Orange Hill Bed & Breakfast
Charles City, Virginia

We had met the previous owners at the Virginia B&B Association State Conference at the Homestead Inn a year or so earlier. But Mark and Kay Russo had purchased the home in July, 2000 and were so happy we could add them to our spring schedule.

Kay greeted and welcomed us inside. The 1898 farm house was as solid as a rock. It sat atop a hill on 5 acres. The Inn is surrounded by 60 acres of working farmland. No city pushing elbows here!

Orange Hill has three guest rooms. In one room, Kay showed us where Roland Orange would turn on a light switch from his bed at 4:30 a.m. each day, so the chickens would start their morning routine and allow himself a little more rest time. (This is the stuff that made America great!). Also another first here: Kay places the recipe for what she cooks each morning on the hutch in the breakfast room so that guests may have a copy to take home with them. Nice touch!

This Inn is definitely a peaceful and quiet retreat. On top of the hill, I expected to hear the wind or outside noise. It was perfectly still. The entire area is calm and lacks agression. From 1790 to 1990, Charles City County has only had a growth in population of 600! In spring, watch for the large flocks of turkey in the surrounding fields ,as well as the deer who roam the area. This IS the place.

Our room had a queen brass bed, antique oak dresser, desk and chair, trunk, chifferobe and a rocking chair. Our private bathroom had a clawfoot tub with shower, antique wash stand and an emergency flashlight plugged into the wall.

Mike took pictures while I read a book from the many downstairs. We ate dinner in the motorhome and visited with Kay and Mark. He eased our concerns about zoning and growth in the area and seemed well adapted to his new lifestyle. He was happy. We headed upstairs for the night.

We woke to let Lexxus run and said goodbye to Mark as he headed off to his day job. Kay had breakfast ready when we returned to the house. She served breakfast on her mother's fine china. It was gorgeous. We started with mango slices, toast from homemade oat bran bread, cherry preserves and coffee. She also presented Orange Hill Julius and the recipe to add to our cookbook. There was Lipton Tea and a teapot was ready for Mike. We had country fried potatoes with a crab, spinach & Swiss cheese omelet. Too soon it was time to leave this peaceful area into the bustle of another city. Be sure to visit the Orange Hill website, make your reservations and tell them we said HI!