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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!

We welcomed guests from Buhl, Idaho on Saturday as they traveled to Yellowstone Park.  They were thrilled to be able to stay in the same cabin as they had 15 years ago on their first trip to the Park.  The son, daughter and their mom had a glorious time and will stay with us again when they are in our neck of the woods.   Earlier this summer, we had a couple stop in as they retraced their honeymoon trip in 1956.   They shared a picture of her as the young bride standing in front of one of the cabins when they had wooden shutters with stars on them.  It is hard to describe the wonder at still being  here to welcome visitors to this beautiful country.

The Rankin farm tree has turned a brilliant gold against a perfect blue sky.  It is always the first tree to turn.  We wonder at the mystery of this tree’s timing.  The grain has been harvested and the fields plowed under.  The sunsets are gentle, slow and linger as we finish dinner with a cup of coffee.

Early fall mornings are golden as maple syrup sunshine flows slowly over our front lawns, trees and flower beds.  We welcomed a few guests over the weekend and admired the new roofs going up on the office, cabins and showerhouse.  The heritage flower garden needed my attention so I gathered my tools and headed off.  I wanted the old remaining farm equipment from the pond for a flower bed.  Large chunks of lava rocks from that same area worked nicely to form the edge to the bed.  Once equipment and rocks were placed, I shaped the ground around the pieces of rusty equipment and planted daisies, hens and chicks, sunflowers and black-eyed susans.  This second year the perennials were beautiful and I added a few more.  Weeding is a constant demand though.  To my quick observation thistles had dared to invade my oasis!  My anger was quick and that of my grandfather.  Growing up, D.K. took my brother, sister and I  to mend fences on the farm.  I can still feel the hot, searing sun, smell the sweat that soaked his hatband, and hear his rants at finding the tall thistles crowding his crops along the fence.  They were our enemy and we were to never forget this!  Of course, I have not forgotten and I attacked them, careful to pull them out, roots and and all.

The Secret is out!  Robert and I were talking this morning and agreed that the fall is not a quieter time of the year to enjoy Yellowstone Park the way it used to be.  We have had our No Vacancy sign on for most of last week with the overflow from the Park.  We’ve welcomed many international guests and local travellers to the area wanting to explore the beauty of our area.  Robert has directed many of them to the Mesa Falls loop as they journey north.  Also Bechler Meadows has been a very popular hiking area this summer.

Construction continues on the property!  We upgraded the electrical wiring in the cabins, and replaced the doors (original 1924!) on them.  We’re getting ready for new roofs on a few of the buildings this week!  And my flower beds are beautiful and thriving thanks to H.G. Lumber and their fertilizer advice!

Nights are getting cooler and a few leaves are turning.  I am finishing a few craft projects for the cabins and looking at what work we need to get done before we close up next month.  As always, lots to do!

Rankin Motel Room

A little make over always brightens a room. We’ve added some new color to the rooms along with new mattresses. The coffee pot is ready and the summer air is inviting. Hard to believe it is June already. The fishermen have arrived so the rivers must be ready for them. Watch out for that snow run off though, the water could be swift. We hope to see you soon!

Idaho Field

The sheets are being aired and ironed as the Rankin Motel prepares for another wonderful summer season ahead. We welcome all of you future travelers and look forward in anticipation to fish stories and maybe even a few moose sightings. The days will be getting longer as the sun shines across the beautiful Idaho landscape. Give us a call, we’ll be ready with the coffee on.

The days have gotten shorter now and the spuds are harvested. A soft layer of white has dusted the landscape. The Grand Tetons pictured above await the winter crowds to its ski trails and majesty. The Rankin Motel closes for yet another season of hospitality. We rest for a brief time yet stay plenty busy preparing for another summer of fishing, berry picking, and coffee on the lawn. God’s peace to all you travelers and we’ll look forward to seeing you again soon!