I was lucky enough to discover a true gem known as the Lodge at Glendorn in Bradford, Pennsylvania. If you haven’t heard of it, you need to… it’s like no place you’ve ever been.
The 1500-acre property was started by the Dorn family in the 1920s… the patriarch of the family, C.G. Dorn, built it as a place for his family to gather, and as his family grew, so, too, did the property (there are variously-sized cabins scattered across the premises). Known for its fly fishing and hunting grounds, visitors can have fantastic first-hand instruction by experienced personnel, rent (or buy) all of the necessary equipment, and even bring their catch back to be prepared by the Lodge’s incredible executive chef, where the dining room menu changes daily and their wine selection is vast and impressive.
OK, enough of the marketing points… this is what I heard about the Lodge beforehand, but it was only after I actually visited there that I truly understood the magic that is the Glendorn. First off, the team at the Lodge is incredible. Not only are they all very friendly (I feel as though I made friends with everyone) but they’re over-the-top passionate about what they do, from the activities’ coordinators to the managers, wait staff, right down to the bellhop. There are three lakes on the property as well as countless brooks and streams, and you can’t go anywhere on the premises without hearing the soothing sound of running water. I fly fished for the first time (and caught five rainbow trout!), went skeet shooting, took two Jeep tours, and ate the most delicious, rich, freshest food I’ve ever had in my entire life. I had a fantastic hot stone massage at their newly-renovated spa, which boasts a bevy of luxurious treatments including some where guests can actually pick the wild berries and flowers that grow nearby that are then converted into the treatments themselves (amazing!). They have bikes, a huge heated pool (the first in-ground pool to be installed in the state!), kayaks, paddleboarding, and a playhouse for the kids (with a fully-stocked ice cream bar). The rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and bonfire pits – just phone the front desk and they’ll get them going for you.
The Lodge at Glendorn is a world in and of itself. Blending nature with modern amenities, it’s the ultimate in woodsy getaways.
Bon Voyage,
Jenn
Jenn Cox is a Montreal-based freelance journalist. Visit her website or email her at info@wordaddict.ca.
