DANCING AND DREAMING WITH YOUR DOG AT VERMONT’S PHINEAS SWANN B & B INN

Wonderful hosts welcome dogs as warmly as they do you!

Imagine sitting in a lounge chair, gazing at gorgeous gardens. while listening to water gently flowing from fountains and skipping over rocks in a narrow river just a step away. 

 

Birds flit among a gazebo and apple trees.

  

Some settle in colorful birdhouses hung in rows on a facade.  

                   

    Nearby, weather-worn signs and items from another era bring a smile to your face. 

Your soul is drifting into a cocoon of nostalgia nestled in the bygone days of Montgomery Center in Vermont. 

Then you see the face of a huge bull dog staring right back at you, and he has a pipe in his mouth! Are you dreaming? No, you aren’t. You’re at a very special inn with a very funny-sounding name. Welcome to Phineas Swann B & B Inn!

                                                      

                                               A true pet-friendly haven

Best of all, your dog(s) at your feet looking very content. You’re thinking how lucky you are that you didn’t have to leave your pup at home. No separation anxiety. Yippee! Both of you can wake up to this utopian piece of paradise for as long as you want. That’s because the folks at Phineas Swann Inn know how important it is for you and your canine to enjoy a stress-free holiday together. No wonder it ranks among America’s top three B & Bs for pet friendliness. 

 This is the place to park your pup

 

 The humor is dog darn good!

Two extraordinary people make this B & B  a beautiful experience

Married couple, Lynne and Darren Drevik – the inn’s hosts – were both born with a huge hospitality gene. Not a trace of pretension or personality stuffiness in either. The minute you walk in, you notice how happy they are; their good- -natured manner and casual ease probably comes in part from knowing all about leaving behind city clamour in search of calm and inspiration in nature. I was looking for that too when I booked my reservation at this acclaimed B & B.

In 2013, Darren and Lynne quit their high-powered jobs in New York City to change their lives in a meaningful way. Lynne was a logistics manager at Colgate, and Darren had corporate writing contracts – fresh off his chief editor position at two newspapers in Georgia and South Carolina.  He’s written a novel titled, “Appalachian Trail”, and his recitation of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” is impressive.  Ask him to speak Spanish using his native Tennessee accent. Very entertaining!

Darren Drevik

After looking at three Bed and Breakfasts for sale, the couple settled on the Phineas Swann B & B – named after a man who once lived here with his 13 children in 1880. They kept the funny name, and even have a book with his photo in it.

Charm and authenticity

Lynne is an avid antique collector, so many of the treasures you’ll see at the inn reflect back to 1780 when Montgomery Center was founded. The furniture, unique items and décor are a harmonious blend of country chic and old-world ways.

Having passed through five owners, the historic building was not always a B& B. It was an 1880 farm-and-barn dwelling that underwent renovations. 

The result is a remarkable B & B that features nine country-style bedrooms each with its own fireplace and ensuite bathroom (save for one). Rich in wainscoting, with original oak floors in many areas and graceful crown molding, each is utterly appealing, peaceful, and private. Six of these rooms are ready to welcome your cherished dog. Another perk: all rooms have phones and your call is free anywhere in North America!

Ambiance and pleasure in loving comfort

If you’re not punch-happy about pets, don’t worry; you’ll never see them in the inn’s main large house which comprises several inviting rooms.

The living room boasts really comfy couches and period armchairs that act like lazy boys. 

Stained glass windows are a stand-out feature in the main house.

The fireplace enhances the warmth of this sitting area as it captures the ambiance of the room’s former farmhouse roots. 

 

Updated with charm and class, this main room beckons you to lounge as long as you wish while munching on all the free snacks and beverages and the amazing chocolate chip cookies freshly baked every day by Barb, the inn’s consummate chef.

A spacious dining room with separate wooden tables looks out onto the splendid floral ground that also includes a Jacuzzi – all part of your sensory pleasing experience.  

Pampering for everyone – dog or no dog

As mentioned, dogs are not allowed in any part of the main inn, so upstairs, three pretty rooms awash in pastel colors house non-dog accompanied guests.  It’s the unattached buildings just outside the main inn that are designated for canines, such as the stunning carriage house with its four spacious bedroom rooms – two upstairs, and two downstairs (I stayed in the upstairs “terrier room”). 

 

Big beds, big space, beautiful colors

                                                          

An original light in the Carriage House

A painted snowboard  greets you at the landing of the Carriage House

                                                                      Picturesque rooms

The carriage house, along with the other dog-friendly suites, even comes with towels for your canine companion.

Conveniently located, the carriage house is a mere stairwell and veranda away from the main house. The River house that faces a small section of the Trout River has two separate upstairs/downstairs apartments that also welcome your dog. 

Gardened grounds – most planted by Lynne – are there for your dog to enjoy.

Lynne and Darren have three of their own dogs that are not free to roam into your space.  But they do own over 500 ceramic dogs. You can’t miss them; they’re everywhere: on shelves, tables, high chests, low chests, even the floor, Can you spot your breed?

The bells are ringing for me and my gal

Phineas Swann Inn creates a fabulous four-season environment for romance, weddings and more group affairs. Darren is also a pastor, and so when Lynne purchased a very big antique church bell, Darren was inspired at Lynne’s urging to build an open-air darling cupola on the grounds. When couples marry, they swing the rope attached to that bell, and love is sealed forever. 

Wedding receptions take place under the enormous white tent top where over 145 guests can be seated most comfortably to enjoy the evening along with the gourmet food, prepared by Lynne, Darren and Barb. The newly weds can choose from one of three options: pasta, fish or chicken.

 

Lynne and Darren have their own gift: the newly married couple can enjoy their honeymoon night free and toast their union with a free glass of champagne.

I fell in love with Phineas Swann B & B Inn, and went on the hunt for a husband to be, just so I could get married under that cupola where both of us could swing the bell and live happily ever after. I found no hubby but the inn’s morning meal sufficed as a sweet substitute.

Breakfast is a belly-full of variety

Deb has been at the inn for years, and she is a master cook and baker. In fact, when I landed, she was in the middle of making the wedding cake for an incoming wedding. She also makes gluten-free food goodies. During my four-day stay, I savoured Darren’s homemade black berry sauce. It was poured over thick, tender black-berry-filled French toast... A tasty veggie round sausage was also served, and on another day, I gobbled up the soufflé-type baby Dutch pancakes topped with apples. I also tried their smoked bacon. All food is freshly prepared and most ingredients come from the farmlands that dot the area. Of course, there is Greek yogurt served with blueberries, an array of cut-up fresh fruit, juices and cereals to fill you up even more! 

 

Music nights, fall foliage tours and sleigh rides during winter also define Phineas Swann Inn’s way for enjoyment. To prepare you for those harsh winters every Wednesday, ladies from the 9-member co-op store, called Fabric Folks (located across the street) flock to the Phineas Swann to knit, sip wine and dig into Barb’s cookies.

Lynne also has her knitting needles in hand. Is there anything this wonder woman can’t do? Did I mention she just became a grandmother too? Congratulations, Lynne!

In Vermont, this is the perfect place to hang your hat. There's no other better B & B to stay at -- with our without the dog. 

I'll be back with my dog, Zak.

Phineas Swann B & B Inn is located at:

195 Main Street

Montgomery Center, VY 05471

Call: (802) 326 4306.

For information and reservations, click here: www.phineasswann.com.

You can also email them at: info@phineasswann.com

Phineas Swann B & B Inn is ideally located. It’s only eight miles from Jay Peak Resort, and sits amidst breathtaking Green Mountain scenery. I definitely wanted to explore the North East Kingdom, and so Lynne arranged two half-days for me to pursue a personal custom-guided excursion given by Montgomery Adventures.  
Click here to read about my adventures and the amazing man who brought me into the wilds.

A salt cave and more healing therapies await you

Also across the street from the Phineas Swan inn is one of the North East Kingdom’s most unique healing hideaways. Called, Vermont’s Salt Cave and Halotherapy Center, this cozy place houses a salt cave. But its creation came with a cost for owners Sarita and Nafis Khan whose vision to promote well-being and holistic health is their great passion. 

Creating this salt cave involved the transporting of thousands of pounds of pink salt from Poland. After much arduous work, the former barn morphed magnificently into a magical healing salt cave. 

“We actually imported 20,000 pounds of pink salt from Poland.  4,000 pounds is the amount of crystal salt we placed on the floor which is reminiscent of a beach.  The remaining 16,000 pounds are from the salt boulders and rocks that have created the wall of the cave.  We only used white cement over foam to create the stalactites on the ceiling. This way there was no need to use any glue as the walls are mortared together and the cement is on the ceiling, not salt.”

There are also 52 salt lamps embedded into the walls and floor releasing negative ions for relaxation and air purification.

You will be walking on those 4000 pounds of glistening crystal salt to get to your resting lounge chair. For the next 45 minutes, you’ll enjoy the soothing sounds of two waterfalls while benefiting from their heavily saturated negative environment – a toxin flusher – so to speak.  

 The spa offers a 30-minute treatment where you simply rest your hands and bare feet on specially heated Himalayan salt block. Research shows this is great for joint and arthritic issues. I sat for a minute just to “try” it and it was very relaxing.

This spa has much to offer: an infra-red sauna hot stone treatment, massage, Reiki and sound healing. I loved all the natural products they sell and the colourful salt lamps you’ll see in their boutique. Meeting Sarita and Nafis has its own healing effect. They give you their full attention, and their caring is sincere. Prices are a steal!

   

  

Visit: www.vtsaltcaves.com.

Email them at: relax@vtsaltcaves.com

MY ADVENTURE INTO THE WILDS OF VERMONT WITH A GREAT GUIDE

Staying at Vermont’s Phineas Swann B & B Inn, owners Lynne and Darren Drevik arranged two fabulous excursions for me with Keith Sampietro who together with his wife, Lori, brings you into days of adventure in the Green Mountains’ area. All  outings are custom designed to what you want; they’ll safely make your outdoor dream happen no matter how intrepid it may be. I was keen on taking a scenic tour starting from Montgomery Center where my B & B was located. 

Keith is an amazingly skilled man whose love of the outdoors is matched by his many skills. As head of Montgomery Adventures, nothing is impossible for him. He ably fulfills your outdoor wishes, and he does it safely. He is an Archery and Hunter Safety instructor, once placed third in America’s Nationals breast stroke competition. But perhaps what really blew my mind was the fact that Keith lived six months on a glacier in Alaska. His home was a tent, but he was on the move a lot as a musher with 35 dogs.

He presently owns 25 dogs in his basic-needs Montgomery Center home located in the back woods.

 

My first day with Keith and Lorie, I was treated to some pastoral views and lots of waterfalls.

Keith and Lori Sampietro at the Creamery Bridge

I was treated to many sites, including several of the seven remaining 19^th-century covered bridges. There used to be 13. These vintage structures have made Montgomery Centre the covered bridge capital of America.

Keith introduced me  to water bubbling from mountains and to one of several new husky pups.

Keith is the proud owner of 37-year-old Patches, his 16-foot 6-inch
- long canoe. Despite many patches on it, it’s as safe as can be. Keith took me over to Belvedere Pond which offered close-up views of loons. I wanted to see loons on this September trip and Keith made it happen. Canoeing along quietly, we became visitors to a family of loons. We spent a good hour observing them.

The following day, we headed out to the Green River Reservoir, about 45 minutes away from the Phineas Swann B & B Inn. 

The staggering beauty of its 15-mile length is pristine purity at its finest. No motor boats are allowed, and the designated area for campsites positioned very far apart ensures number restriction for each site. It’s hard to believe the Green River Reservoir is part of a dam, but two rivers – one flowing in and one flowing out keep this environment fresh and natural.

Setting out on this vast bastion of clean water was humbling. I witnessed Keith’s herculean strength. 

 Out into the reservoir of beauty

He looked pretty relaxed, even though I had just watched him hoist Patches off the top of his Highlander vehicle, load tons of gear, including waist-high waterproof bags carrying heavy items, a heavy but sleek quiet electric motor into the wheel barrel and then take it to the shore where he had placed Patches. Finally he had to load everything all in the canoe.

Keith is extremely knowledgeable. He pointed to the many islands we passed, such as Finger Island. 

The beauty continued.

Nature' s bizarre creations stood out as we motored to the end of the lake.

 We were on our way to the wetlands to see if we could spot more birds and some otters. Although there were no otters, we watched some geese resting on the water. Mid lake, we saw two loon families with their babies. This was a joyous sighting for me. Keeping a distance we were able to get close enough to hear the little sounds of hooting they emitted, while overhead, we heard loon waling.  Sometimes we paddled; other times we simply stopped to hear the beauty of silence. We docked at campsite 13, to take a mini-stroll and enjoy the private tranquility of this remarkable reservoir.

Keith revealed that of all the places in Vermont he has trekked into, this is his favourite place. I agree. The waterholes I visited were rugged and refreshing, but this lake is unforgettable. 

Make sure to book with Montgomery Adventures to enjoy so many aspect of the North Kingdom. What ever you want, Keith will fulfill it. Lori organizes your own photography tour as well. Keith used to work as a professional photographer as well in Manhattan, but now he used his Lumix camera on each trip. Photos he takes are amazing and they are yours to keep. It would seem that your every wish becomes Keith and Lorie's command, and they do it without any hassles.

They are your personable multi-skilled guides. Getting to know them is as inspiring as the trips they take you on.

 

Visit: www.montgomeryadventures.com

Email them at: mthavensledogs.com

TILTON INN AND ONIONS PUB & RESTAURANT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Original, restful and a foodie favourite

Unique and full of character, this comfortable 1875 country-style inn puts you within easy driving distance to the Lake Region's major attractions. A New Hampshire gem, the picturesque inn is located opposite the Winnipesaukee River in the quiet town of Tilton. The white clapboard inn is owned by Allan and Kathy Powell, a super hardworking couple whose combined hosting élan has been bringing great experience to the table. In 2010, they bought the inn, and after some serious renovations, the establishment has earned an enviable reputation, not to mention several awards. Still, its low key unpretentious atmosphere is what draws the crowds.

Allan who hails from Bermuda is a restaurateur with considerable business acumen. He owned Bermuda’s Wharf Tavern for over 11 years and Freddie's in St. George, Bermuda.  Possessing a UNH degree in Management and Culinary Arts, he then attended Johnson & Wales  U. in Rhode Island for four years.

On any given day, you’ll see Kathy multi-tasking – toting a pile of housekeeping linens upstairs, taking orders in the Onions restaurant, greeting folks at the door, and tending to business in the office. The low-key power couple have the knack for keeping inn folks happy and unbelievably well fed.

A remarkable restaurant and pub

Folks from all over come to partake in the fun pub. Opposite it is the acclaimed Onions Restaurant. The menu has a Bermuda twist to some of its dishes, but most are simply divine creations concocted by chef Bret Mailhot, who’s been cooking for 40 years. He’s worked at the Marriott and even owned his own restaurant in Dallas. The food fare is as exciting as can be. With popular appetizers and main dishes known for savoury flavourings to create dining excitement, the menu offers intense taste delight. Palette- pleasers bring British fish and chips to the table, and there are bangers and a burger of caramelized onions – it’s addictive. 

Char-grilled fare includes lamb, shrimp, steak and chicken.  how about deep fried chicken tenders? How delectable is that? Very, according to one girl who told me they were the best in the county.  her dining companion raved about the eggplant parmigiano  Five sea specialties, such as rustico shrimp is a top hit with its wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, black olives, sun- dried tomatoes and garlic. Five main meat dishes make choosing what to have a challenge. Onion Wellington is a fillet mignon with caramelized onion and fish demi-glace wrapped in puff pastry and baked a golden brown. I want to try that one next time. An array of nine tasty pasta dishes  salads  and soups - some which bring Bermudian taste accents boldly into the picture is on thte menu. Their fish chowder is one such example of this. I heard it's sensational. Tilton Restaurant tips its hat off to the island's cooking.  Remember that Bermuda onions are sweet, so no need to be shy about ordering any dish with onions in it.




I had the salmon topped with mango salsa the last night of my four-night stay. It came with a risotto that deserves its own award – the best I’ve ever tasted. The salmon was so tender, I gobbled it up as greedily as I did the crème brûleé dessert. 


Settle into the pub before you eat or have a drink afterwards. You may meet Allan here who enjoys smoozing with guests. But if he’s not visible, he’s probably back in the kitchen. Need anything, ask Allan! By the way, you can eat your meal in the pub; they'll bring it to you.  Their beer list is extensive. I loved the Long Trail and Blue Moon beer. Wine of course is served there. They also serve their own specialty drinks. What a great place!

Rooms Resonate history

The advantage of this place is it makes for an informal eat and sleep stay. Sleep upstairs in one of the well appointed rooms, then head down for lunch and supper. You need never leave the place.

Because some pretty illustrious entrepreneurs spent time in Tilton, rooms are named after these folk. There’s the Thomas Edison room, Henry Ford room and the cozy Lawrence Moss. I stayed in the spacious Charles Tilton room. Each one has its own special décor.

These rooms are pointers into Tilton’s history. There’s a book at the entrance that tells Tilton’s story, naming some if the important men and women who contributed to the town’s prosperity. The inn is certainly a big part of the history. They say there were three fires here in the space of 100 years, and that one girl named Laura was left behind. Paranormal experts were called in after a sighting in the inn, and the conclusion was the inn is indeed haunted.

Tilton Inn and Onions Restaurant & Pub is located at 255 Main St. Tilton, NH. 
Visit: www.thetiltoninn.com
Email: tiltoninn@metrocast.com

Click here to read about NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LAKES REGION