Summer in review

         As usual it was a wonderful summer of meeting new guests and renewing fiendships with past guests.  Thank you all for staying with us and then wanting to come back.   My only regret is that, with the  fire ban, we did not have any quality fire/marshmallow roasting time.  Hopefully we'll get some rain and good snow this winter and be able to resume the fire pit next year.  As there were some large fires all over the country and we are so dry, it definitely is better to be safe than sorry.
       We applauded the passing of a new Vacation Home Rental Ordinance for Pennington County, this happened in May 2012.  Vacation home rentals that came into existance post 1994 can now get a permit through this new ordinance and covers such things as quiet hours, occupancy, garbage service, etc..  Everything that makes for a perfect neighbor.  We are also happy to confirm that our Log Cabin and our Boxcar Cabin are now permitted by the County.  They were licensed by the state in early 2011.
        With this all behind us, we are scurrying to get some projects finished by the time the snow flies.  The wood pile is all split and just waiting for my busy hands to pile it into nice stacks that fall over part way through winter.  Tally is gathering tools and nagging me to stain some boards to finish the siding on the Boxcar Cabin.  The squirrel is wanting to move in and so we need to button up the siding.
       We did get the shed at the Log Cabin moved.  What a day that was.  It took so much time to prepare that the half hour it took to move was almost anti-climatic.  It pays to be thorough and the move went smooth.

We are still open and guests are still arriving and enjoying the Silver City area.  The leaves are in full color and we always swear that the Silver City Road beats out Spearfish Canyon for beauty.

We are on the final cabin for deep spring cleaning.  The Bullion cabin is the last in the line.  We seem to rotate the order of cleaning each year based on when they get rented.  We get asked which cabin is our favorite.  While I am cleaning I look each cabin over and I still can't seem to choose a favorite as they all have their special charm and character.
The Boxcar Cabin siding is not completely done but the cabins are almost cleaned.  We do have our priorities.
This years mothers day we hiked Harney Peak with my extensive extended family.  My 73 year old mother (who rarely hikes) almost made it.  My 79 year old father would have made it but turned around with mom (it ws her day).  We had a great time and the weather was warm and perfect.  Wonderful snack at the top and much appreciated lunch at the bottom.  Always take food and water with you.  It is a bit harder and longer than you think.

Spring progress

I will officially update the cabin progress.
Bullion Cabin now has linoleum in the kitchen.  The owners have wanted that done for ages.  We put an egress window in the bedroom with the twin beds and as Tally had the tools in the cabin, and we had the time, the carpet got torn out of the kitchen.  It will be easier to clean and maintain.  When you walk into the cabin you now see straight through the dining room and living room to the view out the egress window.  Small changes make such a difference.

The Log Cabin now has screen doors on both the front and back door.  One can have a nice cross breeze on a warm summer evening.  I won't say hot as our nights always cool down.  At 4600' we almost always need blankets at tnight.  They now have the signature wood door slam - I will try and rectify that by summer.

Our regular guests will understand this update.
The back side of the Boxcar Cabin is getting new siding.  The whole cabin will now match.  We have the large wall done and are working on the alcove part.  Tally also put trim boards around the windows.  We had a bit of rain yesterday so we are slowed down on the project but we had a nice day off from the outside work.  I sat and worked on paperwork at my desk, made a pie and cooked a delicious dinner.  Pictures to be posted at a later date.

Spring at Happy Trails Cabins

Can't believe it has been so long since I last wrote.
We have accomplished so much.  The ordinance passed.  It is overly regulated but nothing out of line.  Our guests are so nice that there will be no problems enforcing such things as quiet time.   We are in the process of getting our conditional use permit but hopefully we shouild have that in hand by mid June.  There were actually residents of Pennington County that opposed vacation home rentals.  Here we are in the prime tourist county (Pennington County is the home of Mount Rushmore) and there was an actual statement that tourists and residents next to each other is a "lose lose situation".  Our job is to make up for that lack of hospitality.  Tally and I have always believed in making others welcome in our home and our community.  I will post more on our current projects later.