OK, it's pretty well known that gas prices are cramping everyone's style.  It means that everything is costing more: groceries, utilities, mass transit, postage, you name it.  But it doesn't mean that your summer vacation has been put out of reach entirely.  Even though it costs significantly more to drive places, there are still ways to cut back on vacation costs.  Yes, gas is creeping towards $4 per gallon, but you can make that gas work harder for you. 

It means we have to start changing our consumption behaviors, our impulsive behaviors and become more aware of our habits.  For instance, I have a bad habit of accelerating too fast after turning corners or departing a stop sign.  When I become conscious of it, I pay attention to accelerating more slowly and evenly, and I, in turn, save on gas mileage (my husband will love that I wrote that and I will say to him, "I'm trying!").  If I plan my meals ahead of time for the week (which I am awful about), I eliminate excessive trips to the grocery store for that 'last minute' meal. 

It also means we might wants to plan our summer travel a bit more and look for vacations that are closer to home.  Fortunately, an inn or B&B is a fantastic option.  Discovering new places that are within a 1 to 3 hour drive from home opens a whole new world.  Some offer packages that include dinners, golf, carriage rides, historic tours, etc.  Some are located in historic districts where you can walk or bike into town.  There are endless possibilities.  To find out how you can maximize your travel and minimize your costs, call any one of our properties listing on Charming Country Inns and ask them how they can help plan your stay.

It's here. Mother's Day weekend.  If you forgot, stop panicking.  You have a chance at redemption.  Although small B&Bs may not offer them, larger inns and B&Bs with restaurants often offer wonderful Mother's Day Brunches that your mother, aunt, sister, grandmother or daughter will adore.  Of course, they're popular, so get on the horn now if you wish to impress her, but chances are good that if you are lucky enough to live near such an establishment, you'll be able to squeeze into some time slot.  CharmingCountryInns.com of course lists hundreds of inns across the US, so you could start there to see if any establishments near you offer brunch on Sunday. Have fun pampering her this Sunday!!

No matter where you are (OK, almost anywhere), signs of spring are abundant.  Some of you are excited to finally be seeing those fantastic little green buds on the trees - the promise of full, deep green leaves of shade.  Others of us have been enjoying varying degrees of spring weather - the cool days, the warm days, but thankfully not the hot, steamy days that lie ahead.  For me, this is the best time of year and it is already going by quickly!!  I love getting in my garden and getting my hands full of earth and turning the soil to cultivate our summer vegetables.  We have asparagus popping up and are looking forward to planting our tomatoes soon.  After living in Vermont for many years, I relish in the ability to start gardening in early May as opposed to after Memorial Day. As much as I miss Vermont, I don't miss that last extra 4 weeks of barely winter/barely spring that taunt you. 

I hope you all are enjoying your spring!  And Happy Mother's Day on Sunday to all Moms!

Every month, Charming Country Inns publishes an email bulletin containing fantastic packages, deals and incentives from many of our member Inns.  Are you a frequent Inn traveler?  Then SIGN UP!  The Specials Bulletin is sent out monthly, during the first week of each month.  Check out last month's bulletin here.  And Innkeepers:  If you are a paid member and are not yet taking advantage of this fantastic and FREE advertising, be sure to let us know and we'll be sure to let you know more about how to submit your special.

Since this is a new blog, why not start off with seeing which of our member inns have blogs of their own?  I am curious to see what the innkeepers have to say.  Having been in the business of inn keeping myself, I enjoy hearing their stories.  So, I did a little digging and found a random sampling of blogs that are worthy of reading:

• Rick Litchfield, Innkeeper of The Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport, Maine has a wonderful blog that is both up to date and chock full of great places to see and visit when visiting the area.  Here is an excerpt from Rick's blog:
  "Yes, it DOES occasionally rain in Southern Maine. But don't let a few showers dampen your vacation fun. There's plenty to do when the sun's too shy to shine."
• John & Julie Pierce, Innkeepers of Inn Victoria in Chester, Vermont offer a wonderful blog which combines their reflections of inn keeping along with some fun and witty tidbits.  Here is a taste of their most recent blog, entitled "Why We're Not a Green Hotel":
  "With so much media buzz, being Green can be perceived as a commercial advantage but we felt it would be dishonest of us to lay claim to being something we’re not."
• Victoria Kolyvas, Innkeeper at Tidewater Inn B&B in Madison, Connecticut has a beautiful and whimsical way of writing about the change of seasons and scenery in and around Madison.  She recently wrote, "When I can't get to an orchard, I'll drive around the neighborhoods to see all the residential ornamental trees in bloom. This is more than eye candy. This is a sight that renews."

Do you know of a great blog from a B&B or Inn?  Tell us about it!