Reviews for Robbinsville Vacation Rental - VRBO 914 - 3 BR Smoky Mountains Farmhouse in NC, Jimbo's Farm - 53 Acre Retreat with Trout Pond and Stream

Fall Break 2012

Guest Debyjo
Date of stay 10/07/12
Review Submitted 10/15/12

We truly enjoyed our stay at Jimbo's Farm. Jimbo called the morning after our arrival to check on us and to let us know to call him if we needed anything. The location was perfect for lots of family time. My husband and son caught trout each day out of the pond. My son caught seven on the second day of our trip. They are all around 14-16 inches long, so they were fun to catch. We released all but one of them, it was injured during the catch. The younger kids can enjoy catching the large shad in the pond since they are very easy to catch and many are around 6 inches. We hiked the trails behind the house and enjoyed the beautiful fall scenery. Our dog loved the open yard and freedom to run. He also enjoyed relaxing on the dock in the sun. We drove to Bryson City and took the train ride into the Nantahala Gorge and enjoyed a picnic lunch on our break. If you are looking for a wonderful place to relax and just enjoy nature this is definitely the place for you. The house is rustic. There are only a couple of things I would recommend changing; the bathroom could use a little work and the house could use a good dusting of the higher items. Some of the tiles in the shower are cracked/broken and there was some mold. We enjoyed roasting hot dogs in the fire pit. It was fun gathering our own wood for the fire pit from around the property. We also burned the potbelly stove and enjoyed the warmth of the fire on the cool fall mornings. The spring water from the faucet tastes so great! This would make a perfect place for a photo shoot. We will likely be visiting again next fall so we can check out the whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. Thank you, Jimbo, for a wonderful week!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thanks for your kind review. We cleaned mold & re caulked the bathroom in April. During the summer it's a constant battle. We redid shower stall in October and left a Clorox spray that should help. The cracked tiles have been mended. Guests love to keep the windows open so dust & pollen are another battle. Carolyn has been issued a small leaf blower & is on that. Glad you had a great time.

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Perfect!!

Guest KP2
Date of stay 11/05/11
Review Submitted 11/23/11

JImbo, thank you for the most wonderful vacation I have ever experienced! The house was warm and inviting and had all of the amenities that one could ask for. The breathtaking property was a joy to explore – I only left once to go to the grocery store and to Joyce Kilmer. I could not have asked for a more perfect place to get away from the hectic city life! I have referred two friends to you who are interested in coming next spring or summer. I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to rent your amazing property – I look forward to coming back next year!! Happy Holidays! Kathi P.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, pet owners, romantic getaway.

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No Ritz Carlton - thank GOODNESS! A different kind of Heaven!

Guest DisneyDolphin
Date of stay 07/09/11
Review Submitted 07/27/11

I am a control freak planner. This vacation was a departure for me. When we were driving to Jimbo's Farm July 9th, 2011 for a week long vacation with our two dogs, I had a plan in mind. When we turned down the lane and made our descent to this idyllic hidden home, those plans went out the window and I started one of the best vacations of my life. The home is 110 years old, so with that, we had no central air conditioning, and a heat wave. The only other area of improvement I would note is that during rainy days, there isn't "cozy" furniture to relax on. The couch has seen it's finest day. The property is the plus! Diverse property. Nice, big cleared space, the pond or lake where we fed fish every day. Fruit trees that should be ready soon! I saw peaches, but they were still developing! Trails through the property to go on your own, secluded hikes. The best tap water I have ever had, feeding from the Springs. Amazing and not something I was bargaining for. Our dogs rediscovered themselves after living in concrete covered Orlando. We used the fire pit and grill every night. We caught fireflies, or lightning bugs depending on where you are from. This home could easily sleep 6 in the main house and 2 in the outbuilding that has the washer and dryer in it. There is one bathroom in the house, which is all we needed. But there was an additional, "rustic" with plumbing bath in the out building as well if you brought a big family. I read books in the hammock every afternoon! I haven't read books in years! I missed having internet access, not for recreation, but for checking out local sights and getting directions. The internet at McDonald's was at times slow and I felt I needed to purchase gross food there to use it without being rude. Amazing retreat. I would recommend for anyone looking for an environment condusive for quality time, nature appreciation without "frills".

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

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Guest Marty
Date of stay 11/14/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Hi Jim, Wanted to send you a note about how much we enjoyed your farm! You truly have a beautiful, peaceful place, and we had a much needed relaxing week! The girls slept on the downstairs floor with us in the bedroom. This kept them from waking up too much at night and from worrying about that closet!! (Brenna got stuck in last year) Our son, Connor, made the fire every morning and talked about how he thought about making us breakfast (even though it never happened until Mom got up and helped!) Fishing was great, but Connor had more trouble getting the fish off the hook with the single hook verses the lure he used with 3 hooks.....seems the fish were swallowing the single hooks, while the 3 hooker snagged there mouth instead. (I'm not a fisherman so I wouldn't know the first thing about this) Connor also had fun playing darts and reading in his spare time. Girls fed the birds, stuck their feet in the creek, did some nature hikes and fished with sticks. I forgot to move the wooden horse back to it's spot for wood chopping. The girls used it for an easel for art one day. And I think I left some take out food in fridge. Sorry, I get so many distractions from kids when packing up the car. Weather was strange, but we didn't care. Kids loved the snow first day. I should have gotten a picture of them fishing in the snow storm! Our last day we were awaked by an extremely loud clap of thunder....my youngest will probably remember that as the most memorable part of this trip (atleast it's better than being locked in upstairs closet!) Anyway, thanks again and take care till next time. Theresa McCaffrey

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Guest Donna
Date of stay 10/03/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Hello Jim, Donna Redmon here. Just wanted to thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to share your little Bit `o` Heaven ! From our first minute to the last , it was the most magical place on earth.... And if that sounds like an exaggeration, you should here what my parents think of it ! That was the first time in 20+ years my Dad had gone on a vacation, and even with his shriveled ole bones, he still made it down to the pond twice a day........quite a walk for him I might add. The weather was just perfect. We had peak color up until Tues. nite, when a rain storm and cold front came thru and really did a number on the foliage. I was so glad my brother and I got lots of pix on Monday. We both enjoy amatuer photography competition and hope we got some good material for our local contests. If we have some special shots of the farm, we will send you a copy of our entries. We certainly were dissapointed we did not get to meet. We feel like we know you and have many questions about the farm. Monday, the 13th was Canadian Thanksgiving(my sister-inlaw is from British Columbia) and she made a full Thanksgiving meal with turkey and this "strange " Canada style stuffing. So, all 3 of the ladies were in the kitchen Monday till dark. Wish you could have been there. Thanksgiving at the Farm was awesome ! We had the kids collect wood from the area and had hot dogs and S`mores one evening with a nice warm bonfire out back. We left a lot of pine cones and other small wood collected, in the small trailer under the shed, in case the next tenants wanted to enjoy a fire. Since it was nice and cool, we girls enjoyed having a crock pot of something good smelling, going in the kitchen nearly everyday. You could probably smell the onions all the way to Fla! The whole week, we all thought of planning our next visit to the farm. As a plan, we all discussed, having a $$collection,a special container "THE JIMBO JAR". Instead of giving each other gifts for Christmas,B`day etc. We will take the sum of money we would spend, wrap it in gift wrap, and the recipient will put it in the Jimbo Jar. When we get a weeks rental saved ,we will plan another visit. And,believe it or not, we all got along so well. There was so much room to roam,and everyone had their special space,we never crossed swords...even once! I know this is a bit wordy, but your sharing your home with us was a treat.

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Guest Manny
Date of stay 09/26/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Jim, Just wanted to tell you thanks for a great week of totally getting away from "it all." The farm was everything it should be. I tried to call you and Carolyn Saturday before we left at just after 9 A.M. Your phone just rang and we left a message at Carolyn's. We left the place like we found it. Keys on the table and the one door unlocked. I did shut off the pilot light and gas to the gas logs in the bedroom. Terminex came by one day and an older gentleman showed up to cut the grass on Wednesday or Thursday. We saw the gameroom, but ended up not ever getting around to using it. Hiked up and down the trails a lot. Did some fishing. The catch and release was a blast. Kay caught a Goldie on Thursday. Stunning. It wasn't the great big one but still big. The geese pretty much stayed at the pond. Saw one snake at a distance. Neither saw nor heard coyotes. We brought along a Sirius radio so that was what we listened to the whole time. Kay thinks the only way to improve the place would be to add a hot tub on the front porch. (She really wanted me to put that in.) I would like to suggest making it possible to pay by card. Again, it was all you said and more. We will refer you to our friends. Steve and Kay

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Guest Cassy
Date of stay 08/08/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Jim, Just wanted to say that we had a wonderful time at Jimbo's Farm! The weather could not have been better (cold at night and great star gazing!), the men enjoyed hunting (my husband actually spotted 3 grouse - did not get to shoot them), and they played pool one night. Loved looking around the farm and enjoyed the house. The men also fished (those are some big trout!) and shot clays. What a great get away! Thanks for having us and we hope to come back again soon! Cassy

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Guest Lee
Date of stay 07/25/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Hi Jim, We are back in Atlanta and everything is so noisy here after the peace and quiet of your farm. We had a really wonderful stay. The farm house is charming and very comfortable and the property is beautiful.We made it to Joyce Kilmer which was amazing and drove part of the Skyway where we took lots of photos. I did some shopping at the native American store but was disappointed that Snowbird Trading Post and Beckies Jams were closed (it must be off season for them). Did not make it to Yellow Branch Cheese, we'll will save that for next time. We took a long walk down the path you told us to take and enjoyed the woods and stream . Also gazed at the log cabin. What a great old place ! Really neat!! We loved sitting on the porch and watching your geese and babies. You had two pairs of new geese that tried to land at your pond but Papa Goose quickly ran them off. Saw the muskrat also.On Friday Lee caught a huge trout ( 17 inches I think). We released him because it was BBQ night. Lee said that if we had caught him on Thursday he would have fed the two of us by himself (he was that big). Well I could go on and on but I think you get an idea of what a really fun and wonderful time we had. We are thankful that you share such a great place. We will try to get back soon , maybe high summer or fall.Ill be in touch as soon as we can plan. Thanks again for everything ! Allyn and Lee

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Guest James
Date of stay 06/06/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Jimbo, We've arrived safely home, and I wanted to thank you for allowing us to stay at your place. For the third time, it was paradise and a perfect vacation. I reckon that in the future, when it's vacation time, it's your place we'll return to. Take the best care of yourself, and stay in touch. You'll be hearing from us again. Semper Fi, Jim and Lacey

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Guest Jason
Date of stay 05/23/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Jimbo, I just want to thank you for letting us rent your fabulous farm house. We had a great time and the dogs loved being able to run and explore with us as we hiked the property. We will definitely be coming back. Best wishes and happy holidays, Jason

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Guest Tracy
Date of stay 04/18/09
Review Submitted 03/25/10

Jim, Below is the article that I have written to go in my July issue of Rabun's Laurel. Please let me know if there is anything you would like to see differently. Thanks Tracy PS. The goslings are growing so fast!!!!!! Life is a Blessing - On the Farm This month I write to you from the front porch of a 100 year old farm house in Robinsville, North Carolina. A cool breeze blows across the porch as I type on my laptop. My make-shift office is the computer sitting on a TV tray, with a rocking chair in lieu of an office chair. A mother goose and six goslings feed at the bottom of the porch steps not five feet away. I can hear the birds singing, far away in the distance a truck makes its way along the road, and the incredibly large rainbow trout in the pond jump and splash in search of food. This is the life!! My family and I have indulged on a much needed vacation to a place called Jimbo's Farm nestled in the Nantahalla National Forest. A 53 acre farm at the end of the road affording us the utmost in peace and quiet. As I sat in the porch swing yesterday my mind wondered about the original owners of this place. Someone raised children in this home, family reunions were probably held here, and memories were made within these walls. An arch of grapevine crowns the steps up to the front porch, wide thick oak boards make the floor of the porch and an old red porch swing hangs on the left side, two rocking chairs in the center and a bench with fishing poles, nets, and gear are on the far right by the screen door leading into the living room. A smaller back porch with two old wicker chairs and a bell to ring when supper is ready is found off the kitchen. Out back is a pole barn with enough wood stacked to keep a family warm through the winter months, a grill or two and a table for cleaning fish. An outbuilding with washer and dryer and extra sleeping room and bath is a little more rustic than I like but still there if needed. Up behind the house through a meadow of tall grass is Jimbo's playroom. A small wooden structure that will take you back to the 70's with mismatched furnishings, a pool table, dart board, box fan in the window and a large collection of cassette tapes with everything from Merle Haggard to Jimmy Buffet and the Beatles. Inside the house reminds me of my grandmother's house. When a home has stood for a hundred years through many owners a collection of stuff is sure to be found inside.

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Jimbo's Farm - 53 Acre Retreat with Trout Pond and Stream [#914] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (11)

Fall Break 2012

Fall Break 2012

Perfect!!

Perfect!!

No Ritz Carlton - thank GOODNESS! A different kind of Heaven!

No Ritz Carlton - thank GOODNESS! A different kind of Heaven!