School House B&B Inn, Rocheport |
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Written by Carol Martino |
Wednesday, 01 April 2009 07:32 |
Stay in Class at the School House B&B InnThe lure of “spring break” usually means getting away from school, but Dan and I chose to return to the halls of academe for a weekend at a 95-year-old schoolhouse that’s been restored to a luxurious bed and breakfast in Rocheport, Missouri. We anticipated a pleasant stay at the School House but didn’t realize we’d be getting a classic education in the “three Rs” once again – only this time they were “romance, rejuvenate and relax.” Add gracious hospitality, exquisite breakfasts, and a bit of nostalgia, and the “good life” unfurls like Spring. And beyond the school doors, there’s a charming little river town. If you want to experience life in the “past” lane, go to Rocheport. A leisurely stroll through town brings a Norman Rockwell canvas to life. Mingle with its 255 residents. Chances are you’ll find many of them at the General Store enjoying locally made ice cream and pizza, and embracing the bygone pace of neighborly conversation. For posh lodging with a nostalgic flair, stay at the School House Bed and Breakfast Inn. It offers enough “Dick and Jane” moments to nourish the spirit, but the contemporary comfort and romantic atmosphere tip the scales in memory. No wonder innkeepers Mike and Lisa Friedemann are proud of the inn’s “Top 10 Most Romantic B&Bs in U.S.” recognition. The School House and Rocheport’s other award-winning B&Bs work together to bring tourists to town for special events. During our stay, they were featuring the annual “Celebrate Spring” weekend (April 3-4) which highlights food/wine pairings at wineries along the Missouri River Wine Trail. The hedonistic combination of fine wine and cuisine, mixed with a little romance and tranquility sounded like a great getaway, but it was actually the Katy Trail that drew us to town. Once we arrived, we found so much more, including the Les Bourgeois Winery and Bistro which is situated on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley. When we called for a booking, Mike mentioned the celebratory weekend that included VIP transportation to the five featured wineries. Dan and I are passionate about good food and wine, so imagine our elation when we realized we could greet daybreak with a hike along the trail, eat and drink our way through area wineries, and then retire to a cozy room. The former red brick three-story school was built in 1914 for elementary and high school students. The last class graduated in 1972. The building had been empty for a few years when the Rocheport Historical Society stepped in with a preservation plan. It was purchased in 1986 and, after extensive renovations, opened in 1988 as a six-room B&B, the first in Rocheport. It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mike and Lisa bought the School House in 2002 and meticulously restored it to a luxurious inn which now has 11 guest rooms, each with a private bath and some with jetted tubs. Rooms are decorated with school themes and some offer king beds. The “Teacher’s Pet Suite,” a haven on the upper level, features a huge bathroom with a two-person Jacuzzi and skylights. The most popular retreat is the “Show’n Tell” room which offers an electric fireplace and the ergonomic comfort of a two-person, heart-shaped jetted tub. Breakfast is served in the Commons/Dining Room where the south wall features one of the school's original blackboards. A Faculty Lounge on the lower level includes a conference roo We arrived in Rocheport late Friday morning and easily found our way to the School House where the American and Missouri flags waved a warm welcome. A few guests were leaving as we pulled up. Beyond that, any activity in the former schoolyard was left to the imagination – children rushing up the sidewalk at the sound of the morning bell which now graces the front lawn, the playground filled with laughter. It was too early to check in, but we stopped by to introduce ourselves. The Katy Trail The General Store doubles as a café, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live entertainment is featured every Friday and Saturday night, and musicians are invited to bring their instruments for acoustic jams on Sunday afternoons. Sherrie suggested we come back later for a “Shakespeare’s Pizza,” a local favorite made fresh in nearby Columbia. She also recommended Abigail’s next door if we were looking for something more formal. We headed for the trails, joining the estimated 350,000 bicyclists and hikers who are drawn to the Katy Trail each year. The season kicked off that weekend, but we had the trail to ourselves most of the day. We headed west to walk through the 243 foot MK&T tunnel built in1893. Thick black smoke stains still grip the hand-hewn rock walls. Beyond the tunnel, the trail slices through meadows, farmland, and on to little towns that once thrived along the rail line. We chose to turn back east to see one of the most scenic portions of the trail, diverse with wildlife as it winds between the Missouri River and the lofty limestone bluffs that once held the gaze of Lewis and Clark. Dan and I have a penchant for rivers and the moods they evoke when walking beside their flow. It was humbling to revisit the rich history of early explorers who forged this once-rugged countryside. We were awestruck by the natural beauty -- the red-tailed hawks soaring above the bluffs, wildflowers peeking through rocks, redbuds coming into bloom, trickling waterfalls, and the romance of simply holding hands for a moment here and there. On days like this, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. After walking a few miles, it was time for lunch. We had noticed a sign for the Les Bourgeois Bistro pointing up the bluff. It was a fairly steep ascent, but we were eager to explore the pathway. The sandwiches and appetizers, washed down with a nice Chardonel, were worth the climb! On the way back to the School House, we browsed through several antique shops, including Richard Saunders, Inc., which is in a renovated pre-Civil War home. Rocheport Appetizers Mike We were assigned to the “Prose Room,” a comfortable retreat with a beautifully carved poster bed, an 8-foot mirrored armoire, plantation-shuttered windows, and a two-person jetted tub. One wall is highlighted with a simple framed silhouette of Abraham Lincoln whose prose we’ve long admired, especially the rhythms infused in the Gettysburg address. After settling in and resting a bit, it was time for the reception. The evening gave us a chance to meet other guests while enjoying an array of appetizers and several wines from St. Genevieve’s Crown Valley winery. Later, we returned to the General Store for pizza, a real treat made with fresh tomatoes and provolone cheese. Abigail’s was tempting, but we wanted to kick back with the locals and listen to “ilyamy,” a duo with incredible technique and talent. We returned to the School House to relax with a glass of wine in the Commons Room. The American flag gracing one corner reminded us of the glory-day mornings when we recited the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom. Moved by the memories, we stood with hands over hearts and said the oath once again. Echoes in the Hallway Faded newspapers told the story of Rocheport (“port of rocks”) which hummed with activity in the mid 1800s when steamboats stopped daily to pick up the tobacco, wheat, and other produ Later, when talking to local author Brett Durfur, who owns Pebble Publishing, I learned that Rocheport was once the biggest steamboat landing between St. Louis and St. Joseph “until the railroad stole its thunder.” The town’s finest moment came in 1993 when the first section of the Katy Trail opened, a 6 ½ mile-stretch between Rocheport and Huntsdale, and put the sleepy town back on the map. Dan returned in time for breakfast. We chatted with other guests while enjoying the gourmet fayre that included fresh fruit and juice, homemade cranberry orange scones, and a delicious vegetable cheese strata. The VIP coach arrived at 10 a.m. to pick us up for the wine tour which took us through the scenic countryside of the Missouri River Valley. After a full day’s indulgence in food/wine pairings, we retired early. (Read about the annual tour and the day’s adventure in our Good Life “Wineries” section.) Shortly after daybreak on Sunday, Dan and I took our final trek, this time following the wooden planks that lead to a bluff just a few feet east of the MK&T tunnel. An easy-climb path took us to the top which overlooks a peaceful conservation area known as the Wetland Bed and Breakfast which caters to migrating birds and waterfowl. Here, the Missouri River nears the end of its journey and eventually joins the Mississippi at St. Louis. We were back in time for breakfast, another delightful feast, this time featuring scrumptious cream cheese stuffed French toast drizzled with a thick blueberry sauce. Big Draws, Little Town T In the end, it was the community’s “classic, small-town feel” that cinched the deal, according to Mike. “The first thing we did was walk through the alley to the post office, past tool sheds that reminded us of our grandparents’ houses, and pre-Civil War homes. … We made the move Cortez style. We burned the ship so there was no going back,” he said. They took over the School House in December which gave the time to gear up for the busy season. Typically, it begins when the Katy Trail opens in April and ends in October with the splendor of fall foliage along the bluffs. Everyone in town works together to maintain the community’s throbbing life, according to Mike. “What we do and how we do it is critical to everyone. The best strategy to attract additional growth and keep the community alive is to work together and lift each other up,” he said. While the B&B caters to weekend leisure guests, weekdays are often busy with corporate retreats or strategic planning sessions. Drawing from his own corporate experience, Mike believes it’s easier to get creative outside the work environment. ‘We provide a safe place for new ideas,” he said. Mike and Lisa And the School House B&B Inn offers an elegant oasis for guests who prefer to be pampered. As we pulled away from the historic landmark, Dan and I were already anticipating another visit to the B&B which certainly deserves the A+ it gets from guests. The casual elegance, romantic tranquility, historic flavor, and superb cuisine transformed our trip into an exceptional journey. Rocheport wins accolades for dusting off its treasures and making a comeback. It’s a time warp that can’t be described in guidebooks. You simply must go there and experience it for yourself. For more informationion on the School House Bed and Breakfast Inn or the Dormitory, visit www.schoolhousebb.com or call (573) 698-2022. Other Lodging Options Near Katy TrailYates House B&B – innkeepers Amber Ho Grea ![]()
There are more than 20,000 B&Bs in the United States. It’s time you discovered a better way to stay. Restaurants Rocheport General Store, www.rocheportgeneralstore.com, (573) 698-2282 Katy TrailFor the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the trail, visit www.bikekatytrail.com; Katy Trail State Park, www.katytrailstatepark.com, (660) 882-8196. The Complete Katy Trail Guidebook by Brett Dufur, visit www.pebblepublishing.com
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Last Updated on Thursday, 31 March 2011 05:42 |
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