Crane Hollow Bed and Breakfast in Harvard offers a glimpse of the countryside

HARVARD – Off the beaten path three miles east of Route 14, a makeshift road made from dirt and gravel fronts Lincoln Road on the rural southeastern edge of Harvard.

Trees line the narrow, inconspicuous road, as a sign warns passers-by of wildlife and vegetation on the private property. A few feet farther down the road, the 40-acre property opens up, revealing a pond, a swamp, prairie grass and a two-story home.

The short, scenic drive is one of the selling points Margee Piper had in mind when she and her husband, Ken, decided recently to turn their home into a bed and breakfast.

Their business, Crane Hollow Bed and Breakfast, is meant to provide visitors with a resting spot located along the countryside, Piper said.

“I don’t want people to come here and be on their computer,” Piper said. “I’m looking for people who like peace and quiet and want to enjoy nature conservation.”

Inspired by the cranes that frequent the couple’s swamp, Crane Hollow Bed and Breakfast offers renters two bedrooms for overnight stays. The Lake Room overlooks the pond and prairie grass on the property and includes a queen-sized bed.

The Forest Room provides visitors with views of wild flowers and a forest, and includes a king-sized bed. Each room has its own bathroom, complete with a bubbler bathtub. A sun room connects both of the rooms.

But those looking to unwind with TV entertainment in the sun room will have to look elsewhere. The TV, by design, can play only DVDs, Piper said.

The breakfast portion of Crane Hollow Bed and Breakfast begins at 9 a.m. for guests. Piper provides home-cooked meals, offering waffles, pancakes, french toast, muffins and a host of other breakfast foods.

Aside from cranes, the 40-acre property attracts deer, turkeys, bluebirds and pond and swamp animals. The Pipers built the spacious, two-story home in 2007, preserving the wetlands on the property and the oak trees native to Illinois.

In total, the couple has planted 6,000 trees along the property, which includes 20 acres of prairie and a garden area.

Still starting, the fledgling bed and breakfast marks the seventh in McHenry County, including two others in Harvard – Ravenstone Castle and Morning Glory.

Unlike others in the area, Crane Hollow Bed and Breakfast offers visitors unique access to nature, wildlife and the country, Piper said.

“Ken and I have something I don’t think this area has,” Piper said. “This is a country setting, and you have to go up to Door County [Wisconsin], or somewhere out west to experience something like this.”

About Crane Hollow Bed and Breakfast:

• Located at 18914 Lincoln Road, Harvard, the recently opened bed and breakfast offers visitors a country setting and includes two bedrooms for overnight stays

• For information on rates and accommodations, visit www.cranehollow.com

• To make reservations, contact Margee Piper at (815) 943-7163 or via email at margee@cranehollow.com