Head for the hills

Country Living (the magazine of the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperative) | October 2007

As reported by Rich Warren, in  Country Living (the magazine of the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperative)  September 2007:

” If you feel like a fall foliage roadtrip this year, a short jaunt across the border to our neighbor — the Keystone State of Pennsylvania — will offer you some stunning surprises. Not only will you find breathtaking color on vistas of rolling hills, but you’ll also find an array of activities and destinations to match the interests of anyone in your family. You needn’t go far — a remarkably beautiful area called the Laurel Highlands is an easy weekend outing.

You’ll no sooner cross the Pennsylvania border on I-70 than you’ll arrive at the city of Washington, a capital place for a full day of fun….

You might want to spend the night before moving on to the heart of the Laurel Highlands. Consider driving to nearby Avella, where a magical place called Weatherbury Farm awaits. A real working dairy* and sheep farm, Weatherbury welcomes overnight guests in its bed and-breakfast-style rooms of its 1830s farm house or in the ‘Livery,’ a huge barn moved to the site and renovated into several two story suites. All have been decorated with an eye to old-fashioned country charm with stenciled walls, fireplaces, paddle fans, family keepsakes and original wood floors.

What’s special about Weatherbury is that you actually can jump in and help with morning chores, if you have a mind to. Don’t worry — there’s no mucking out of stalls, just a lot of kid-friendly activities where you can assist Farmer Dale in feeding and getting acquainted with the goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens, geese, sheep or cattle. Then it’s on to a hearty breakfast that might include banana pancakes or green eggs/no ham.

Weatherbury prides itself in being ‘far from the madding crowd,’ and when you awake to the sounds of cattle lowing in the bowl-shaped valley of pastures and woodlands, you’ll know what tranquility is all about. The owners, Dale and Marcy Tudor and their son Nigel, work hard to add personal touches to make your stay memorable. For those who want to go no further and just stay in this idyllic setting, there’s plenty of bicycling, boating, fishing, hiking or golf in the area.”

Although Weatherbury occasionally hosts folk music workshops, none are scheduled for this October. Marcy is working to schedule a “folk music jam.” Call ahead to see if she’s scheduled a date. There also are apple, pumpkin and arts and crafts festivals close by this month, and Wheeling’s Oglebay Park with its many activities is not a far drive. Or…..just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet!…”

* Note from Weatherbury Farm:  We are a beef not dairy farm and chores happen after breakfast. Guest rooms are in the Summer Kitchen (not the farmhouse).