A visit to the Lancaster area must include a stay at the Rocky Acre Farm. Located in Mt Joy, close to all the Amish sites, the Rocky Acre Farm provides a unique bed and breakfast experience. The 200 year old farm was a refuge on the Underground Railroad and is still a working dairy farm. One of the best features of this establishment is the owner, a friendly, gregarious woman who will welcome you and help you to chart your adventure in Amish country. She will direct you to backroad jaunts along country roads to places the tourists don't always get to go. These include a woodworking shop, a farm where homemade ice cream can be consumed, and a pretzel factory where you can be the chef.
At the bed and breakfast itself you will stay in nicely appointed rooms which are decorated in the Pennsylvania Dutch style. There is a large family room with a complete kitchen, in case you want to bring your grandchildren along. Kids can feed a baby goat with a baby bottle, see cows being electronically milked and play with the multitude of cats found on the grounds. It is fun for grownups too.
The breakfast at Rocky Acre Farm is like no other breakfast I have experienced at any other bed and breakfast! It is a feast to behold. Every morning you will be treated to a multi coursed feast. It includes fluffy eggs, bacon, delicious hash browns, biscuits, hotcakes, fruit and more! The best part is this banquet is all included in your room rate.
By now you must be sold on a visit to Rocky Acre Farm. You will not be disappointed by the food, the hospitality and the surroundings.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Get Away to Cambridge Maryland
Why not take a relaxing weekend trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland? A visit to the historic town of Cambridge is well worth the 2 hour drive. A canopy of ancient trees hovers above you and Victorian homes surround you as you enter the restored area of Cambridge.
Many of these homes have been turned into bed and breakfasts and the Victorian Gardens Inn is one of the loveliest. Built in 1890, this Victorian Heritage House is surrounded by landscaped English gardens. The proprietor, Lynette Chase, offers her hospitality and goes out of her way to welcome you and make your stay as nice as possible. The rooms are en suite and the room rate includes a scrumptious breakfast. Lynette will tailor the breakfast to your dietary needs. There are comfortable drawing rooms with fireplaces and you might enjoy a glass of port before you go off to dinner in town.
There are so many diversions in this area of the eastern shore. You might stroll down the tree shaded streets of Cambridge and take in the beauty of a bygone era. In the updated downtown area you will find many shops and galleries. An interesting gallery is the 447 Studio. Up a staircase you will find a bevy of artists working in their studios in watercolors or oils. The paintings on the walls are for sale. Other unique stores in the downtown area include Joie de Vivre, the Sunnyside Shop and A Few of my Favorite Things. Delicious gourmet food items, handmade jewelry, clothing and colorful knitted items can be found in these establishments.
Twelve miles outside of town, the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge beckons. You can take a relaxing nature walk here and view the many species of protected birds. Eagles make their home here as well and you might spy one of their cozy nests. Additionally there are bike paths to discover and you can try kayaking on quiet creeks. The Choptank River can be expored on a Skipjack and there is a company that offers rides in certain seasons.
On the way home are the towns of Easton and St. Michaels. There are shops and historical sites in both of these towns and they can be visited for the day or for a weekend.
Sometimes an overnight or weekend getaway is just what a person needs to refresh and to rejuvenate. This area of the eastern shore takes you back to a time when towns were small, people cared about their neighbors and the pace of life was slower. We all need to experience this from time to time and Cambridge is the perfect place to do this.
Many of these homes have been turned into bed and breakfasts and the Victorian Gardens Inn is one of the loveliest. Built in 1890, this Victorian Heritage House is surrounded by landscaped English gardens. The proprietor, Lynette Chase, offers her hospitality and goes out of her way to welcome you and make your stay as nice as possible. The rooms are en suite and the room rate includes a scrumptious breakfast. Lynette will tailor the breakfast to your dietary needs. There are comfortable drawing rooms with fireplaces and you might enjoy a glass of port before you go off to dinner in town.
There are so many diversions in this area of the eastern shore. You might stroll down the tree shaded streets of Cambridge and take in the beauty of a bygone era. In the updated downtown area you will find many shops and galleries. An interesting gallery is the 447 Studio. Up a staircase you will find a bevy of artists working in their studios in watercolors or oils. The paintings on the walls are for sale. Other unique stores in the downtown area include Joie de Vivre, the Sunnyside Shop and A Few of my Favorite Things. Delicious gourmet food items, handmade jewelry, clothing and colorful knitted items can be found in these establishments.
Twelve miles outside of town, the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge beckons. You can take a relaxing nature walk here and view the many species of protected birds. Eagles make their home here as well and you might spy one of their cozy nests. Additionally there are bike paths to discover and you can try kayaking on quiet creeks. The Choptank River can be expored on a Skipjack and there is a company that offers rides in certain seasons.
On the way home are the towns of Easton and St. Michaels. There are shops and historical sites in both of these towns and they can be visited for the day or for a weekend.
Sometimes an overnight or weekend getaway is just what a person needs to refresh and to rejuvenate. This area of the eastern shore takes you back to a time when towns were small, people cared about their neighbors and the pace of life was slower. We all need to experience this from time to time and Cambridge is the perfect place to do this.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Dinner at the Elkridge Furnace Inn
Lilly's Lavender Princess and her Prince had a delectable dining experience this evening. We travelled up Route 95 and back a few centuries to the 1744 Elkridge Furnace Inn. The brick Tavern and Manor Home boasts 23 rooms and 12 fireplaces! The diner enters through a lovely garden where, on this particular night, a wedding was in progress. The hostess led us up the tiger maple staircase to the second level where we were seated at a romantic, candlelit table. The warm yellow toned, colonial wallpaper and paintings, along with the lilting jazz music, immediately put us in a relaxing mood. The chocolate martini helped a lot too! Our first course was a mushroom medley which included mushroom caps stuffed with a cheese mixture, a tomato blend filling, and, best of all, a fried cake of risotto stuffed with mushrooms. Next we indulged in a smooth, creamy clam chowder brimming with potatoes and clams, and a cheese covered onion soup. The Princess had an Eggplant Napoleon for her main entree. It had layers of eggplant , tomatoes, cheese and crisp pastry dough and was accompanied by lobster mashed potatoes, The Prince pronounced these as the BEST mashed potatoes he had ever experienced, high praise indeed!. The Prince had a steak covered in a creamy bacon flavored sauce. The generous chef sent us a tiny pastry shell filled with a tomato puree. Last of all, the pastry tray was placed before us. There was vanilla creme brulee, an airy strawberry angel food cake and a luscious chocolate cake. Alas, our tummies were too full to indulge and we just admired the treats from afar. This was an enchanted evening and the Princess highly recommends that you treat yourself to a meal at the Elkridge Furnace Inn .
Cascade Inn in Cascade, Md.
For a weekend of relaxation, you'll want to pay a visit to the historic Cascade Inn. It is an 1890 Georgian Bed and Breakfast, just 45 minutes from Gaithersburg. From the moment you enter the inn, your hosts, Jan and Duane, will make you feel welcomed and pampered. The spacious rooms are quite comfortable. Our favorite is the Mountain Magnolia Suite. This room envelops you with its blazing wood burning fireplace, cozy two person jacuzzi tub, and cushy queen size sleigh bed. When you awake in the morning, Duane's breakfast of Bluebird French Toast, Carmelized Bacon and Strawberries with Cream, topped with chocolate will tantalize your taste buds.
The inn is located in an area rife with activities. One of the places we enjoy is the Synergy Healing Arts Center. The center offers several types of massage and will even pay a house call to the inn where you can have a relaxing massage right in your room! Other diversions include hiking on the Appalachian Trail or visiting Cunningham Falls, walking the Gettysburg or Antietam battlefields, sampling the wines at numerous wineries, browsing for antiques, and, in the summer, swimming or canoeing at Cunningham Lake.
So, treat yourself, a friend or someone you love to a wonderful getaway to the Cascade Inn Bed and Breakfast.
The inn is located in an area rife with activities. One of the places we enjoy is the Synergy Healing Arts Center. The center offers several types of massage and will even pay a house call to the inn where you can have a relaxing massage right in your room! Other diversions include hiking on the Appalachian Trail or visiting Cunningham Falls, walking the Gettysburg or Antietam battlefields, sampling the wines at numerous wineries, browsing for antiques, and, in the summer, swimming or canoeing at Cunningham Lake.
So, treat yourself, a friend or someone you love to a wonderful getaway to the Cascade Inn Bed and Breakfast.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Key West Florida
Last week, while visiting my inlaws in Coconut Creek Florida, I had a most charming adventure. I experienced the unexpected, not often felt at my age. On a whim at 8:30 in the evening, my 21 and 26 year old daughters and I, decided to drive to Key West, a 3 and a half hour journey from Miami, down a dim, one lane road. We gathered our provisions at a nearby Walgreens. These necessities included toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and various snacks to fortify us on our journey. With both excitement, and some anxiety on my part, we steered our rental car down the never ending Route 1 towards the southernmost point in the continental US. We travelled on an inky, snakelike road south ward, accompanied by the black, silent ocean on either side. There are atleast 60 bridges to cross including the shoulderless seven mile bridge.
Arriving close to midnight, we wound our way along the deserted lanes to our bed & breakfast, the Nassau Inn. A letter left for us explained that our abode would be around the back and up two sets of steep stairs. On the way, we noticed a deep blue lagoon, open all hours and complete with whirlpool jets at one end. Too tired to try it out, we collasped into our beds. Noone told us that Key West's similarities to New Orleans and Charleston included unbearable heat and humidity which were a worthy match for our malfunctioning air conditioner. Tossing, turning, and giggling, we finally somehow closed our eyes and dozed off for a few hours.
Waking bright and early, as we only had one day before we had to scurry back, we partook of a continental breakfast. It boasted Key Lime pie, a delicacy for which the Keys are famous. We set off to tour the charming town, lined with wooden turn of the century homes. Most of the homes are adorned with eyebrow windows, meant to keep out heat and humidity. Our first stop was the Hemingway house tour. The famous author lived in this home for 30 years. Notable was the lack of fans due to his first wife's love of venetian chandeliers and the 6-toed felines, descended from Hemingway's original 50. The furry cats loll around on the grounds and sport such names as Charlie Chaplin, due to its black mustasche. We viewed the actual studio where the genious penned 9 of his novels. Sadly, manic depression ran through Hemingway's line and along with his father, brother, and granddaughter, he took his own life at the too young age of 61.
The next stop was the entertaining Duval Street for some shopping and a stop at the Key Lime Pie Factory where my daughter relished Key Lime pie, dipped in chocolate and served on a stick! Other hightlights were a visit to an art studio where we had an in-depth lesson on new techniques to get paint on canvas. One innovator uses only pigments that come from nature (saffron, bone, etc.) and then fingerpaints these substances onto his canvasses, forming the most vibrantly colored fruits, animals, and flowers that I have ever seen. Another artist, using bright acrylics, applies the paint with a spatula, causing the colors to run together and form an Escher effect, whereby the negative space forms birds, fish, or whatever your imagination conjures up.
The trip wouldn't have been complete without a visit to the southernmost point in the continental US, only 90 miles from Cuba. The water here is 87 degrees and can only be described as heavenly. Our small group of 3 also tasted local specialties such as conch fritters, Florida lobster (no claws), and fried ice cream topped with Belgian chocolate sauce.
Sadly, we departed at 5:30 pm and, on the way back, discovered a state beach along Route 1. Here, one could walk several football fields out from the shore and only get wet up to ones knees. The water is so crystal clear, we could observe sea anemones breathing in and out and colorful fish circling at our feet.
Arriving back to Boca Raton after midnight, we showered our tired, clammy bodies and fell into bed, savoring the memories of our impromptu journey to Key West. We then realized that we had only been gone for 28 hours.
Arriving close to midnight, we wound our way along the deserted lanes to our bed & breakfast, the Nassau Inn. A letter left for us explained that our abode would be around the back and up two sets of steep stairs. On the way, we noticed a deep blue lagoon, open all hours and complete with whirlpool jets at one end. Too tired to try it out, we collasped into our beds. Noone told us that Key West's similarities to New Orleans and Charleston included unbearable heat and humidity which were a worthy match for our malfunctioning air conditioner. Tossing, turning, and giggling, we finally somehow closed our eyes and dozed off for a few hours.
Waking bright and early, as we only had one day before we had to scurry back, we partook of a continental breakfast. It boasted Key Lime pie, a delicacy for which the Keys are famous. We set off to tour the charming town, lined with wooden turn of the century homes. Most of the homes are adorned with eyebrow windows, meant to keep out heat and humidity. Our first stop was the Hemingway house tour. The famous author lived in this home for 30 years. Notable was the lack of fans due to his first wife's love of venetian chandeliers and the 6-toed felines, descended from Hemingway's original 50. The furry cats loll around on the grounds and sport such names as Charlie Chaplin, due to its black mustasche. We viewed the actual studio where the genious penned 9 of his novels. Sadly, manic depression ran through Hemingway's line and along with his father, brother, and granddaughter, he took his own life at the too young age of 61.
The next stop was the entertaining Duval Street for some shopping and a stop at the Key Lime Pie Factory where my daughter relished Key Lime pie, dipped in chocolate and served on a stick! Other hightlights were a visit to an art studio where we had an in-depth lesson on new techniques to get paint on canvas. One innovator uses only pigments that come from nature (saffron, bone, etc.) and then fingerpaints these substances onto his canvasses, forming the most vibrantly colored fruits, animals, and flowers that I have ever seen. Another artist, using bright acrylics, applies the paint with a spatula, causing the colors to run together and form an Escher effect, whereby the negative space forms birds, fish, or whatever your imagination conjures up.
The trip wouldn't have been complete without a visit to the southernmost point in the continental US, only 90 miles from Cuba. The water here is 87 degrees and can only be described as heavenly. Our small group of 3 also tasted local specialties such as conch fritters, Florida lobster (no claws), and fried ice cream topped with Belgian chocolate sauce.
Sadly, we departed at 5:30 pm and, on the way back, discovered a state beach along Route 1. Here, one could walk several football fields out from the shore and only get wet up to ones knees. The water is so crystal clear, we could observe sea anemones breathing in and out and colorful fish circling at our feet.
Arriving back to Boca Raton after midnight, we showered our tired, clammy bodies and fell into bed, savoring the memories of our impromptu journey to Key West. We then realized that we had only been gone for 28 hours.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Takoma Park Farmer's Market-Lilly's Lavender Day Trip
Every Saturday from 10-2 the farmers in the area gather at the Takoma Park Farmers Market in the middle of the downtown area. Vendors line both sides of the street offering glorious sunflowers, dahlias and zinnias for sale. A plethora of fruits including sweet and sour cherries, dark blackberries, and juicy peaches can be sampled and purchased. The aroma of cookies, breads and fruity pies circulates through the air to tempt your tastebuds. The cheeses from the organic farm are especially smooth and creamy, flavored with various fresh herbs and spices. Even meat pies and organic chicken and beef are being sold out of large coolers. A visit to this farmers market will take you back to a long ago memory of life when food was fresh, life was simple and summer meant munching into a fresh peach and feeling its delicious nectar dripping down your cheeks.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Hickory Bridge Farm-Lilly's First Lavender Getaway
For your first weekend getaway try the Hickory Bridge Farm in Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, the first bed and breakfast that Lilly and her family ever visited. Only one hour and fifteen minutes from Rockville, Md. the Hickory Bridge is the perfect jumping off place for sightseeeing, antiqueing and hiking in the Gettysburg area. The Hickory Bridge offers lodging in an old Civil War era farmhoue or in private one bedroom cabins by a babbling brook.
The rooms in the farmhouse include the use of the antique filled living room on the first floor and are ideal for families or couples. The rates vary from 125 dollars and up depending on the accomodation. The rooms in the cottages are for two and have wood burning fireplaces and extreme privacy for that romantic interlude. All the rooms boast private baths.
The delectable breakfast includes the innkeeper's sticky buns and the scrumptious aroma as you awake is overwhelming! There will be hot oatmeal with brown sugar, fruits and a specialty main dish. It is a delicious and ample repast to set you on your way. One of Lilly's favorite things about the inn is the farm dinners which are provided every Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in a huge rustic barn with shiny wooden floors, antique lanterns, blue and white graniteware and a model train that makes its neverending journey around the perimeter of the barn. This family style meal includes three main coures such as country fried chicken , crab imperial and glazed ham. The homemade sides might be hush puppies, candied carrots, cheesy broccoli and salad topped with sweet and sour bacon dressing. Desserts are ice cream sundaes and homemade pies and cakes. The cost is $21.95 a person and it is well worth it.
The area around the inn offers many choices for diversions. Nearby Emmitsburg boasts a trinket filled antique center, the Land of Little Horses is right around the corner, New Caledonia Park has wonderful, flat hiking trails and an outdoor pool, the Totem Pole Playhouse presents plays during the summer months and there is always the rich history of the Gettysburg battlefields and Eisenhower's home.
Lilly has many fond memories of this inn. When her children were small Dr. Hammett,the owner and local pediatrician, would place baby formula outside her door for her fussy baby to try and Mrs. Hammett always greeted Lilly with a warm hug. One night when the Lilly family took a wrong turn on the windy country roads, Mrs. Hammett was following right behind to point us in the right direction. Lilly's children played with the kittens that always were lurking about and the family walked along the meadow and stream to visit the corn fields that grow near the cottages. They even had an extended family reunion and took over the cottages and farmhouse for a weekend. So Lilly wishes you might bathe yourself in lavender relaxation and partake in a brief respite from your hectic life to visit the Hickory Bridge Farm.
The rooms in the farmhouse include the use of the antique filled living room on the first floor and are ideal for families or couples. The rates vary from 125 dollars and up depending on the accomodation. The rooms in the cottages are for two and have wood burning fireplaces and extreme privacy for that romantic interlude. All the rooms boast private baths.
The delectable breakfast includes the innkeeper's sticky buns and the scrumptious aroma as you awake is overwhelming! There will be hot oatmeal with brown sugar, fruits and a specialty main dish. It is a delicious and ample repast to set you on your way. One of Lilly's favorite things about the inn is the farm dinners which are provided every Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in a huge rustic barn with shiny wooden floors, antique lanterns, blue and white graniteware and a model train that makes its neverending journey around the perimeter of the barn. This family style meal includes three main coures such as country fried chicken , crab imperial and glazed ham. The homemade sides might be hush puppies, candied carrots, cheesy broccoli and salad topped with sweet and sour bacon dressing. Desserts are ice cream sundaes and homemade pies and cakes. The cost is $21.95 a person and it is well worth it.
The area around the inn offers many choices for diversions. Nearby Emmitsburg boasts a trinket filled antique center, the Land of Little Horses is right around the corner, New Caledonia Park has wonderful, flat hiking trails and an outdoor pool, the Totem Pole Playhouse presents plays during the summer months and there is always the rich history of the Gettysburg battlefields and Eisenhower's home.
Lilly has many fond memories of this inn. When her children were small Dr. Hammett,the owner and local pediatrician, would place baby formula outside her door for her fussy baby to try and Mrs. Hammett always greeted Lilly with a warm hug. One night when the Lilly family took a wrong turn on the windy country roads, Mrs. Hammett was following right behind to point us in the right direction. Lilly's children played with the kittens that always were lurking about and the family walked along the meadow and stream to visit the corn fields that grow near the cottages. They even had an extended family reunion and took over the cottages and farmhouse for a weekend. So Lilly wishes you might bathe yourself in lavender relaxation and partake in a brief respite from your hectic life to visit the Hickory Bridge Farm.
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