Monthly archive for October 2010

Imagine my delight as I came across the 1924 issues of the Idaho Department of Public Works magazine,  Idaho Highways and Public Works.  They are fragile and yellowed with time.  My grandfather built the little cabins and set up his auto court in 1924 when automobile travel was a new adventure for people, and places to stay on the road (such as they were)  didn’t exist.  What a journey to the past to see the ads of the day, the commentary and pictures of the classic cars.  We have some great pictures of these cars sitting in front of our cabins from that time period.  Something to add to our website in the future!  So much has changed in the lodging industry from that time.   My research continues into this rich past.  2 important resources I have located are Idaho’s Highway History, 1863-1976, and Americans on the Road, From Autocamp to Motel, 1910-1945.  So many social changes came about with the popularity of the auto.  I have located a picture of Model Ts being brought over the Jackson Hole Pass on wagons pulled by horses with 5 foot snow banks on each side.  What an endeavor!

I spent today working in the flower beds, cutting back perennials and planting tulip bulbs.  The Tetons are looking quite white and the clouds looked like they were going to dump snow any second.  It is time to hibernate!

It is a typical autumn day in Idaho, overcast and cool.  The clouds promise snow.  We closed the cabins and motel units last Thursday.  Everything is winterized.  What an awesome season 2010 turned out to be!  So many wonderful people stayed with us on their journeys.  Today Robert and I took a thermos of hot coffee, loaded the dogs and headed back up to Ashton to pick up a few more supplies and tools from the house.  I also took tulip and daffodil bulbs.  The planters in front of the cabins still have petunias blooming and I carefully worked around them planting the bulbs in clusters of 3.  The dirt was soft, springy and cool.  The brave little bulbs will wait out the winter for the sunshine of spring.   The larger flower gardens haven’t  frozen down yet either and I worked another hour in the front bed where the little welcome bear had stood most of the summer.  He is hibernating now in no. 1.   The sunsets this time of year are beautiful and set the golden trees ablaze.

There is a chill in the air, trees are turning to gold and a few leaves on the ground crunch as we cross the lawns.  Soon we will kick through leaves up to our knees and drink in that wonderful smell.  We’re getting ready to close the cabins.  I spent some of the weekend sorting bedding and getting things ready to put away until next spring.  This part of running the business hasn’t changed since the beginning.  There are blankets to mend, curtain panels to replace and braided rugs to shampoo and repair.  Quilts have to be inspected for seam integrity, their fabric panels replaced with stronger pieces.  There are a few new-found treasures I am anxious to refinish for the cabins including a charming wooden chair with delicate spokes rescued from the old shed.

While cleaning a closet I smiled as I discovered the hand embroidered wool blankets of the early auto court days.  They are worn, thin and a bit faded.  It struck me how symbolic these blankets are.  “Rankins Auto Camp”  “Rankin Court”  This is how we started.  We are still welcoming travelers as they journey and offer them a place to rest and relax.  Rooms now include coffee makers and small compact refrigerators.  But the basic comfort of a blanket will never change.

A beautiful sunrise greeted us Monday October 4.   The new roofs are finished and the cabins will be snug for the coming winter.  It has been rainy and cooler the past few days and we’re glad to have the work finished.  Thank you RoofTop Solutions!

We’ve welcomed bikers, hunters and spud harvesters along with folks heading for Yellowstone Park this past week.  Geese are flying in perfect V formations and their haunting songs fill the cool air.  Autumn in Idaho is an awe-some time of year and the perfect time to see the beautiful country surrounding Ashton Idaho!  Let us have a cozy, warm room ready for you when you come!