1878 Sage Inn & Stage Coach Station in Dover

1878 Sage Inn &
Stage Coach Station in Dover

The Sage Family immigrated from Sommersetshire, England to Skenateles, NY in 1848. In 1856, two of the Sage brothers, Alfred and John, moved by covered wagon to the Indian territory that was claimed by the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in 1854. A proviso of that bill was that settlers, themselves, might determine the question of slavery. The Sages, being active abolitionists, were ready to fight for a Free State Kansas (Jan. 29, 1861). During the two year period between 1854, and 1856, pro-slavery inhabitants from Missouri, known as "Border Ruffians," infiltrated the eastern border of Kansas. Emigrants from the northeast traveling the main route up the Missouri River from St. Louis to the mouth of the Kaw River were greatly endangered and many died at the hands of hostile pro-slavery vigilantes. A new route, "The Lane Trail," was opened due to the efforts of General James Lane, a cohort of John Brown, that guided wagons across Iowa to Nebraska City then south into Kansas. The Sages traveled "Lane's Trail" and are believed to have known both Gen. Lane and John Brown. The Sages settled in Mission Valley, on Mission Creek which joined the Kaw River, and may have become involved in the underground railroad efforts to aid slaves seeking freedom. John, Alfred, and other brothers who joined them, enlisted in the Kansas Battalion of the Union Army in the resulting Civil War (1861-1865). An equally volatile issue at that time was the displacement of native Americans. Many were moved from eastern states to the grasslands. Basically, the Kansas territory had been given to the Indians. Tribes such as the Delaware and the Shawnee were not native to Kansas, and were crowded in to live among the Osage, Kanza and Pawnee. With the government's passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, now even that land was being taken from them. Kansas was a hot bed and earned it the title "Bleeding Kansas." Alfred Sage was the original owner of the Sage Inn, but it was Mark Sage, his brother, who is believed to have built the beautiful stone building. Mark became a well known stone mason in the area and built many of the stone farm houses, barns and bridges in Shawnee and Wabaunsee Counties in Kansas. In addition, Mark helped build the Kansas Capitol building in Topeka. Alfred Sage built the General Store south of the Inn and was the first postmaster in Dover, KS. The Sages are credited for being the founding fathers of Dover which was named after their beloved community in England. There were five brothers and a sister that finally settled in Dover. Tombstones of early Sage family members may be found in the Dover Cemetery. Many Sage descendants populate the community today.

Try Debra's delicious recipe: Pumpkin Nut Waffles, Parmesan Potatoe, Sticky Buns.

This BnB is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. We'll talk again soon...

Let's Go Back in Thyme!

Back In Thyme Guest House & Herb Garden in Bonner Springs, KS

Bonner Springs is reputed to be the first commercial center and white settlement in Kansas. This began in the year 1812, when Francis and Cyprian Chouteau established a trading post called Four Houses. Some ten to fifteen years later, the Chouteau Trading Post was abandoned. As settlements grew in the territory, an Indian named Henry Tiblow started a ferry service across the Kansas River at Four Houses. A railroad engineer named John W. McDanield changed the name of Four Houses to Tiblow. In 1885, Philo M. Clark platted the area east of Tiblow and succeeded in changing the name of Tiblow to Bonner Springs. The name "Bonner" was in tribute to Robert Bonner, then the editor of the New York Ledger, a friend of Clark. The “Springs” was included due to the multitude of springs existing in the area at that time. In 1898, Bonner Springs was granted incorporation rights. A Mayor-Council system of government was created with Philo M. Clark holding the position of the first mayor. Back In Thyme is conveniently located on the western edge of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Still able to claim "small town" status, Bonner Springs is at the junction of major highways allowing quick access to all that makes Kansas City famous. You will love being a guest in this "new-old" Queen Anne, which boasts all the modern conveniences, as well as, the comforts of another era. A wrap around veranda, spacious second floor accommodations, antique leaded glass and unique fixtures are tastefully integrated into this peaceful retreat. A handcrafted curved staircase, with window seat and antique stained glass leads to the guest rooms. After allowing time to awaken to a fresh Kansas morning, you will want to satisfy your appetite. The French doors of the "Sunroom" are open to invite you to a hearty breakfast. This beautiful room, which overlooks the kitchen herb garden, features towering stacked windows and a twelve foot high tin ceiling. Enjoy your first cup of coffee in the privacy of your room or take it with you as you stroll through the herb garden and by the pond. Pause a moment at the arbor swing to watch the ducks and other wildlife.

These recipes you will find in the cookbook and are used by permission of Judy Vickers: Pecan Muffins, Mint Julep, Pesto Feta Appetizers

This BnB (along with delicious recipes and wonderful stories) is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. Click on the review to read more about it.

Niantic This Time of Year!

The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic, Connecticut, is the recipient of the "2005 Golden Pineapple Award in Excellence in Tourism Service and Hospitality" The Golden Pineapple, a symbol of tourism excellence, recognizes The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina for consistently providing exceptional service and friendliness to visitors and for its efforts in promoting "Mystic Places" as a great destination for travelers.

The Inn boasts nine tastefully decorated guest rooms, some with balcony and fireplace, all with water views, queen beds, private baths, cable TV, a/c and paddle fans. Enjoy beautifully manicured gardens from Adirondack chairs or from seating in the gazebo or relax on wicker chairs on the Inn's wraparound porch overlooking the harbor. For the adventuresome, paddle our kayaks down the Niantic River or just unwind at our local beach, a short distance away. As an added treat, come aboard "Innstyle", our recently acquired Navy Whale Boat, for a romantic and relaxing cruise down the Niantic River and experience nature at its best! Relax on the porch or choose to cruise, either way, you won't have to go far to enjoy our magnificent water views!

These recipes you will find in the cookbook and are used by permission of Sally Keefe: Hot Clam Dip, Danish Puff.

They are now on Facebook!

This BnB (along with delicious recipes and wonderful stories) is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. Click on the review to read more about it.

Connecticut is Lookin' Real Good During This Heat Wave!

Deacon Timothy Pratt B & B in Old Saybrook!

Step back in time and enjoy the splendor of yesteryear in this charming, circa 1746, National Historic Register home in the heart of Old Saybrook's historic and shopping districts. Located in historic district on pretty gas-lit Main street walking distance to quaint shops, restaurants, cafes, spas, town green, ice skating pond, and the water.

Enjoy spacious elegant period-style rooms, featuring our award winning decor, and each with a working fireplace, a jacuzzi-whirlpool tub, private bath, cable TV, comfortable sitting area, AC, stereo/CD player, phone/modem line and a Queen size 4-poster or canopy bed! High speed wireless is available in the main house.

An elegant breakfast is served in the fireplaced dining room on fine china and silver by candle light. Complimentary port wine, tea, spring water, and cookies are always available; as well as a guest refrigerator. Our fireplaced parlor is also a comfortable place to enjoy our refreshments, or read by the fire, or play chess, checkers or one of our games. Relax in our picturesque grounds with beautiful gardens, inviting sitting areas, a fountain, a 300 year old sugar maple with swing, and a 2-person rope hammock.

From the B & B take a scenic stroll along the water past the historic homes and scenic views of North and South Cove, Saybrook Point, and Fenwick. Watch the sun set over the ocean, or take a walk at Fort Saybrook Monument Park or out to one of Old Saybrook's lighthouses.

A Wonderful Addition to your stay with us: The James Gallery & Soda Fountain On the National Historic Register and Connecticut Freedom Trail... and only steps away! It dates back to 1790 when it was originally part of an inn. Today we continue the tradition of the Pratt family hospitality. It will add to your choice of lovely guest rooms and also features an art gallery, gift shop and original 1896 soda fountain where you can enjoy some old fashioned ice cream favorites!

We are also located across the street from an old house museum and pillared white church. Beautiful area for walking, bicycling, antiquing and scenic drives along the CT River and Long Island Sound. One mile to beaches, 2 lighthouses, waterfront dining, waterfront historic walking park, waterfront golf, & waterfront mini-golf. Beach passes, maps and advice provided!

These recipes you will find in the cookbook and are used by permission of Shelley Nobile: Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Muffins, Heart Healthy Pancakes, Morning Maple Muffins, Pumpkin Chip Muffins, Blueberry French Toast Cobbler.

They can now be found on Facebook! And the new Innkeeper is Pat McGregor.

This BnB (along with delicious recipes and wonderful stories) is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. Click on the review to read more about it. 

Let's Hit the Sea Crest

Sea Crest by the Sea in Spring Lake, New Jersey



The Sea Crest is proud to announce that American Historic Inns has chosen the Inn as one of America’s Top 10 Romantic Inns for 2006. The inn was selected for this honor based on its “luxurious décor, hospitality and overall romantic mystique”. Other recent accolades include a feature in the New York Times section “New Jersey at its Best” (11/20/05). Philadelphia Magazine wrote: Sea Crest is Spring Lake’s most elegant B&B, (March 2005).
Washingtonian Magazine’s Fifty Great Places to Stay, named Sea Crest #17, commenting ‘a great spot for beach-loving couples, just a half block from the beach and New Jersey’s longest noncommercial boardwalk’ (April 2005). The Discerning Traveler selected Sea Crest as one of their top Romantic Hideaways in January 2005. New Jersey Monthly called Sea Crest Spring Lake’s most romantic stay, (August 2005).
Sea Crest by the Sea at the New Jersey Shore is just 75 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia, where the murmur of the sea lulls you to sleep and the only decision required is whether to drink in the cool breeze from the porch or cozy up by the fireplace in your private suite.
From the moment you enter our luxury inn in Spring Lake, New Jersey, you know you are in the midst of something extraordinary. Soft classical music plays in the background, tea is set in the parlor and our professional, warm staff assists you in leaving the day-to-day routine behind.Your room is a sanctuary where today's comfort marries with yesterday's elegance. Fresh flowers, an exceptionally comfortable bed dressed in fine linens, a spacious Jacuzzi and cozy fireplace await you. Arrange for an in-room massage, pop in a CD, order a moonlight champagne picnic and the escape is complete.

Once fortified with a bountiful candlelit gourmet breakfast, you can explore the charming town of Spring Lake, NJ. Take a few steps out our front door to find quiet beaches and the longest non-commercial boardwalk at the Jersey Shore. Venture beyond the beach to discover live theater, excellent restaurants, galleries and shops worthy of a big city.

These recipes you will find in the cookbook and are used by permission of Barbara Vogel: Sea Crest Seafood Casserole, Southwestern Omelets.

This BnB (along with delicious recipes and wonderful stories) is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. Click on the review to read more about it.

Let's Visit the Angel of the Sea

Angel of the Sea in Cape May in New Jersey, Built in 1850, the Inn is an airy, Victorian "painted lady." Completely renovated in 1988, by John and Barbara Girton, The Angel of the Sea was built around 1850, as a "summer cottage" for William Weightman, Sr., a Philadelphia chemist who discovered and manufactured quinine for medical applications. Built as a single structure, the house originally stood on the corner of Franklin and Washington Streets where the Cape May Post Office now stands. In 1881, Mr. Weightman's son, William, Jr., decided that an ocean view from the broad porches of his "cottage" would be appreciated by family, friends and guests. To accomplish this goal, he hired a number of local farmers to move the house to a piece of property on the corner of Ocean and Beach Avenues, near where the Marquis de Lafayette now stands. The farmers discovered the house was too large to move as one unit. Not wanting to lose the winter work, they decided to cut the house in half, move it in sections and then reconnect it after the move. Their task took all winter long, pulling the sections on rolling tree trunks with mule and horse power! Unfortunately, after both halves of the house were moved to the new location, the farmers discovered that, although their mules and horses were quite adequate for "pulling" the house, they proved totally ineffective in "pushing" it back together. Summer was close upon them, and Mr. Weightman would soon be returning to Cape May. The farmers enclosed the sides where the cut had been made, renovated as best they could and hurried back to their farming chores. The results of their efforts are the two buildings as they stand today. The house remained in the Weightman family until Mr. Weightman's death in 1907. During the next 50 or so years the Weightman Cottage, as it was called, was used as a hotel, guest house and, during one period, a restaurant. In 1962, a powerful Nor'easter ripped through New Jersey and devastated the city of Cape May. Referred to by many as the Storm of the Century, it destroyed much of the town including Convention Hall and the boardwalk. Miraculously The Angel survived, but not without considerable damage. The massive rebuilding that followed the storm cleanup called for the two houses to be torn down to make room for a cinder block hotel. They were saved from this fate when they were purchased by the Reverend Carl McIntire and moved from the site to their present location on Trenton Avenue. This time they were moved on flatbed trucks and set at an angle at their new location to take advantage of the ocean views and breezes. From 1962 to 1981, the houses were used to board employees from several nearby inns and as a dormitory for students from Shelton College.
During this time they received very little maintenance and in 1981, they were declared uninhabitable. Virtually unwanted, this once magnificent structure was left abandoned to vandals and the elements until December of 1988. About that time, John Girton, a builder and developer, and his wife Barbara crawled through a window to check out the soundness of the buildings. Although all of the windows were broken out, walls had collapsed and many of the porches and stairways had rotted, it appeared the houses could be saved! Based on what they found, the Girtons purchased the property and began renovations in
January, 1989. Time was money and John Girton led his crews seven days a week around the clock to put The Angel back together. At times, as many as 75
people were working on the site during a 24 hour period. At the end of one shift, one painting crew would get off the scaffolding and another would get on it. A trailer set up in the backyard housed a fully functional cabinet-making shop. There artisans and carpenters would find bits and pieces of the original building and piece them together. They then recreated on-site all the gingerbread detail, wall brackets and windows, copying the original designs they found. The first of the two buildings opened in July of 1989, only six short months after renovations had begun! One year later, the most complete Victorian restoration in New Jersey was completed. The total project cost approximately $3.5 million and was done with over 103,000 man hours of labor. After its first two successful seasons as a bed and breakfast, The Angel of the Sea was acknowledged as one of the Top Ten B & Bs in the United States by two national bed and breakfast organizations. It also won the Historic Preservation Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC, for renovation to historic specifications.


These recipes you will find in the cookbook and are used by permission of Gregory Whissell: Mini Cherub Cheesecakes, Seafood Cream Cheese Quiche, Angelic Bananas, Angel Puff, Spiced Shortbread, Crescent Wrapped Brie.

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This BnB (along with delicious recipes and wonderful stories) is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. Click on the review to read more about it.

Hale Lani in Hawaii

Hale Lani B&B and Vacation Rentals is located on the sunny East side of Kauai. Nestled behind Sleeping Giant in a lush valley, visitors are only minutes from the bustling tourist town of Kapaa and beautiful East Side beaches, yet a world away where you are soothed each night by trees swaying gently in the breeze and the Koi pond nearby. The inn boasts of luxurious and spacious suites, each with separate entrances, full baths, kitchens and private patios with hot tubs, barbecues and comfortable garden furnishings. A customized gift basket is provided for guests and a local island breakfast is delivered daily to your suite. Every amenity is provided including warm terry cloth robes for the hot tub, an array of Kauai manufactured soaps and lotions, and equipment for the beach or hiking. Kauai is noted for its rustic beauty, a land of majestic mountains, towering waterfalls, winding rivers, and powerful seas. Hale Lani Bed and Breakfast is just a short walk or drive from all the scenic locations on Kauai. Nearby, the Coconut Marketplace hosts a variety of shops, restaurants, and a movie theatre. The best ocean swimming and snorkeling on the east coast of Kauai can be found at Lydgate Park. The protected rock coves make swimming and snorkeling safe for kids of all ages. Within walking distance are the famous Kuilau and Moalepe Trails, leading to the island's forest reserve and magnificent views of the entire island. A short 20 minutes from the airport and halfway between the north and south shore sights, Hale Lani is the perfect location to get away from it all yet still be close to the many attractions Kauai has to offer.

These recipes you will find in the cookbook and are used by permission of Sandy Johnson: Zesty Hawaiian Scallops, Gourmet One Dish Breakfast, Heavenly Frittata. 

This BnB (along with delicious recipes and wonderful stories) is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. Click on the review to read more about it.

Wapiti Meadow Ranch in Cascadeast!!!

Nestled in a lush green valley, secluded by towering timbered ridges, an oasis of backcountry luxury surrounded by National Forest, the River of No Return Wilderness and some of the finest trout waters in the Intermountain Northwest. Escape to Adventure! 

Wapiti Meadow is snuggled in a high valley with views of lush meadows and heavily timbered hillsides. June and early July bring elk and deer to graze beside the ranch horses in a myriad of wildflowers. Late July, August and early September are premium fly fishing months in our crystal clear streams-and fall is heralded in by vivid colors and the mystical bugling of bull elk. The historic log and stone lodge, built by the early settlers in the 1920’s, and refurbished in the 80’s and 90’s, is furnished with a beautiful collection of antiques centered around a baronial, ever-burning fireplace. With the discovery in 1994, of a cache of six thousand year old tools, the history of Wapiti Meadow and the knowledge of human habitation in the mountains of Idaho has been extended by millennia. This major archaeological find has spawned a series of "digs" at the ranch by trained professionals who are piecing together the life patterns of these first Americans, ancestors of the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs. For thousands of years the mystique of the valley has attracted adventurous men and women; Indians, miners, trappers and homesteaders. In the early 1920's, a gold-seeking homesteader sold his stake to Clark Cox. He and his wife, Beulah bought the homestead and with the help of their son, Lafe, built the grand log and stone lodge. Thus began one of the first dude ranches of the Northwest. In the five decades that followed, the ranch grew steadily and became a warm and welcoming vacation retreat. Upon retirement, Lafe and his wife, Emma, sold The Old Cox Dude Ranch. Now completely renovated, Diana added the amenities that made it into the ultimate wilderness retreat...a 21st century experience in a 19th century setting.

These recipes you will find in the cookbook and are used by permission of Diana & Barry Bryant: Ranch Shrimp Spread, Lemon Mousse w/Raspberry Puree, Glazed Baby Carrots & Sugar Snap Peas, Spinach, Mushroom & Bacon Salad, Spinach & Feta Salad w/Toated Walnuts, Soubise, Dilled New Potatoes, Green Beans w/Rosemary & Parmesan, Braised Potatoes w/Thyme, Mushrooms Supreme, Primer Rib w/Roasted Garlic.

This BnB (along with delicious recipes and wonderful stories) is featured in Sunrise Sunset Across America, Bed & Breakfast cookbook. Purchase it by clicking on the link in the upper sidebar. Click on the review to read more about it.