"
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).
