Historic Bedford Springs

Many years ago it became a Prine family tradition to go somewhere nice for dinner on Christmas Eve.  Afterwards we drive by Christmas lights or have other Christmas themed activities. We had Oma with us from just before Thanksgiving until just before Christmas so we decided to have our traditional dinner a few nights early.  This year we chose to go to Bedford Springs. The night was beautiful, crisp and cold with snow on the ground.  The inn was decorated for the holidays and since it was a week night we practically had the place to ourselves. We took our time wandering the halls and taking it all in. As quiet as it was it was easy to picture how things might have been back in the day.

Matt was hoping to take us to the Crystal Room for dinner, but it wasn't open that evening so we had a nice dinner in the tavern. We started with a cheese tray that featured local cheeses, nuts, raisins on the vine, honeycomb and a variety of meats. Hannah had the thickest hamburger I have ever seen and Oma had Lobster Mac and Cheese that was pretty tasty.

Bedford Springs was discovered back in the late 1700's and was marketed for the healing properties of the many springs that are located on the property.  During the the 1800's it was the summer White House for several presidents and was the place to go if you were among the rich and famous. It's huge.

For us it was a place to go for a nice evening as a family and make some memories.  Oma found out that they serve a traditional high tea so on her next visit we'll have a ladies only excursion to Bedford. I have a feeling Matt will be busy that day with an important meeting or some other pressing matter.

Before going to Bedford Springs we visited the tiny town of Bedford.  We had hoped to do a bit of Christmas shopping and looking, but things closed down pretty early.  We were able to walk for a little while and check out a few boutique type shops. Oma bought Matt's Christmas present, a pair of Olakai shoes that are made in Hawaii at an outfitter (he really, really likes them). We bought a supply of homemade candy at a little candy shop so it was worth the stop. Who ever decided to add a bit of salt to caramel is a genius!

(I did not take the outdoor picture of the Bedford Springs Inn.)