Monday, October 18, 2021

Road Trip: Oberlin, Ohio

We have been more or less gone and offline since October 7 and if you've noticed that comments haven't been replied to (I'm pretty sure I won't catch up, so  just know I appreciate each and every one), or visited, my apologies! I'm not sure I'll catch up there, either, but I'll do my best! And where were we? First stop, Ohio!


Our trip began on a rainy day as we headed toward Oberlin, Ohio. This small town is about 35 miles west of Cleveland and is the home of Oberlin College.

Rick cycled much of the way -- I picked him up about 50 miles or so from Oberlin and just before the rain! Talk about timing. But a lovely rainbow did welcome us as we neared the end of the journey.


We stayed in the loveliest B&B -- Ivy Tree Inn and Gardens -- which was a block or two from Main Street and across from the college campus.


It was so inviting. A lovely comfy room. 


There were two beds, a queen and a double, so we could have had company!


The dining area was lovely with a nice view of the street. The breakfast the following morning included muffins, fruit and croissants. 


The home was filled with beautiful furniture an antiques.

 There was also a lovely garden -- it was a quiet and peaceful spot.

 

I especially loved these purple blooms. 

I would heartily recommend it!


Oberlin is a charming town. The college is known for its music conservatory and liberal arts programs. But the town itself also has a fascinating history.


We learned much of this with a visit to the Oberlin Heritage Center. Our excellent guide, Amanda, shared much about the history of the town, which was a key point in the underground railroad during the Civil War and the years leading up to it. Because of Oberlin's near proximity to Lake Erie, where passage to Canada would help ensure freedom, many escaped slaves 

The Monroe house is the home of the heritage center and the tour of the Italianate home, which is restored, was fascinating and a terrific backdrop to the stories of the abolitionist movement in Ohio.

The wallpaper -- a late Victorian style (it reminded me of William Morris' work) was a border in the front parlor.


I was also intrigued by the pleating machine, which looked quite like a pasta maker!


We wandered on the campus, which is very walkable, and we had a good day to do it. We were most impressed by the fact that every student seemed to be adhering to the mask mandate, indoors and out. 


In fact, even off campus in the town masks were required for shops. I would estimate 98 percent of people -- students and adults -- were masked. I would love to know their Covid numbers -- I bet they are very low. 


This rather unattractive building is located on the site of my third great grandmother's home back in the 1800s.


 It was once the Fletcher House and the first brick house in the city. Ancestors of my father's family, the Parmelee family, lived there in the 1830s and it remained in the family until 1864. It is now the university's auditorium.

Source: OberlinHeritageCenter.org

 It was time for us to hit the road.


 Next stop: Cleveland!

(For more about Oberlin or their abolitionist history, a good spot to start for quick Q&A is Oberlin Heritage Center. Or, just google Oberlin and Abolition history!)

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54 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

Oberlin does look lovely. I've been through Ohio on a train once years ago, but have never had a chance to explore the state. I'm excited to see more of it from your posts. Thanks for showing us Oberlin, and connecting the city to your family history too. This looks like a great place to visit. Have a great week. Hugs-Erika

Thelma said...

Nice trip. I've never seen a pleating machine. Thanks for the lovely tour. Happy Fall. Thelma xo

Lynne said...

Isn’t discovery and learning enjoyable.
I really knew nothing about Obberlin until you mentioned it the other day.
Looked like a nice and interesting B&B . . .
Happy safe travels!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Interesting trip, a 50 mike bike ride is quite an accomplishment. Good cycling!
Small college towns have a New England like charm no matter where they are. Many wearing masks gives me hope.

Iris Flavia said...

My opinion: Blogging should be fun, never apologize for a time-out, other it becomes... like a chemistry-lesson, would be my pain ;-)
Beautiful rainbow.
A great place to stay.

I thought of pasta indeed! We have one thing like that and weeee... never used it.
Maybe I use it for something else, LOL.

Sounds like you had fun!

handmade by amalia said...

Have fun!
Amalia
xo

Pamela said...

Oberlin looks very interesting, like a place I’d like to visit.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

It looks like a charming town.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a fun trip! Even more for you...in a car! heehee! Love seeing downtown and the B&B you stayed in. I can't wait to do something like that! Hugs!

Rita said...

Nice to getaway and even to see places from your ancestors. Looks like a charming little town. :)

Ricki Treleaven said...

What a lovely B&B: I love the details you posted. How far is Oberlin from Lansing? I guess it isn't very far. Oberlin looks like a pretty college town.

Divers and Sundry said...

This looks like a fascinating place with a variety of places to see. Thanks for the virtual tour :)

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Gorgeous photos Jeanie. Looks like a great trip. B & B's can be so charming.

Sandi Magle said...

Oh, my ...a roadtrip and history...my goodness this is great. Totally love your photos, the wallpaper and the pleating machine...I love them! Sounds like a perfect get away! Thanks for sharing! Sandi

Yvonne said...

What a nice stop in Oberlin. I've always loved staying at bed and breakfast's in old houses with so much character.

Dawn P. said...

Ohhhh, this brings me back... I was born in Lakewood, Ohio; lived in Parma OH as a little girl till 13 (when we moved to NH for several years for my father's work on Boston newspapers - he was a newspaper pressman - worked for both Cleveland Press and Cleveland Plain Dealer 40+ years total). Back again when I was in my senior year of High School, which was a rough move on me as a senior, :( . Then we lived in Strongsville, then Brunswick and I lived in Medina and West Salem while married to my 1st husband who was originally from Eastlake, Ohio. While I have been down south for many years now (and also lived in Hawaii for 5 years in the 80s), I still miss the crisp autumns of Ohio and Midwest ways, and I also miss New England (my mother & her whole family New Englanders - my Dad was from Buffalo, NY). I am still a Midwestern / Yankee at heart...

Red Rose Alley said...

What a delightful road trip to Ohio. What a charming Inn you stayed at. I love those little pumpkins on the window sill, so cute. Your breakfast of
croissants and fruit sound Yummy. The kitchen table is so pretty. I really like the wood on that, and it looks sturdy. I love old towns, and especially
with lots of history behind them. I look forward to more of your road trip to Cleveland.

~Sheri

Sandra Cox said...

What a lovely B and B, and town. Glad you enjoyed:)

Bonnie said...

Very interesting trip. I understand about catching up. I'm there too.
Love the rainbow.
Don't worry about it. I am very behind and certainly understand.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, it looks like a wonderful trip, so far. The B&B looks charming, and Oberlin sounds interesting. I wonder where the next stop ,will be?!

DUTA said...

A charming B&B Inn and a lovely rainbow - That's a good start to the visit of interesting Oberlain town, with its College and Heritage Center.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Loved reading every word of this post, love the Victorian home and all the amenities. Have fun, drive safe.

The French Hutch said...

Your trip looks and sounds lovely and certainly beautiful! Such a charming B&B, so cozy and room to spare. Very interesting and I always enjoy reading about your travels. I love road trips........

William Kendall said...

Quite a trip!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great start to your road trip, Jeanie. I hope it continues in this enjoyable fashion. A good B&B is a treasure.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

You had to know that being greeted by a rainbow meant would make for a wonderful day, and seems that it did. I love that you are "taking" me to places I probably won't ever see. The campus and town look lovely. How lucky you are to know about the history and home of your third great-grandmother, but what a shame about it being torn down.

gigi-hawaii said...

I know a high school classmate, who attended Oberlin. Nice city in Ohio. Love your family history there.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

I could swear I left a comment earlier - perhaps it's still waiting to be approved . I had meant to mention earlier that the bush with the purple berries is called Beauty Berry. We have them and they grow like crazy with no special care. Absolutely gorgeous! Pink flowers in summer, and purple berries in fall.

Marie Rayner said...

What a lovely visit to a lovely town Jeanie. Thank you so much for taking us with you. That B&B is really nice. I do so love B&B's, especially ones that look so historical! I would rather stay in one of those than a motel any day! I have never been to Ohio but have always wanted to go. Who knows, maybe some day. xoxo

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Hi Jeanie, it looks as though you have had a lovely trip. Ohio is pretty in the fall. I know you will be glad to be home once again. Autumn in Mich. must be calling you!

Joyful said...

It looks like a beautiful and interesting place to stop and take a good look around. I enjoyed hearing about the town. Safe travels.

Tammie Lee said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time away, so happy for you. And such a charming B&B.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

What an interesting spot, Jeanie. The fact you have family ties there must have been very special to you. The B&B looks great! And the rainbow is magnificent. I enjoyed hearing about Oberlin.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Sounds like a great trip, a lovely town and a beautiful B&B. Love the fall decorations, mural and the rainbow. Great trip photos. Take care, enjoy the rest of your week!

R's Rue said...

What a lovely town. I love it.

crackercrumblife said...

What a great little town! I have never explored Ohio, despite living so close to the border. Lol. I really should. Oberlin looks adorable.

Enjoy your journey!!

Sami said...

What a beautiful and comfortable B&B. Love the rainbow photo and the first photo with all the pumpkins by the staircase.
So interesting that you could visit the place where your great-grandmother lived, even though the building is no longer there.
Enjoy the weekend Jeanie.

Blondie's Journal said...

I love little road trips visiting towns I never really knew much about. Your pics are super and I'm happy to hear people are following safety guidelines there. Now if only everywhere.

Thanks for your visit, sweetie. The comments really picked up my spirits so I plan to write as often as I can. Stress can roll off your shoulders if you're doing something you love and not "what you have" to do.

Take care my friend. I always love hearing what you are up to!

Jane ❤️

Jenny Woolf said...

I'd enjoyed your photos on Facebook but there are so many more here. That's a wonderful display of pumpkins and squash! And Oberlin looks like a really pleasant, cosy, comfortable place (with sensible people) and the Monroe house is such a bonus with its interesting history. Your grandmother's house looks so much nicer than its replacement, although I often kind of like that 1950s architecture when it is carefully designed, and maybe with a little more decoration. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip, you have been so busy!

Pam said...

Well, it looks as if you had a great time! Awesome, sometimes we just need to shut down and get away....I REALLY NEED AN AWAY TIME....SOON.

Carola Bartz said...

You stayed in a truly lovely B&B, I wouldn't mind a visit there. Their TV reminds me of the TV the Geek had when we first dated... Oberlin itself indeed looks like a charming town. I only knew it as an (expensive) college, but the town itself seems to be worth a visit. So much to still see! I have never been to Ohio, but maybe one day we will have a chance to go there. I want to stay in that B&B then...

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, that looks like a beautiful, restful little vacation. I love taking road trips like that. They say California's counts are going down but it is hard to tell here. We live in western Nevada county and in eastern Nevada county (Truckee, close to Reno) their counts are much lower than ours. They say it is because the majority of the citizens are vaccinated and they wear masks. DUH!!! Too bad we can't all be so smart..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

Lowcarb team member said...

A lovely trip, Oberlin looks an interesting place to visit.
It's always nice to spend time away and the B&B looks very comfortable.

Take care, my good wishes.

All the best Jan

Linda Stoll said...

Pumpkins and all things autumn scattered on the side of an entrance is so warm and welcoming! I can almost smell the mulled cider ...

Nancy said...

A fabulous place to stay! It looked so inviting!
I know of Oberlin as I use to live in Ohio close by.
And Cleveland area is very close to where my boys live!
Happy trip to you!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

That rainbow is gorgeous! Looks like an interesting place to visit. Great to hear about the adherence to masks! Especially in a state where I would think adherence is low. That must be a blue dot in a sea of red. Liberal arts colleges seem to really influence the area in which they are located!

Regina said...

That looks like a fun trip but I never heard of nor seen a pleating machine.

Prims By The Water said...

What a lovely town. Been to many small ones in Ohio, but not this one. TFS Janice

Lisbeth said...

Looks like a wonderful trip. Just love the old houses. The B&B must have been wonderful to stay in. Must have been extra enjoyable after so much isolation the last years.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Beautiful, relaxing, and educational. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

Tracy said...

What a LOVELY place... and lovely place you overnight'ed in too! Although travel isn't like it used to be, it must have been great to get away like this. That pleating machine--what a gizmo! :) ((HUGS))

Victoria Zigler said...

Sounds like a fascinating trip. Great timing on picking Rick up... You couldn't have timed that better if you tried. And no apology needed regarding being away... I'm glad you were able to get away for a while.

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