1828 Trail Inn Bed and Breakfast

10/27/2025

Thanks to all of our guests for a wonderful year. We are pleased and grateful to be ending our 2025 season as of today.
Hope you enjoy a safe and prosperous holiday season and New Year!
Best regards
Joe and Carla

09/11/2024

We have adjusted "Pie on the Porch" to 8 pm from 9 pm. We have lost a few guests who succumbed to sleep beforeor around 9. I know the sixty mile trips that would take me two (or three )days to navigate, which our guests generally do in one day, justifies an earlier bed time!!!. So - hoping we can gather our guests on the porch a little earlier and get to talk about "sailing ships, and sealing wax and cabbages and kings. "

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08/28/2024

Busy Busy Busy. August was unusually busy - usually a hot month. September is always very busy - and this September may set an Inn record. October is filling up fast. We are staying open a little later this year - into November and over the winter (excepting the holidays) if anyone needs a getaway.
If anyone asks what you do in the winter in a small town - I can sit on the porch, and the treeline across from us - when leafless - gives a great view of the Potomac. You can watch the clusters of ice drift by (logily - it's a real word) on the river. That is when you really need pie and coffee (or tea.)

08/24/2024

We have a new custom. Whenever we have four or more guests - we do "Pie on the Porch." A delicious Blue Goose pie (the original recipe from the late great Hancock treasure Weaver's Restaurant and Bakery). Perfect way for guests to meet, mingle, and exchange stories as a prelude to breakfast with similar sharing!
And let's face it - every season is a season for pie!
Keep well and c'mon over to our porch!

06/24/2024

Just finished Breakfast (and starting my remote work.) Had Father-Son cyclists and can not say enough nice things about that dynamic. Families that undertake this adventure together will always be richer for it. My Dad used to ride his bike to work (3-4 miles each way.) He and I did a segment of the canal when I was in boy scouts - although which segment we did is outside the bounds of my memory. Actually I have not thought about that trip in detail for too many years. Great trail. Great Dads.
Have as good a Monday as possible if you are behind a desk and not on the trail. I am about to join you at the desk!

06/23/2024

Apologies for the long wait - i am not a natural at Facebook.
Wanted to share a recent experience - We got our first one star rating., Based on my manners during a telephone call - which if you adhere to the school of thought that an innkeeper should take the $$$$ and ring the register - is certainly my failing. I do not turn the other cheek and when affronted, I tend to affront back. So I will certainly not dispute a one star rating for talking back and refusing to be a footstool for another person's bruised ego. My reaction was still wrong and I regret how it made me feel afterwards. My first thought was that i had betrayed Bill and Darlene by getting the first ever one star review in the history of the Inn.
Actually, it was a positive affirmation of what i preach - there is only one thing that no one can take from you. They can take your money, your reputation, or the vain chant (self important) that we have a history of five star reviews. The only thing you can truly own and which only you can surrender is your own integrity. I learned that from my father,
But despite our actual website getting captiured through my neglect, we are alive and well on the Canal Trail.
My 50th year high school reunion is next year - and I look forward to letting my class know that I could not afford to retire and had to take a job cleaning toilets, washing linens, making beds, and cooking breakfast. And if anyone out there remembers the show "Get Smart", I would add in my best Don Adams nasal voice - "And loving it!"
Tschuss for now my friends - keep well and keep riding.

11/20/2021

The Inn will be open! Stop by and warm up with hot cocoa and mini muffins!!

🌲🎅Make plans now to join us for our 2nd Annual Miracle on Main Street Event!!!🎅🌲

Come visit each of the vendors and participating businesses!!!

Complete your Christmas Shopping in one night, with a cup of cheer in your hand to keep you warm!!

Pick up a map (available online and around town at participating Businesses the week of the crawl) and follow the crawl up and down Main Street! (You can start anywhere.)

More details to come as the event approaches, we can't wait to see you, it's going to be a fun night!!!

Notes:
• Businesses may have covid safety precautions in place. Please come prepared to observe and respect each business.
• Each business does its best to supply enough cocoa or treats for the attendees. Please be understanding if anyone runs out at this event.

08/30/2021

A Rainy Night in Hancock. Brook Benton probably never thought to sing that...Cyclists on the trail are not as bothered by the rain as much as by the ensuing mud! Clogged wheels, spills, and unless one has fenders on their bike - a lot of caked mud on the person, the saddle bags (panniers, as I have learned) and clothes. Loads of respect to our patrons who brave this to parallel the early commerce along the Canal! Stay dry and safe and at a good pace!

08/25/2021

Had a wonderful surprise. A really good friend and his daughter showed up last night. They had booked a room under her name and gave me no clue. And it was one of the happiest moments of operating the Inn. Diabolical but very, very pleasant. My salute goes out to Mike and Jennifer! You guys rock!

05/31/2021

We had a Happy Coincidence. When cooking one of our favorite muffin recipes (Bill's Nutty Pumpkin Muffins) for someone going gluten free, we made them with a mix of rice and coconut flour. The coconut flour all but overpowered the walnuts but mixed well with the pumpkin.
The next batch we followed the recipe with unbleached flour (1 1/3 cups) and added 1/3 cup coconut flour. The result was superb!
We usually make two batches of these a week for our guests - I am hoping they get eaten - lest this create fat innkeepers.
Please note - this Hints from Heloise post will not be the norm!

04/14/2021

01/10/2017

What a great year 2016 was. It's pretty cold right now, but we're anxious for spring to arrive so that we can welcome new guests and have the chance to greet returning guests who have become friends. Happy New Year!