As a child, Vikki always wanted a horse. She rode at stables, showing other people’s horses, cleaned stalls and generally had a great time, but never had a horse of her own.

Once out of college, working in New York City and then getting married, horses were out of the question. However, her husband’s job took them to Fairfield County, CT – horse country. There she renewed her interest in horses and began taking jumping lessons. Before she knew it, she had joined the Fairfield County Hunt and was sailing over log fences and stone walls following the hounds. But still on someone else’s horse.

At last she able to purchase her first horse – from an ad in the New York Times! Valentine was a roan Appaloosa and the perfect horse for awhile. Then he developed leg problems so it was time to find another – and another – and another.

Her son, Robert, grew and began joining her on the hunt on his pony, Spree – the perfect hunting pony. (The picture of the fuzzy white pony’s head is Spree.)

They began keeping the horses fit for hunting by competing in distance rides – 25-100 miles long. Soon, competitive riding became more interesting than hunting and so it was off to Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina for three day 100 mile rides. It was while doing the North Carolina 100 at the Biltmore Estate, that Vikki fell in love with the area and determined to live in the Appalachians someday. But she would never have gotten her husband out of Connecticut. So, when he passed away, that was the impetus to sell the house and find someplace to live in the mountains.

After looking up and down the Blue Ridge mountains on the North Carolina side and finding nothing, Vikki thought, “what difference does it make if the mountains are on the west or the east, same mountains” and so, like the bear, she went over the mountains to see what she could see. And there she found 140 acres of forest in Butler, Tennessee backing up to the Cherokee National Forest which meant there would be no neighbors.

Designing the log house which would be her home and business, within 8 ½ months, Vikki moved in to the Iron Mountain Inn and began offering hospitality to guests from near and far. Each room represents a different phase of Vikki’s life – this one, the horsy phase.

Innkeeping has been the perfect occupation. As Vikki says, “I must be grown up because I know what I want to do with the rest of my life – offer lodging and friendship to guests from around the world.”

So enjoy your stay in the warmth of the Equestrian Room, and remember, if you dream and want something bad enough, it will come.

Rate: $135-$250

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