this hawks nest: the Thorp House Inn

Our first bed and breakfast.

We know many a couple who have taken advantage of B&B's around the Midwest and East Coast, but this is the first time we had the opportunity to take advantage of one. And let me tell you, it was perfect. If you go to Fish Creek, go to the Thorp House Inn & Cottages for your stay.

Next to the Inn (the big white house above) sit a few cottages. Crisp, bright, happy.

We stayed in the Jesse Room, a beautiful gold, red, and white room with a green, open and attached tub room and two chairs by the gas fireplace.

(our photos are not as nice as theirs)

Here's the glorious jacuzzi tub. I couldn't take too much advantage of it being 12 weeks pregnant, but the bit I did was so soothing. Lavendar bath salts.

As the current owners and new innkeepers tell us:

The Thorp House Inn and its cottages are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1902, Freeman Thorp, nephew of Asa Thorp, founder of Fish Creek, began the building of the house. Tragedy struck on October 3, 1903, when the steamship Erie L. Hackley capsized in a sudden squall, claiming the life of Freeman and 10 others.

Fate necessitated that the widowed Jessie Thorp begin renting rooms to tourists. Later named Cedar Ridge, Breezy Hill, and The Heritage, the Thorp home continued to accommodate guests well into the 1960's.

In 1986, Christine and Sverre Falck-Pedersen purchased the Thorp House. After extensive restoration, they opened its doors to visitors once again, this time as a "bed and breakfast" inn. As a tribute to the Thorp women, the guest rooms bear their names.

Each morning, Sverre & Christine handmake English biscuits and jams, scramble and hard-boil eggs, and brew the best coffee to serve for breakfast at the single 10-seater kitchen table. All the guests gather together and enjoy conversation before heading out to explore the area. We met a couple on their honeymoon from North Dakota, a couple from South Carolina, and another from Massachusetts.

The library is full of quality classics. I began to read from Jane Eyre during our visit.

And on the way out of the Inn, you walk over these old bricks converted into a newer walkway.

On our way home, we stopped at a two of the County's art galleries.

We found a few pieces we couldn't get enough of, and also, couldn't afford. (sigh). And couldn't take shots of. So I snapped one of these fabulous vases which were showcased away from watchful eyes.

We loved Maxwell's in Egg Harbor:

But the best thing about the drive home (because I HATE ending my time alone with Hawk...we just have too much fun together) was stopping along the way, namely at Made in Britain. Among all the other items straight from the British Isle, they have this table:

It houses everything from Butter Rum (my choice) to Tomato-Chili Chutney (Hawk's choice). You simply walk around and dip pretzels into each of the testing jars. No joke, we hovered around it for 30 minutes! Luckily, the owner loves when guests do this!

devote: Well, that's all we've got of our anniversary trip. I highly recommend that every couple take the time to make a similar trip---somewhere alone, somewhere relatively new, and somewhere simple. It's really all about time alone together. We were going to pass up the opportunity, but Mom Hawk insisted that we value the event and get away. I believe it would be easy as the years progress to limit social interactions to time with friends, family, and one's own children. Thankfully, we have great advice from family and a few close friends that the Number One Priority must always be each other. All other relationships are healthy if this relationship is healthy.