Horse Stamp Inn, Waverly, Georgia  ~ August 11th, 2012 ~ By Debi Lander

Opening a new bed and breakfast created big news in Waverly, Georgia. Reckon that’s because Waverly (population 1,500) dozes like a Southern belle in the heat of the day. Waverly is a laid back town which, until recently, sat a little off the beaten track. The new Horse Stamp Church Road exit, off Interstate 95, is changing things.

The unusual name of the road derives from the War of 1812. Seems some soldiers tied their horses in the area and the equines stomped out a clearing. The track became known as the Horse Stamp grounds and later a church was erected on the site: theHorseStampChurch.

Kris and Tom Hutcheson courageously decided to become innkeepers while living in Denver. They bought a grand home and moved to rural Georgia. Like city slickers not wanting to waste time, they landscaped the grounds, made luxurious upgrades to the interior and added a mix of classic and antique furniture to the property, and all within four months’ time.

The Horse Stamp Inn now offers five gorgeously appointed suites, each decorated to reflect the decor and style of its namesake: Dawn Run, Sugar Foot, Seabiscuit, April Love and Cimarron. The Seabiscuit Suite is the largest and offers access to the panoramic upper terrace. The bedroom feels wedding night romantic. Actually, the Horse Stamp Inn would make an ideal location for a wedding. The Hutchesons maintain a pristine barn on sixteen tranquil acres as well as an artesian pond.

Guests looking for more than relaxation can enjoy simple pleasures like walking or playing cards, or may swim in the saltwater pool and fish the pond. Tom can arrange boat outings along the Georgia coast on a private 21-foot vessel. Cruising to Jekyll Island takes less than an hour but a full day is needed for an excursion to Cumberland Island- a National Seashore managed by the National Park Service.

Overnight visitors delight with the plentiful breakfast Kris prepares. She incorporates fresh produce from the garden when available. I was served blueberry cornmeal pancakes (bursting with homegrown berries) bacon and quiche. Kris said, “Guests love to gather eggs for a morning omelet.” As you might expect, two horses also make their home at the Horse Stamp Inn, along with the egg-laying chickens.

The Inn’s dining room and kitchen are available for dinners by a private chef or caterer or folks simply hop in their car and drive over to one of the many restaurants on nearby St. Simon’sIsland.

The Horse Stamp Inn makes a particularly great getaway for folks from the Jacksonville and Savannah areas, or anyone traveling Interstate 95.

For reservations or information call: 912 882-6280

2418 Horsestamp Church Rd

Waverly, GA 31565

www.HorseStampInn.com