We (Doug and Walker Silsbee) bought George and Lucy Green's farm in 1996 from their heirs, good people who have since become friends and neighbors. After some soul-searching about how best to fill Walker's dream of stewarding such a special piece of the earth, and how to bring Doug's work with leaders closer to home, we decided to remodel the old tobacco barn. Bend of Ivy Lodge was born.

Walker is the main visionary, designer and manager of the Bend of Ivy. A former family therapist, her aesthetic sense is everywhere. “I seek to steward the land in such a way as to provide an environment for people to connect to the Sacred within nature and within themselves. Bend of Ivy is shaped by my experiences in helping people through therapy, and my training with spiritual teachers in the US, Canada, India and Indonesia. I see Bend of Ivy as a place from which the seeds of compassion, creativity and stillness can be nurtured.”

Doug is Walker’s husband, and has had his own business since 1986 as an author, workshop leader, and leadership coach. He is also the Lodge’s most loyal customer! ”Since we moved here, my work has become much deeper, and has a strong focus on developing leaders who have an expansive, global view, and who are making bold commitments. I love being on this land, which nurtures me and supports my work. I’m grateful to see what has been built here, and how many lives are touched.”

Bend of Ivy Lodge is the manifestation of our dreams to build a balanced and sustainable life doing work with meaning, while caring for a special piece of land. We hope that you will enjoy visiting, and will sense the magic here, as we have done. We are the proud parents of three grown children, two of whom lived here for years before moving away from home. Each has contributed in his or her own way.

Our eldest daughter, Alisia, is a gifted cook that created her own business, the Floured Apron, and was one of the first caterers to work here. As the favorite caterer, she served many a tasty meal as well as helping with the landscaping before moving to Florida. Now back in NC, she continues to help in the catering business as well as providing us with a son-in-law Chance, who almost single-handedly rebuilt the creek and waterfall features above the Lodge. Their son Miles, our first grandchild, continues to bring his own magic to Bend of Ivy by feeding the fish and keeping his grandparents young in Heart.

Megan, our younger daughter, is a bartender and is studying jewelry design. She has worked with caterers at many events here over the years as well as helping with some of the early landscaping that is the foundation of our gardens.

Nathan recently graduated from UNCA and has launched his own multimedia business, Silsbee Design. Nathan, most recently, has been a great collaborator in designing and building this website.

There are many creatures you may meet here, including our dogs Lyra and Scruffy, goats, and the wild ones: the great blue heron, red fox, coyotes, deer, box turtle, fireflies, and countless others that have been calling this home since way before we were here.