Stats, ads, and photos

Since March 22, 2005, we've had 83,395 page loads and 15,995 unique visitors. Of course, in the first year we weren't advertising anywhere, so most of the traffic stumbled in via some of the most bizarre Google searches imaginable (here, here, here, and here.) In fact, we averaged an anemic 11 new visitors per day. Fully 40% of our traffic came in just two months, right before we opened until the end of summer, with an average body count of 93 new visitors per day. Since then, we've averaged 44 new visitors per day.

We certainly aren't averaging 44 reservations per day, though, so I don't know what these people are doing. I mean, seriously, once you see the photographs and read about the history, how could you stay anywhere else? (Seriously, let me know.)

The most gratifying statistics, though, are the number of repeat visitors and the average page views per visit. I assume that means people are coming back and reading this blog. Thanks! But really, you need to book a reservation. Otherwise you're just loitering.

In other news...

• Cyndi Close, a professional photographer, posted a very nice review with some beautiful photos on her blog.
• Ericka Gray, another professional photographer, also posted some photos of the wolf sanctuary.
• We submitted our new ads for the Lititz directory. (Last year, they reformatted our ad and screwed up the phone number, so we didn't get many calls for that ad.) Take a look and let us know what you think.

Inside back cover


Half page ad
• And finally, yesterday the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitor's Bureau (padutchcountry.com) announced their 2007 campaign -- "Wake up in Lancaster County." You'd think I'd be thrilled since this directly benefits me, but just to look a gift horse in the mouth, I think it's a little lame because Philadelphia has been running virtually the same campaign--"Philly's more fun when you stay over"--for two years. (That, and their controversial gay-friendly campaign--"Get your history straight and your nightlife gay.") Anyway, they talked about offering 5% discounts on morning coffee and an "I woke up" sticker so that merchants could be extra-nice to people who stayed over (and, by extension, less nice to day trippers). I told them to give away free coffee mugs and coupon booklets to people who stay over instead, but nobody ever listens to me.

P.S. Don't forget about our Cabin Fever promotion--buy one night, get one night free in January. (Friday/Saturday nights are excluded, but Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday are okay.) This is a great deal, not to be repeated for at least a year, so all of you locals who are stuck in the cold and snow anyway, find a babysitter and make your reservations, even if you have to go to work while you're on vacation. Think of it as a "power vacation."

Gwinnett Daily Post

Our first real review came out today, from the Gwinnett Daily Post in Georgia. (Full text reprinted with permission, below.)

By the way, we just signed up to the Pennsylvania Tourism "Cabin Fever" promotion, offering one night free with a one night stay throughout January (excludes Friday/Saturday, but Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday work). They haven't updated their web site yet, but you can make a reservation now by going here. This is a great deal, and a great opportunity to get away from the kids and recover from the holidays. (Don't make me show you the photo of the Paymaster's Office again.)

"Dutch country bed-and-breakfast offers a sense of warmth," Taste & Travel section, 11/5/2006

Dutch country bed-and-breakfast offers a sense of warmth
11/05/2006

By Robert J. Nebel
Staff Correspondent
gdptravel@gmail.com

From coast to coast, entrepreneurs open up their homes to travelers looking for that down-home touch. Bed-and-breakfast inns are the perfect place to enjoy autumn - falling leaves, fall festivals, welcoming fireplaces - during an off-season vacation or weekend jaunt.

No one knows that better than Dawn Darlington and Greg [sic] Hesling, who run the Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. Located among the region's rolling hills, pristine lakes and natural parks, this bed-and-breakfast in the town of Lititz is filled with tranquility and history.

Built in 1760, the Speedwell Forge Mansion features original craftsmanship, seen in its hand-carved cupboards to its hardwood floors. The home sits on land that was once home to an iron forge. Massive stone walls, deep-paneled windows and high ceilings give this bed-and-breakfast a sense of stateliness. Spacious beds, romantic fireplaces, claw-foot whirlpool tubs and pedestal sinks characterize Speedwell Forge's retro appeal.

Even though the bed-and-breakfast's rooms are appointed in a design of yesteryear, modern amenities are included here. If, for some reason, you need to be connected to the world, high-speed Internet access, TVs and DVD players are available. But why would you want to sit in front of a screen when you could spend a night by a fireplace, wrapped in an Amish quilt, soaking up the atmosphere?

Top it all with eating a scrumptious three-course breakfast in the morning and you've got a perfectly relaxing trip.

Life off the fast lane

The best part about staying in a bed-and-breakfast is that you get to establish a relationship with your hosts. When you visit Speedwell, you learn that owners Darlington and Hesling moved to this bucolic setting after living life in Los Angeles' fast lane for years. Darlington, who is a Pennsylvania Dutch country native, returned to take over the mansion that has been in her mother's family for 65 years. After saving money and embarking on countless cross-country trips over an eight-year period, the couple opened Speedwell last summer.

"We got our occupancy permit July 27 and had our first guests July 28," Hesling wrote in an e-mail. "They had booked the room online and had no idea they were our first 'guinea,' I mean, guests!"

Booking online with the bed-and-breakfast is a click away at the bottom of Speedwell Forge's Web site, which Hesling maintains in addition to a number of duties around the property. The 36-year-old California transplant is handling the transition well - for a city dweller.

"Moving to a 120-acre farm in the countryside has been quite a challenge," he admitted in his Speedwell Forge blog. "I lost 15 pounds in my first month just walking around the property trying to get organized."

Getting there

The drive to Speedwell from the Atlanta metro area would take more than 11 hours. A more realistic way to get there is by flying into Philadelphia and renting a car from Philadelphia International. The drive to Speedwell is about an hour and a half from the airport.

Activities in the day

If you're scared there's nothing to do in rural Pennsylvania, think again. Hesling and Darlington are a walking encyclopedia on the area's fascinating museums and attractions. In Lititz, you'll find Kready's Country Store Museum. Authentic artifacts, goods and fixtures from the store's original owners are displayed throughout the museum.

[Note from Gregg: Kready's, unfortunately, closed years ago. I never mentioned Kready's to the author; I think he picked it up out of the 'itineraries' page which, unfortunately, still has some outdated information.]

A visit to the country store museum might put you in the mood for some sweets. Stop by the free Wilbur Chocolate Candy Americana Museum, where you can explore the history of confections by browsing a collection of early candy-making machines and marble slabs. You can satisfy your cravings by visiting the store section of the building, where they still offer free Wilbur Bud samples.

The Wheatland Mansion, in nearby Lancaster, requires a bit of a drive but is well worth the effort. This building served as President James Buchanan's estate during his last years. Also worth the drive is Columbia's National Watch and Clock Museum, known to have one of the most comprehensive collections of clocks, watches and other time related tools.

More info

• Speedwell Forge
  www.speedwellforge.com
  1-800-EST-1760
  stay@speedwellforge.com
• Shop Lititz
  www.shoplititz.com

Did you Know?

• Speedwell Forge was built in 1760 by James Old, an early ironmaster. A forge is a workshop where wrought iron is produced.

[Note from Gregg: No it's not, it's where pig iron is heated and hammered to remove impurities and strengthen the iron, creating black iron. Black iron is shipped to blacksmiths who then shape it into what form is necessary.]

• James Old's son-in-law, Robert Coleman, expanded Speedwell Forge. The Coleman family went on to own most of the forges and furnaces in the area.
• The forge on the property closed in 1854. It became a horse breeding farm and then a dairy farm.
• In 1942, Gerald and Kathryn Darlington purchased Speedwell Forge. It was vacant from 1986 until last year.
• Today, Speedwell Forge's 120 acres contain a 22-acre wolf sanctuary and a 70-acre corn field.

Source: Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast