Eric & Misty

Your Hosts at Country Hermitage Bed & Breakfast

From Restaurant Burnout to Michigan Bed and Breakfast Dreams

Sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin with exhaustion. For this dedicated couple, their path to becoming beloved innkeepers at this premier bed and breakfast in Michigan started with a shared realization: they were burned out from the relentless pace of the restaurant world, but they weren’t ready to give up what they loved most about hospitality – meeting interesting people and creating memorable food experiences.

Eric brought over 25 years of culinary expertise to their partnership, having worked in kitchens across the country before establishing himself in the Grand Traverse area restaurant scene. His self-taught approach to cooking had evolved into an artistry that combined unexpected flavors with beautiful presentation. Meanwhile, Misty was completing a decades-long career in the medical field, feeling the weight of burnout and yearning for a complete change of direction.

The couple had already begun planning their next chapter, researching opportunities and even considering a move to the East Coast to work as interim innkeepers. But sometimes the universe has different plans.

When Opportunity Called from Elk Rapids Bed and Breakfast Country

Seven months into planning their East Coast adventure, they received an unexpected phone call that would change everything. The owners of Country Hermitage, a historic bed and breakfast between Traverse City and Elk Rapids in the heart of Northern Michigan’s cherry country, reached out to see if they would be interested in taking over the care of the property and its guests.

Country Hermitage surrounded by Northern Michigan’s largest organic tart cherry orchard

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Here was a property that embodied everything they had been dreaming about – a chance to combine their hospitality skills in a setting that celebrated both Northern Michigan’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. This romantic bed and breakfast in Michigan had been operating since 1999, originally purchased for its surrounding cherry orchard, with the Victorian farmhouse’s “good bones” and tremendous potential recognized from the beginning.

That phone call eight years ago marked the beginning of what Misty describes as a journey they’re “still loving every day.” Instead of heading to unfamiliar territory on the East Coast, they found themselves perfectly positioned to introduce visitors to what they genuinely believe is some of the most spectacular countryside in America.

A Farm-to-Table Chef’s Paradise in Cherry Orchard Country

For a chef of Eric’s caliber, this Michigan bed and breakfast with chef setting offers inspiration that extends far beyond a well-equipped kitchen. The property sits amid Northern Michigan’s largest organic tart cherry orchard, where Montmorency cherries are still harvested annually, providing a direct connection to the region’s most famous agricultural product.

Chef Eric in his element

Eric’s approach to breakfast creation reflects his quarter-century of professional experience combined with the creative freedom that innkeeping provides. His dishes represent what he calls “a combination of artistry and unexpected flavors” – from his signature cast-iron skillets featuring seasonal vegetables and farm-fresh eggs to innovative takes on classic breakfast favorites that surprise and delight guests.

One of Chef Eric’s signature cast iron breakfast creations

The freedom to source locally and seasonally, combined with his extensive culinary background, allows Eric to create breakfast experiences that guests consistently describe as memorable long after their stay ends. His menu planning draws from both his professional training and the bounty of ingredients available in the Grand Traverse region.

Misty’s Journey from Medicine to Hospitality Excellence

Misty’s transition from a demanding medical career to hospitality management represents the kind of major life change that requires both courage and careful planning. When burnout from her decades in healthcare became overwhelming, she made the bold decision to pivot entirely into the hospitality industry.

The career change proved to be exactly what she needed. Her background in healthcare – with its emphasis on attention to detail, anticipating needs, and providing care under pressure – translated beautifully into hospitality management. She quickly excelled in food and beverage administration and event planning, skills that serve her well in creating the seamless guest experiences that Country Hermitage is known for.

Today, Misty manages the intricate details that make each guest’s stay feel effortless while Eric focuses on culinary excellence. Together, they’ve created a partnership that allows each of their strengths to shine while providing visitors with the kind of personalized attention that makes bed and breakfast stays so special.

Creating Magic at This Historic Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Michigan

The location of Country Hermitage, a boutique bed and breakfast near Traverse City, situated perfectly between Michigan’s cultural hub and the charming lakeside community of Elk Rapids, provides guests with access to the best of Northern Michigan while maintaining the peaceful, rural atmosphere that makes a Michigan bed and breakfast getaway so restorative.

The Historic 1883 Queen Anne Victorian

The 1883 Queen Anne Victorian, originally built as a romantic gesture from a Traverse City pioneer to his beloved wife, provides the perfect backdrop for the kind of hospitality that Misty and Eric have perfected. The historic charm of the building, combined with their modern approach to comfort and service, creates an atmosphere that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Tranquil garden spaces for guest relaxation

The property’s gardens and outdoor spaces provide multiple options for guests to connect with the natural beauty that first attracted visitors to this region. Whether guests prefer morning coffee on the wraparound porch, afternoon relaxation in the garden seating areas, or evening wine while watching the sunset over the cherry orchards, Country Hermitage offers the kind of peaceful retreat that allows visitors to truly unwind.

The Joy of Sharing Northern Michigan’s Treasures

What brings them the most satisfaction is their role as ambassadors for Northern Michigan bed and breakfast experiences. Having chosen this region as their permanent home, they bring genuine enthusiasm to helping guests discover everything from hidden hiking trails to exceptional local restaurants, from boutique wineries to charming small-town festivals in the Elk Rapids area.

Their location provides ideal access to both Traverse City’s vibrant dining and cultural scene and Elk Rapids’ charming waterfront attractions. Guests can easily explore the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula wineries, enjoy the beaches and dunes of the Lake Michigan shoreline, or simply relax in the peaceful countryside that surrounds the property.

The perfect spot to unwind and soak in Northern Michigan’s beauty

Where Hospitality Challenges Meet Genuine Passion

Misty and Eric are refreshingly honest about the realities of innkeeping. They acknowledge that hospitality work isn’t without its challenges, including the long summer days that come with welcoming guests during Northern Michigan’s peak season. However, their genuine love for what they do shines through in every aspect of the Country Hermitage experience.

The joy they find in hosting guests consistently outweighs the demands of the work. Whether it’s Eric’s excitement about creating a new breakfast dish featuring seasonal ingredients or Misty’s pleasure in helping guests plan the perfect day of exploration, their passion for hospitality is evident in every interaction.

This authentic enthusiasm is what transforms a simple overnight stay into a memorable experience. Guests don’t just receive comfortable accommodations and exceptional food – they benefit from the genuine care and local expertise that Misty and Eric bring to every aspect of their operation.

Eight Years of Creating Unforgettable Northern Michigan Experiences

The transformation that Misty and Eric have achieved extends beyond their personal career satisfaction to encompass the entire guest experience at Country Hermitage. Over their eight years as innkeepers, they’ve refined every detail of the operation, from Eric’s ever-evolving breakfast menu to Misty’s seamless coordination of guest services.

The cherry orchard setting provides a unique connection to Northern Michigan’s agricultural heritage that guests find both educational and inspiring. During blossom season, visitors witness one of the region’s most spectacular natural displays, while summer guests can observe the cherry harvest that has been part of this property’s identity since 1999.

A Testament to Following Your Passion

Eight years after that life-changing phone call, they’ve built something truly special at this Elk Rapids bed and breakfast. The couple’s journey from restaurant industry burnout to fulfilled Michigan bed and breakfast innkeepers demonstrates the power of recognizing when it’s time for a change and having the courage to pursue what brings genuine satisfaction.

For travelers seeking an authentic Northern Michigan bed and breakfast experience, Country Hermitage represents the perfect combination of professional hospitality expertise and genuine love for the region. The property’s location as a premier bed and breakfast between Traverse City and Elk Rapids, surrounded by working cherry orchards and maintained with meticulous attention to both historic charm and modern comfort, provides an ideal base for exploring everything this corner of Michigan has to offer.

When you stay at Country Hermitage, you’re not just booking accommodation at another Michigan inn – you’re becoming part of a story that celebrates the best of Northern Michigan hospitality, culinary artistry, and the kind of warm welcome that can only come from hosts who have found their true calling in sharing this beautiful region with visitors from around the world.