Inn at Maple Crossing

If you want an idyllic adventure in a romantic location, this is the place for you. Winter or summer, or anywhere in between. The Inn at Maple Crossing is a beautiful 19th century mansion that is set amongst leafy trees besides a beautiful lake. A gorgeous rolling lawn rolls down from the building's rear porch and runs all the way down to the water's edge.

You can sip a cool iced tea, or a glass of wine, looking out across the lake at picturesque scenes. Within the Inn itself is a lovely shop, selling a host of trinkets to fine pieces of art, many of which from local artists as well as one of the owners herself, Nancy.

Nancy's husband Jim runs the kitchen and you can see his arts major come through in his cooking. Simply put, the food looks and tastes incredible. It is well worth a turn even if you're not staying at the Inn. Jim gives his guests the background and inspiration for his cooking. One evening we were taken on a culinary adventure of southern France, traveling around the coast to northern Italy. The wine, the dishes, the deserts - all wonderful.

The bedrooms' decor come straight from a D.H. Lawrence novel or perhaps Mark Twain. White, airy, grand, romantic, bright and clean (important, of course). My wife and I felt like in one day we had been on a full blown romantic vacation for a week.

If you're in the area - GO! If you're not in the area, get in the car and GO ANYWAY!

This is now one of my favorite spots in the world and we will be back. For sure! On Valentine's Day (Friday night in 2014) they have a 7 course meal accompanied by poetry readings and I think maybe also some musical arrangements. We can't wait to go!!