Welcome to colorful October in Ohio. As I write the temperature outside is 87 degrees. 
Tomorrow’s forecast is for 63 degrees. I remember the first year I had my booth at the Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival. It was 2022 and we’d had unusually warm weather that year as well. Normally the historic Lakeside Hotel, built in 1875, closes after the Labor Day weekend. But with the continued temperatures in the 80s they decided to keep the hotel open for the event which was held on October 8th. Being the lover of history that I am, booking a room for the night wasn’t up for negation. The fact that the hotel didn’t have heat didn’t deter me in the least. With the kind of weather we’d been having, who needed heat! 
Friday afternoon I arrived to find the hotel lobby area filled with beautiful Victorian furniture. It was everything I imagined. J Michael, who I’d had several conversations with on the phone, was there to greet me. He’d given me the Bridal Suite! The corner room on the third floor overlooking the lake. He explained that the warm Southern winds were due to shift and come out of the North and he would have extra blankets in the room when I returned later that evening.
The room was true Victorian (except for the small bathroom) and I felt as though I had stumbled into a historical romance novel. After unpacking I drove the few blocks to the Wesley Lodge to set up my booth. Once finished I drove back to the hotel and found a parking space on the street. I’d noticed that a few of the shops were still open and a walk was in order. The temperature was dropping and I slipped on a hoodie. After exploring the business district and a couple streets filled with the charming historic cottages, I found the pizza shop was still open. I took my time over an excellent slice and a Coke while people-watching. It was dark when I left and the now colder wind had picked up. The hotel was only a couple blocks away and I was happy to enter the wide wraparound porch filled with comfortable wicker furniture. At the front desk I was offered another room on the opposite side of the hotel if my room was too cold. I assured her I would be fine.
Without a TV in the room and a book to read (why was I traveling without a book?) I climbed in bed with all the hotel literature and a printout of its history that J Michael had given me. I learned that when the hotel was built in 1875, it had no running water or electricity and a two-story outhouse (I would love to see a picture of that) located in what is now the courtyard. Over the years electric lights and public baths and restrooms were added along with a fireplace in the lobby. It’s only been in the last forty years or so that the facility was upgraded with new wiring and plumbing, the installation of a sprinkler system, an elevator, and air conditioning in the dining room and lobby. I did notice a window unit in my room. Heat still isn’t a priority although you must remember that the hotel is normally only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
No hotel of that vintage would be complete without its resident ghosts. A woman named Susan and her young daughter have been seen for many years in a room on the second floor as well as walking the second-floor hallway. Legend has it that Susan wanders the halls because her daughter died while they were staying at the hotel. I walked the second floor halls, but no Susan. Next visit I’ll ask to stay in Susan’s room. 
Waves continued to be pushed ashore by the strong northerly winds that rattled the tall 147-year-old windows. My summer-weight pajamas weren’t holding in precious body heat, so I got out of bed and changed into jeans, a sweatshirt and socks. Those added blankets were thin like the ones used in hospitals. The two that had been provided didn’t come close to being warm, so I got out of bed once more and folded them in half to give twice the weight. Once I stopped shivering, the crashing waves and howling wind lulled me to sleep.
The next morning a full hot breakfast would have been delightful if the beautiful dining room had been warmer. My hoodie was helpful. Would I go back? Absolutely! In the summertime!
The Hotel Lakeside is located within the Lakeside Chautauqua complex in Marblehead, Ohio.
CONTEST: There was a glitch with posting my monthly contest. For October, my winner can choose one autographed copy of the book of their choice from my Tanner series or WINDSWEPT. Use the CONTACT button on this website and fill in your information and mention that it is for the free October CONTEST book in the Comment section.
