Today the road has brought me to Independence, MO.
For the first time ever, I have returned to a city to review a different inn. A few years ago, I was in the KC area to review The Crucible for the Barn Players and reviewed Silver Heart Inn while I was in the area and you can read that article here. Today I was back to review Woodstock Inn owned by Kim Morgan.
The inn holds quite a bit of history as it was originally the home of Morris Short and his family in the 1890s. Within one hundred yards of the inn, one can find a historical marker designating a Confederate line. So part of the Civil War was fought almost literally at the doorstep of the inn.
The inn’s most famous resident was Ruby McKim, the daughter of Morris & Viola Short who was famed quilter who turned the home into McKim Studios which later evolved into Kimport’s Dolls. In the 1980s, the inn was repurposed into a B & B with each room themed to a different country and changed hands several times before Kim Morgan took over ownership.
I had arranged to arrive at 1pm and was greeted at the door by the innkeeper, Debbie Gardner, who led me to the Scottish King Room. Inside the room one finds hallmarks of bonnie Scotland including a painting of a Scottie, a pair of bagpipes hanging on the wall and a flat cap akin to the style favored in Scotland also adorns a wall with a cane.
The room is quite large and its sky blue walls and thick off-white carpeting instantly began stoking relaxation. A gas fireplace is present on the far wall while the king bed sits in the centerish of the room.
Normally, I would have used the additional time to visit sites of interest, but due to a combination of the off-season, renovations and COVID I found that the museums and historic homes were closed. However, I did enjoy a lengthy walk through the historic neighborhood and spent a bit of time admiring the architecture of the headquarters of Community of Christ.
After my walk I returned to the inn where I caught an online church service before heading out for a bit of dinner at A Little BBQ Joint.
The sign is very truthful as it is a little BBQ joint. And with social distancing protocols, it’s even littler. But it serves a good meal as I enjoyed a bowl of thick Brisket Chili loaded with plenty of vegetables.
With dinner digesting, I went back to the inn. Woodstock Inn has a small commons area which also serves as the dining area. A large, cozy fireplace is the centerpiece of the room and off to the side is a small area where one can find baked goods in the afternoon and a movie library.
I caught up on a couple of TV shows before calling it an early night. Such a wonderful sleep. The heavy blankets combined with what felt like a memory foam mattress put my lights out good and proper and I dreamily remember barely waking up once before turning over to sleep on my stomach.
Thanks to a rejuvenating sleep, I awoke energized and ready for breakfast where I enjoyed a Crème Brule French Toast with yogurt topped with fruit and granola, a lemon/cranberry (I think) muffin and a thin slice of ham.
With breakfast tucked away, I headed back to Omaha and reality.
Woodstock Inn is a comfortable inn suitable for a romantic night with your loved one and is just a hop, skip and jump from shopping, restaurants, Community of Christ headquarters and a bit of history and is worthy of a visit.
Until the next time. . .happy travels.
Chris' Corner 