top 10 Winter Activities in Asheville

By odysys_admin • December 15, 2025
Biltmore Estate There is never a bad time to visit the iconic Biltmore Estate but winter brings a yuletide oasis. Now through January 4, 2026, you can experience the beauty of thousands of lights, over 100 Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths, and sparkling garland. The winter season of January through March also brings lower prices and less crowds. Explore Beer City USA The local craft brewing scene has exploded and Asheville has been voted Beer City USA four years in a row, Asheville takes extreme pride in being home to over 20 local craft brewers. Whether you take a Brews cruise or a DIY tour on the Asheville Ale Trail, a brewery hopping exploration is the perfect way to keep warm and enjoy a cold, winter weekend. Foodie Experiences Find out why Asheville ranks first in the South Atlantic region in the RewardExpert’s Best American Foodie Towns . With hundreds of restaurants and farm fresh eateries, you will not be disappointed by the choices of restaurants. Take a guided eating tour with a professional foodie to sample and taste some of Asheville’s best restaurants. Asheville Restaurant Weeks (January 20-26, 2026 and February 17-23, 2026) Try some new restaurants or revisit favorites. Get the lowest prices of the year, with a prix fix menu at $15-$35/person. With dozens of choices, there’s something for all appetites! Asheville has been touted by many as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in America. Hiking Less crowds means quieter hikes. It is a great time to hit the trails! Discover peace and solitude with expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a cool, clear day. Dupont State Forest offers several hikes from easy to difficult. It is famous for being one of “The Hunger Games” film locations. Chimney Rock offers breathtaking views of the gorge after climbing up the chimney. Pisgah National Forest offers the opportunity of seeing a frozen waterfall at Daniel Ridge Falls. Sharpen your photography skills Choose a half-day or full-day photo tours with our friends, Chris & Bonnie at Asheville Photo Tours. Explore some of the most photogenic but lesser-known locations in the Blue Ridge and Asheville areas. Take an art class Tap into your creative side with some of the talented, local artists. Day and weekend workshops include oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, inks, bookbinding, and pottery. Live music Asheville has been called “One of America’s Greatest Music Cities”. There is a vibrant music scene with live music of all genres from bluegrass to rock. Experience some of the very best in live music and find out why The Orange Peel has been called the country’s premiere Live Music Hall and Concert Venue. The Orange Peel offers state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment rarely found in a club of its size. Other fun venues include The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall. Pamper yourself There is nothing quite like a luxurious foot soak in a hand-hammered copper bowl. Enjoy a fragrant, rejuvenating, and moisturizing sole to soul experience at Wake Foot Sanctuary. A signature massage can be added on for an extra splurge. Indulge in a romantic getaway Snuggle up with your loved one next to one of our cozy fireplaces with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine at The Lion and the Rose
Road beneath an arched stone bridge covered in vines and surrounded by trees.

Haunted Asheville

By odysys_admin • October 30, 2025
We are lucky to have great friends that grew up in Asheville. They have told us about some interesting local hauntings and strange experiences. With Halloween around the corner, we thought this was the right time to share some of these ghost stories and legends of paranormal activity.
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