Wilderness Accommodations

Even though the economy has stabilized recently – and even shown a few signs of dramatic improvement – money remains tight in my family. My wife and I both have full-time jobs, and it seems like we’re putting in overtime every week. She made me promise that I wouldn’t surprise her with any extravagant gifts for her birthday this year, and for the most part I obliged.

I began searching for a nearby bed and breakfast through an online directory site. It didn’t take long to find something that fell well within our price range while still offering a few luxury frills that my wife would surely appreciate. When I surprised her with a fully packed suitcase, she accused me of overspending. I reminded her that even if she didn’t marry me for my money, she at least got a resourceful husband out of the bargain.

A bed and breakfast (or B&B) is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Typically, bed and breakfasts are private homes with fewer than 10 bedrooms available for commercial use. The term originated in the United Kingdom.

Generally, guests are accommodated in private bedrooms with private bathrooms, or in a suite of rooms including an en suite bathroom. Some homes have private bedrooms with a bathroom which is shared with other guests. Breakfast is served in the bedroom, a dining room, or the host’s kitchen.

A bed and breakfast and guest houses may be operated either as a secondary source of income or a primary occupation. Usually the owners themselves prepare the breakfast and clean the room etc., but some bed and breakfasts hire staff for cleaning or cooking. Although some bed and breakfast owners hire professional staff, a property which hires professional management is usually no longer considered a bed and breakfast, but enters the category of inn or hotel.

Some B&Bs operate in a niche market. Floating bed and breakfasts for example are a concept originating in Seattle in which a boat or houseboat offers B&B accommodation.

If you are a cross-country wilderness traveler, it is important to have a site map that will guide you with all your travel needs. Bed and breakfasts are places where people can stay as transients. These places include bed space and free breakfast before a guest leaves in the morning. They are generally designed for cross-country travelers with RVs.

There are also lodging houses and resorts that offer special packages for short time travelers. Some travel agencies specialize in arranging such package tours for people who love going on adventures. Simply book the package you want and they will arrange all the reservations as well as other add-on tours.

Image from www.owlheadcreek-bnb.ca/

When we first moved to the farm, we had grand visions of growing organic vegetables all summer, bringing bushels of apples to market in the fall, and spending the winter cozy by the fire, effortlessly home schooling our children and watching the snow fall on our 40 acres of paradise .  Well, it wasn’t that easy, and we found ourselves toiling from dawn till dusk seven days a week, all summer long.  When winter hit there were animals to feed, snow drifts to deal with, ice and frozen pipes in our 100 year old farmhouse.  The money ran out before the snow melted.  School curriculum was reduced to chopping wood and carrying water.  Time by the fire was usually spent in total exhaustion.

The idea of opening a Bed & Breakfast sprang from necessity.  We were living the dream, as they say, but it wasn’t paying the bills.  We realized that our biggest resource was our idyllic location and our rural, close-knit, family oriented lifestyle .  With a Bed and Breakfast, people could experience life on the farm for  about the same price as the motel in town.  And it was a hit!

Guests came from towns like Portland or Boise for the weekend, sometimes longer, to enjoy the peace and quiet of our beautiful valley.  Most, but not all, were already familiar with the Bed & Breakfast concept.  Some were hikers, hunters, or river rafters.  Others were writers or bird watchers.  Often they were interested in farm life.  Kids loved the chickens, horses and swimming pond. It wasn’t uncommon for adults to wind up carrying a shovel and pliers around after asking questions about fencing and irrigating!  Without exception, our guests were wonderful people and we truly enjoyed spending time with them.

For our family, operating a Bed and Breakfast had unexpected rewards.  All of us became very comfortable welcoming total strangers into our home.  The kids became adept at introducing themselves, shaking hands and looking people in the eye.  Even our Dalmatian, Tucker, enjoyed socializing with guests – usually just after mealtime.  Overall, turning our farm into a Bed and Breakfast helped remind us of how lucky we were to live in a beautiful place, close to nature, close to each other, and far away from the crowds.

I travel a lot by myself, and often am required to stay in hotels, often near the airport.  Standard features, stale air and anonymity make for very forgettable experiences, to say the least.  No matter how friendly the staff, how many cable channels, or how fast the wi-fi connection, I am left with a sterile, disconnected feeling.

A few years ago I began exploring other lodging options, including the Bed and

Breakfast.  What an adventure!  I remember the first one, a Bed and Breakfast in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.  Not only did I get a comfortable bed and a breakfast fit for a king, but I met fascinating guests from all around the US, Belgium and Switzerland.

The owners had an interesting story as well – having retired from busy careers in New York, they made a choice to slow down.  Now he tinkers around the house, she fluffs pillows and they spend lots of time in the kitchen together preparing meals and getting to know their guests.  I suspect he may actually be using the Bed and Breakfast as a cover for a job with the CIA, but that’s another story.

One day I had a free morning and joined a small group of graduate students from Indiana University on a trip to the Smithsonian, taking in the sights along the way. What fun. That evening we felt like old friends, sitting on the covered porch in the warm spring air, sharing highlights from the day, and exchanging contact information. The Bed and Breakfast owners surprised us with freshly baked ginger snaps and mint julips. A great combination, by the way.

Leaving Washington, I felt happy. Even though this had been a business trip, staying in a Bed and Breakfast allowed me to connect with fellow human beings in a natural setting. I was well-rested. I hadn’t watched any television. I felt like I had a sense for what it’s like to actually live in Washington, DC and, best of all, I now have friends in Indiana!

If you are looking for lodging, you may want to consider staying at a Bed and Breakfast – a B & B for short. You will likely find the amenities similar to a 4 star hotel, and the price the same or lower than a typical hotel. The atmosphere at a B & B is usually quaint and charming, and probably run by a local family that can provide local information for your visit. Best of all, your stay will be unique.

Many B & B’s are renovated historical buildings with modern conveniences such as wi-fi internet access, cable TV, private baths, jetted tubs, and comfortable beds. You can always count on immaculate housekeeping! This is a gigantic step up from the typical roadside motel and on par with a nice hotel, but with far more character. The meals are home cooked and typically better than any hotel buffet. Unique, yummy specialty items are often on the menu.

Most B & B’s are family owned and operated, so your visit helps to support a local family. The local connection can be invaluable. Your hosts will know which restaurants are best, what sights to see, things that are happening in town, etc. There will usually be other guests staying in the house. It can be interesting getting to know them. And if you require anything special, say an auto mechanic or a doctor, you can rest assured that you will be getting in touch with the right person. In addition to a fantastic breakfast, some B & B’s offer happy hour fare – wine & cheese on the patio, for example.

These days, many hotels are virtually indistinguishable from one another. A visit to a B & B is guaranteed to be a departure from the homogeneous corporate lodging experience. You can find B & B’s in just about any town. Try one on your next vacation!

Recently I was at a very accommodating Bed and Breakfast. Upon arrival I was welcomed by some home made cinnamon buns fresh from the oven. Before I even unpacked my bags, I was presented with a liberal menu of breakfast items to chose from for the next morning. Some of the choices included eggs, toast, waffles, pancakes, fresh fruit, and a variety of beverages.

After ticking off my selections, I was able specify the style in which my meal was prepared (hot or cold), and the approximate time I required my breakfast. I felt like a real guest!

There were some real advantages to this Bed and Breakfast collecting your breakfast order ahead of time. For one, they were able to ensure enough food for all (as I was not the only guest staying there). They also managed to prevent food wastage and over preparing of food that could not be preserved for later.

Of course, not every Bed and Breakfast will offer such selections. And there are good reasons why! Creating multiple meals for too many people makes it taxing in the kitchen to have everything prepared on time. Depending on how many people are staying at the Bed and Breakfast, there can be collisions of guests all trying to have their breakfast all at the same time. Many Bed and Breakfasts will simply offer a set meal that is either prepared ahead or can be line cooked. They may even have a set time that Breakfast will be served.

All I know is that a little selection and some simple options can go a long ways towards making someone feel right at home, even if it’s in your home!