Published: September 15, 2008 09:52 am      

Pike's Peak opens in Fountain County

Some are soothed by the rhythmic chirping of crickets in the surrounding cornfields. Others rejoice in hearing the peculiar sounds of a house that’s withstood the challenges of nature for more than a century — the creaking of the staircase or a screen door slamming against the jamb.

But what’s most striking about Jim and Barb Moffett’s farm house southeast of Veedersburg, Ind., may be what you can’t hear. No cars. No crowds. No barking dogs. Just quiet country bliss.

When Jim and his sister, Sara Stoner of Merrillville, Ind., inherited the homestead from their parents several years ago, the Moffetts weren’t sure what to do with it. But after bouncing different ideas around they decided to share the beauty and serenity of the place by creating a countryside retreat.

“We didn’t want to tear it (the house) down,” Barb Moffett said. “We thought a bed and breakfast might work. But we’re doing it a little differently — we’re renting the whole house.”

Located about nine miles southeast of Veedersburg near Steam Corner, Pike’s Peak Garden Center and Retreat is only a 20-minute drive from Rockville and the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, and even closer to Turkey Run and Shades state parks.

“We’re far enough off the beaten path that you have the privacy of the country, but not so far that it’s hard to find us,” Moffett said.

With three bedrooms upstairs, and a kitchen, living room and dining room downstairs, the house makes a perfect weekend getaway for a family. But any small group that wants to come out and stay is welcome, Moffett said.

“I will provide a continental breakfast if you want it, or if you want to bring in your own food that’s OK too,” she said.

The opening of Pike’s Peak — or simply “The Farm House” as Jim and Barb are used to calling it — marks the end of the couple’s long restoration process to return the home to its former glory. The renovation started with some basic repairs and cleaning up the overgrown yard, followed by tearing out carpets, painting walls, and stripping and refinishing all the woodwork. In the living room alone, Moffett peeled off eight layers of wallpaper, the bottom one dating back to 1911. The result is a homey countryside retreat clearly inspired by Moffett’s knack for interior décor.

“I call this the Sunshine Room, because it’s so bright and sunny,” Moffett said as she showed off a bedroom with soft yellow walls and coordinating accents.

Next to the Sunshine Room is what she calls the Hydrangea Room, which has a blue and white theme, decorated with antique quilts, vintage postcards and dried flowers.

“This is the Barns and Baseball Room,” she continued and moved to the last bedroom, which boasts a wall panel made of wood from an old corn crib, and black-and-white photographs reminiscent of the sport Jim used to play as a kid.

As the name suggests, there’s more to Pike’s Peak Garden Center and Retreat than the bed and breakfast. Moffett, a master gardener who arranges flower beds and pots for several local businesses, has also opened a garden shop at her and Jim’s home at 920 Tenth St. in Covington.

“Initially we thought we’d have the garden shop out here (at the farm house) but with the price of gas that’s just not feasible,” she explained.

In a newly-built shed in her back yard, Moffett sells dried flowers, wreaths, silk flower arrangements, herbs and a wide variety of whatever annuals are in season. She also sells bird and butterfly houses made by her brother, Mike McCarley of Greenfield, Ind.

“I try to stick with the garden theme,” Moffett said about the inventory.

Her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Moffetts’ neighbor of 20 years, Carol Romine, said she often asks Moffett for gardening advice.

“She’s really helpful and she makes you feel OK asking questions,” Romine said.

The last time Romine saw the farm house, the Moffetts were busy hanging wallpaper and sanding floors, and she’s looking forward to seeing the finished product now that the retreat is open for business.

“I know they’ve done a lot of work with it, and I can tell she’s excited. It’s just like with the flowers, I can tell she’s got a passion for that,” Romine said, adding that she likes the bed and breakfast idea. “I know she (Moffett) is trying hard to get the word out (about the retreat). She’s very meticulous with the planning, so I think it’ll be nice.”

FYI

Pike’s Peak Garden Center and Retreat will have an open house from 1-6 p.m. EDT Sunday. To get to Pike’s Peak, go south on U.S. Route 41 from Veedersburg, then turn left (east) on Indiana Route 32. Follow Route 32 for about 3 miles, then turn (south) on South 370 East. Pike’s Peak is the first house on the right.