Bed and Breakfast

            It was the first time that I spent in a bed and breakfast and it was wonderful. The house had been the summer home of Phillip and Arthur Brooks. The brothers were from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Philip was the author for the hymn of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”History has it that he wrote if in Philadelphia, but the residents of Canton, Pennsylvania say that Philip was inspired to write the hymn  looking out from the windows on the lights of Canton.

            Driving up to the “summer cottage,” I am greeted by this large building of stone, with a forest green and chocolate brown upper three stories that claims the top of a ridge. Multi-paned windows fill its sides and ends. A large covered porch sprawls across the entrance to the home. The drive ends in a circle that curls between the three car two story garage of the same design as the bed and breakfast.

            Mary Beth, the hostess was gracious and enjoyed sharing the history of the house and the loving care that she and her husband Tom took to restore this gem of a building.  Each room held a treasure-trove of furniture and reminiscences of the past. Just inside of the door, hung a large mirror with pegs that sported a fedora, a derby, a top hat, and a woman’s hat complete with three white ribbon roses and a large veil. There was something intriguing and visually stimulating at each turn and in each room.

            The bedroom for the night was on the second floor above the game room and the living room with its deep brown leather reclining chairs.  To get to the bedroom, I had to either walk through a bathroom complete with a claw foot tub/shower, a pedestal sink, and commode or to pass through a small sitting room decorated with a tea cart that held a blue and white tea service and the obligatory corner fireplace.

            The bedroom was spacious with a queen sized bed, a day bed, a desk, and several chairs. A large dark oak chifferobe claimed a corner of the room and a huge fireplace filled the wall between the doors to the bathroom and the sitting room. As I explored, I found a third door that opened onto a small balcony. Padded wicker furniture welcomed e to sit and share the view of a pond and a vista of trees and the hills beyond.

            I was amazed and enthralled at the variety of antiques and memorabilia that claimed spots on the walls and collected in the corners. It was a feast for my eyes. Every detail impressed me. The home and the hostess were there to put at ease the visitor and make the stay a restful one.

            I have only scratched the surface of the things that I saw and the things that I want to say, but I will leave that for another time. There is a link to their site with photos that allow you to share what I was able to see in the short time of my visit. It’s at www.rockgirt.com. Please visit the site to see what I am talking about and thank you Mary Beth for a wonderful stay. Thank you for sharing your home. It was an oasis in the middle of our trip.