Return-Path: Received: from IUS4.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa20117; 27 Aug 93 13:08:51 EDT Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1993 13:07-EDT From: David.Simon@IUS4.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Bed and Breakfast Query Message-Id: <746471234/das@IUS4.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU> I'd like to compile a list of nice bed and breakfast places within a 4 hour drive of the 'burgh. If you know of a B&B which you are particularly fond of, please send me a brief description. In particular, I'm looking for places which have good hiking and road cycling areas nearby. Also, I believe that there is a guide to B&B places in Western Pennsylvania. Does anyone know the exact title, and where it may be purchased? Replies to Bovik... - David ***************************************************************************** Date: Wed, 25 Aug 93 10:55:11 EDT From: Mike Blackwell To: das+@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Bed & Breakfast Query Hi Dave - If you're up for a slightly longer trip, I very highly recommend Black Walnut Point B&B, on Tilghman Island on the Cheapeake. It's about a 6 hour drive from here. It's isolated on the southern tip of the island, surrounded by a wildlife preserve. There are hundreds of miles of great cycling roads (flat, well paved, and wide marked shoulders). The Inn itself is very pleasant, and run by very nice folks. Closer to home, we really like Cheat River Lodge (near Elkins, WV), and go there a couple of times a year - hiking in the spring and fall, xc skiing in the winter. Not really a B&B - it's cabins in the woods boardering on the Otter Creek wilderness, and all sitting right on the shore of the Cheat. Full kitchens and everything. They also run a surprisingly good restaraunt near by. Great mountain biking on the forest service roads, lots of hiking. About a 3 hour drive. In Davis, WV is Bright Morning Inn, a little B&B with a great restaraunt attached. We haven't actually stayed overnight there (usually stay at the Blackwater Falls lodge or camp), but we make it a point to stop for dinner when we're passing through... 2 hours north of here is Clarion River Lodge. We spent three days there just last week. Excellent location on the boarder of Cook Forest by the river. Canoeing on the river is great for beginners like us. Road biking along the river is also nice. Unfortunately, it could stand to be a little more rustic - it's more like a motel in the woods. But they have good package deals, so it's still a nice close get away place. That's all I can think of off hand - we usually camp. I have brochures for all of these at home, if you want to look at any of them. I'd be interested in anyplace else you find out about. cheers, -m- ------ Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1993 11:10-EDT From: David.Kosbie@KOZ.GARNET.CS.CMU.EDU To: David Simon Subject: Re: Bed & Breakfast Query The most complete guide I have found is not specific to Western PA, yet has more entries for this area than the ones that *are* limited to this domain. It is: Lanier, Pamela, "The Complete Guide to Bed & Breakfasts, Inns & Guesthouses in the United States and Canada", 10th Anniversary Edition, ISBN 0-89815-530-4. It costs $16.95, and SqHill Bookstore carries them, and I bet Border's does, too. While the book lists many B&B's in Western PA, it only lists the name and contact info. Most of the reviews of PA B&B's are in the eastern part of the state (from Lancaster on east). Also, I have found that there are many new B&B's not listed in this or any other book (to my knowledge). In a recent last-minute attempt to book a room on a very busy weekend, I started by calling the Apple Butter Inn, but they were booked, so I asked them for comparable B&B's that were nearby, and they listed a few. Each of these were booked, so I repeated the process. Soon, I had uncovered perhaps a dozen or more B&B's that I had not heard of otherwise. In any event, please post your results -- I'm sure many folks around here would love to try new and promising B&B's. Thanks, and good luck! --dave ------ To: David Simon Subject: Re: Bed & Breakfast Query Date: Wed, 25 Aug 93 11:47:32 -0400 From: Wilson_Harvey@MAPS.CS.CMU.EDU David, There's an Amish area in Ohio around the town of Berlin (about 3 hours away). It is a beautiful area, especially in the Fall. As for hiking, we found a number of trails. Though we didn't go biking, we saw a number of bikers on the back roads. The entire area may be of interest as it seems to be replete with B&B's. About 2 years ago, my wife and I stayed in an inn there that was very nice. Although not a B&B, you might be interested in checking it out. It is called The Inn at Honey Run. Very nice rooms and good home-cooked food. Although they seemed to cater to an older clientele, the atmosphere wasn't stuffy and we were made to feel out of place. They are a little pricey (in the $100+/night range), but they have periodic specials where the prices drop by about 30% or so. If you're interested, I'm sure I can dig up the address and telephone number. I can't help with the name of the B&B guide, but we've gotten several out of the library that have been helpful. Again, if you want more details, let me know. Have fun! -Wilson ------ Date: Wed, 25 Aug 93 15:26:37 -0400 From: bjz@SEI.CMU.EDU To: das+@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Bed & Breakfast Query Cc: The River's Edge Bed and Breakfast is in Confluence PA, about 90 minutes drive from Pittsburgh and about 10 miles from the white water of Ohiopyle. I've stayed there before and, in fact, am staying there again this weekend (on honeymoon). The River's Edge is situated about 10-11 miles from Ohiopyle and it's very close to the entryway to the flat and pleasant biking/hiking trail that is part of the Rails to Trails plan. You can get in to Ohiopyle easily by car, too. Getting to Ohiopyle by way of the roads versus the bike trail is doable, but it means tackling some very challenging hills. We often see bikers along the roads, but the hills are fierce in both directions and I'm uncertain of the number of people who are actually successful in making the entire trek both ways. An aside: There's very little to "do" in Confluence if you're looking for anything other than outdoor activities; there is no nightlife. This place is suited for people who enjoy hiking, rafting, walking, fishing, biking, or just being outdoors. You can drive to Fallingwater and, perhaps, get up to Nemacolin or Seven Springs, where there might be organized activities and exercise machines, but that's about it. There are very few restaurants either, so take that into consideration when making plans. There are grocery stores and a fruit market -- those things usually suffice our needs quite adequately but your mileage may vary. Also, you can rent rafts for the less treacherous parts of the river...if you're not into the white water and its dangers, there are very tame sections of the river close to Confluence and you can span the river and the lazy flow easily in rented rafts. There are lots of outfitters to help you out (but make advanced reservations). The people at the RIver's Edge can provide pointers... These same outfitters will rent bikes, but they are situated in Ohiopyle, I believe. I don't know if there's a bike-renting facility in Confluence. There is a store located next to the River's Edge and they sell a lot of Patagonia stuff and other equipment that rafting people and kayakers need -- they might also rent out bikes. These same people run a school for teaching people how to canoe, kayak, and raft. Those people are quite friendly. The phone number for River's Edge is (814) 395-5059 and the owners are quite friendly and accommodating. I've always enjoyed their hospitality and willingness to help. Thanks for compiling this list of B and Bs. Barbara -- Barbara Zayas, Writer/Editor II Information Management, Carnegie Mellon University bjz@sei.cmu.edu ------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1993 10:39:42 -0400 (EDT) From: "Richard M. Moore" To: David.Simon@cs.cmu.edu (David Simon) Subject: Re: Bed & Breakfast Query Cc: I have been to the Faircroft Bed & Breakfast in Ridgway, PA, twice now. It has 3 rooms, 1 with a private bath 2 with shared. The private bath room is about $45 per night. It is an old Swedish farm house and has original antiques (from when it was a dairy & farm). The breakfast has been very good both times. Ridgway is about 2 hours from Pgh and is at the south-east corner of Allegheny National Forest. There is hiking, canoeing on the Clarion (if the water is high enough), cross-country ski trails and also there is a free-roaming herd of elk within about 20 miles. They congregate in the spring and fall to mate. I haven't seen them, but I hear they're pretty amazing. Talk to the owner of Love's Canoe Rentals -- he is a part-time forest ranger and is full of information which he seems glad to share. Enjoy, Rich ---------- Date: Wed, 25 Aug 93 10:26:57 EDT From: Sanjiv.Singh@H.GP.CS.CMU.EDU To: das@cs.cmu.edu Subject: b&bs Hi Dave, I have some info I gathered a while ago. I enclose it below. I stayed at a B&B in Mercer about 4 years ago. It was excellent if a trifle expensive ($80/night). There is a phone number that you can call in Pgh to get B&B info in the area. You give them your specs and they send you a list in the mail. I can't find it at the moment, but I'll look for it. -Sanjiv --------------------------------------------------------------------- 29-Mar-89 15:44 Barbara.Grandillo Cottages and Cabins From: Barbara.Grandillo@N.SP.CS.CMU.EDU I've received a few responses to my request for informationn on cottages and cabins in PA. Below is a summary - if I receive any more replys, I will also post them. Thanks to all who responded. Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1989 11:12-EST From: Michael.Jones@SPICE.CS.CMU.EDU To: Barbara.Grandillo@N.SP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Cottages or Cabins I've enjoyed renting the cabins at Racconn Creek state park west of here almost to the Ohio border. They provide kitchens, bunks, hiking and nature trails, and a large lake. -- Mike Date: Wed, 29 Mar 89 11:42:14 EST From: Dario.Giuse@SPICE.CS.CMU.EDU To: Barbara.Grandillo@N.SP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Cottage or cabin I would suggest the cabins in Hidden Valley. They are in the Kooser State Park, right down from the Hidden Valley resort, and can be rented for a very reasonable amount of money. Most sleep 4 to 6 people, I believe. You should be able to find out more information from the park office (unfortunately, I do not have any phone numbers). The setting is very woodsy, with a nice creek that meanders around and then forms Kooser Lake, a small man-made lake with fishing and swimming (in the Summer). You can take great walks, and the place is wonderful for cross-country skiing (they won't be able to do that, I am afraid...). At the same time, you can literally walk a couple of miles to the Hidden Valley resort which has great restaurants, a golf course if you are interested, tennis, raquetball, indoors swimming, sauna, Jacuzzi, etc. Also, the town of Somerset is only about 14 miles. The Barn, at the entrance of the Hidden Valley resort, has a good restaurant and quaint country shops. As I am sure you know, Hidden Valley is one hour away from Pittsburgh, at exit 9 on the PA Turnpile. - Dario - To: Barbara.Grandillo@cs Subject: Cabins Date: Wed, 29 Mar 89 12:08:36 EST From: Paul.Gleichauf@B.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Barbara, A very nice, near, and little known, place for cabins is Lynn Run State Park near Ligonier (east of Pittsburgh). There are a few cabins on a reservation only basis in a small reserve along a stream with trails and a waterfall. I have not stayed in the cabins, but I do motorcycle up there a couple of times a year. It is also near Ohiopyle and Fallingwater, so short sidetrips are possible. There should be a state park service phone number for Pittsburgh as a next step to see whether there are any near term vacancies. Paul Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1989 12:41-EST From: Marcella.Zaragoza@ISL1.RI.CMU.EDU To: Barbara.Grandillo@N.SP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Cottages or Cabins Barbara -- Sunday's Pittsburgh Press mentioned that many of the local state parks, including Moraine and Raccoon, have brand new heated cabins. They even had a picture of one of the ones at Moraine, and it looked pretty nice. They also listed approximate prices and phone numbers to call for reservations. I don't have Sunday's paper anymore, but maybe you could hunt one up or copy the article from the library's copy, if they still have it. It was in the Travel section. Good luck! --Marce