Everyone has a route to how they’ve gotten from there to here and we are no exception. While I was growing up as an Army Brat, Curtis was getting settled in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. While I spent my young life living on the move in and out of military and civilian housing, Curtis was traipsing around the mountains finding his lifelong interest in birds and the natural world. During high school, my family finally settled in Wilmington, North Carolina where I was able to fall in love with the coast, coastal nature, and an amazing architectural history.
Although the coast had a lot to offer, I’ve always been one willing to see what else is out there. The end of my sophomore year of high school I was able to work for the Youth Conservation (YCC). The next summer I was asked to come back and that is where the coastal girl met her mountain boy. Curtis and I became inseparable friends while clearing trails and building fences on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Time spent in YCC hiking, camping, and learning about the environment formed the basis for our relationship that has continued to be an important part of our lives.
The first three decades spent raising our family in Boone was a whirlwind of adventures wrapped into a supportive extended family and community support. We always continued to appreciate nature as we worked, hiked, homesteaded, and raised our children. Environmental awareness, history, preservation, education, and community involvement has continued to weave its way through our married life.
I spent a career in the field of public education, as an art teacher, middle school teacher, and school administrator. I loved to travel and have visited twenty different countries. I consider it an honor that several international travel experiences were with teachers and/or students. I believe international travel is an important part of understanding others and how we all connect to each other on this planet. Hiking, gardening, and playing with my grandchildren is how I spend my free time these days.
Curtis works for the National Audubon Society as the Director of Conservation for AudubonNorth Carolina. An ornithologist (bird biologist) by profession now, Curtis also spent the first half of his early career working for the Southern Appalachian Historical Association (Horn in the West and Hickory Ridge Homestead in Boone NC) as museum director then general manager. His interest in homebuilding and historic architecture was fed by his work on log buildings for the historical association, and has served him well with the Banks House restoration. He loves to birdwatch, be with the grandkids, and go on forced hikes with his wife (tee hee).
Throughout our lives we have renovated, restored, and designed several buildings and homes. Working hard and respecting the environment have been a foundation of our lives. We both love to be with our children and grandchildren while continuing to attempt to bring something good into our local community.
Renovating an old home that was important to the community and then being able to open it up for visitors is an honor. Telling the story of this home, preserving the nature around it, and making a beautiful place in a small town has been important to us. We are excited about this new adventure into innkeeping and excited to be able to share a piece of history with all of those who enter the Banks house as our guests.
