BOSTIC, N.C. – Tim Ferris, Founder and President of both Defiant Marine and Defiant Whisky, is featured in the new HISTORY series, “Billion Dollar Wreck.”

The series follows famed treasure hunter Martin Bayerle and his son Grant as they embark on a complex expedition in pursuit of both personal redemption and a billion dollars’ worth of treasure aboard the renowned and mysterious sunken cruise liner, RMS Republic. “Billion Dollar Wreck” premieres Monday, February 8 at 10 p.m. ET/ PT.

Ferris brings to the expedition years of technical deep-sea salvage diving expertise. It is the kind of high-risk, high-stakes project Ferris’ Defiant Marine knows better than anyone in the world, and it taps into a trait he shares with Bayerle — a determined and relentless desire to beat the odds in projects others would abandon.

“I was immediately drawn to Republic’s undeniable and truly historic story,” said Ferris, “and my role is to identify and manage a myriad of desires and expectations and orchestrate a safe and timely recovery.”

One of the largest and most luxurious ocean liners of its time, Republic sunk shortly after its departure from New York Harbor in the early hours of January 24, 1909. Considered unsinkable, the White Star ship collided with another vessel and now sits at the bottom of the Atlantic.

While on board, Ferris became fascinated with the story. “The history and legacy of the wreck are extremely compelling and motiving.”

Ferris is a likable leader attracted to finding creative solutions to any challenge. Without knowing it, many viewers have already gotten a taste – literally – of Ferris’ passion for invention and drive for perfection. And they got it not from his exploits on the ocean, but from his other great love and business — Defiant Whisky. By setting out to produce the best whisky possible in a way previously unheard of, Ferris’ whisky making remains true in all his endeavors — whether on the sea and off.

Defiant Marine Inc. is primarily an emergency response deep-sea commercial diving and heavy ship salvage company. Defiant Marine Inc, works all across the globe on a moment’s notice to provide assistance and experience in solving complex and environmentally-sensitive problems.

Defiant Whisky is the internationally award-winning Single Malt Whisky of Blue Ridge Distilling Company. For more information about Defiant Whisky or to schedule a tour of the distillery, please call 828-245-2041 or email [email protected].

Release

Innkeepers of the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association have assembled a list of best romantic places. You’ll fall in love with their outdoor hikes, strolls, food stops and more.

Love With a Victorian Accent

At the Beaufort House Inn, there’s a “kissing nook” on the landing of the winding, wooden staircase, original to the 1894 home where Charlton Heston lived for a short time. Sweet spots abound at this Victorian bed and breakfast with a front porch gazebo that’s perfect for couples or a crowd. Once guests force themselves to leave the house, innkeepers Christina and John Muth recommend a romantic stroll on the front lawn of the Biltmore House & Gardens. (Tip: The new “Fashionable Romance” exhibition featuring wedding gowns in film and Vanderbilt wedding heirlooms opens at American’s largest privately owned home opens Feb. 12 through July 4, 2016.) Wrap up your day with a toast to your beloved at the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar. Christina enjoys suggesting this used bookstore and wine bar with its “glowing atmosphere with intimate seating corners” to guests. Cheers!

Dinner, Anyone?

Crooked Oak Mountain Inn is nestled on a mountaintop, wrapped in trees and rhododendrons with a fire pit for storytelling, guitar playing and more. Innkeepers Michael (most people call him Bear) and Patti are former caterers, so they know their way around the dinner table…and Asheville restaurants, too. Their top romantic recommendation is Zambra. Travel + Leisure describes Zambra as a “colorful, secret world…designed by a local artist, the low-lit retreat is accented with Moorish arches, wooden columns, and booths lined with throw pillows.” The restaurant serves an eclectic tapas menu with Spanish, Portuguese and North African accents and local North Carolina ingredients–and you’ll likely encounter a belly dancer, too!

Hankering for a lovely view of the Asheville skyline? Patti and Bear recommend the Sky Bar at Asheville’s historic Flatiron Building for a drink or coffee. It’s especially lovely (and also a little busier) around sunset.

A Place to Stroll

Emily and Bill, innkeepers at A Bed of Roses Bed and Breakfast, worked together in the medical profession as a medical illustrator and photographer in Boston before focusing their artistic passions on working together at the inn. They recommend wandering the sculpture garden at The Grovewood Gallery, off the beaten track on the grounds of The Omni Grove Park Inn.

Emily says you can find a lovely bench or intriguing sculpture hidden away here…and enjoy a few intimate moments.

Heart Pounding Hikes and Drum Circles

If the weather is good, Susan and James from Carolina Bed and Breakfast encourage guests to grab a picnic from the nearby Greenlife Grocery and take the five-mile hike to the top of John Rock in the Pisgah National Forest. To raise your heart rate closer to their inn, they recommend the Asheville Drum Circle at Pritchard Park, a free community event occurring every Friday evening. (The drum circles move indoors during the winter). They send guests to cap off the evening with one of the unique desserts at James Beard-nominated Katie Button’s second restaurant, Nightbell Restaurant & Lounge. Finally, Susan says the swing on the front porch of their 1901 American Craftsman-style home is a favorite place for an evening kiss, too.

Heat Things Up in Hot Springs

More than one inn recommended taking a picnic and hiking the Lover’s Leap trail in Hot Springs, NC, about 45 minutes away from Asheville. The Appalachian Trail goes right through the center of this quaint mountain town. Take the 1.6-mile loop from downtown to Lover’s Leap. This hike will get you breathing hard and take about an hour and a half if you’re in fair shape. After the hike, innkeepers Gary and Cindy from North Lodge on Oakland Bed and Breakfast recommend the Hot Springs Resort and Spa. The resort’s written history dates back to 1778 when white settlers discovered the springs—and artifacts used by Cherokee Indians who used the springs for their curative powers. Relax here with a couple’s massage followed by sparkling wine and a private mineral bath. Arturo and Emilie at Chestnut Street Inn will pack a bath mat, towels and even a rubber duckie for guests heading to Hot Springs, and they’ll book their favorite tub for you, in advance.

See more about Ashevile’s best romantic places HERE.

Whatever the occasion, the 16 inns of the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association offer the ultimate insider experience as seasoned guides to the Asheville area. Book some romance into the year ahead at http://ashevillebba.com/ or call 828-250-0200 for more consumer information.

Release

A fun new concept cafe and bar, Greenhouse Moto Cafe, is scheduled to open in 5 weeks at the old Carolina Roses location – 4021 Haywood Rd in Mills River, NC.

If you’re not familiar with the area, it’s close to the new Bold Rock cidery, and surrounded by farm land. UPDATE: for those that are concerned about getting dusty/dirty, they are on a paved road.

I had a chance to pop in and talk to one of the two Jeffs that are opening the place. Luckily, he was at a good stopping point in hanging display bikes.

Believe it or not, most of these vintage motorcycles are part of the other Jeff’s collection and are in running condition. Down the road (pun intended), they hope to be able to offer group road trips on these bikes.

I’m pretty sure I spotted Norton, Kawasaki, Triumph, and lots of BSA’s. When I mentioned that a certain group might be miffed if there weren’t any Harleys, Jeff pointed to the lone bike representing. See it bottom right in the picture below.

UPDATE 2/8/2016: My mistake. The black and white bike, bottom right is NOT a Harley. The Harley is hanging just out of view. So, I went back and took a quick pic to satisfy purists (myself included). Check out the second picture down.

Plans are in place for a number of taps featuring local beer and a couple set aside for Bold Rock Hard Cider. Eventually, they’d like to get their full liquor license.

A kitchen won’t be happening for a while, so in the meantime, they’re going to have a couple food trucks on hand. The cool thing about this is that they have so much room in the Greenhouse, the trucks can pull right inside the back so they’ll be out of the weather.

During the rehab of this huge greenhouse, lots of scrap wood began piling up. They’ve used the larger boards on a back wall and got creative with smaller strips over this doorway.

It leads to an adjacent space that may eventually house a “private club” social space. The kind you pay $1 to belong to to satisfy liquor laws.

Live music will be happening regularly here, too. I spotted a cool looking antique upright piano where the bar’s going in.

The Jeffs are hoping Greenhouse Moto Cafe becomes a jumping off point, stop, or even destination for local, regional, and long range road-trippers. It’s close enough to the Blue Ridge Parkway that it would make a great stop.

Of course, you don’t need to roll up on a motorcycle to be welcomed. Pull up on a bicycle, in a car, or even on foot and you’ll be welcomed. Jeff made a point of saying the Greenhouse will be a place where everyone is welcome. They hope it becomes a spot where locals hang out.

There’s no website yet, but you can “like” their Facebook page to keep up on their progress and know when they open: Facebook.com/Thegreenhousemotocafe

Greenhouse Moto Cafe
4021 Haywood Rd
Mills River, NC 28759

Rutherfordton – What to do with a cool building that once housed the firehouse, city water, and police departments when it’s no longer needed?

Turn it into a gorgeous Bed and Breakfast, of course!

Co-owners Keven and Kitty McCammon purchased The Firehouse Inn, a beautiful 6 bedroom bed and breakfast, from previous owners who had completely remodeled the interior. Since the purchase, they’ve made it their own.

The lowest level serves as home to BlueRidge Design, Kitty’s interior design company. She has exquisite taste, by the way. It’s chock full of the cutest and most beautiful gifts and products.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Kitty while staying at the Inn. Think lovely southern born and raised woman with character strong as steel. She is the proud owner and manager of Maple Creek Farm, where she and her husband raise Texas Long Horn cattle.

You can buy the famously lean Maple Creek Farm meet at BlueRidge Design shop.We hopped into Kitty’s Hummer (right, a Hummer) and drove out to the farm for a look-see. Because the cattle would walk away if they sensed strangers, Kitty drove right out into and around the hilly pasture. Talk about fun!

The Firehouse Inn
125 W 1st St
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-9030

BlueRidge Design
134 N. Washington St
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-286-8069