Our Journey to Yale Manor at Copper Beeches

In 2013, it became clear to me that my long-term employment and aspirations as a geological consultant would be coming to an end - a crossroad loomed - with an infinite number of paths available. At each, signposts stood at the intersections, pointing this way or that way with the words Values and Intentions in big, bold letters. I didn’t start down one of those paths, though. Not yet. Over the next two years, the discourse in my head ran rampant with speculations and reflections about what I really wanted out of the rest of my life. 

I eventually developed a vision of my life and I knew that its genesis required the full support of the love of my life, Phil Porter. Together, we created a road map to navigate the endless expanse of pathways we imagined before us. One tool we availed ourselves of was a twelve-week creative exploration of our shared future with life coaches Shirley Brown and Rich Goldman of Trumansburg. What emerged was a resurrected desire from the past and the belief in a merged vision to create a bed and breakfast inn, an economic entity that gave us the platform we needed to practice our values in daily life. 

Together, we had created a wish list of qualities we were looking for in a property: on the water, ten-room stone house, land for a horse training facility, good location, campground, nearby forest. We enjoyed the processs of realizing our dream from conversation to physical fact. However, we frankly thought, “No way are we going to be able to have all of this in one property.” 

For months, I scoured the Hudson Valley from NYC to the Adirondacks as well as the Finger Lakes for the right property. In December, 2015, I found Yale Manor up for sale as a residential property. I immediately visited the property the next morning; and even in winter, I found the location was breathtaking and more beautiful than the pictures - a rarity in inns for sale. There was enough property for my training center, we had lakefront property, the house was made of stone with a slate roof(!) and three stories, immaculate, and the entire house had a gorgeous view of the lake and the marvelous sunsets we enjoy in upstate NY. Everything about it was idyllic.

We are pleased to welcome you to become a part of our journey, sharing it with you as stewards of this magnificent, historical property with the intention of caring, wholistic service that supports your mind, body, and spirit. 

Katherine Potter and Phil Porter