This short note was written by the future Mrs. Blair to her mother. Within two years, not only did she marry lumberman James Blair, but in 1901 he finished building his lovely bride, Erla, a fantastic Queen Anne Victorian home located at 2985 Clay Street in Placerville.

The nine room home remains just about the way it was when first built. The leaded glass windows, original woodwork, tin dados, lincrustta and anaglypta on the walls are a testament to the Blair’s incredible taste and style. In true Queen Anne style, there is a turret running all three stories.

As of November of 2004, the home has been known as the Blair Sugar Pine Bed and Breakfast. William and Kay Steffen are the innkeepers. Since that time they have had guests from as far away as Australia, Europe, Canada and Asia, and as close as Placerville! The Bed and Breakfast has three very different guest rooms, all with private baths and queen size beds, luxurious robes and a tin of chocolate, everyone favorite, on the bed for your enjoyment. The Blair Room bed is located in the turret and has a claw foot bath tub. The Garden Room is a light and airy room with a bay window which overlooks the patio below. The Lotus Room has an up-close view of the “Honey Moon Tree”, a Giant Coastal Redwood Tree Erla brought as a seedling from their honeymoon trip to Santa Cruz in 1901. They also provide free WiFi for guests to keep in touch with family and friends while traveling or if you are visiting on business.

Upon arrival to the Blair Sugar Pine, you are offered a variety of cheeses and fine local wines, selected especially by the Steffens. They like to be sure that visitors are experiencing the best the area

has to offer. Most of their guests are not first timers to wine tasting. By serving the best local wines enhances their overall experience and keeps them coming back.

When you wake in the morning, you are greeted with a pleasing full breakfast ranging from cheese blintz with cherry sauce to bacon frittata. Breakfast is always served with sausage, fruit, bread, coffee, tea, and juice. Special dietary requests are also easily accommodated.

While dinner isn’t offered, the Steffens will gladly act as your concierge and arrange dinner reservations at any of the fine dining establishments. Many of them are within walking distance. After your night on the town, you can return to the bed and breakfast and watch a movie, have a quiet game of checkers in the game room, or relax on the patio. There is almost one third of an acre that is landscaped with mature trees, water features, paths and benches.

During the day, take advantage of the many local activities. Main Street offers antiques shops, craft shops, the hardware store (which has something for everyone!), gourmet kitchen wares, boutiques and numerous art galleries all within walking distance. For the more adventuresome, a short drive away is hiking, river rafting, skiing and gold panning. And, don’t forget wine tasting! There are 40+ award winning wineries.

With its enchanting tree shaded patio, front porch and unique guest rooms, the Blair Sugar Pine is a perfect place to go if you want to get away from it all…even if you don’t have to travel very far from home. To reserve a room, please contact them at 530-626-9006 or visit their web site at www.BlairSugarPine.com.