Before moving to Virginia in July 1996, Linda and Chris Best owned and operated Seekonk Pines Inn, a six-room B&B in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, for 18 years. There, they became known for their gardens and great hospitality. Chris also has his own sign business on the side where he utilizes his expertise as an electrician, a sign painter, and a carpenter. Both Linda and Chris share a passion for singing, and during their last year in Massachusetts, they sang with the Paul Winter Consort at Symphony Hall in Boston and on two CD recordings of choral music. In her spare time, Linda sews, upholsters, paints watercolors, and gardens. Over the past five years, she has developed a passion for genealogy.

Because they longed for space to expand into the llama trek business, they began searching for an ideal location to relocate and found the property above Buffalo Creek in November of 1995. It took 7 months to work through the sale of Seekonk Pines and several months to get settled in the new location. Applewood Inn and Llama Trekking opened for its first guests on Labor Day weekend, 1996.

The Inn is an inspected and approved member of the Virginia Bed & Breakfast Association. It is also inspected annually by the Rockbridge County Board of Health.