Edwardian Elegance on Martha’s Vineyard - The Charlotte Inn

Written by Jim Hollister


Edwardian Elegance on Martha’s Vineyard - The Charlotte Inn

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“Listen torepparttar quality ofrepparttar 133658 silence,” Robin says, speaking softly as we sit facing each other in deep, over-stuffed leather chairs.

In this moment we are being warmed byrepparttar 133659 glow of an October fire and a glass of San Emilio sherry. “It’s because ofrepparttar 133660 building” she concludes, “It’s just so substantial.” Indeed,repparttar 133661 main edifice ofrepparttar 133662 Charlotte Inn was built in 1864 and it’s here inrepparttar 133663 Green Room we have settled into an oasis of tranquility on Martha’s Vineyard,repparttar 133664 isle eight miles offrepparttar 133665 coast of Cape Cod. Nestled on a linden-tree shaded street, a block off Main in Edgartown, Innkeepers Gery and Paula Conover have created a place dedicated to reviving Edwardian-era elegance: stunning rooms that are each sumptuously decorated, fine art and antiques in every nook and cranny, meticulously tended gardens, and an internationally acclaimed restaurant. (Seerepparttar 133666 accompanying feature, L’etoile: Gourmet Treasure on Martha’s Vineyard Island.)

The Charlotte Inn, open year-around sincerepparttar 133667 Conovers bought it in 1970, is actually comprised of five buildings. In addition torepparttar 133668 main building, there isrepparttar 133669 Carriage House, whose rooms feature private terraces, working fireplaces, double French doors, and timeworn brick courtyards. The Coach House, a refurbished, vintage garage includes one ofrepparttar 133670 inn’s most popular rooms with a beautiful Palladian window through which guests can glimpse Edgartown’s storied harbor. A narrow path leads torepparttar 133671 300-year-old Garden House where rooms offer superb views of charming gardens and inrepparttar 133672 next door Summer House, notable for its wide verandas,repparttar 133673 Conovers have created yet another refuge fromrepparttar 133674 bustle of modern life.

The tranquility we observe does not happen by chance, but rather by a conscious effort to makerepparttar 133675 inn a place where guests’ desire for privacy and quietude comes first. In fact,repparttar 133676 inn does not accept groups of any sort, nor children under 14, and as such, is not a place for everyone. The typical guest is a well-to-do, discriminating traveler who expects to be accommodated in a place that is an exemplar of elegance, refinement, and romance.

Originally built for Samuel Osborne,repparttar 133677 grand home was a fitting symbol ofrepparttar 133678 wealthy merchant’s station. Sincerepparttar 133679 1920s it has been a haven for generations of discerning travelers during all four ofrepparttar 133680 island’s distinctive seasons. The inn’s interiors reflect an enduring interest in elegance and refinement and behindrepparttar 133681 buildings’ splendid facades is an extensive collection of 19th century art procured in America and Great Britain. (For more original art and prints visit Tim Conover next door atrepparttar 133682 Edgartown Art Gallery, alsorepparttar 133683 island’s exclusive rep of famed American Impressionist Ray Ellis.) All ofrepparttar 133684 inn’s antique fixtures are still in use — standing clocks, converted gas lamps, umbrella and hat stands, and all manner of other elegant accoutrements.

Draaksbad Ranch in Lassen National Park

Written by Pam


Draaksbad Ranch in Lassen National Park Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/drakesbad/drakesbad.html

"There are no keys at Drakesbad," says Billie, our hostess, while introducing us torepparttar lay ofrepparttar 133657 land. "We're onrepparttar 133658 honor system." This applies to everything fromrepparttar 133659 sodas and beer inrepparttar 133660 ice buckets torepparttar 133661 items inrepparttar 133662 concession store. Candy bars, sweatshirts, and books aboutrepparttar 133663 history of Drakesbad - you sign your name and room number onrepparttar 133664 roster and settle up upon your departure.

Not that you'd be in any hurry to leave Drakesbad Ranch. The guests that have visited year after year for generations know that Drakesbad is a place you'll want to spend some time.

It's not easy to get to Drakesbad, but that's part of what makes it so worthwhile. Hidden inrepparttar 133665 southern side of California's Lassen Volcanic National Park,repparttar 133666 ranch is accessible only by a narrow country road that winds over three one lane bridges before losing its pavement before turning up a gravel track. The last few miles are unpaved, but easily navigable by careful drivers. Nope, no need for four wheel drive.

We arrived in time for lunch and dined on a buffet of fresh salads and deli fixings. Meals are included withrepparttar 133667 price of your stay. The staff understands that you might want to spendrepparttar 133668 day hiking inrepparttar 133669 surrounding splendor; they will pack a sack lunch for you if you sign uprepparttar 133670 night before. The kitchen is happy to accommodate any special dietary needs if you let them know before arrival.

After dining al fresco inrepparttar 133671 afternoon sunshine, we headed out to Devil's Kitchen. The lodge sits onrepparttar 133672 edge ofLet's Soak in Volcanic Hot Springs an expansive meadow frequented by dragonflies, mule deer, and red winged blackbirds, to name just a few ofrepparttar 133673 remarkable denizens. We crossedrepparttar 133674 meadow torepparttar 133675 forest and hiked up a moderately easy trail shared with horseback riders. (The ranch maintains a corral of horses and offers rides for all skill levels.) The two-mile hike ends in an array of steam vents and boiling mud pots. Deposits of sulfur coatrepparttar 133676 rocks andrepparttar 133677 air is filled with steam. Yes, there is a strong smell, described to us in advanced by two little boys onrepparttar 133678 trail: "It's really stinky up there!" This is just one of a number of hiking destinations andrepparttar 133679 ranch even keeps a canoe at one ofrepparttar 133680 nearby lakes - but you have to take advantage of that early inrepparttar 133681 season. The lakes are formed by snow melt and evaporate byrepparttar 133682 end of summer.

When we returned torepparttar 133683 ranch, I poured myself a glass of cold lemonade that's available all afternoon outsiderepparttar 133684 dining room. Then we exploredrepparttar 133685 possibilitiesrepparttar 133686 ranch offers forrepparttar 133687 most essential of vacation activities: doing NOTHING. A covered porch offers comfortable seating and a shady place to rest. There's a hammock hanging above a circle of wild trillium. My favorite place wasrepparttar 133688 bench swing onrepparttar 133689 edge ofrepparttar 133690 meadow whererepparttar 133691 deer came to graze. And of course, there's a pool for lazy soaking and sunbathing.

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