We went to Lancaster the second to last week of September this past year, for my father’s birthday. Our trip was done on a budget, so originally we had opted to stay at the Lancaster Family Resort (it was only a 2 night trip!) After the nightmare of an experience that we had upon just checking into that hellhole, we had all decided that we would rough it there for one night and then try to find another option for our 2nd night in Lancaster.

My mother made a quick phone call to Denise (My mother and father have stayed at the Limestone before, so she had the contact information and the already established relationship with the more than hospitable owners) and she was MORE than accommodating! A couple rooms had just opened up, so we were booked there for night 2 of our stay in Lancaster!

After spending a great day shopping in Downtown Lancaster, we went to check in at the Limestone. We arrived at this quaint little cobblestone colonial which made me feel like I had stepped into a quaint little Hallmark Movie. The grounds are well kept, with beautiful foliage, a trickling pond, festive fall scarecrows, and jack-o’-lantern decorations to get us in the mood for fall.

Upon entering the historical establishment, it was like traveling back in time. The building was established in the 1700s so it was fun to imagine the history that has taken place behind these walls throughout the years. The lobby of the B&B was very cozy and had a cabin type feel with some very accommodating amenities. There were comfy country couches, boardgames, books, and a little table where you could pour yourself some tea and enjoy a slice of homemade country pie courtesy of Denise.

Denise’s husband Rick welcomed us to their abode and was extremely informative, giving us the rundown of events happening in the area as well as a little background info behind many of the interesting guests who were also staying there! One girl was a watch designer from Israel, another was a psychologist specializing and making breakthroughs in the Amish community… it was very interesting to learn about the many different people who pass through their doors; Rick and Denise welcome people from all walks of life, and it shows in their great hospitality!
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Rick led us up 2 floors of an enchanting creaky old wooden staircase to our comfy little rooms on the attic level. We really lucked out because the 4 of us had the whole level to ourselves for the one night we were there. We had 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms all to ourselves, that had great natural lighting from the skylights. Our rooms included our wifi password, some complimentary candies, and super comfortable country style beds. The decor was very old country and very homey, it makes you feel right at home!

​The next morning Denise cooked breakfast for everyone around 9 am and serves it up in her formal country dining room, designed to enable the different guests to meet and mingle with one another. Her homemade dishes are amazingly creative and have a country flavor, blending the sweet and the savory. It is really a treat for the palette! She made us these little peach tarts which were a nice little sweet treat, followed by a savory black bean waffle and eggs with a chicken and mustard gravy. Coffee and Tea were also available.
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​You can tell that Denise really loves to spoil her guests, and loves talking and learning about each and every one of them. She is so accommodating and hospitable and it really feels like going to visit a distant relative. Everyone is family to Rick and Denise!

I would stay here again in a heartbeat, and the price was definitely worth the accommodation!

This past month I had the pleasure of visiting the Lancaster, Pennsylvania Wolf Sanctuary in celebration of my father’s birthday. It was something he really wanted to do as he has always been drawn to the mystery behind the demeanor or such fascinating creatures. We had jumped at the chance to experience this with him, because not only was it a chance to see some of these magical beasts in the closest thing to ther natural habitat (the animals are fenced off from visitors, but are given room to roam freely in their woodland surroundings), this was also a chance to experience the magic during the best time you possibly can, and that was during the September Harvest Full Moon. The full moon this past September was also a Blood Moon!

A Blood Moon is a total lunar eclipse in which the Earth eclipses a full, and the direct sunlight is blocked, but the sun’s rays still light up the moon. However, this light has travelled through the Earth’s atmosphere first, which causes the totally eclipsed Moon to sometimes look a red or brownish hue. The next Blood Moon is said to not come back around until January 2018! So this fact alone, made this even all the more special!

There were about 40 wolves in the sanctuary, total. Some cages had 3-4 wolves, then there was one cage in particular which housed a “lone” wolf. He was deaf and blind and could not be put in the cage with others as it posed a threat to the other wolves. Throughout the night, we would hear his soft howl against the glow of the moonlight. The coolest thing I learned was that all of the people and guides working the informational posts had their very own special relationship with each wolf, and were all there as volunteers, because they truly have a passion for working with these animals. That spoke
volumes to me.

The only thing that I thought was a bit unfortunate, was that it was a bit overcrowded and it was hard to make way up to the front of each pen to see the wolves a bit better. The crowds gathered around the tour guides and it was also hard to hear the things they were saying about the wolves from a distance. Also, there is one section of pens that is up on a hill and the incline might be difficult for some to walk up.

This night truly made me feel like I was one with the pack. It brought me back to my own sense of instinct, encouraging me to release my own humanly inhibitions and revert back to the wild animal I once was. This truly was a magickal night to remember AAAAWOOOOOOHHHH!!!
READ MY REVIEW ON TRIPADVISOR!INTERESTED IN PLANNING A TRIP TO THIS WOLF SANCTUARY?