Last weekend, we took our long-awaited, sorely needed vacation! Off we went to Ashland, OR to see the nation's largest, and oldest, Shakespeare Festival. It was my first time, his 3rd or 4th. And, really, I suggested the location because I knew how much he wanted to go back. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised!
There are probably 3-4 entries I could write about my experience in Ashland. But the first think that kicked off the vacation gloriously was arriving at Hersey House, the bed and breakfast we'd be staying in.
This was the first B&B I've ever stayed in. It won't be the last. Our host, Lorraine, was so welcoming and warm. It was the little touches that made the difference:
- The truffles left every night on our pillow
- The cookies, tea, coffee and soft drinks we could help ourselves to, 24 hours a day, downstairs
- The home-cooked breakfasts
But, it wasn't just that. It was also that Lorraine personally cooked the food, cleaned the rooms, and did everything else associated with the house. Why do I appreciate it so much more when the service comes from someone I know? I don't know, but it's an amazing difference.
It was also the wonderful people we met at breakfast: especially Ruth, the old grandmother who's been coming for 30 years in a row, and told stories about how she was an adult during WWII in San Francisco.
Even more, Lorraine went out of her way to notice the small needs, or opportunities, and meet them. It touched me that she noticed my disappointment at missing the full breakfast one morning because we had to leave early to go white-water rafting We were supposed to have a continental breakfast of fruit and a muffin instead. But, we woke up to an amazing meal of peach-cantelope soup, oatmeal bursting with dried fruit, and the delicious muffins that were promised.
This was most certainly more than she had to provide. And more, I'd guess, than she was planning to provide. But, she did it. And, even more, she packed 4 delicious cranicot cookies for us for the raft! We took great care to keep them dry through the waves, and they were the perfect mid-morning snack.
What a perfect home base for the perfect long weekend in Ashland!
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