Blessed with Great Guests at Argyle Inn B&B

What an amazing week we had last week with the most fabulous guests!

We always say that we host "the spice of life" guests because we have such a great variety of folks that stay with us. We had some parents here to visit their son who is completing the Captain's course at Fort Benning. This course is challenging and shows the commitment of a career officer in the Infantry. A lovely young couple stopped here for two days to celebrate their first anniversary. Such serendipity that they chose Columbus, GA on their way home and found us in their search! This young man has an exceptional talent for capturing the essence of people in his wedding photographs and his beautiful bride supports him with his business and is just so sweet. His business card is tucked in a safe spot for that day when our son will walk down the aisle with his own sweet bride by his side. Another lovely young couple stopped here on their way to a family gathering in Alabama and it was their 2nd Anniversary and his birthday. Since they were pretty chatty, I think we covered quite a few topics in their short time here! They were so cute when they asked us about the bed in their room. My husband always likes to tell people that it's not the mattress, but that we sprinkle "magic house elf dust" in the rooms for restful slumber. :-) A small group of folks from another town in GA were here for the Willie Nelson concert at the Civic Center. We had Willie's music playing on the CD player for their arrival. For some reason, I always think of the TX Hill Country near where we lived in Austin when I hear his music (hmmm..."Luckenbach, Texas" & the Gruene Music Hall could be the key here). I had a good chuckle when I mentioned Texas during breakfast service and was greeted by a chorus of "God Bless Texas!!" Then, we had the Honor Graduate from last week's OCS class and his wife. Another very, very nice young couple who we wish well in their journey with their Army career! A family group drove down from about an hour away just to explore Columbus and visit Fort Benning with their out of town visitors. They enjoyed our nice June weather after leaving the cooler temps in the Midwest. I loved the 91 year-old gentlemen, who despite his arthritis, was such a trooper with their sojourns around town. Our young wedding night couple hopefully got to relax and enjoy their hideaway in our Gruene Suite. He had just completed Basic training at Benning and they were in a whirlwind planning the final details of their outdoor wedding near the Chattahoochee River. Their quiet time and privacy were of paramount importance to us. And lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast chats with a returning guest here for the Southern Methodist conference. I think we solved most of the world's problems the last couple of mornings while she munched on her Southern style biscuits and Lemon Ginger Scones. This is truly the gift of innkeeping...the people that enrich our lives, each and every day by spending time with us! Thanks for visiting!

A Visit to the National Infantry Museum

We had a nice Friday evening visit last week to the new National Infantry Museum . (Click on the link for information about the June 19th Grand Opening and details about the exhibits.) What an impressive site! Huge flags line a walkway on the left side of the museum as you approach it from the ample parking area. The rotunda as you enter showcases the massive bronze statue, "Follow Me". It was raining when we left and the sound on the roof of the rotunda was really something.

We met up with some friends for appetizers and drinks in the cozy bar area of the Fife and Drum Restaurant. The appetizers are all first rate and the bartender was spot on with our drinks. The only downside to this nice dining spot is that the entree prices might be out of reach for the average infantryman. The servers were dressed in Revolutionary War period costumes which was a nice touch.

Next up was our first visit to the IMAX theatre here. We've been to many IMAX shows in other areas of the country and they did a really nice job on this theater. There's also a small refreshment stand outside. All the staff were attentive and helpful. We saw the theatrical release, "The Dark Knight" and the special effects and shots in IMAX were unbelievable! Be prepared to have 12,000 watts of 6 channel sound hit you.

We've already hosted several families of Fort Benning soldiers at Argyle Inn who had their graduation ceremony at the parade field at Patriot Park. The 5 acre park also has a memorial walk of honor and an authentically recreated WWII Company Street.

We can't wait for the museum's official opening on June 19th with all the state of the art interactive exhibits, the galleries, and amazing tributes to the infantryman!

Happy Mother's Day from Columbus, Georgia

A wish for a wonderful Mother's Day this year to all readers of "Porch Chat"including our previous guests (we've had quite a few mothers of infantryman stay with us) and any future guests. We'll be spending the day with our son and celebrating his recent accomplishment of earning a Master of Architecture degree with a focus in Sustainability from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a proud Mom all the time but this is a great cause for celebration this year. All the best to Moms everywhere, from your innkeeper at Argyle Inn Bed and Breakfast!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

We have really had a wet Spring this year here in Columbus, GA and some wacky weather too. Lots of rain brought beautiful blooms but more rain seemed to actually knock them down! Plants, trees, and shrubs are starting to bloom for the next round of flowers in May. Our Confederate Jasmine has just popped and the air will be filled with its sweet smell. Pretty soon our beautiful blue hydrangeas will be blooming on the side of the house.

When Spring comes to Columbus, we also have an abundance of things to do. Many of them revolve around Columbus State University and the Schwob School of Music or the university's Department of Art. We've been blessed to have a lot of fabulous guests of the University recently. Columbus is really becoming a destination for the arts. When you visit Columbus, take time to check out our beautiful RiverCenter for the performing arts. Many performances by students of the School of Music take place in Legacy Hall which has fabulous acoustics. Coming up is Rivershakes Weekend, May 7-10th with "The Taming of the Shrew". Director Troy Heard sets the play in 1950s Italy, with the style of early Fellini movies, complete with speeding Vespas and flying pizza. All shows are preceded by music and there will be food vendors. Spectators may also bring picnic baskets. After the matinee performance on Saturday, there will be a post show discussion with the cast members. And, at our murder mystery theatre here in UpTown, Sherlock's Mystery Dinner Theatre, a new show is opening up on May 8th. A new super-villain has emerged who is threatening to take over the world! The Union of Spies, Ninjas, Eagle Scouts, Assassins, and Killers (or S.N.E.A.Ks for short) has called a special session of all spies to band together to restore the balance of good and evil. Join in the game, enjoy dinner, and help thwart this power-hungry fiend in Sherlocks original new spoof. Okay, it's not the originators of the show that we've seen perform in Austin, TX but "Red, White, and Tuna" is back at the Springer Opera House. The Springer,The State Theatre of Georgia, is a great setting for any show and this is a good time for all! Visit the Argyle Inn Bed and Breakfast website and book your reservation online and mention "Spring Arts in Columbus" in the reservation notes if you're attending any of these wonderful shows and we'll give you a special rate for your stay with us.

Our Friday evening FREE concert series and Saturday Market Days are back in UpTown. Check out the art work in our Sculpture Walk on Broadway. There's plenty to do here in our historic district and our UpTown business district. We'll see you soon on the Hootch!

The Second "B" in Bed and Breakfast

Breakfast is always a special occasion at a bed and breakfast and we take great pride in serving you a delicious breakfast every morning during your stay at Argyle Inn in Columbus, Georgia. Your innkeeper is your chef and she searches for the freshest, tastiest ingredients for you to begin your day. Great care is taken to prepare something different each morning during your stay with us. Our hot breakfast entrees alternate between something savory (like three cheese and herb frittata) or something sweet (Belgian waffles with pure maple syrup are an example). Your three-course breakfast always includes fresh fruit and some kind of baked goods. A selection of juices are offered. Coffee is ground fresh each morning and brewed just for our guests. A selection of fine teas is available in the dining room. As an innkeeper friend in Virginia says, "Continental is not spoken here"! (Unless you need something early in the morning to make a flight or meeting, then we will make sure that you have a brown bag breakfast "to go" - we don't want you to leave hungry.) Come stay with us and see why our guests rave about our breakfasts!

February Special at the Inn

Remember what it was like to spend time just with each other? No worries, no hectic schedule to keep...just the two of you. Spend any 2 nights during February with us at our boutique bed and breakfast in the heart of the Historic District and let us pamper you so you can remember that time together. This romantic getaway includes:

2 nights lodging in any room (subject to availability) at Argyle Inn Bed & Breakfast
A seasonal flower bouquet on arrival. There will be an additional charge for roses, and are subject to availability.
Our special "Spa Basket"
Cheese and cracker tray OR chocolate dipped strawberries waiting in your room
Our 3-course "inn-credible" breakfast both mornings (You may have it served en suite one morning of your stay, with our compliments.)
Recommendations and reservations for a romantic dinner
Plus, all of our bed and breakfast amenities that our guests rave about!

$400/for 2 nights, plus applicable lodging and sales tax. Package not available with any other discount, corporate or extended stay rate. No substitutions, please. Package available 2/1/09-2/28/09. Relax, re-connect, rejuvenate!

Happy New Year!

Warmest wishes for 2009! There are plenty of great things that will be happening in Columbus, Georgia this year. The opening of the fantastic new National Infantry Museum and more new businesses in UPTown, to name a few.

We'll be celebrating our one year anniversary in March and the main house is 100 years old, so stayed tuned for more information on specials and other happenings!

Happy New Year from Argyle Inn Bed & Breakfast!