Whitestone: A Country Tennessee Bed and Breakfast

A recent study by psychologists Leaf Van Boven and Thomas Gilovich concluded that over time people consistently valued experiences over material things.
The take-away quote was “take longer vacations and cut back on purchases.”
As I look backward over my life, I whole-heartedly agree that vacations, trips, getaways and special places are treasured in my memory more than cars, furniture and other possessions. Just before dinner, I took pictures of several individual couples standing on the back porch overlooking the pasture and the lake. One couple talked about the memories made the last few days here at Whitestone. Canoeing, hiking to see the Scottish Highland cattle, seeing deer and wild turkeys and watching the moon come up over the lake from their balcony.
We really don’t need a psychological study (probably funded with Federal stimulus money) to convince us to make memories and have “Kodak” moments in our lives. Maybe it helps justify the next vacation or time away to experience life’s best.
Paul Cowell

We are fortunate to have guests from around the world visit us at Whitestone.A recent guest had just returned from Afganistan where she had served an international aid organization for two years. She is twenty-six years old, very attractive and left the US yesterday for another two year term in that war-torn country, I asked about the danger and she said ” It is dangerous but I get used to it”.
Here is the note she left for me when she checked out: As I prepare to leave Whitestone again, I can’t help but think about what this place has become to me. Refuge. Safe Haven. Sanctuary. A Stone of Help. All these things, yes, but somehyow more. It’s funny, but the image that actually come to mind is Rivendell from Lord of the Rings. Same & Frodo flee there along their journe6y for safety, healing, encouragemehnt. It sustains them and strengthens them for the long road ahead that they must face. It’s not a place they can hang onto or stay–but it gives them what they need to carry on in the task they were made for. It gives them a chance to catch their breath before they step out again.
I will step back to Afganistan again next week and as much as a part of my heart would rather never leave Whitestone, I know I wasn’t meant to stay longer, but you have provided a space for me to heal, breathe, just be. And to be reminded that at the “end” of the road, I will be allowed to “linger” in the Beauty.
I heard someone say once that we’re good at sending out our sheep to live among wolves, but not good at all at receiving them back; healing the wounds, and nurturing them to return.
You have done this with grace, beauty and amazing natural quality. Thank you for making “Rivendell” for me”.
Rivendell was a strong image when I built the drive-thru barn as an entrance-gate to safety. Without me telling her That I wanted Whitestone to be the place of preparationfot the journey “ann” nailed it.
Paull

Last night at dinner I heard a new reason to vist the inn. Several years ago I planted 100 blueberry bushes-9 varities so there is an 8 week season. I asked a couple what brought them to Whitestone. They replied “This our second year to come to pick blueberries. And we  will be back every year for the blueberries”.  I  have heard  various reasons for coming-escape from children,anniversaries, birthdays, sanity break, traveling to or from Florida. Blueberries was new.

Whitestone has attracted guests from around the world, but tonight was exceptional. Guests at dinner were from Guatemala, Morocco, China, Thailand, Columbia, Ukraine and Russia. US guests were from 6 states. It is gratifying to realize the reach of our influence around the world. The wonderful article inthe March 09 issue of Southern Living has certainly benefited our spring and summer occupancy.
Most things I’ve done in life have dimished in intensity and enjoyment over time. But hosting dinner at Whitestone has not lost any of it’s luster or pleasure for me. Tonight- an almost full moon rising over Watts Bar Lake, horses grazing leisurely in the twilight, geese on the pond, a full dinning room with guests lingering over coffee and Whitestone Delight Pie…..
I love my life as an innkeeper!
Paul

THE 10,000 HOUR RULE

In his book, OUTLIERS, Malcolm Gladwell presents neurologist Daniel Levitin’s study of world-class experts. Levitin says that “scientific” studies indicate that 10,000 hours are a pre-requisite to be a world-class master in any arena. He gives several examples to prove his thesis.

As I read this, I thought about Innkeeping. Specifically I thought about what I enjoy most about Innkeeping: being the host for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Whitestone. In the 12 ½ years since we opened, I have greeted guests at approximately 4,000 breakfasts, 1500 lunches, and 4,000 dinners. That equates to about 17,500 hours of interactions with guests to our Inn.

I love these opportunities to hear the stories of weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, sanity breaks, escape from children, rest from stress, preparation for tomorrow’s struggles, honeymoons—and the list goes on and on. I love answering the question: “What possessed you to build Whitestone?” (I wonder how many times I have told the story.)

But if Daniel Levitan’s study is true about being a master after 10,000 hours—I am there! My goal is to make each guest feel comfortable and cared for. It is getting increasingly difficult to remember what story goes with which face and name. After 27,000 couples, I need a bigger chip! More gigabytes!

Being a master innkeeper is not just about the 10,000 hour rule. I guess you could just put in the time and not care and not get any better with more hours. But the years have not diminished the joy of getting up each day and renewing my relationship with former guests and meeting new friends.

Everything in my life has prepared me for the opportunity to be an innkeeper. I love my life. I love my guests. After 17,500 hours I am getting this innkeeping thing down. Everyone should be fortunate enough to get to practice what they love at least 10,000 hours until they really master their arena of service .

Time to go to bed and joy—joy, I get to practice grace-based southern hospitality again tomorrow. And I (humbly) think that I am getting good at it.

Paul

Whitestone Inn is lucky enough to have 360 acres on lovely Watts Bar Lake for our guests to explore and enjoy while staying at our Bed and Breakfast in Tennessee. Take out a canoe or a paddle boat and try your hand at some fishing.

All of our rooms are outfitted to make your stay next to Watts Bar as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. Whirlpool tubs and cozy fireplaces make these rooms appealing all-year long.

There are a lot of lodging choices at Whitestone Inn. Make your Watts Bar Lake Rental as all-inclusive or self-catered as you want.  If you stay in one of the suites at the Entrance Barn, you will have a full kitchen in your suite as well as a spacious guestroom. These suites are well-furnished and inviting; no drab grey and brown condominium decor here! We want our rooms to match the beauty of Watts Bar Lake and the natural beauty of the Kingston region.

Beautiful Watts Bar Lake at Whitestone Inn

Or stay in the School House in one of the full suites there with private porches overlooking the Whitestone Property. Look forward to whirlpool tubs and waterfall showers in these suites along with kitchenettes.

In the Osprey Suite in the Lion and Lamb Victorian home, enjoy water views from the inviting room that has a whirlpool tub as well as a jetted shower. These rooms are some of the more intimate and romantic Watts Bar Lake rentals we have.

One of our favorite and most secluded rentals is in the Rose Cottage. The Oriole Suite is on the second level of the Rose Cottage and has a beautiful view of Watts Bar Lake from it’s tree-top porch.

So no matter the lodging experience you are looking for while visiting the lake, we have something for you at Whitestone Inn, an East Tennessee Bed and Breakfast.

I have recently been involved on a board where the institution felt the need to re-brand itself and present a new image to the world. As we went through the agonizing process I re-evaluated Whitestone Country Inn’s “brand’.
When I made the first notes about what would become Whitestone in 1963 I didn’t have our brand clearly defined. But the place that I now call “a sanctuary for the soul’ was at the core of my dream. Thirty-four years later I opened Whitestone as a place of peace and refuge from all the stressors of daily life. As I thought of re-branding, I was thankful that what I envisioned so long ago didn’t need re-defining or changing to some other image. After 30,000 couples have re-created here and 1000 brides and grooms have united their live together at our chapel the reality is better than I dreamed.
Whitestone remains “a sanctuary for the soul’: that deepest part of us that longs for a gentler time.
Paul

The National Opinion Research Center study shows that the happiest people in America have common circumstances: they enjoy what they do for a living; have a sense of security;have close friends; are optimistic;believe in God. I am blessed that I enjoy those things listed. Life is good!
Paul

A friend from high-school came to Whitestone. I had not seen him since 1959 and would not have recognized him if he had not identified himself when he pulled in the entrance to the chapel. I was parking

cars for a wedding, greeted him warmly and told him to go to the next entrance to check in.

Two hours later we renewed our friendship in the dining room after not talking for all those years. I greeted other guests, poured tea and water and was enjoying  a beautiful Saturday evening. As I was pouring my high-school friend more tea he said “Back in school you were a bit unusual and the class was about evenly split about what career options you might choose. Half of us thought you would be a parking lot attendant and the other half said you would end up waiting tables somewhere. Now I see that you have been able to roll both of those jobs into one!”

My 50th class reunion is in June.Now I am nervous about going. I may find out what they were saying behind my back.