By Petula Brown
While I enjoy my solo getaways, it’s a special treat to share travel experiences with family. Still, planning a trip with a moody 14-year-old during her spring break was a challenge. For her part, my daughter was fine with spending spring break in her room. Efforts to introduce her to self-care practices varied from adequate (hair care) to asinine (room cleaning). I hoped a mini mother-daughter retreat would be a means to ease her into greater receptivity toward self-care. Something financially reasonable, emotionally enriching, and minimally boring was the order of the day. As always, supporting local businesses is a priority during my travels, but I wasn’t inclined to spend hours in a car to reach our destination. I was drawn to a proximity to Ann Arbor and laid-back vibe.
The aura of calm began with our arrival at Munro House, the bed and breakfast serving as our home base. Considering the stately tone of the exterior columns, we were surprised by a casual greeting from Layne, the tween son of owner Chris Riley. Without hesitation, Layne provided a tour of the posh downstairs area that, at first glance, was quite a disconnect from Layne’s low-key style. I was surprised to learn that Munro House is the oldest house in Hillsdale County, built in 1834. Though it has a fascinating history as a stop for the Underground Railroad and was once sold for $1, Layne’s introduction set the tone for our visit as one focused on peace and relaxation.
I credit that tone with helping us adjust to sharing accommodations in “Clara’s Room.” It’s queen iron bed, Jacuzzi tub, and Franklin gas stove created the perfect setting for a romantic stay. Yet, the seating area and desk space gave us room to read, eat, and enjoy streaming apps provided by our accommodations. One of our favorite parts of our shared bed was the divine bedding. The bedsheets had a softness that drew us in, even though neither of us were looking forward to sharing bed space.
Although Clara’s Room was a comforting experience, the secret of Munro’s appeal lies squarely with innkeeper, Chris. He’s a responsive host and impressive cook—the perfect combination for a bed and breakfast. Chris is also able to balance being approachable and unintrusive, so I never felt like we were invading his family’s home. We enjoyed spending time in Munro House with Chris, Layne, and their three Scottish terriers, but its proximity to downtown Jonesville meant that local restaurants were only a walkable couple blocks away. The closest options were upscale Olivia’s and casual Saucy Dog’s. Like the city of Jonesville itself, the dining scene has a quaint, small-town vibe.
Located in the heart of downtown Jonesville, Olivia's Chop House exudes a contemporary atmosphere. The soft lighting and dark wood furnishings provided an elegant backdrop. The menu offered familiar American dishes (chicken tenders and burgers) that appealed to my teen. I opted for the unfamiliar Black & Bleu Tuna that combined two of my favorite foods—ahi tuna and blue cheese—to create an unexpectedly, well-balanced meal.
Across the street from Olivia’s, Saucy Dog's BBQ. The funky décor pays homage to its creator’s love of Boxer dogs with a laid-back vibe attractive to families and friends looking to hang loose. The menu helps create a Cheers-like atmosphere. Dishes like the St. Louis Rib Sampler and The Mutt, a hot dog loaded with bacon strips, baked beans, and mustard, encourage visitors to eschew their Sunday best attire for t-shirts, jeans, and sandals.
While we were content with staying in Jonesville, innkeeper Chris encouraged us to check out Hillsdale, a town less than 10 miles south. It has a walkable downtown with easy parking. Attractions include options for history buffs (Hillsdale County Courthouse, Grosvenor House Museum) and community-conscious shoppers (Volume One Books, Smith’s Flowers & Gifts). However, our destination was Toasted Mud. Ideal for art enthusiasts of all ages looking for a hands-on experience, the paint-your-own pottery studio offers dozens of pieces and supplies for individuals and groups to explore their creative sides. It was the perfect activity to give my teen a break from her usual tech-centric habits.
As she was crafting her artistic vision, I strolled around a slightly hilly downtown and discovered Mrs. Stock’s Park. The well-kept grounds, nearly ten acres maintained by the Hillsdale Garden Club, included a pond, bridge, and fountains. Benches are widely spaced to give visitors a means to create space for contemplation and meditation. A distinctive feature is a bronze sculpture of Winona, the daughter of Chief Baw Beese of the Potawatomi tribe, which was settled near Hillsdale in the mid-1800's. Though steps from downtown, the recent installation of rod iron fencing imbue the park with a serene charm.
The welcoming tone started by Layne and Chris at Munro was evident in exchanges with businesses and individuals throughout the weekend that reinforced our efforts to have a positive mother-daughter experience. The sense of community and culture are demonstrated by the numerous volunteer-led festivals, fairs, and performances hosted within the county. In summary, Hillsdale County offers a socially-engaged and culturally-rich environment where community and tradition play a central role in daily life that influenced the visitor experience.
Learn more about the businesses we visited by visiting online: munrohouse.com, oliviaschophouse.com, saucydogsbbq.com, and facebook.com/toastedmud. Learn more about Hillsdale county at cityofhillsdale.org.
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