Copper Oaks
Bed and Breakfast
It was time to begin the trip back home to St. Louis. We couldn't leave until mid-afternoon, so making the trip in one day would be impossible. All we needed was a place to sleep. My first thought was to find a typical mid-range hotel for the evening, old habits die hard.
Second thought: let's find a Bed and Breakfast! Lindi was ready for the new experience so while I drove, she called several places listed in the Oklahoma tour guide. Our hopes dimmed because she was getting answering machines. After all, it was a Sunday afternoon, we were calling the day of the needed service, and these are real people sharing their homes.
What is the likelihood someone can arrange to receive guests with only a few hours notice?
Once again we experienced the "over and above" service of small businesses. Of the several messages she left all returned the call within the hour. It was terribly hard to decide, since they were all very welcoming, but we could only stay at one place so choose we must.
We settled on Copper Oaks Bed and Breakfast just outside of Tulsa in small town Sapulpa, OK.
After driving down a quiet lane, Bob and Millie not only left the light on for us, they were waiting at the door with a warm greeting and hands to help carry suitcases.
We soon learned that this is the house that Bob built! Nestled amid vibrant green oaks, not yet copper, Bob and Millie cleared the land, and with the help of students from the local high school carpentry class Bob built this lovely home. (Tireless is the word I think of, they did all this while Millie worked in the finance department of the school and Bob taught math. Oh yes, and they also share their many talents with the local shelter for battered children.)
After a brief visit and tour of the rest of the house, Millie escorted us to the upstairs bedroom with private bath. As we lounged in the adjoining parlor and relaxed in the quietness we were convinced we had made the right choice.
Rested and refreshed from the long day of travel we were eager to see what Millie was fixing for breakfast.
It smelled wonderful!
Although this isn't our actual breakfast (I forgot to take that picture), ours was just as extraordinary!
Fresh sliced peaches, bacon, maple-nut pancakes with warm maple syrup and orange juice.
Mmmm, thank you Millie.
While we feasted on the sun porch,
we talked of coming back with the whole family and time to walk through the woods and enjoy the swimming pool and the fishing pond.
Bob had encouraged us to stay as long as we could, but we needed to get back on the road.
Before leaving town though, we had to take a few minutes to see Millie's other job. She also owns a consignment shop for children.
Of course, we found something for our favorite new babies Genevieve and her cousin, Maximillian.
Of all the things I love about "shopping local", meeting such delightful and dedicated people has to be my favorite.
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