We know we should not favor any particular guests, but we do. These two gracious Southern ladies graced our mountain last fall. Mrs. Marion Rollins (left) and her life-long friend, Mrs. Robbie Sessions, from Enterprise, Alabama have been friends since the age of three. They still cherish a picture of Ms. Robbie at age 3 standing beside a stroller the day Ms. Marion was born.

This November, each of these girls will celebrate birthdays -- age 94 and 97. As these enchanting ladies were having their pictures made, I commented to Ms. Robbie that I would like for her to visit us on her 100th birthday and have her picture made in the BIG chair again. She remarked, with a twinkle in her eye, "Oh, that's a great idea. I always like having something to look forward to!" Our mountain seemed to lose some stardust when they left.

• DIRECTIONS
  From Birmingham, AL on I-59 Headed North:
  1. Take Exit 205 (Collinsville).
  2. At the bottom of the ramp exit to the right onto Hwy 68 East.
  3. Go 1.2 miles to first red light in Collinsville, AL, turn right.
  4. Go 1/2 mile to next red light, turn left (you are still following Hwy 68E).
  5. Go 7 miles - See sign on left the secret. Turn left at sign, Cruickshank Lane.
  6. Go to the top of mountain. Behold!

• From Chattanooga, TN on I-59 Headed South:
  1. Take Exit 205 (Collinsville).
  2. Turn left at end of exit ramp.
  3. Follow steps 3 through 6 above (from Birmingham).

• From Atlanta, GA via 75 North (we recommend traveling through Cave Springs rather then Hwy 20. Cave Springs to Centre is a pretty drive and has no traffic lights or city traffic.
  1. Take Exit 290 (Rome/Canton exit).
  2. Follow 20 West.
  3. For a while you will be on 20 West and 411 South. Follow 411 South to Cave Springs, GA; Centre, AL; and Leesburg, AL.
  4. At the red light in Leesburg, turn right onto Hwy 68 West.
  5. Travel 2.4 miles.
  6. Turn right at the sign the secret Bed & Breakfast Lodge onto Cruickshank Lane. (Note: upon approaching the sign, you will see a chain-link fence on a small hill on the right side of the road. You will turn right when the chain-link fence ends onto Cruickshank Lane.)
  7. Follow Cruickshank Lane to the top of the mountain and...behold!

• From Atlanta Airport (GA): (Estimated traveling time 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours)
  1. From the terminal, take Camp Creek Parkway/Return to Terminal. This splits. Follow Camp Creek Parkway.
  2. Go about 1.5 miles and take 20 West.
  3. In Alabama, take Exit 199 (Hefling/Hollis). This is the 2nd Hefling exit.
  4. Follow Hwy 9 North to Piedmont, then to Centre.
  5. In Centre, turn left onto Hwy 411 South. Travel about 5 miles to Leesburg.
  6. Follow steps 4 through 6 above (From Atlanta via 75 North).

• From Huntsville, AL: (Estimated traveling time 1-1/2 hours)
  1. From Huntsville, take 431 South to Guntersville, Albertville, and Boaz, AL.
  2. In Boaz, turn left onto Hwy 168 East. Travel 7 miles.
  3. Turn right onto 68 East and travel 23 miles.
  4. Turn left at sign, Cruickshank Lane.
  5. Go to top of mountain and behold the view!