Ghost Town Guest House

Greetings on a sunny April morning. Warmer days have melted the snow pack on CR 162 while unmaintained back-roads remain closed for another month. We’re hoping for a bit more snow between now and mid-May as winter snowfall is a few feet short of our 14-foot average accumulation. Before the shutdown in mid-March, local cabin owners and guests enjoyed out-of-doors winter activities, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing.

We began COVID-19 sheltering in mid-March. It’s given us an opportunity to do some serious project completion. For Chuck it’s mostly community service: building a storage shed for the town’s second fire wagon, working on an emergency access to a helicopter landing zone, and planning summer project. At night we play cards, work on puzzles, read, or watch movies. We’ve remained in St. Elmo all month, and have remained distantly connected to family and friends.

These quiet days have given us time to rest and renew. At the same time, we miss the thought-provoking conversations and storytelling around the supper table and hearing about your lives. More than anything, I’ve missed hugs from our children, grandchildren, and dear friends. Just touching someone lifts the soul. So consider yourselves well hugged.

Our hope is to be able to reopen in late May or early June. Until then, stay and wait well. Sharon and Chuck

This summer has been rainy. We get sun in the mornings and in the afternoons, the thunderclouds roll in and St. Elmo is nestled in a cool blanket of showers.

A few weeks ago we hiked up the Alpine Tunnel Trail to see all the beautiful wildflowers in bloom. Everywhere you look there is Indian Paintbrush, Wild Columbine, Lupine, Moss Campion, Fireweed, and many more.

A Foot of New Snow Has Turned St. Elmo into a Winter Wonderland.  Sunny and warmer today after a stormy weekend. Winter-sports enthusiasts, including cross-country skiers with a baby in his cozy front pack, snowshoers, and three snowmobilers came to St. Elmo yesterday, anticipating the winter ahead. The county plow arrived this morning, so the road is in good shape after some interesting road gymnastics yesterday. Always an adventure.

The Christmas Spirit  We’ve been eyeing a few trees for just the right one to grace our living room window. Lights, pine boughs and cones, and glittering decorations are ready to be hung. Hot cider is on the stove. Happy holidays are ahead.

Springtime in St. Elmo. April is an in-between month in St. Elmo. Between winter and spring. Snowshoeing and hiking. Snowmobiling and Jeeping. Snow and rain. Basically, it’s sun and mud. No buds on trees yet but birds are abundant. A flock of ptarmigan burst into flight when I walked past today. Hungry moose are eating aspen saplings. The county road is clear of snow but muddy in spots. A a splendid time to explore the changing seasons. Longer and warmer days. Gentle buds on shrubs and trees. We welcome spring.

From the Ghost Town Guest House …

Greetings on a cool and snowy April morning. Warmer days have melted the snowpack on CR 162 while unmaintained back-roads remain closed until late May. Snowmobiling was terrific this winter. A heavy and wet three feet of snow in January provided a good base for winter sports, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing. Chuck spent six days shoveling and blowing the unexpectedly wet January snow off our driveway while I shoveled and swept all three decks. We’ve had a total of 12 feet of snow in town this winter and double that amount on the passes.

We stayed warm and cozy and delighted in welcoming winter adventurers to the Guest House. After a day playing in the snow, guests often drove down valley to soak in the geothermal hot springs at Mt. Princeton Resort. Or they filled their claw-foot tub with hot water and relaxed in the comfort of their private bathroom.

Lively supper conversations kept guests lingering around the table. An extensive collection of DVDs enticed guests to settle comfortably on the Continental room’s couch for a movie night complete with popcorn. All in all, it’s been a great winter for us and for many of you.