![]() We also did some hiking in the Shenandoah National Park. We did not have time to explore the 80 acres of property but we did enjoy Skyline drive Saturday and Sunday, which was about an hour away. ![]() We watched the sun go down both nights from the Adirondack chairs, which are shown in many of the Inn’s pictures. We borrowed one of the crossword puzzle books and my wife spent part of an afternoon just relaxing and filling them out. The sheets were unbelievably comfortable and the breakfasts were delicious. It was a particularly hot weekend and the AC in our cottage (Robinson room) worked very well. We were greeted warmly by Eric and Mary and were given a tour of the building and the cottage we’d be staying in. ![]() These will be memories we’ll cherish for sure. Although a bit rough around the edges, it will certainly please anyone who enjoys historic properties.We had such a wonderful time at the Inn at Meander Plantation. The covered porch (with requisite blue painted ceiling) is the perfect place for both dinner and breakfast, both of which were fantastic. The real standout is the rear terrace, with its lovely mountain views, which are absolutely breathtaking at sunset. The interior common spaces in the manor (lobby, parlor) were a bit bare, but the old gal’s bones are good, so there is potential. The almost stand alone Summer Kitchen (attached to the manor house by a classic brick arcade) was charming, and very historic, but in need of a refresh (peeling paint, cracked windows). The grounds include acres of explorable space, including gardens, pastures, a historic graveyard and a swimmable river complete with rope swing. Although it has since changed hands, and is a bit worse for the wear, it is still a charming property. In the 1990’s the historic home was renovated, and converted into an award winning bed and breakfast. Today, the repurposed kennel house is one of the inn’s offerings (pet friendly of course). The sisters remained on the estate along with their dogs, horses and Aberdeen Angus cattle until their deaths in the 1970s. The estate was then purchased by an area attorney, whose reclusive daughters established a world famous Whippet kennel (1928), and bred racehorses. Equally miraculous, the house stayed in the family until the early 1900s. The house miraculously survived the Civil War intact, despite its proximity to several key battles, such as Cedar Mountain. The mansion itself, a lovely columned Greek Revival, was constructed between 17, and hosted a variety of famous founders, including Thomas Jefferson and George Mason. In addition to being a surveyor, Fry was a member of the House of Burgesses, a professor at William and Mary, and later a commander of the Virginia Militia during the French and Indian War (with George Washington as his second in command). Joshua Fry, who discovered the area while mapping what is now the State of Virginia, along with his partner Peter Jefferson (Thomas’ father). The property was first patented in 1726, by Col. The vast property is perfect for exploring, with remnants of the past scattered about like Easter eggs, waiting to be discovered. From the moment you turn into the drive, you enter another world. In the best possibly way, a stay at Meander feels like visiting an elderly relative, who lives on a somewhat shabby grand old Southern estate. Hence, a recent impromptu stay at Meander, which did not disappoint. That said, if the property has an onsite restaurant or bar, and I am not sharing the space with the owner, I’ll probably give it a go. As I have said before, I am not a B&B type person (Air or otherwise).
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