Clover Cliff Ranch Bed and Breakfast Hosts an Open House July 27th!
In the beginning were plans:
- For invitations
- For food
- For stories to share
- For little and bigger details to say, "We're proud to welcome you."
And then came the most important part of any Flint Hills gathering: the guests. And they came. We don't know the exact number, but our best estimate is that somewhere around 400 friends and neighbors came to share our enthusiasm for hospitality in this historic setting.
The tour began upstairs where guests visited the rooms named for previous owners of the Clover Cliff Ranch. Some lingered to admire the authentic period furniture. Others spent time enjoying views from windows that overlook the green rolling hills and surrounding countryside.
Downstairs some visitors found the leather furniture in the family parlor to be an inviting spot for a short break before continuing through the ranch office. Many stopped to enjoy historic photographs of the original barn, as well as the newspaper report of a more recent notable visitor to the Clover Cliff - the crown prince of Dubai.
Next on the tour were the formal dining room and kitchen, leading to the hunt room: the one-room cabin that J.R. Blackshere built in 1860. The working butler's pantry, an extension of the kitchen, was interesting to several whose imaginations helped them picture food preparation in the 19th century.
The veranda, the spot where overnight guests enjoy a hearty breakfast, was just for the day the place to find tasty treats that included homemade cookies, quiche, fresh fruit kabobs, finger sandwiches and cold drinks. In spite of the Kansas heat, many guests enjoyed sitting at tables on the adjoining patio - connecting with friends,and making new acquaintances.
We were overwhelmed with the enthusiastic response and encouragement from our guests, who expressed appreciation for the opportunity to visit a landmark they often drive past. We also loved hearing new stories that add richness to our own appreciation of the Clover Cliff Ranch.
We look forward to many more opportunities to share with the community. Watch for the date of the Chase County Christmas, when we will again welcome guests to visit.