On the way home while trying to decide where to stop for the night I caught a glimpse of a sign on the side of the interstate that read:
Historic Iron Horse Hotel, next exit
I frantically ordered Levi to “turn here! turn here!”. In the nick of time we found ourselves winding through quaint farm country dotted with farm cottages & crumbling concrete silos. Three miles to Blackwater, population 190, the sign read. I was so excited that Hazel got the hiccups.
Three miles later we enter the Historic town of Blackwater, Missouri. Not a soul in sight. An old windmill marks the entrance. Both sides of the street are lined with old brick buildings and at the very end on the right sits the Iron Horse Hotel. Levi parks the truck and I tumble out, enchanted. I make my way up the rickety step to the door and peer in. The hotel appears to be deserted. I open the door and am greeted by that wonderful “old house” fragrance. Classical piano music plays in the background. Not a soul in sight. Feeling a bit like an intruder, I begin to snoop around, exploring the wonderful old rooms, looking for customer service. I want to stay here.
Finding nobody, I make my way back outside and see a note posted on the front door that has a phone number to call for reservations. I call and reach the owner, but he is at his daughter’s graduation. Over the noise of the festivities in the background he takes down my cell number and tells me he will have his brother call me back. A moment later his brother phones me back and says he will meet me in a few minutes in front of the hotel. As I wait, I hope that we can stay, I hope that the price isn’t outrageous, but am prepared to beg Levi to stay even if it is. The man arrives and tell us all rooms are vacant since it is Sunday night and all guests have left. He says to go on in and pick any room. We begin our tour and in each room I exclaim “This is the room! This is the one I want!”. Each room features charming antique furniture and claw foot tubs. In the end I choose the last room we see.
Holding my breath I ask him the price for the night. He says nobody else is staying that night so we can have any room for $90 and access to the entire hotel, kitchen, food, wine, coffee. The whole entire hotel for $90. “We will take it!” I exclaim.
While they get our room ready we explore the town. We peek into the antique shops, book stores and cafe. I find all kinds of treasures that I would buy if only they were open. A huge white cat sleeps in a box in one window.
I practically skip through the town, snapping photos, capturing, documenting as Levi calmly strolls along with me. All the while my unborn daughter’s diaphragm spasms rhythmically.
Across the street the town is having a graduation party. The smell of grilled pork drifts to our room. A couple knocks on our door and invites us over to join them, but Levi is too tired and crashes on the bed at 8 pm. Oh how I love small town, I feel right at home.
To top it off the weather is perfect. The warm air fragrant with sweet smelling flowers and birdsong. Giddy, I tell Levi that this experience alone is worth the 3000 mile drive. “Really?” he says, clearly perplexed. There is something about the history, architecture and small town that makes me happy and sparks my imagination into conjuring up all manner of romantic notion. I sit back and take it all in with a silly smile plastered on my face. Even though there is a 1″ gap at the bottom of the door and it doesn’t actually close properly. Even though the train rumbles by near our heads every hour prompting Hazel to wake up and do somersaults.
We woke up the next morning to croissants, fresh watermelon, local blackberries & blue sky. We packed up, tucked Blackwater & the Iron Horse Hotel into our treasure box of memories and continued our journey home.
That’s the place you guys stayed? I can SEE why you were so giddy about it! I’d never want to leave! Seems like SUCH a romantic place!
Oh Jen… what a beautiful place! I got chills from your lovely pictures! I can feel what it was like for you to be there from your eloquent description of the small town. I just love the adventure of stumbling across a treasure like that when you least expect it… such amazing memories. Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey with those of us who are stuck at home with only our imaginations!
And I thought we live in a small town…yikes…that is so cool, sounds like a fun place to stay!!!
Your story was so intriguing that it reminded me of the beginning of a horror movie I once saw. Mabey that is why Levi did not want to leave after 8pm. Ha Ha
charming hotel–and story
Charming hotel–can’t you just imagine all the things that place has seen!
I really enjoyed the pictures with the wondeful story to go with it!!…I want to go there someday:)
It must have seemed like a dream. Yes, charming is the first word that came to mind.
Love the mural tucked away on the side wall. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely place with us.
Oh, it sounds wonderful. I felt like I was there, your storytelling abilities are inspirational. (the pictures helped too 😉 )Thanks so much for sharing.
Ok. You are the coolest. I love your sense of adventure and just the way you love life! I love it that your Levi was up for the adventure. I agree that it looks like just a charming place to find and stay. Fun and just beautiful soul you are!
What an adorable little town! I want to stay in that hotel:)
mutty is a weirdo!
What a lovely small town and that hotel is gorgeous! I am so glad you turned in time and had a special night. I love places with so many details…they are really dying out.
will this town be the inspiration for your fall line?
amazing! I would love to stay at a place like that. So American! You are so very lucky to be able to travel girl… 🙂 BTW, you look great!
wow, I just missed it – only 190 people live in that town????!!!!! that’s a village!