The sun was blinding the lady in front of me as I arrived at the front door of another stately yet gracious and delightful inn. She said to come on in as I explained Cindy's absence.
The lady's name is Peggy. When I asked if she was the owner, I was taken to the "Gentlemen's Smoking Room" and introduced to J.D., the REAL owner, a cat stretched out on a brand new chair. He kind of glanced at me to ask, "so where's your boss?" Guess he knew I was only the driver. Oh well, I knew we'd be friends before I left.
After, came the ladies parlor, the music room. You could see the detailed woodwork throughout the home that spoke of skills mostly lost to time. Frescoed ceilings and Kudzu vein paper artwork created by local artist Nancy Basket made the room complete.
As we ascended the beautiful spiral staircase, Peggy explained how they had found the home after it had been left vacant for twenty years. Her husband, Jim, had purchashed the home in 1990 and then in 1992 it opened. There was extensive work and for Jim and Peggy's efforts, I give mega kudos. The home has every thing for success and it only got better.
My room was at the top of the stairs, entitled Union Square. It had a fireplace, king bed, TV with remote, and replicas of local historical buildings. There was an interesting story about the room that I would find out later.
As we went into J.D.'s Gentleman's Room, he lifted his head. I asked Peggy why Sherman had not desroyed the home on his march. She explained that it was the rainy season with high tides in the rivers that surround Union, when he got there. The locals burned the bridges, the only way in. Sherman figured he would lose too many men to the rivers and turned north again.
Peggy brought me some of her special tea and some chocolate chip cookies. Then she left me with the history of the home and J.D. The more I read the more interesting the home became. The Inn was named after the three families that had made and graced the home, Merridun, Rice, Duncan.
I saw J.D. jump down and start heading my way, I pretended not to. As I did, he rubbed up along side me and won my heart. The little guy was a softy after all, should have known it. He promptly jumped up and started cleaning his paws, I just smiled and went back to reading.
Two sisters had spent their last years in the home just before it sat vacant. Jim returned from shopping and reminded me of a southern gentleman of the estate. He excused himself to the kitchen and I returned to history. It struck me odd that the house was still so sound that no noise from the outside penetrated. The accoustics for the gently playing music were perfect. The chandelier that hung from the 14 foot ceilings was crystal clear.
I was given a security code for reentry and shown the common area for upstairs and the stocked refrigerator. Popcorn and a microwave were available too. I headed off for dinner just after being reminded to save room for dessert back at home.
After dinner, I met a postal manager that was staying in her first B&B. The Wallier's had ran up a Disney Flag for her, as she was in town helping organize the mail aspects for Disney with a catalog sales business in the area. This is one of the other benefits of staying at B&B's, meeting other guests. She was in from California and she chose the lemon bars. I took the chocolate fudge cake with coconut pecan filling with fudge frosting. Then I asked if they had a ghost. Peggy told us they indeed had ghosts-- ten of them, and she had never lost a guest yet! Then I found out about my room. But a friendly soul had come by and shooed away all the bad stuff in my room and the house, so I felt better.
The next morning breakfast was delightfully different. Baked eggs with bernaise sauce. Alongside was shrimp and creamstyle grits with green bell peppers, onions and mushrooms. All garnished with tomatos. Then came the main entree, blueberry pancakes with maple syrup. Orange juice and hot tea provided the perfect finish.
After loading up and shaking hands with the workers.... I looked back to see J.D. winking goodbye.
The Inn at Merridun
is a great place to stay when you find youself away from home if you like to feel at home!
A Winding Road * (formerly Cruising America) * 2408 Becker St., New Braunfels, TX 78130 * 830-214-0827 * freedom04@awindingroad.net
