I’m in a different world.

But I’m only 47 miles from Philadelphia and 70 miles from Manhattan. So idyllic, it feels like a million miles from anywhere.

I planned this 3-night pre-trip before meeting up with a group of travelers at Philadelphia Airport, from where I’ll continue with them to Prague on an incentive trip. My good friends, Laura & Jeff, who I’ve known from previous travels, own a beautiful inn on the Delaware River. The Black Bass dates back to 1745.

Just downriver is Washington’s Crossing, where General Washington and a ragged group of soldiers crossed the freezing river on Christmas eve, 1776, in a surprise – and successful – attack on a garrison of drunken British soldiers. Legend has it that Washington did NOT sleep here at the Black Bass because the proprietors of the Inn were loyal to the Crown. Too bad for Washington, because it’s a beautiful place! Comfortable suites, award-winning restaurant and a perfect location for exploring this lovely part of America.

Here in Buck’s County, southeast Pennsylvania, it’s leafy, quiet and idyllic. Two-lane country roads, picturesque villages, gorgeous stone houses on massive grassy lots, and plenty of Americana history around every bend in the road. I had hoped to see fall foliage but everything is green, green, green. The locals are complaining about the rain and the Delaware River is raging, swollen and swift.

The place names are revealing: Lumberville (pop. 97), Carversville (pop. 82), Mechanicsville, and Upper Black Eddy. Street names are sweet: Fleecydale, Point Pleasant Pike, Dark Hollow Road, and – my favorite: Street Road!

“Meet you at the corner of Carversville and Street.”

I stumbled onto a charming old pet cemetery across from the Black Bass:

I want to know the story of “Hansel Extra Wicked!” And “Sample” – was he/she some kind of trial pet? (Could they send it back if not satisfied?) What’s with “Talulah Wiggle?” At least we know when Cricket lived and died. But we’ll never know about poor, anonymous “Rabbit” and “Puss.”

One morning we walked to New Jersey! (across this pedestrian bridge which spans the Delaware):

Scott Gibb, crossing the Delaware.

Loving the architecture, throughout the countryside, in the villages and at Princeton University:

Covered bridges … ten of them in Buck’s County!

…. photographer’s dream!

Everything at the Black Bass has a story. At dinner on our first evening, the music inexplicably got louder and louder – when nobody was remotely close to the sound system. I suppose the ghost must have liked that song! This “table” – covered in gashes – once belonged to a coroner! (I had to test it out!)

Lying on the Coroner’s table (do I look dead?) I had just finished an amazing dinner and was suitably stuffed!

And if you ever get to the Black Bass (and I hope you do!), take a peek behind the front door and say hello to Munson … Jeff & Laura’s beloved pup. He’ll never be forgotten!

Munson keeps careful watch over things at the Black Bass.

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