March 12 we saw remains of the 60 inches of snow that fell Winter 2013-14 - not the usual 13 inches. But we also saw small white and yellow flowers that reassured us, yes, Spring is on the way.

This is the hallway to the guest bedrooms.  Everyone in the house was served breakfast in his/her bedroom.

The silver tankards on the dining room sideboard were made by Paul Revere.  The dishes in the hallway display were owned by George and Martha Washington.

Henry Francis du Pont had 58 sets of china and 70 set of table linens.  He determined each meal's table setting and flowers in specific detail.  The room was lit entirely with candles.  Mr. and Mrs. du Pont always sat on the two sides, in middle of the table.

The ladies would retire to this room after dinner.  The du Ponts frequently entertained here at other times of day.  The room is designed around the wallpaper, made in China, and is noted for the extensive fresh flowers always found here.

The room is shown here set for afternoon tea.  Pierre du Pont, Henry Francis's great great grandfather, presides over the table of sweet and savories.

Guests retire for the night up a staircase rescued from North Carolina.  Always the thoughtful hostess, Mrs. du Pont left a table of food and drink at the bottom of the stairs lest her guests go to bed hungry.

Samples of the Hotel du Pont's grand scale and sumptuous decor.  

Our buffet lunch was in an elegant private room just off the lobby.  The walls are intricately carved wood, hung with paintings by three generations of Wyeths:  N.C., Andrew, and Jamie from nearby Chadds Ford PA.  The room is probably named for Andrew Wyeth's famous "Christina's World" but we like to think it was named for our leader.

Our group picture just before heading home.  There were 55 of us.  After much good-natured jostling, we managed to get most of the trippers into one picture frame!