Lebanon, Missouri Even though this fine sign looks a little familiar, the Munger Moss Motel was never a part of any of the chain motels that became popular in the 1950's. However, the Missouri motel did copy the popular sign image from Holiday Inn. They needed to do something when suddenly there was competition from chains. The Sign Before the Sign Don and I had read about the motel with the odd sounding name, a few years ago. We were ready to give it a try this past April. We exited off I-44 and quickly spotted the big billboard... 300 yards from the motel. MOTEL We turned onto the old Mother Road and the Munger Moss was right there. The neon sign and word MOTEL, weren't a part of this scene when it first opened in 1946. Originally there were 14 cabin courts, connected with carport/ garages. The Office The neon sign, along with TVs and air-conditioning, were added in the 1950's. The office and the sprawling u-shaped line up of motel rooms greeted us on a drizzly, cold day. I was eager to get inside the office and meet the woman I'd spoken with on the phone. Ramona Ramona entered from the back as we came through the office entrance. She'd been expecting us. and we chatted for 30 minutes. We heard how Ramona and her husband moved from Iowa with 4 kids in 1971. They took over the motel business, living in 2 family units, connected by a door. The kids adjusted to their new state, embracing the warmer months with access to the motel pool. Ramona chuckled about a day when her son was missing, but turned up in a room with a Do Not Disturb sign on the door. He was watching TV. Memorabilia The office was packed with Route 66 goodies. Evidently the International guests really love the tee-shirts and souvenirs. Special Guests Ramona had fun telling us about all the guests she'd chatted with during her 45 years of hosting. She pointed out the photos of famous guests who were there before her. Many stayed at Munger Moss while performing in USO tours at nearby Fort Leonard Wood. From Around the World Ramona said in recent years, their guests have come from all over the world. For some crazy reason, Route 66 is considered a big part of American History to many foreign travelers. Ramona laughed and recalled an Australian traveler, when I asked who had been her most memorable guest. Finding Our Room We finally got our key and headed up to find the Route 66 Room. The walkway beside the rooms only gave a few hints about the original design. It was hard to imagine how all these connected rooms had once been separate cottages. The Old and New We could see the changes in brick color. An older door had not been replaced in the original section to the left. The newer brick on the right, showed where a motel room was later added, replacing the carport. Now there are 44 rooms and 16 efficiencies. The Special Room Don and I just had to chuckle a bit when we opened the door and laid eyes on our special room. This was the Route 66 Room that Ramona wanted us to have. It was decorated by Ramona with the help of her granddaughter. There were at least 90 matted prints, depicting Route 66 scenes. Furniture There were a couple of orange-gold chairs and some lacy lamps, along with a functional motel desk attached to the wall. It wasn't exactly 1940's or '50's decor, but there was a sincere effort here. Don and I dashed down to the office where Ramona scooped us up some ice. We had to drink to our little motel in the Ozarks. We made a toast and then tried our best to study the fine photos and prints, without climbing on the furniture. Pink and Blue Tile How I do love some vintage tub and tile features in pastel colors! Ramona said they've replaced and repaired along the way, so there was a bit of a patchwork quilt look to our bathroom. Some Old Details I peeked in another room that was about to be cleaned and spotted a bathroom with a rounded shower opening. This took me back to the old motor court days, a little better. And there was a great push button holder on the bathroom door! When was the last time I saw one of those? Where Are We? The motel no longer has a sandwich shop, but not far from the covered patio, (where the pool used to be) I found some fun posts with arrows. A black and white arrow pointed to Devil's Elbow, 40 miles away. Devil's Elbow is where Munger Moss began! The next day, Don and I drove to the town and ate lunch. Munger Moss Sandwich Shop... at Devil's Elbow We found the original sandwich shop that Nelle Munger and her second husband Emmett Moss owned. Now it's a bar/cafe called Elbow Inn, but back in 1945 the couple sold their business with its name. The new owners moved the biz to Lebanon, then expanded with roadside cabins. So that's the reason for the strange motel name! What's Notable? I met Bob in the morning and he was a sweet as his wife, Ramona. This couple is the reason you come to stay at Munger Moss. They've worked for 45 years, running the motel, raising kids, welcoming guests and sharing the history. I am so grateful that we were able to stay while they are still the owners. I will remember their genuine warmth and the old fashioned price as well! AND... the sign, lit up at night!
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A 150 Year Old Campus, in Missouri's Arcadia Valley Don and I learned about Arcadia Academy when searching for hotel stays in Missouri. The Arcadaia website showed 5 nice looking B&B guest rooms, but when we arrived we found a 16-acre campus with 8 buildings. What exactly was the history of this place? We approached this building and learned later that it once housed about 100 young women from Ursuline Academy. The dining room had become a restaurant and the dorms above, became hostel rooms. Inside Once inside, I was happily jolted by some very sweet smells. A display of enormous cinnamon rolls tempted me from a nearby wooden rack. There was another display case for inedible goodies. This cabinet was lit up, to highlight a collection of religious treasures. We examined numerous Virgin Mary statuettes, then peeked in at "Thee Abbey Kitchen" restaurant, where some diners were finishing up a late lunch. We waited a bit longer until a man in a white apron rushed out from the kitchen to assure us that he had alerted Katherine to our arrival. Little Nuns As we waited, we studied the cute little nuns on one of the shelves, we wondered who Katherine might be. Would she arrive in a black and white habit and introduce herself as Sister Katherine? Bakery and Creamery As we stood in the hall, the smells from the cheery little Bakery & Creamery made things pleasant. But peeking up the eerie stairway to the second floor made me question our decision. As it turns out, the upper floors held the hostel rooms. I didn't even know that had been an option. Priest's House from 1902 Katherine arrived with a big smile and no habit. She apologized for keeping us waiting and took us next door. She took us past some toy trucks and trikes, that I believe belonged to her children. She warned us that the first step was a big one and we hiked up to the hefty white door with a doorbell crank in the center. This had been the Priest's House. I'm not sure if that was during the 100 years of Ursuline Academy, or later in the 1970'a when the buildings served as a convent. Facing the Garden Katharine said she had upgraded us to a suite on the first floor, since they were only using 2 of the 5 rooms. The price of our upgraded suite would have been $60. more, so that was a sweet deal from our sweet host! Our new room was on the corner with windows looking over the porch to the gardens. Inside Katherine showed us around a bit and took us down the hall where Presidents, George and Abe peered down from frames. She pointed out the parlor where we could play a hymn on the pump organ. Actually she did not invite us to do that, but we could exit the door near the Jesus portrait and enjoy the porch. More Hall Goodies Opposite our room, was the kitchen entrance where we would later eat breakfast. I loved the little prayer desk next to the kitchen door. Maybe it was a writing desk, but how could I be in this place, without thinking of prayer? It looked like it was just missing a padded kneeler. The plastic light switch plates were pretty special. Some people seem to think old B&B's and hotels are eerie. But this little image was downright comforting. I felt sure there would be no hauntings. Only holy ghosts in this place! "The Provincial" Our 2-room suite was quite the mix of old and new. I loved the 10-foot ceilings and rich wood baseboards. The door was awfully grand, as were the 6 windows. I only wish we could have easily opened the curtains to let in the view of the grounds. From the Door From the doorway, you can see we had a mounted flat screen TV with a DVD player, which we didn't really need. It's obvious where the new split wall had made two rooms into one suite. The Bathroom I doubt the priests ever had the luxury of double granite sinks. They probably would have found the spa tub a bit disgraceful, since it looked like it was built for about 4 people. Shower and Toilet The gigantic shower with 2 shower heads also hinted at some unholy behavior. Katherine was eager to point out the large shower and she was kind enough to warn us about the teeny toilet closet, which was behind the door, where the robes were hanging. I'm not a huge person and I had been warned, but I still laughed out loud when I checked out the tiny space. "Holy cow! How could anyone actually close the door, when making use?" 60-Foot Balcony We weren't given any drinking rules, so we shook up martinis in a thermal mug and took our happy hour to the porch. Then we moved to the second floor porch! What a beautiful evening and setting! As the sun lowered, the frogs delighted us with their evening music! The View From our porch chairs, we had a rear view of the chapel. What a beautiful cone shaped roof with cross. We also could peer back into the courtyard where a statue of Jesus stood center, and a little red wagon waited under a tree. More Garden Views Directly forward from the porch was a lovely stone building. There was a porch swing hanging from a tree and a few statues and grottos and a pond. Wandering In the evening and morning I wandered the grounds, trying to figure it all out. I walked around the back of St. Joseph's Chapel, build in 1908. It was hard to imagine these grounds in 1846, when the original Methodist school opened, as Arcadia High School. A Pond I love a hotel with a creek or pond. I especially love a little water feature with a bridge! The pond and gardens came much later after the The Ursuline Catholic Sisters took over in 1877. Pondering Near the Pond The whole setting really was absolutely peaceful. I noticed a pair of ducks enjoying their pond. As I paused to enjoy, I wondered how many young boarding students stood out here, missing home and family. Or how many nuns wandered in prayer? And even more sobering to imagine... How many Civil War Union soldiers came out into the sunshine to heal... back when the campus turned into a hospital during the Civil War? The Gymnasium This gym, (built in 1930) intrigued me the most. It was built when the Catholic Girls School was at its peak. Were those seesaws and swings, from way back then? The front of the building had an Alfred Hitchcock feel... with a pair of cement swans resting on the steps. St. Joseph's The Chapel was built in 1907. We had hoped to get a tour with Katherine before leaving, but there wasn't time. I had to just imagine the beautiful interior. The Cemetery The main road leading to the Academy, took us right by a stone wall and cemetery. I didn't explore beyond the wall, but we heard that the grave markers had the names of Sisters from the academy. That seemed like too many graves. But then again, the school was open nearly 100 years. Heading Back At the end of the drive, there were stone entrance gates. I pictured the buggies that first arrived, bringing young girls to boarding school. What thoughts went through their heads as they traveled towards the chapel and campus buildings? Dining We ate dinner in "Thee Abbey Kitchen" that evening. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. Back in the Day An old photo reminded us that not too much had changed. There were no white tablecloths for our visit, but we did have a framed Last Supper print nearby. Our Food Our young server Cassie, (who had the energy of a hummingbird) recommended Janette's Chicken with a light and savory chicken chive sauce. Man, was that rich and delicious. We tried to eat without making too much noise, since the young girls long ago had strict talking rules. But we did laugh out loud when we saw the high chair in the corner. Don had one just like it, as a youngin'. The Kitchen In the morning we headed across the hall to the kitchen. The funny stove & oven held the Keurig coffee maker and the rounded fridge had some help yourself sodas and water. The old ice box, was maybe just leftover, from back in the day. We sipped on a little coffee, and took in the atmosphere. Breakfast with Others We shared the large table with the 2 other hotel guests. They were traveling from Arizona and as we chatted it became evident, we all shared an appreciation for unusual and curious hotels... some good story swapping! Blessed Breakfast The painting of the praying man made me feel extra grateful for our French toast, eggs, bacon and potatoes. He only had bread. I also felt a little guilty as Katherine rushed through the door, which connects to the dorm/restaurant, carrying our steaming plates. We had seen her bustling around at 8 the night before and here she was serving our breakfast! What's Notable? We stayed on the outskirts of a tiny town, on a sprawling campus of a hotel... that happened to feel pretty heavenly. That's no joke. You certainly don't have to be Catholic or ultra religious to feel welcome. As a guest, you just need to be open to a little nature and history! What an amazingly, peaceful place. Big thanks to the Katherine and her Oyler family for the huge task of renovating and running such a place!
"Urban Chic & Comfy Sleek" These words on the hotel website, were supposed to lure me. But, I'm usually more drawn to words like, quaint and cozy. The prices I found on a Groupon Deal for $369.00, also didn't convince me to book a room! But darn I wanted to stay at this place! Determined I was so drawn to the photos and descriptions of this totally unique, 7-year old hotel. I was determined to find a good price online. I did and I booked a night. Both Don and I were curious. The Moonrise Hotel didn't exist, back when we lived in St. Louis. We had always loved the quirky Delmar Loop area. In 1979, I did my student teaching at nearby Delmar-Harvard Elementary. Don lived just blocks away when he attended Washington U. But neither of us would have wandered east on Delmar Blvd, past Skinker... where the hotel now sits. Back in the Day In the seventies, things got pretty sketchy on Delmar, when you headed east towards the city. A funeral parlor sat on the property where the hotel was later built. Joe Edwards, who created this whimsical lunar themed hotel, had a big vision and he was good enough to preserve some of that original building. It became the hotel's Eclipse Restaurant. The Lobby Don and I arrived last April and were thrilled to have self park options in back. We grabbed bags and headed towards the lobby in the newer, 8-story building. As soon as we walked through the door I had to grin, when I spotted the glowing, blue staircase on our left. Floating in Space As we moved towards the desk, the illuminated stairway changed colors. I didn't capture the movement of the color change in my photos, but it was quite a lively thing to see. In fact the whole stairway seemed alive, as it floated upward in the clean, spacious lobby. Many Moons I love a theme, but many theme related hotels are just corny. This space theme was so complete and so sophisticated, it did not allow for eye rolling. Just smiling. After all, I was raised on The Jetsons cartoons in the sixties. I love this kind of decor. Check In Even the desk area was space age. The light fixtures were obviously cool, but even the design on the front of the desk reminded me of something retro and futuristic. Wait, how is that possible to be both? More Lamps and Lights Everywhere we looked there were lights twinkling and colorful, glowing fixtures. I felt like I was 6 years old again... all bug-eyed, at General Motors Futurama, at the 1964 World's Fair! Welcoming Travelers... There were lots of places for travelers to lounge around, with their newspapers or computers. The Pets And there were goodies for traveling pets as well. I loved Astro the Dog, steering the nifty chalkboard spacecraft! The names of the V.I. Pooches and Celebri-Kitties were written in chalk. Joe & His Collections Owner, Joe Edwards is an avid collector and there were a lot of his goodies and photos and write ups on display! I loved seeing the photo of Joe with astronaut, Neil Armstrong. It was taken in 2011, 42 years after Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon! I remember being 12 and watching that famous step, on my grandmother's TV! Toys and Trinkets I was born in 1957, just months after the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik. I guess that means I was born during the birth of the space age, so maybe that's why I loved all the lunar toys... dolls, patches, rockets, figurines, and even lunch boxes. Don and I both grew up watching liftoffs and splashdowns on TV. It's as if this hotel had been designed, just for our generation. The Retro Stuff... ... just made me smile. The Modern Stuff... ... was just plain cool! I loved this mirror of circles, near the elevator. Up to the Fourth Floor Our hallway was glowing and peaceful. Our little moon & stars door sign, greeted us. Our Room Just inside the door I began spotting moon art, in our modern room. To the left, I chuckled when I noticed the sliding glass door that covered the closet. Or did it cover the bathroom? Hmm? It covered both, but not at the same time. Annoying Glass My biggest pet peeve of modern hotels is the glass bathroom door. I don't care if they're frosted or not, the early riser is forced to blast light on the late sleeper in the morning. But I decided to ignore that complaint, when I saw the sleek chaise lounge chair! Woohoo! I had me a nice time relaxing on that thing, under the moon photo. Ahh! The bed was heavenly. Or should I say, Out of This World! The cushioned headboard was a treat. The huge flatscreen TV and the "sound machine" were extra nice to have. The View Our room had a glass corner, which was fun. There was an unsightly roof below, but I chose to look across, at the old storefronts on Delmar. The best part was peering up at the rooftop lounge. Even with cloudy skies, we were sure to see the spotlight on the rotating moon after sunset! Rooftop! Don and I checked out the rooftop bar in the evening. There were some curious crescent moon chairs and a closer view of the funny moon. New Moon Room At the east end, there was an enclosed bar with planets hanging from the solar panel ceiling. That would have been a good option, if the temps had been any cooler. Moontinis? Evidently they offer moontinis, but we went for some wine. The people-watching was interesting. There seemed to be more young locals than middle aged hotel guests. Don and I were probably the only Baby Boomers on the scene. I was glad it was Sunday, since I had a feeling the place could get pretty hopping on weekends. St. Louis View Before heading off to enjoy The Loop, we took in the view. What a treat to spot the Arch, out beyond Forest Park. It was beginning to cloud up or we would have waited to watch the moonrise! The Loop This festive-funky area known as the Delmar Loop, was just outside our door. It was fun to visit our old favorite, Blueberry Hill, where Don and I have enjoyed many a beer, surrounded by rock-and-roll memorabilia. Joe Edwards opened Blueberry Hill in 1972 and has continued building and refurbishing the whole area since. More Neon We wandered and enjoyed more new-retro additions to the Loop, thanks again to this mystery man named, Joe. Don and I enjoyed the evening, then we enjoyed a late Thai meal, at a sidewalk cafe before turning in. Morning Next morning, I stepped outside early, to peek at the street before heading to the hotel's gym. I was just getting started on the treadmill, when I noticed something on TV. I laughed and jumped off the treadmill and dashed right out to Delmar Boulevard. Walk of Fame I stood out on the sidewalk right beside TS Eliot's star, on the Delmar Walk of Fame. The St. Louis Star Walk is yet another festive addition, brought on by Joe. I stood next to the street, which was free of cars, due to barricades for road work. I watched the local Fox TV news with their cameras and lights. There Was Joe I had seen him on TV moments before and there he was standing in the street wearing a flowered shirt and holding a vintage model trolley. He was being interviewed about his latest project. The Fixed-Track Trolley, that would soon be traveling from The Loop to Forest Park! The news crew took a quick break and Joe looked up and waved with a big smile. I laughed over to him about how I'd been in his hotel gym and spotted him on TV. "I LOVE YOUR HOTEL!" I hollered. He laughed and got back to his interview. What's Notable? It's just a cool, fun place! I'm sure there were many clever people who had fun brainstorming ideas for creating the Moonrise Hotel. But I loved the hotel much more, just knowing it was one person's passion that made this happen... not a corporation... not Disney... not Marriott. Even if I had not had my brief encounter with Joe, I still would have felt like we'd met! Being a collector of oddball stuff myself, I felt connected to this person who filled the display cases in the hotel! I love a theme... done well! Hotel Stay... Packed with History and Memories For some time it has been my dream to spend a night in this hotel... the hotel, housed in what was once the largest and busiest train station in the world. I first fell in love with this grand train station when I moved to St. Louis, in 1975. The gorgeous Indiana limestone beauty, was almost 80 years old then. Changes Since 1975 Don and I visited the Grand Hall of Union Station two years ago. Before entering, we were greeted by a jovial doorman who had some good whistling talents. We only had time to enjoy a cocktail in the lounge, beneath the 65-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling. I was in total awe as we sipped martinis and watched the glowing colors, gradually change above us. I could barely recognize the hall that I remembered from 1975. In 2012 Don and I were also in St. Louis in 2012. We had gathered with extended family at a nearby hotel after my mother's passing. I woke before dawn, the day before her funeral and walked down Market Street, staring up at the dark building. Despite the sad occasion and chill, I found myself grinning at the sight. My mother had grown up in St. Louis and she visited this station often. It was mind boggling to imagine her here in the 1940's, when train travel was at its peak and the station handled 100,000 passengers daily. I so wish she had been with me to describe her memories. My Own Travel Memories That cold day, I wandered until the sun started to warm the clock tower, standing 280-feet high. I walked past whipping flags and Christmas wreath covered windows and headed inside. In 1894, this building had held a hotel and Harvey House restaurant and huge waiting areas and ticket offices. The Grand Hall That December morning it was a stunning sight with all the red chairs and vintage lamps lined up. It looked nothing like the vacant hall I remembered from the seventies when only 3 trains came a day. It was odd to remember being in the station in 1975, boarding a train with my siblings. But it was stranger to remember the time I met college classmates in the abandoned hall in 1977. Our group of students had met in the abandoned and echoing space, to discuss what we had learned from our urban exploration. As we exchanged info, we shared a picnic lunch with each other... and a homeless man. This Past April So, nearly 40 years after that picnic, Don and I entered the doors beneath the "Whispering Arch" and stepped up the stairs... Colorful Lounge ...into that glorious gold-leafed hall, with Romanesque arches and stained glass. The place was bustling with guests. Travelers and tourists lounged in comfy chairs, while sounds of clinking glasses at the bar echoed with murmuring voices. Check In We headed towards the lobby desk and checked in with a very young woman. She happily greeted and gave us cookies, but she was too young to get it. We didn't want to be in the new section of the hotel. "I automatically put people in the new part... the historic section is just, you know... creepy." We laughed, but insisted that we liked creepy. We got our key and headed past the most beautiful hallway to get to the elevator. Stairs & Elevator We found an old elevator. It was a delightfully cozy thing, shaped like a slice of pie. But most of the time we took the spiral stairs, that wound around the elevator. We loved the entertaining glimpses of outside, through the skinny old windows! Third Floor The elevator took us to the third floor terrace, which opened onto the Grand Hall. We were suddenly right up there with the arches, stained glass and painted columns... with a good view of the crowds below in the Grand Hall. Higher We had the option of climbing up one more flight, to enjoy an even more dramatic view! The archway was mighty flashy, with art deco lighting and 2 fine statues with dangling lamps! Looking Across And if we stepped back to take it all in, we could look directly across and study the mirror image. Don and I were going to do the whisper test between the 2 balconies, but ran out of time. The View This is actually a photo taken at 7 in the morning. The lounge was quiet then, but the stained glass was glowing. Creepy? As the photo shows, there was nothing creepy about the hall in the historic wing. We opened the door to our Will Rogers Room #326 and found nothing that resembled a haunted hotel. There was a spacious entry with wood floors, a counter and closets. The guest room was sleek and fresh smelling, with soothing gray and brown tones. Train Decor I love a theme, but they didn't overdo! There were tasteful, black and white train prints on one wall and a red and black print, depicting the Frisco train, that was once named for Will Rogers. The bathroom had some serious luxury, with a marble shower and glamorous lighting, but there was a bit of train humor... a sign reminded, "Please Do Not Flush When Train Is In Station" Toasting in the Grand Hall Don and I had martinis at the bar, in the train station that we both adore. We celebrated the fact we were staying in the city where we first met. It added to the fun, having a bartender who was our age and also grew up in St. Louis. Unlike our desk clerk, Todd had an appreciation for the unique history. Light Show There have been changes in hotel ownership since the big remodeling in the 1980's. But the most curious change in 2 years was the hourly show that took place on the vaulted ceiling in the evening. We were a bit amused the first time we heard the train whistle blast on the hour. The lights dimmed and the crowds hushed, to watch a light show. Colors and shapes moved across the vaulted ceiling, while music filled the echoing space. A little corny maybe, but I was grinning like everyone else, as the animated displays of flying birds and swaying grass... and fireworks, entertained! Details We hardly needed a show, when there was so much detail around us to absorb. And after so many other visits, I finally had some time to enjoy the details. How I wish I had taken pictures of these beautiful arched windows, back when they were covered in soot and dust. Doors Just looking at doors was a treat! So many arches... long before the St. Louis Arch! The door underneath the Restrooms sign, reminded me of peacock feathers. And the glass doors at the end of the Grand Hall were impressive enough... even without the surrounding gold trim and green tile. Floors and Walls I found myself taking pictures of corners! The tiny floor tiles were about the size of Chicklets. The mosaic designs, reached the very edges of the wall, where green, glazed tile took over! Allegorical Window In the morning, I took a moment to sit on the empty couch at the top of the stairwell. The stained glass behind me showed 3 women in classical attire, representing the 3 main railroad terminals in the US. (San Fran, NY and St. Louis) At the landing behind me, Don and I later had some fun with the Whispering Arch. We stood at opposite ends of the rainbow arch, each facing the wall. Then we conversed in barely a whisper. It works! Coffee on Deck We missed out on the hotel restaurant, but in the morning, we stood in line for Starbucks in the gift shop. We found a nice terrace behind the bar that looked out on what would have once been the Train Shed... I guess. In the '80's it became a festive indoor mall and restaurant space. It's in transition now, with shops sadly closed. More changes coming. What's Notable? I was captured by the spell of this oldie. I couldn't stop drooling over the past, whether remembering my own visits or wondering about those who crowded the waiting rooms long ago. I was charmed. I also know there were gimmicks and tourists that added a little Disney-feel to the place, now and then. But I was delighted to ignore any of that. I just love the Grand Hall and our lovely room as well. So darn glad to have experienced it!
A Sad Reunion in Springfield, Missouri Two and a half years ago, my siblings and our families, gathered at this odd, yet comforting Bed & Breakfast. We had come "home" to bury my mother, traveling from 6 different states. I didn't grow up in Springfield, but it was the town my parents and my 3 siblings returned to for holidays and vacations. Our family moved from state to state, but grandparents always stayed put in Springfield! Arriving We caravanned in a few cars and arrived at dusk. None of us recognized this curious old place, even though we thought we knew Springfield well. I had found the place online a week earlier. Finding the mansion once we reached Springfield, was a bit trickier. We found the odd location, then we needed to figure out which of the many entrances to use. And then we had to find someone who worked there to show us our rooms. It all seemed a little mysterious, which added to the foggy, dreamlike state we were already in. Quiet I had expected quiet, since the host on the phone had said the compound had once been owned by an order of cloistered nuns, who focused on "humility and gentleness". But as we creaked up the teak staircase to the second floor hall, it seemed almost too quiet... like The Shining. So Much Space The hallway was long and wide enough to hold numerous pieces of Victorian style furniture, including a pump organ. A bit of Christmas decor hung over windows and filled table tops. The mansion, built in 1892 had 13 suites, each with a bath. That seemed awfully extravagant for a convent. The Veranda Room Don and I were pretty delighted to find our spacious room decorated with a lit up Christmas tree. In fact all the rooms had one. We also had a ritzy door surrounded in stained glass, that led us to our own little veranda! Did they have 10 nuns per room? Grand in its Time As it turns out, this lovely home was bought by the "Visitation of Holy Mary" in 1906. It was built 125 years ago by millionaire, John O'Day for his bride. There were originally 35 rooms and 7 baths and they called it Park Place. Quite the Doorway Since we had such a fine room with a terrace and stained glass, I couldn't help but think this might have been a room reserved for the O'Day's special guests. But in truth all the rooms seemed pretty unique, some with fireplaces and sitting areas and one with a piano. I got to peek in quite a few rooms, since our family and kids took up so many of them. Our Bath There were a lot of thoughts swimming in my head, on the evening before my mom's graveside service. Emotions are a strange thing and somehow spotting that claw-footed tub surrounded in lace gave me quite the chuckle, that I so needed. Mom would have loved this place. She was the one who taught me to love the unusual and to search for the stories. This seemed to be the perfect setting to gather and remember Mom. Corner Gathering My brother's room had a good table with lots of extra chairs. I very much needed this corner gathering (more than a chuckle over a bathtub) to relieve the stress leading up to our stay. After 2 weeks of worry and planning and logistics and sadness, we were suddenly all together, spending time remembering our Mom. There was something comforting about this empty (except for our family) and spiritual place. We kept it respectful, since there is still some religious affiliation, with no liquor rules. Meaning, we respectfully packed up and carted off any plastic cups and bottles we may have used. I'm usually a rule follower, but we needed to toast our Mom. A Chilly Morning to Reflect I was up before the sun rose and gave myself time to walk the grounds and prepare my mind for the day. The cold air was like a slap in the face when I stepped out. A welcome jolt actually. Curious Grounds Of course I thought about Mom. She would have so loved this wintery garden. And she would have loved the quirky history behind it. Mrs. O'Day was given the house when her husband divorced her, after a couple years of marriage. She changed the name from Park Place to Elfindale, in honor of the elves she claimed to see on her misty mornings walks. It was eerie enough walking that early morning, without knowing that many of the nuns had once been buried on the grounds. Evidently they were "moved", sometime before the property was bought and turned into a B&B in 1990. A Cottage and Tower I wandered down the road under the odd metal arches, that must have been lit at night. I found a curious cottage that would have been a perfect elf house, had it been more the size of a shoebox. Then I headed back to the east entrance of the mansion, where the sun was barely beginning to glow. I could spot our terrace above the stairs. And the tower!! If only I'd known that the tower held a guest room! Someday I'd like to stay in the Tower Room. Convent, School, Church, Mansion I crossed over to see the school/convent and church that had been built after the nun's purchase in 1906. The sun was warming things a bit, but the wind was giving the flag a workout and my hands were numb. I headed in to shower before breakfast. Breakfast Before Heading Out After having the place to ourselves the night before, it was a relief to have the staff on duty, preparing breakfast. Evidently they only do breakfasts on weekends, so we were lucky they made an exception for our small crowd. Our normally loud group was pretty quiet that morning as we sipped coffee and mentally prepared for the morning service. Stockings Before checking out, I noticed the ornate, carved fireplace, with red and green stockings. Yep, Mom would have loved that. She was the knitter of Christmas stockings and we have more than one photo of Mom knitting away on Christmas Eve, finishing the latest grandchild's stocking, before Santa's arrival. What's Notable? We stayed overnight in an awesome, somewhat eerie mansion, that later became a convent. That's quite notable! But personally, I'll always associate the stay with Mom and family.
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
April 2024
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