Old Farmhouse at Willet Ponds Horse Farm in Boone

More than a place to stay: an Appalachian farm experience.
Welcome to Willet Ponds Horse Farm. We offer a wonderful place to
stage your mountain get-away, and much more. Interact with our farm
animal favorites: Lucy the pot-bellied pig,
Solomon the long-eared donkey, several horses and some very friendly
dogs (voted best animals on the farm by many children!). See the whole menagerie in action in our delightful Farmhouse VIDEO (YouTube search Willet Ponds).
A week in the country is worth a month in town. Treat yourself to
the simple joys in life, and join us in feeding our flock of three
dozen chickens, gathering eggs, and waking to the rooster�s crow.
�This was the best week of my life,� said one 4-year-old guest,
speaking for most of the children who have experienced our farm and
fallen in love with the �Little House on the Prarie� style Old
Farmhouse. Indeed, what we hear time and time again is that Willet
Ponds is the perfect vacation spot for any animal lover or country
romantic who needs a break from the suburbs or city.
This quaint, century-old farmhouse offers an excellent venue for
experiencing the Appalachian countryside: fresh mountain air,
babbling brooks, nature at your doorstep. Tucked away on a dead-end
road, nestled at the base of undeveloped Bald Mountain adjoining Elk
Knob State Park, the Old Farmhouse takes one back to a slower day, a
simpler time. Generous decking wraps around three sides, ending in
a covered porch from which unfolds the brilliant green valley and a
pastoral scene that will keep you dreaming wistfully from the porch
swing.
The house has been well lived in and well loved for generations.
It�s authentic�not a log cabin kit popped up on a hillside. There
is spirit and character here. The Old Farmhouse is picture perfect
in every way your imagination tells you a quaint Appalachian
farmhouse should be. Antique furniture, rustic wormy chestnut
cabinetry, knotty pine and hardwood floors, handmade quilts, and
vintage photographs will convince you of its Appalachian heritage.
A spacious, well-equipped kitchen, comfortable family room, and
attractive sunroom with double French doors give you plenty of space
to relax inside. The farmhouse has two charming bedrooms on the
ground level, each with a double bed, plus an upstairs bedroom (two
single beds) and attic room (single + cot) that will enchant your children�they
absolutely love it here. The upstairs reading nook has its own
picture window looking out over kids playing in the spacious yard,
horses grazing just beyond, and mountain ridges in the background.
Willet Ponds, our 16-acre farm, is 5 minutes from historic Todd (the
famous General Store and Wi-Fi Mercantile bakery), one more skip to
the scenic New River (tubing, canoeing/kayaking/rafting, fishing, &
swimming, not to mention easy bike riding along the river), 15
minutes to Elk Knob State Park, and only 20-25 minutes to either
Boone or West Jefferson. From Boone you�ll have easy access to the
ski slopes, Tweetsie, shopping in Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge
Parkway, and Grandfather Mountain. We�re also conveniently located
for Merle Fest (30 min. drive). But be sure to schedule in some down
time to just enjoy the profound serenity of the property and unique
experience of the farm.
The adventurous can explore two mountain streams on the property
that are just the right size to play in, then enjoy the farm pond
teaming with tadpoles, salamanders, and bluegill (fishing poles
provided). There�s a small camping spot with a tent platform along
the creek, a large bonfire pit, and hiking from the house to nearby
waterfalls. Deer and wild turkey abound. It�s a birder�s delight:
scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, red-winged blackbirds,
hummers, and bluebirds galore! And as dusk falls, the spring
peepers begin to sing a chorus while countless fireflies rise from
the pasture, performing a natural light show rivaled only by the
brilliant night sky that�s so full of stars, it can only be imagined
from the city.
Cozy in Winter: While the house does not have a usable fireplace,
the Toyostove heater features the glow of a fire and keeps the house
cozy on the coldest nights.
No A/C: The Old Farmhouse does not have, or, in most cases, need,
air conditioning. Keep the windows open and enjoy the babbling
brook and the breeze. One recent guest from Florida admitted she
was a bit worried about staying at a place without A/C in July, but
afterwords said, "The house was very pleasant. It's got God's
central air. I wouldn't change a thing. Please don't change a
thing!"
Bring your horses!
We can board our guests� horses for $25.00 per night per horse.
Please contact us to discuss this opportunity.
Pet Policy: We do not accept dogs or cats, but will consider other
animals on a case by case basis.
By Appointment Only:
Horse Rides:
Kiddie Rides: Young riders will be delighted to sit on a horse and
have us lead them around the farm. $25 per family.
Instructional Rides for Beginner & Intermediate Riders: Learn the
basics of communicating with a horse. Start in the riding ring and
get acquainted with your horse: steering, starting, and stopping.
We�ll adjust instruction to match your riding competency. Riding
the short trails around the farm with a guide may be possible,
depending on confidence level and competency. We keep horses at a
walk. One hour. $35 per rider.
Farm Fresh Eggs for Sale: $3 per dozen.
Live Free-Range Chicken: $5 pc. Take home a pet, or add to your
flock. Or experience where chicken meat comes from�a real bird.
Move the bird from the barnyard to the dinner table in an afternoon
you�ll never forget, then enjoy the healthiest, happiest chicken
meat ever.
In addition to our horses, friendly dogs, chickens, pot-bellied pig,
and donkey (to hear him bray will make memories J ), we also live on
this, our dream farm, in a house across the way. We personally
manage the Old Farmhouse, making it clean and comfortable, in hopes
that you�ll feel that you�re staying in a home, not a generic rental
cabin. We make sure to take care that you have everything you need,
be it a cup of flour or freshly laid free-range eggs (you�re welcome
to keep the eggs you help us gather, which is a kid�s delight).
If you have any questions, please don�t hesitate to contact us.
We�ve made room for you here, too.
Farm Tours: If you�re NOT staying at the Old Farmhouse, but would
like to meet our animals, hear our donkey bray, pet the pig, feed
the chickens, and gather eggs, please contact us to schedule a farm
tour. A $10 fee buys you this memorable experience, plus any eggs
that you find!

Fresh Eggs in Season, Fully-equipped Kitchen (Microwave, Toaster
Oven, Coffee Maker, Dishwasher, Refrigerator), XL Bathroom w/ Double
Sink, Linens provided, Washer, Dryer, Ceiling Fans, Satellite TV,
Phone, Books, Magazines, Board Games, Toys, Fire Pit, Camping Site,
Fishing Poles, Easy Winter Access, Very
Kid-friendly, No Pets, No Smoking.

Favorite Things to Do
On the Property:
1) Roast marshmallows at the fire ring.
2) Walk the nature trail up to the seldom-seen falls.
3) Feed the chickens and gather eggs.
4) Horsie rides (subject to owner�s schedule)
5) Fish in the pond.
Right in the immediate area (Todd, 2 miles):
1) Float down the New River.
2) Ride bikes along the New River.
3) Explore Todd Island Park.
4) Picnic at Green Valley Park & playground.
5) Shop at the Todd General Store.
6) Eat pastries & visit with locals at the Todd Mercantile.
7) Friday night blue grass jam at the Todd General Store.
On the Todd side of Boone:
1) Hike in Elk Knob State Park.
2) Explore the Elk Knob Game Lands.
3) Bird watch at the Meat Camp Creek Environmental Center.
In the Greater Boone/West Jefferson Area:
1) Hike/Visit Grandfather Mountain & Parkway area trails.
2) Take the kids to Tweetsie Railroad.
3) Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway viaduct & recreate at Cone
Manor & Trout Lake.
4) Shop in Boone, Blowing Rock, & West Jefferson.
5) Play Golf in Boone or West Jefferson.
6) See the frescoes in West Jefferson.
7) Visit the Ashe County Cheese Factory in West Jefferson.
8) Picnic at Valle Crucis Community Park & shop at the Mast
General Store there.
9) Ski at any of the High Country ski resorts.

Stay a week for ONLY $1025! This is a rare bargain rate for a
beautiful property.
1-6 Nights: $155/night. Thereafter $95/night. Monthly Rate Seasonal.
Rates are firm & non-negotiable. 13.75% NC & CNTY tax additional.
Avoid 3% credit card processing fee if paying by credit card. $65 cleaning fees!
Reservations made less than 30 days before arrival require payment
in full.
Otherwise, 50% down, balance due 30 days out. Cancellation fee: $50
or 10%.
You will find no better value for your vacation dollar. We are
fair, friendly & easy to work with. We might barter for time at
your vacation rental, too.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.