Beechwood Inn Offers a Romantic Weekend in the North Georgia Mountains

[ Written By Randy Wyles ]

At one time they were known as “summer houses;” a handful of seasonal, upscale boarding houses in Clayton, Ga., that catered to the well-to-do. The boarders, or “summer people” as the locals used to call them, took advantage of the cool mountain breezes by taking up residence just as the mercury started to rise in Atlanta. Gayle and David Darugh own the last of the summer houses in Rabun County, the Beechwood Inn.

The nearly century-old summer house has an inviting, rustic elegance that marries a simpler time with modern creature comforts steeped in Appalachian charm. Antique dulcimers, old guitars and Appalachian folk art — homage to the Darugh’s love of art and music — hang near plush robes and private baths in each guestroom, all warmed by cozy fireplaces. And from the first tail-wagging, wet-nosed greeting by Scupper, their 9-year-old Labrador retriever, guests know they have found an oasis from the heat and a great place from which to base their weekend getaway in Clayton.

B&B Beginnings
Consummate hosts with more than just a flare for operating an inn, the Darughs are wine connoisseurs with a discriminating taste and a deep appreciation of art, history, the North Georgia Mountains and haute cuisine. Both have roots in northern California’s esteemed wine country. David grew up working in the family restaurant in the heart of Sonoma wine country; Gayle was raised in Napa Valley. Since this early introduction to the finer things in life, their love for fine wine and gourmet dining has continued to grow.
When the Darughs moved to Augusta they got their first taste of the bed-and-breakfast life. Noticing the throngs of tourists and participants that descend upon Augusta each year for the Masters Golf Tournament, they decided to rent out their large house and a nearby condo to tournament guests. “We did breakfast, lunch and dinner for 12 guys at our house and six others at the condo every day during the Masters,” David recalled.

It gave the Darughs the chance to perfect their skills as innkeepers while trying new ideas in the areas of style and presentation. But Clayton, not Augusta, would finally provide the opportunity they were looking for. The Darughs didn’t exactly stumble onto the Beechwood Inn by accident. A large contingent of Gayle’s family is from the area and the couple often passed the inn when traveling to see relatives. When they discovered the property was for sale in 2000, the Darughs decided it was time to fulfill their lifelong dream and they bought the property.

Built in 1916, then enlarged in 1922, the inn features seven beautifully decorated guestrooms. Nowadays, the Beechwood Inn also boasts an adorable cottage with amazing views. Undeniably the biggest draw for guests is the gourmet dining and wine tasting “theme” weekends. These special romantic weekends, such as “A Weekend in Provence” or “Under The Tuscan Moon,” go well beyond the traditional bed-and-breakfast fare to include magnificently prepared dinners, complemented by the perfect bottle of wine, carefully selected from the 3,000 bottles resting in the Beechwood’s own wine cellar.

With fine wine, comes an even finer meal at Beechwood. Be sure to be back on the Beechwood Inn’s front porch for “Wine-Thirty.” When the sun starts to settle in for the evening, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. most days, guests can sample a variety of wonderful wines and appetizers, including an aperitif of 2005 La Vieille Ferme (Cotes du Luberon) and aged French cheeses; Salad de Piments Doux (Sweet Pepper Salad), followed by an entrée of Boeuf Bourguignon, Potatoes Anna and fresh root vegetables with fresh baked French bread and creamery butter, served with a 2004 Chateau Mourgues du Gres, Terre d’Argence, Nimes. Of course, a heavenly meal requires a divine dessert. Enter the Chocolate Pate — a very sweet ending to your weekend getaway in the North Georgia Mountains.

Art & Antique Shopping
Main Street Gallery. A cadre of local artists display and sell contemporary folkart, traditional Appalachian pottery and handcrafted furniture at this central Clayton art gallery. For more information, visit www.mainstreetgallery.net.

Hambidge Center for Arts & Sciences. Visitors in search of more unique art will find superb examples of local arts and crafts at the Hambidge Center, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Its rural setting in the Betty’s Creek Valley is dedicated to providing the time and solitude needed to nurture artists, both young and old. For more information, visit www.hambidge.org.

Black Bear Creek Antiques. Just a few miles down Highway 76 this store converted from the old Hollifield General Store features rare books, vintage hunting and fishing gear, antique radios — even a 1966 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a 100-year-old Bailey, Banks and Biddle grandfather clock. For more information, visit www.blackbearcreekantiques.com.

Out Exploring
Hike Tallulah Falls. The experienced and the not-so-experienced hiker can fill a sunny day with lasting memories at any of the more than two-dozen named waterfalls in the area, not the least of which is the awe-inspiring Tallulah Falls. Nearly 1,000 feet deep and two miles long, Tallulah Gorge is one of the most beautiful canyons in the country with the majestic Tallulah Falls as its spectacular centerpiece. Hikers can get free permits to trek all the way down to the gorge floor and experience the beauty of the fragile ecosystem firsthand. For more information, visit www.ngeorgia.com/parks/tallulah.html.

Ride a Horse at Sunset. For those who think the best view is found while sitting on the back of a horse, the Sunburst Stables in nearby Clarkesville has a variety of trail rides ranging from one-hour trips through the lush green forests, teeming with deer and turkey, to three-hour rides through the Chattahoochee National Forest over to Batesville. Of course, Sunburst Stables lives up to its name with its signature three-hour sunset ride, which ends on a high ridge with a full 360-degree view of the mountains as the sun begins to melt into the western horizon. For more information, visit www.sunburststables.com.

Mine and Maze. For a different type of outing, head to Hillside Orchard Farms, a working farm that’s open year-round, where unsuspecting guests can check out a flume mine and a gem mine as well as try their navigational skills inside a corn maze. Other farm favorites include the Sorghum Mill Café and hayrides. For more information, visit www.hillsideorchardfarms.com.

How To Get There
The Beechwood Inn is 90 minutes from Atlanta in the North Georgia mountains. From I-85 North, take exit 113, Ga-365 North toward Gainesville. Merge onto US-23 N/US-441 N/Ga-15 N. Turn right onto US-76/Ga-2/Chechero Street. Go 200 yards and turn left onto Beechwood Drive. Call 866-782-2485 or 706-782-5485 or visit www.beechwoodinn.ws.