I was going to write, "a perfect 'perch'," but Eagle Annie's Cottage is so neatly nestled within its homey little hamlet and sheltering dell and so cozily appointed inside, that you naturally think of soft interwoven leaves of grass, downy feathers, and sky-blue robin's eggs. And what should greet me as I clambered out of the car but a veritable flock of twittering songbirds feasting at a well-stocked feeder.
Arriving just ahead of forecast snow, I anticipated perhaps having to cajole an old farmhouse radiator into sharing some heat, yet the attractive Jotul gas stove already had the place toasty warm. If you're feeling decadent, the 100%-coverage queen-sized heating pad adds a soothing touch at bedtime but, rest assured, it’s not really necessary.
Of course, stoves don't normally light themselves--nor do bird feeders typically fill automatically: it takes a special person to take care of both. Or to offer--on the spur of the moment--a glass of wine along with thoughtful, intelligent conversation. At Eagle Annie's Cottage, that person is your congenial host, Patti. Glad to lend you whatever you might need (in this case an iron skillet), she's also “cool” enough to leave you to your own devices. With her obvious love of the place rivaling her equally evident knowledge of the area, Patti is, even for a day or two, the good neighbor you've always wanted and the best friend you've never had.
NB: By way of reassurance for those who (like me) tend to check out new places from aerial photography first, please note that although the Cottage sits not all that far from the road, THIS DOES NOT MATTER! The property is fenced and landscaped and, more importantly, the road itself is barely wider or more active than the wagon track it started out as a century or two ago. I kid you not, the third and FINAL vehicle of the evening whispered past around 8:00 p.m. and after that it was nothing but listening to falling snowflakes!