 Since my retirement from the Yard, I've
been able to spend much more time on this side of the pond. Every visit
to the colonies includes a bit of travel along the shores of the
Delaware River. The cities, towns and villages located on either side
of this natural boundary have always played a major role in that saga
known as the American experiment, and the stretch from Trenton, New
Jersey north to the city of Easton, Pennsylvania has long found favor
with my eastern itinerary.
Beautiful Views
of the Delaware River
 This particular jaunt delivers me
to the Indian
Rock ,
a small inn and tavern situated on the bank of the William Penn side of
the river. I'm delighted to discover that the sole function of this
establishment has been to provide hospitality and comfort to coachmen
and their passengers since the 17th century. Only a handful of brick
and mortar structures in America can boast of such an adherence to
their original purpose. Most historic buildings have become gift shops
or the abode of gentry.
A Bicycler Takes in the
Sights
Old Canal Release Gate
Tom, the amicable
host and owner invites
me to join him for a wee dram
or
two of scotch whisky on the front porch. The setting transports me back
to a time when loyalists and colonial malcontents, awaiting the
carriage from Philadelphia, hoisted tankards of ale while arguing the
merits of revolution. Between the building and the river lie the broken
walls of a canal hand dug by Irish immigrants during the early 1800s.
Recent floods have allowed nature to reclaim this once thriving passage
of commerce. I ponder the immense amount of history that has been
captured on this small slice of land and water.
Indian Rock's
Distinctive Bar
 As the evening chill settles in, I
retreat to
the warmth of the bar. It's a welcoming room fitted with the handiwork
of
the innkeeper, who in a previous incarnation was a talented cabinet
maker. the decor, largely the work of the inn's chef, strikes a perfect
balance between utility, elegance and whimsy.
I'm particularly amused by the unusual collection of cocktail shakers
shelved behind the bar. These vessels of stainless steel, nickel plate,
and silver have been the source of good drink and great theater for
over a century. Like a sideshow juggler, many a barkeep owes the
productivity of the purse to their ability to master these tools of the
trade.
Dining Room
Stylish Antique
Shakers
Warm and Cozy Ambience
One particular polished bird catches my eye. The rooster, or "cock of
the walk," a common symbol of English hospitality is most likely a
product of The International Silver Company. Shortly after the First
World War, this silversmith produced a line of shakers in shapes that
included, along with the aforementioned fowl, penguins, airplanes, and
zeppelins. This bit of nostalgia triggers an olfactory memory; the
essence of the Juniper Berry tickles my nostrils. I request a gin
martini, shaken, not stirred, before retiring to the comfort of my room
to rest and make ready for the next day's adventure.
THE INDIAN ROCK INN
River Road
Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania
18972
610-982-9600
877-888-7555
www.indianrockinn.com
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