Sandy Blows By

8:30am Monday

     Lucky for the Carlisle downtown, we in the South end got off lightly!  We did have the very heavy winds and stronger gusts, and of course the rain.  Fortunately though, no wind damage and even our old stone basement stayed dry.  The streets were fairly empty as the Mayor and Governor Corbett had restricted traffic in Carlisle and on the SE interstates.

6:30pm Monday

     We understand that areas of southern PA around Lancaster and York had heavy damages.  We wish all the PA residents and those of NJ, NY and NYC as well as other damaged areas a quick return to normalcy.

I'm Dreaming of a White Halloween in Carlisle, PA

Who would believe snow for Halloween! Possibly 6 inches too. Had many Dickinson parents here for the Centennial Conference cross country meet. What a day to run!

We hear many trees and branches are down including this one 2 doors down the street.

Our back deck and patio looked more like January. Hope it is not precursor of things to come this winter!

May Day Ja Vu

In May 2010 a huge hailstorm hit Carlisle, leaving us with over $40,000 in insurance claims, and for a few minutes last night we thought we were in for more of the same!

Then we heard on ABC27 that we were under a tornado warning, so we moved to the middle of the building and waited as the storm passed over. We have NEVER before seen so much flooding in our parking area but fortunately it has gone by this morning!

Right now the sun is shining and it's as though last night's storm never happened. Really, life is pretty darn good in Carlisle, PA!!

Next weekend it is the Carlisle Ford Nationals show, and on Saturday evening June 4 there will be the First Annual Ford Parade of the finest 400 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles in a big street party in downtown Carlisle, right outside our doors. We still have just one room left for Saturday night, and as luck would have it it is the one with our latest new bathroom with the body jets, so why not come and enjoy the luxury of staying with us at the same time as you help us make history!

Happy First Day of Spring

It's finally here! Celebrate!
Primroses in the flower baskets and boxes...

Snow Again?

Here we go again and it's almost Spring
Only14 more days.
What's up with the snow?

Destination Charleston: Low Country AND LOW temperatures!

On to the big conference....we headed to Charleston with visions of lovely weather and balmy skies....NOT! Rain and temps in the 20s and 30s but that didn't dampen our conference experience or appetites.

The Professional Association of Innkeepers International presented 4 days of intensive seminars with most interesting and useful ideas and techniques from dining rooms, food prep, reservation systems and financial strategies to the buzz word of the conference: SOCIAL MEDIA! Many of the best suggestions and tips were shared by the hundreds of other Inn members from across the continent and even from Hawaii.

PAII CEO, Jay Karen, launched the new BETTER WAY TO STAY campaign promoting B&Bs and Inns as a refreshing, exciting and memorable option to other typical lodging! Come stay at a B&B or Inn!

The daily hard work was rewarded by delicious evening dinners with Southern treats such as Seared Pork Belly, Cornmeal Fried Okra, Shrimp and Grits, Hoppin' John and Collard Greens!

The last evening, all participants and vendors celebrated at a huge reception in the courtyard of the Charleston Visitors Bureau in the Historic District. We all dined on Low Country cuisine and shagged the night away...no, not with Austin Powers. Great shag dance demos, live music and great fun.

We had a lot of snow - but in South Carolina???

Lots going on last week at the B&B but Mary and I managed to head south to Charleston SC for the International Innkeeping Conference. So much to learn, so much to do, so VERY much to eat! And so much snow on the way! We stayed in Huntersville NC on the way down and woke to 6 inches of the cold white stuff, and much though I like the Carolinas, somebody from PA needs to show them how to prepare for snow! More details of our continuing education over the next few days, but for now this really is a color photograph of I-77!!!

Carlisle PA Hail Storm - May 14

More snow for Carlisle PA

Another 12 inches on top of the 22. Just 37 days until Spring!!

Carlisle Snowstorm

Yes, this area was really hit with about 20". Many cancellations! We have only to enjoy it....it IS Winter in PA! Note the short parking meters and missing basement windows.