It’s been busy since unpacking our suitcases from our two week family vacation.  Every day has had a list of priorities to be accomplished.  When my husband told me that we needed to take a “quick” trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (an 8 hour drive) for a business appointment, I can’t say that this was one of the top ten things I wanted to do. 

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We were supposed to leave early Thursday afternoon, but instead, we weren’t on the road until after 8:00 p.m.  There’s nothing like starting a long trip when it’s almost time to go to bed!  My husband was more tired than I was – so I volunteered to drive.  The roads were clear and it was easy driving until about 2:00 a.m.  Then it began to downpour rain, we were in the mountains, and there was construction going on.  This is where I decided that my time to drive had expired, and Bob took over the remaining 100 miles.  When we arrived in Pittsburgh, we found a hotel and crashed for a few hours.

The business appointment/lunch went well and by 6:00 p.m. it was time to head back home.  We decided to take the scenic route through Ohio this time.  It was around 9:00 p.m. and we decided we’d better get a good night sleep.  While my husband went into check on a hotel accommodation, I got busy on our GPS system.  When it is just the two of us on a trip, I like to stay at a bed and breakfast.  This is something you generally cannot do when the children are with us.  I like the adventure of visiting a personable home, rather than a hotel chain; we both like getting to know new people in this way; and I love seeing different homes.  Bed and Breakfasts almost always have such charm and ambience, not to mention the awesome breakfast that is generally served.

The chances of finding a bed and breakfast at 9:00 p.m. at night, was remote.  First of all, without a previous reservation, a bed and breakfast is a personal home – even if they had a vacancy on a Friday night, the possibility of one admitting us with this last moment’s notice was not very great. Yet, I figured it couldn’t hurt to try.

On the GPS system, I found one B & B listed, “Cider Mill Bed and Breakfast.”   I called the number right away (Bob was still in the hotel lobby checking out rates and available accommodations.)  Knowing this was a far-out possibility and even risking the incredulity of a B&B homeowner asking for this last moment arrival, I asked anyways.  “Do you have an opening for tonight?”

“Tonight?”  I heard the proprietor ask, with a hint of astonishment.

“Yes, tonight. I am in the area and I could be there within the half hour.”

Silence, and then a giggle.  “O.k., sure, come on over, we’ll take you.” 

When Bob got back into the car with the information he had been seeking, I told him I had reservations for us at a bed and breakfast.  Although he was a bit surprised (an understatement, as when he went into the lobby of the hotel, I hadn’t even hinted that I would be trying to find a b&b) we headed over to Zoar, Ohio.

Have you ever been to Zoar, Ohio?  Well, if not, put it on your lists of places you need to see.  This entire geographical area of Ohio is beautiful.  Rolling hills, pastures, farms, and a heavy Amish area, this is a place to visit if one desires serenity and beauty.

We arrived at the Old Cider Mill at 10:00 p.m.  The old mill  was built in the mid 1800’s and had once been a real cider mill, before being renovated into the beautiful b&b that now inhabits it.

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 This b&b home defines the word, "Ambience."

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When we stepped inside, we were greeted with the warmth of old friends by the proprietors, Pat and Sandy Reagan.  We stood in the doorway chatting and getting to know each other.   (When was the last time you had a hotel greet you like this upon your arrival late at night?)  After talking for almost an hour inside the doorway, Pat and Sandy invited us to get situated in our rooms and then to come back down and visit some more.

 Follow the winding staircase up to the third floor of the old mill to find your charming bedroom awaiting you. Or you can go downstairs to Sandy's adorable gift shop filled with antiques and novelty items.

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After putting our suitcase in our room we came back down and sat on the comfortable wicker furniture in the outdoor screened-in porch.  It was raining heavy outside – the breeze felt so nice.  It was enjoyable sitting on the porch getting to know our new friends. Bob talked comfortably with Pat, while I chatted with our beautiful hostess, Sandy.  All of the sudden, I heard the men get a little quiet, and when our conversation lulled, I seen that Pat was waiting to ask me a question.

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 Isn't this one of the coolest hallways you've ever seen? 

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“So Bob tells me that you get up early every morning to pray and to read the Bible?”

After I answered in the affirmative, Bob mentioned that my mornings are sacred and humorously added that I get irritated if he gets up too early and disturbs this quiet time (I confess, it’s true.) 

“Well, you see, I need this quiet time with the Lord in the morning to restore my soul and spirit.  I need this especially, because I home school my children. I do not send them on a bus to go to school for the day; but rather, we are together from morning until evening.  If I don’t get my quiet time with the Lord, after a few days of this, I begin to wear down.”

I had already learned that Pat and Sandy were professional educators, and I surmised that the home school concept may take them by surprise (as it often does for almost everyone that I meet for the first time!)   The subject of home school then became the focus of our conversation.  They were both very curious about this, given that their own occupations were in education.  Pat is a university professor, and Sandy is a “Literate Specialist”.  This evening began to seem Providential.  I had been wanting to get input and perhaps a program to increase reading fluency for one of my children that struggles.

We didn’t finishing talking until almost 1:00 a.m.! 

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 I took this picture after we had slept in it - I couldn't get it back into the perfect bedding form when I first climbed into it.  Sandy does everything perfect in this house - including ironing the 100% cotton sheet to make the sheets feel crisp.

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When we retired into our bedroom on the third floor of the old cider mill, as I turned off the lights and climbed into our King size bed, I couldn’t help but think about the novelty and uniqueness of a bed and breakfast such as this one; A home that is filled with warmth; a comfortable bed to sleep in; and new friends that have received us into their beautiful home.  Pat and Sandy truly have the gift of hospitality.   They had explained to us throughout the evening, that this B&B is a labor of love.  They don’t do this for the profit of money, but rather they enjoy sharing their home, and even if they did not receive the exchange of monetary value, they would still want to do it.  Pat said, “It is just a bonus that our guests pay us for our hospitality.”

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 I love the angles of this home.  This led to the bathroom that had a clawfoot tub.

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In the morning, we sat around the breakfast table, again exchanging conversation and getting to know our new friends.  Sandy is a gourmet cook (even offering cooking classes in her b&b) and had made us an awesome breakfast of stuffed French toast smothered with fresh fruit, bacon, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a pot of hot coffee.  We talked for another couple of hours over breakfast.  When we finally departed from their home, I think we were mutually enriched.  The Old Cider Mill B&B is not one that I will ever likely forget and will always remember with great fondness.

We spent this day perusing the area.  This area in Ohio is beautiful (It is off I-80, northeast.) Sugarcreek, Walnut Hill, Millersburg, and Zoar (my favorite of all of them) are filled with quaint gift shops, historical homes, and a taste of yesteryear when life was simpler.

The next time you desire to get away on a romantic trip with your husband – head for Zoar, Ohio.  Stay at the Old Cider Mill - and be greeted with the warmth of old friends receiving you as the honored guest of their home.