Behind the Fence Bed and Breakfast

I was going to do a post about the lighthouse at St. Augustine but decided it could wait a while so I could do one about the wonderful bed and breakfast we stayed in over the weekend.  We were visiting my relatives in the Tampa area and I just had to stay at this unique place.

 

Who would expect to see an 1800's New England salt box style house in Florida?!

 

We were warmly ushered into the front sitting room furnished with authentic period antiques.

 

I signed the registration book and then the owner, Carolyn Yoss, showed us to our cabin by the pool in the backyard.

 

Even Hubby was impressed by his surroundings.  It felt like we had surely stepped back in time!

 

A trundle bed was under our very high bed.

 

Another bed was in the corner and modern amenities (microwave, refrigerator and TV) were hidden behind that old door to Hubby's left.

 

An old deep claw-footed tub was in the bathroom.

 

The next morning we walked up the path and entered the back door of the house for breakfast.

 

These stairs, near the back door, are from a former plantation house.  They are of varying heights and widths and slaves used them to access their room on an upper floor where they would be locked in at night so they couldn't wander the grounds.

 

Carolyn said most of these treasures came from her family and her husband's family.  Her family had locked them away in an attic because no one wanted them anymore.  When she married, her grandmother helped her clean out the attic.

 

Some of this pewter is from her family in the 1700's and some she collected.

 

When people in the area heard they were building such a unique house they brought them some antiques and offered materials from old buildings that were being torn down.

 

When their 6 children left home they opened the bed and breakfast since they had so many spare rooms.  The cabin we were staying in was originally built for extended family that decided to remain in Ohio.

 

There were so many marvelous things to see, including this old dry sink.

 

Carolyn graciously allowed me to take all the pictures I wanted to.

 

Besides running the B & B, she gives tours to school children so they can see how people lived over 200 years ago.  She hides all the modern amenities because she doesn't want anyone to see anything newer that her. 

 

Because we were so interested in everything, Carolyn took us upstairs to see those rooms too.

 

This is the largest guest room and it has a couple of beds too.

 

Every year a man from the Smithsonian comes to stay and offer advice, helping to keep them "honest."

 

We really loved staying at this unique and fascinating place.  If you're ever in Brandon, Florida be sure to stay at Behind the Fence Bed and Breakfast.  We're certainly happy we did!

 

I'll blog about our visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse as soon as I can.  We were planning to head back to Arizona with our 5th wheel on Labor Day weekend but may leave this Friday instead so we don't have to experience Hurricane Isaac.