I assured him that it would be an entertaining overnight. "It could be fun... or it might just be funny." 

Then I decided, even if the town was jammed with tourists and dripping in corny German decor, it could be fun and memorable. Besides, Frankenmuth was more than a stage set. There was real history. The town was founded in 1845, by 15 German-Lutheran missionaries. 

July 4th Weekend
​

We arrived on Friday, over 4th of July weekend. That could have been asking for trouble, right there. But, we were ready to take on the whole Bavarian Inn & Frankenmuth Experience. 

When we spotted The Inn from Main Street, it looked like it covered the whole block. It actually looked pretty festive, with all the colorful flowers.

My photo just shows part of the rambling complex. Surprisingly, the right portion of building goes back to 1888. It was built as a hotel by the Fischers, the family that began the all you can eat fried chicken trend, in Frankenmuth. The hotel didn't have a Bavarian motif at all.

Fischer Hotel

In 1950, the Zehnder family bought the Fischer Hotel. William (Tiny) Zehnder Jr. and his wife Dorothy ran the place. Tiny (I so love that name) died over a decade ago, but Dorothy at 97,  still can be found helping out in the restaurant's kitchen!

After a hearty lunch, Don and I headed across the street to the Bavarian Inn. We walked through the beer garden, through the door in the 50-foot Glockenspiel tower. This was part of the Old World expansion that Tiny added in 1959. 
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​Lost in the Inn

Outside, we found a carriage driver, who pointed out the Bavarian Inn Lodge, across the Cass River. She told us we could walk over the covered bridge. Okay, maybe this was Disney World! The sight of the complex, on 7 acres of land... was comical.

Holz Bruecke from 1979
​

The bridge (like the hotel) was not old. But it was pretty.

We followed a buggy across the bridge and met a couple who asked if we'd take their photo. They had just become engaged. We had a fun chat and then the groom-to-be asked Don, "You've been married 40 years? What's your secret?" Don answered with a grin. "Be a good listener."  Sweet.


Hiking to the Lodge
​

We headed down the road, laughing at ourselves. These buildings looked like a fairytale village!  What were we getting into? And why were we leaving our car way behind?

We passed a giant birdcage, with peacocks. We watched a few kids roll down the hill, on a nearby lawn.

When we got past the huge parking lot, there was a colorful lineup of buildings. Of course my photo from early morning, looks peaceful. At 2:00 pm, there were toddling tots and crying babies in strollers, old folks with walkers and smokers on benches. 

But the flowers were pretty. And I was happily amused by the painted stucco, in the shady, garden area.
​

It was about 90 degrees, which felt pretty warm after our hike. We were glad the lobby entrance was in the first building.

Lots to Look At

I shouldn't be a travel snob. I shouldn't make fun. But it was hard not to laugh when I took in some of the decor, as we stood in the snaking, check in line. 

My neck hurt from staring upward, at the upside down Christmas tree (decorated in spring colors) and the German dolls and wooden oxen yoke, deer heads and pastel umbrellas. What a display!

Where Do We Go?
​

I should have listened when we were given directions to our room. It was a confusing maze through all the buildings. It would have been easier if we'd just walked outside and headed past the Banquet/Conference Center... 

We could have just parked down by the "Tower Entrance".  But instead we wandered inside, turning down many wrong halls and dodging families with all their pool gear. Were we the only guests with no children? 

At Last!

​Don and I grinned and shushed each other, every time we read the special reminder signs! Then at last, we found our room!

I wish I'd taken some photos of all the cleaning carts and rollaway beds and folding cribs, that clogged the hall. But I must say, the staff couldn't have been friendlier. They cheerily apologized every time we stepped around their carts.

Spacious...
​
​We stepped into our room and chuckled just a bit. The size was fantastic. We had no complaints about that.

When we opened the door and realized we had a shared balcony, I suddenly was less enthused. I hadn't pictured us sharing the balcony space with other families. Plus, we suddenly had no privacy in our room, when the curtains were open. Oh well.

The view of the trees and garden and river was nice. It was all pretty peaceful out there... just a few muffled squeals, now and then. That was off to the left, coming from the kids inside the tower, sliding down the enclosed water slides. Funny.

Photos?

There was another odd thing about our room.

The wall decor made me think we had accidentally stepped into someone's personally decorated timeshare room. I'm fine with some dated decor and slightly musty carpet. Don and I would stay only at Marriotts, if we had those concerns. But there were so many framed photos?

At Home With the Claramunts

It took a while to get it... but our room was named for the Claramunt Family. There were pictures of Morrall and Nancy and their 3 kids all over the room. There were even family Baptismal certificates on the wall. Why?

Okay, I'm sure the Claramunts are outstanding folks. But it was strange being surrounded by them. And why are those frames not centered over the couch?  

Don and I peeked around at some of the pool excitement, but really we had no urge to participate. There were 4 indoor pools, plus putt putt, ping pong and pool, as in billiards... gift shops, arcades. There was lots to delight the families.

Where's the Beer?
​

In the evening we hiked back across the bridge, in search of a little German beer. We headed into the original building where the Fischers once got in a little trouble for selling beer, during prohibition. Evidently the Zehnders did as well, across the street!

Dining Rooms
​

The street entrance took us into a waiting area, for two of the dining rooms. There were no crowds waiting, like there had been at lunch. We weren't hungry yet, but I was curious. I peered through the glass into Tiny's Room. That must be used for special events.

I peeked into the Family Crest Dining Room and I became less hungry. I just wasn't ready to eat another big meal in a big banquet room... even if the staff was dressed in festive lederhosen!

Beer and Pretzel!
​

Instead, I chose to be amused by a pouting mannequin, wearing his lederhosen. He was sitting at a small bar, I sat beside him and posed with an empty mug.  Don posed with pretzel and beer. Both were good and we were happy.

Wandering
​

So we spent the evening in the building where the whole Frankenmuth fried chicken thing started, about a century ago and we didn't end up eating! That is sinful. We could have eaten a German feast as well. But we just weren't hungry after our big lunch.

By the time we were hungry, the dining rooms were clearing out. Some of the rooms weren't even in use, which seems crazy. It was a Friday night in July!

​Back to the Lodge
​

She assured us, the 10:00 Schnitzelbank Sing-a-long was a must. Don knows some German, so he was able to sing along, with the help of our napkin. What a hoot! They even had a real schnitzelbank work bench on display near the stage. I only wish we'd been able to do a little German polka dancing.

Morning

We slept well in our king bed, which actually came with both soft and hard pillows. Extra points for that. I woke early and threw on my running shoes.

One of the nicest parts of the stay, was getting up early before the heat and crowds. I had the most lovely run, over the bridge and into town. I even stopped to play the little instrument, beside the sidewalk.

Back on the Porch 
​

After a quick shower, Don and I made coffee and pulled out some pastries, we'd  brought with us. I was determined to use that shared balcony before we left. Luckily our neighbors seemed to be sleeping. It was pretty pleasant and quiet.

We packed up, said good bye to the Claramunt Clan. We were soon on our way.

What's Notable?
​

Don also lived in Ann Arbor then. He was a student at U of M, but we didn't meet until a few years later, in St. Louis.  

1970's

My Dad worked at U of M and it seemed like my parents were always meeting up with special guests for drinks or dinner, at the Bell Tower. It sounded like a ritzy place. Was it?

I took a good look at the 3-story stone facade, with flags and window boxes. I'm not sure what they were thinking in 1967, when they added that oddball 4-story structure, with balconies. I'm pretty sure the angled building on the left, wasn't there before.  
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Lobby
​

I don't actually remember what the lobby looked like, when I first peeked in, as a teenager. But it probably had the same, proper English-looking decor.

I had hoped we could get a room with a view of Burton Tower, across the street. Since we were staying at the Bell Tower Hotel, it seemed fitting, to look out and see the 83 year old tower, that houses a grand carillon! But those rooms were higher in price. I settled for a photo, from the window near the elevator.

Second Floor
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There also weren't any parents with high school or college students. I'm sure the atmosphere will change, when campus is busy in the fall.

Room 210
​

Our room was tiny and clean. Very tiny. But it was our choice to pick a room with the lowest rate. The decor was slightly updated since our last visit, but it looked a little worn.

In past write ups, I've complained a lot about trendy bathrooms that use glass in their doors. Our nice, but small bathroom had a frosted glass window, in the door. Why? That little detail means...  If you want to get up early and shower, you have to share your bathroom light, with the late sleeper. Oh well. It really wasn't a problem, this time. 

Exploring
​
The best part of our stay, was the location! Besides hearing beautiful sounds from over 50 bells, in the limestone tower, we were just steps away from campus.

We wandered in the evening and morning, spotting familiar buildings and a few we didn't recognize. We saw Heidi's first dorm and Don's old dorm... The Power Center where my dad directed plays... Hill Auditorium, where I watched my brother graduate from law school... And in the evening we joined my dear high school friend, Lorie, for some July 4th festivities on the lawn. 

After Dark

I was disappointed that our hotel no longer had a restaurant at all. I wanted to sit in the dining room/bar, where my parents once sipped Manhattans...

​But our hotel was within easy walking distance of Main Street and State Street, with lots of food options. We  wandered later that night and found some pizza and beer, which hit the spot. 

Seeing the old theaters lit up, brought back memories. I remember an organist performing before the movie started, at The Michigan. I remember cringing over "Jaws" at the State Theatre! 

Morning

On Friday morning, Don raced down to put money in the meter by 8:00. Then we headed through the lobby, to the area where our complimentary breakfast was waiting.

In 2004, this area had been the Escoffier restaurant. I actually found the brochure from our last stay and had a good time comparing! We didn't have a chance to dine in that dark and formal room 15 years ago. But in 2019 we enjoyed a little breakfast. The bright modern look was an odd, but refreshing contrast to the rest of the hotel. 

I wasn't hungry enough to sample all the hot and cold options, but I got the perfect amount for me. I was thrilled to grab a complimentary New York Times and the coffee was extra good. It was a nice end, to our easy stay.

What's Notable?
​

Herman died a few years ago, but his son and grandsons operate the well loved restaurant and hotel, today.

We parked and walked towards the entrance. I recognized the funny-shaped "W", that always reminded me of a devil's pitchfork.  
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2008 Renovations
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The entrance was sleek and welcoming, with stone, wood, brick and flowers. There was a small crowd, relaxing on the side patio. We rolled our bags through the front doors and suddenly laughed at ourselves. We had come through the restaurant's entrance and our suitcases looked a little out of place.

Hotel Entrance
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​We drove around to the other side, where we found the entrance to the hotel. I had no memory of it, since my family only came to Weber's to eat, back in the seventies. 

The hotel didn't exactly look 50 years old. It was built in 1969, to replace an older hotel owned by the Webers. Renovations and additions over the years, changed the look. But the funny W was still there!
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Check In
​

It was July 3, the day we checked in. The busy staff was friendly. We chatted a bit about Victor, the Elk... who is given a red nose and renamed Rudolph, every December.

Mid Century Modern?

I glanced around the hotel's interior. I have no idea how the decor looked when it was built, 50 years ago. The fairly recent renovation, looked clean and fresh.

The Mid Century Modern furniture and fixtures, fit the hotel's history pretty well.  But the MCM style is becoming so common these days, it hardly feels retro, anymore.

Snazzy Elevators
​

The elevators were kind of fun. There might be a story with those... but we were in a bit of a rush.

Room in the Older Section

We found our room at the end of the hall, near some diamond pane windows. I snapped a photo later, at night. I remember how those colorful diamonds glowed at night... back in 1975, when I was at Weber's last.  

4th Floor Room
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We dashed into our room to quickly change clothes for dinner. As I said, our overnight had more to do with our dining adventure. I didn't have time to grumble about our lack of view. (All we could see was a roof) I didn't even care that there was a bathroom towel sitting on the sill, soaking up moisture from the a.c. unit. Oh well.

I did like the modern touches here and there. The space age lamps and artwork... the large desk, decent TV and heavenly soft bed, were all good.

I loved the smooth modern, rattan chair in the corner. I cared less for the bathroom, which had not been updated. Some rooms in the hotel, did have spiffier bathrooms. But I didn't really care.

Off to Dinner!
​
In minutes we were dressed and on our way. We found the hall that connected to the restaurant... and there it was! This was what our Weber's stay was really about. I was geared up, to revisit my past! 

The swanky dining room had changed from the days when my family visited years ago. But the space with the vaulted ceiling, still had a festive feel. It was packed, when we entered. Not so much, when I took this photo, long after our meal. 

Reunion Time!

Don and I were hungry, but this wasn't really about the food. We were excited about our very special dinner dates that night. Lorie and her mom, Judy were already seated at a lovely table, with white linens, surrounded by a lively July 4th holiday, weekend crowd! A piano player entertained nearby and waiters rushed back and forth.

A stranger actually took this photo after we finished dinner. We were unable to get our waiter, to stop for more than a second to snap a photo of our table. But I couldn't let the evening end without a picture, to remember our fun gathering.

Feasting...

We sipped cocktails and feasted on delicious breads. Our meals arrived on classic plates. Maple Leaf Farms Duck, Amish Chicken... All good! We talked for 3 hours, without a pause.

We pondered the past, remembering when Lorie and I met in high school, 45 years ago. We fretted over the state of our country. We eagerly discussed a new jazz club. We moped over a few downtown. And we laughed over old prom memories... Our table felt like a comfy island. We hardly took notice of all the noise and activity that surrounded us.

Then, Dessert

We really needed no extra entertainment at our table. But at one point, I just had to pull out my old Ford Motor Cookbook, featuring Weber's Supper Club, in 1963. I showed the watercolor image and dessert recipe, to Lorie and Judy. We all laughed and then I made the mistake of trying to include the busy waiter, in our book amusement.

"Do you by any chance still serve Almond Rum Cream Pie?" I asked. Our waiter was busy, but I refused to take a hint. He really did not want to look at my cookbook, but I sort of insisted. I knew better. I am very aware that my cookbook totally delights some and bores others. He had to remind me he was busy.
​

I made a quick trip to wash my sticky hands in the restroom... and to inquire at the hostess station. "Is Mr. Weber here tonight?" Rats. The man I'd observed was not the owner. Herman Weber's son probably would have loved peeking at the old cookbook and sharing memories. Or maybe not.

Quiet and Cozy
​

By the time we had finished up, most of the diners were gone. Lorie pointed out some of the cozier dining areas where she and her mom meet for their weekly dinners. I've been wanting to join them here for years... and we finally did! We said our good byes and it all just felt so satisfying. What a perfect place to have our special reunion!

I remembered a couple special meals my family had enjoyed at Weber's, when I was a teen. When I spotted the round table in the corner, I remembered a dinner, where my father introduced his future wife. I can't say that was my best memory.

Now I have a " happy reunion" to add to my collection of Weber's memories.  

Heading Back

Don and I took our time, heading back to our room. 

We had a good old time looking at the photos on the Wall of Fame! So many curious guests have come to Weber's. Colonel Sanders, Leonard Bernstein, Louis Armstrong... Jimmy Durante. 

Another Wall Surprise
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I was pretty giddy, when I found a framed watercolor image on another wall. It was almost identical to the illustration in my cookbook. That was some good entertainment before heading to our room.

Morning
​

In the morning, we took our $15. food voucher to the dining room for breakfast. We had been given that voucher as a little perk, to make up for the fact the pool was closed for renovation.  

Coffee Bar 

I was impressed that the dining tables had linens, even in the morning. But, we decided to go for a faster breakfast, at the restaurant's bar.

We ordered cappuccinos and breakfast pastries and had the best time chatting with our young server, Megan. 

They were renovating the indoor pool space and I had to grin at the thought of how wildly modern, this atrium must have seemed in 1969. Back in the day, the pool view rooms, with their glass doors and spiral staircases, must have been extra exciting for the winter guests!

What's Notable?

As we headed off, I tried to decide what was notable about our stay. For me it was all about connections.

So glad we had a happy and notable night at Weber's!

Don and I have stayed at some wonderful historic hotels in Texas. We love the small town gems, with easy access and lots of history. This past June, we chose an historic, high rise hotel, in the midsize city of Lubbock. Easy and interesting!
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 Downtown
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​We arrived on a warm and windy, Saturday afternoon. The bricks on the street and the hotel, seemed to be absorbing the sunshine. 

The 11-story, Renaissance revival structure, is no longer the tallest building in the old downtown. But it was the most impressive. Impressive and quiet, for a Saturday.

This is how the lobby would have looked, 50 or more years ago. There were 142 guest rooms and lots of people to take care of those guests.

This is how the lobby looked, when we walked in on Saturday afternoon. There was no desk and no bellman. We knew that ahead of time, but it was still odd.

​ Lobby Seating
​

There was nice seating, in the modern space. But there were no people using the tables or velvety chairs. That's because most of the people who walk through this lobby, are coming to dine or drink. Others are heading up to their homes, since the building reopened with condos in 2012.

​Up We Go
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It felt strange to breeze through the lobby and head straight for the elevator. There were two. One was for the condo residents and the one with the vintage hotel image, was for hotel guests. We headed up.

Each room had a name and theme. Vineyard, Windmill, Cotton... Our Pioneer Room, had no covered wagon or bonnet decor. Instead it was filled with wonderful vintage photos of the Lubbock area. From the days it was called Pioneer Hotel?

We chose the cheapest of the rooms. There were 8 suites and 2 rooms, to choose from. Ours was cozy, with only 310 square feet. But it felt fresh and clean and was less than $100. 

​​I would suggest getting 2 slim tables and moving the queen bed into the center.

View?
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Luckily, our room was well equipped. There was a Keurig coffeemaker and a fridge and room sink. There were nice Poggesi bath products and even a toothbrush kit. There were extra pillows and linens. If we'd decided we were needing something, it would have been a little trickier, since there was no front desk to call.

Back Down
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By 4:30 the lobby was brighter. The sliding doors to the West Table Restaurant were open. The restaurant looked classy and comfortable.

Original Staircase
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It was fun imagining the downtown, before the businesses moved out towards shopping centers and malls. I wondered what the area looked like in 1975, when the old hotel building became a low income retirement center. Or in 1994, when the 11-story building was in disrepair and closed down for good.

Hungry and Thirsty
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By 5:00, Don and I were ready to make use of some of the food & drink options, in the building. The Coffee Shop was closed, but it looked like a pretty fun space.

The Brewery LBK
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Don loves a local brewery and this one was right off the lobby. The atmosphere was inviting, with some fun table games and dartboards. I helped Don sample a flight, but mostly I loved the complimentary popcorn.

We had a view out the door, of the patio area, with a pair of loose chihuahuas that had arrived on their own. The tiny dogs were cute, but not nearly as cute as the entire worried staff, that kept appearing from the kitchen in their aprons, fretting over the poor lost pups. The dogs' stressed owner, eventually arrived in her car and everyone quietly cheered.

Dinner?
​

We read some stellar reviews about the hotel's restaurant. But the menu was a little pricey and we weren't hungry enough to indulge.  We decided to head on down the street, to get something lighter.

Evening Light
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Just before crossing over to our hotel, I had to pause to admire the old brick in the alley. There was something a little unsettling about our wandering, but it's nice to know, this area is being rejuvenated. I'm so glad they have held onto the brick.

​The West Table Bar
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​It was fun to see how lively the restaurant, bar and brewery had become. Hungry now, Don and I took 2, of 4 stools at the bar, where "Cousin" and his amazing mustache, served us well!

Best of all, we enjoyed the good humored service of Cousin and his sidekick, Jameson, while they worked behind the bar. What a great team they were. I loved hearing stories about Cousin and his youth... the land he grew up on, changing from cotton to peanuts to vineyards. From Jameson we learned about Lubbock's dramatic weather. Specifically, a recent wall of dust, (known as haboob) that struck the town! What entertaining talk!

Morning
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We slept well in our cozy Pioneer Room. I rose early and headed out with my camera to take one more photo of the hotel. Besides the wind, which was still blowing, all was quiet, that Sunday morning... until I heard a voice yelling. I looked up to see a man staggering down the sidewalk. He was waving some kind of sign, as if it were a flag. 

I gulped and aimed myself towards the entrance. "Don't panic. Don't panic." I reminded myself that I needed to remain calm, or I would fumble with the code and not get the door open. (I know myself) I got safely inside and pulled the door behind me, before the creepy man got to the corner. Whew.

Off We Go
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Don and I packed up and headed out by 8:30. It was quiet in the lobby, as expected. There was no one to ask about our stay. No key to hand over. We drove out of town, through the Depot District, down Buddy Holly Avenue. All was quiet and empty. I wish we'd found this area, the night before.

What's Notable?
​

From The Plaza, we drove a mile to the once busy Railroad District, to peek at the next project. I took this photo before renovation had begun. The once grand, hotel was overdue for a redo. It had been sitting mostly vacant, for 70 years!

Las Vegas in 2019

We caught a glimpse of the trackside hotel, coming into Las Vegas. Don and I were feeling extra lucky that we'd been able to book one of the few, newly renovated rooms. The hotel had only been open a couple weeks.

One Hundred and Twenty-One Years Old
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On that June afternoon, we arrived and parked right in front of the old Mission Revival style building. There wasn't a chainlink fence this time. A ramp and new windows had been added. The arched lettering looked the same. I was glad.

Checking In
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The lobby was open and bright and the staff was welcoming.

Fresh paint and polished wood, made the sitting areas inviting. I especially liked the cluster of Mission style chairs, near the tall bookcase. I should have spent a little more  time in that corner.

Our Host, Sean
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We recognized Sean, in his vintage vest and bowtie. He had been our host 2 years ago at the Plaza Hotel. He'd been helpful answering questions then and he was equally knowledgable about the Castaneda.

The Ballroom
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Renovation of the old ballroom was still underway. Sean gave us a fun tour of the large space. He was full of information and enthusiasm, showing us the old steam table that will be used again, when the restaurant opens.

The freshly painted walls, white woodwork, molded ceiling and fixtures, were pretty much ready. The original Terrazzo floors, just needed a quick shine!

Heading Up
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After getting our key, we headed up to the second floor guest rooms.

I of course had to pause for the view. I headed on up, wondering about all the guests who have once stayed.

Sleeping at a Harvey House Hotel
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Fred Harvey's hospitality empire included restaurants, hotels, gift shops and touring cars.  Castaneda was Harvey's first trackside hotel.

In 1898, there were 40 guest rooms on the second floor of the hotel. 

Did Teddy Sleep Here?
​

Theodore Roosevelt is Castaneda's most famous guest. He held his first Rough Riders Reunion here. ​

It was too peaceful on the second floor landing, to imagine those rough and rowdy guests! But maybe they just celebrated here. I also heard they stayed at The Plaza Hotel. History is confusing.

20 Rooms

Today guests have twice as much space in their guest rooms, than when those first train traveling guests stayed. During this past year, each room was enlarged and bathrooms were added.

Eventually all the glass transoms will have painted animal designs. We didn't stay in the "Owl Room", but I loved the colorful, stained glass look.

Owner and artist, Tina Mion had not yet painted a squirrel on our transom, but our room had other painted accents.

The queen headboards were painted black, with southwestern designs. The bedside lamps were equally impressive. They looked like they probably served some kind of beverage at one time!

Big Windows 
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I loved having windows, that we could actually open up, to let in the fresh air. 

We had a view of the old station and the train tracks behind. Luckily the trains weren't frequent enough to bother us.

Furniture
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There was lots of space, for the large antique pieces. The vanity in the room wasn't exactly an antique, but it was pretty handy.

Spacious Bath

​We were happy to have an attached bathroom, since guests once shared baths, down the hall. 

The shower setup was interesting, behind sort of a partition. We evidently got the accessible room, which made the bathroom nearly too large. Not exactly something to complain about!

Happy Hour
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The hotel's restaurant may have been under construction, but the Castaneda Bar was open for the evening.

Old Mural

​The mural above the bar, was one of the surprises that came with restoration. Evidently, no one knew the mural was hiding under layers of plaster, until work began.

We were told that this room with the mural, had once been a dive bar, called Nasty Casty, owned by a woman who lived upstairs. The roof was so worn that the snow used to come through the ceiling. There's a chilly thought.

Dining Counter
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Don and I took a seat at the bar, which had once been the dining counter. There were no more Harvey Girl servers in black and white uniforms, but our bartender, Andrew, was much more entertaining. His double handed martini shaking skills were amazing.

Besides shaking, Andrew also had a talent for making beautiful drinks that tasted quite good!

Chatting with Locals and Travelers

Sometimes when traveling, we hit the jackpot for people encounters. We couldn't have asked for nicer people, that evening. A middle-aged, cowboy-hat-wearing man from Gallup, sat next to Don. He and his wife were delightful. They were headed to Grinnell, Iowa, for a Quaker Conference. That was a fun connection, since I grew up in Grinnell.

Next to me was Jose, a friendly local, who talked about growing up in Las Vegas and selling newspapers and shining shoes, at the train station next door. I loved hearing his stories about being an extra in movies, that were filmed in Las Vegas. I need to watch Crazy Heart again and look for him!

Dinner
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Luckily, Castaneda had food truck dining options. We were able to get a delicious chicken sandwich and onion rings, served to us on the porch... which was a little more crowded at night, than in the morning, when I took this photo.

Quiet Night
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We slept well in our hotel, by the tracks. If there were trains, I didn't hear them. The old Railroad Avenue Historic District was also quiet. Things might be different in years ahead, if the hotel triggers more renovation. This could become a hopping area!

Morning
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It was such a treat to be one of the few guests and step out to enjoy the early morning light on the porch.

View From the Tracks
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​Don and I were able to walk out by the tracks to get a view of the whole building. The hotel actually faces the tracks, not the street.

I love a road trip, but it's a shame that auto travel took the focus away from train travel and railroad districts. Castaneda was forced to close in 1948.

Progress
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From our side of the u-shaped veranda, I peeked across the courtyard at the work, still in progress.

I am so thrilled that we didn't have to wait until all work was complete, to stay at the hotel. I liked seeing the wheelbarrows, stacks of brick and tools propped against the tree. I liked seeing the boards on the porch and the huge freezer, waiting for a home.

Seeing a line up of pastel bathtubs made me grin. I wonder if they will be refurbished and put back in some of the rooms?

Bricks
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Sean had told us about the hard work that went into making the porch, wheelchair accessible. When rebuilding the brick floor, they made sure to show off those vintage materials, with their printed words, facing up! It was fun to spot a few... Trinidad and Coffeyville!

Coffee and Books and Photo-time

After roaming a bit, Don and I settled down with some coffee and some history books, featuring  the Harvey Girls.

We had some fun, reading and posing for photos and waiting for trains. We didn't see one that morning, but we had fun planning a future Amtrak trip between Winslow and Las Vegas!

Railroad Avenue

​Before heading up to pack, we took some time to enjoy the street side of the hotel. 

Earlier I had noticed the beautiful Rawlings Building with its pressed tin front. The building had once housed the Harvey Girls who worked at our hotel. What a good sign, that it's now being restored.


Excitement on Railroad Avenue

By 11 a.m. the quiet street became a little more lively. We could hear the rumble of motors first, then voices and laughter. We stepped out in time to see about 10 nifty cars, lining up and slowly moving down the road. They were headed for Plaza Park, for some kind of festival. What a hoot! We stood and watched, our own little parade!

Off We Go
​

It's also a big deal, that we got to experience a little of the restoration in progress. I will fondly remember the fresh paint AND wheelbarrows. I will also remember feeling satisfied, just enjoying the property. Although there is plenty to explore in and around the historic town, we stayed put and enjoyed the history of our hotel!

​Teller County Hospital

​This is the photo I took when we discovered the hotel in 1985. We were eager about the idea of a staying overnight, in an 84 year old building. We were even more excited that the building had originally housed a hospital, that treated the local miners from the last Colorado Gold Boom. We hiked up that long set of stairs, to learn more.

Earlier that day, we had toured an old gold mine. Our guide was a retired miner who was missing a finger, from a mining accident. He shared some interesting stories about the thousands of of men, who had worked in the dangerous mines, in the late 1800's. 

We had a giddy time exploring. Like most old hotels, there were antiques. But there were also antique wheelchairs and operating tables and even a bedpan or too. Scary? No, just fun. I have fond memories and for decades I hoped to return.

2013

​On a road trip 6 years ago, I noticed Cripple Creek on the map. Don and I took a detour and dropped by to see if the hotel was still open. 

I was pretty delighted to see the old building, which was by then 113 years old. I had totally forgotten the RV park on the property. I barely remembered the retro seesaw and monkey bars in front. I snapped some photos and once again hiked the stairs, before grabbing  a brochure, for a future stay.

Six Years Later
​

This year, Don and I planned another Colorado road trip and we made sure to book a night at the Hospitality House. When we arrived on a beautiful day in early June, it took me a moment to figure out what was wrong.

What's Missing?

​That crazy staircase was gone! Where was that exhausting display of steps, that made me picture doctors and nurses climbing and gasping for breath... before they treated their patients! Of course, locals would have been used to the 9,494 elevation. Not me!

When I look at these now and then images, I just have to wonder why on earth they ever had all those stairs in front? Later when I spotted a photo from 1902, I wondered again about the ever-changing stairs. 117 years ago, there was a totally different, arched, double staircase, leading up to the entrance. 

Porches
​

When we arrived this past June, I was glad I had a past photo to help untangle my memories. It was fun to study the changed exterior. The lack of stairs seemed to put the focus on the wonderful porches. 

Lobby
​

There was no climbing to reach the lobby this time. We passed some colorful hummingbird feeders and walked through a large sun porch to the first floor lobby. Right away we were greeted by one of the owners. Rick was very amused to hear that we'd stayed so many years ago. 

Questions for Rick

The stories have been preserved as well. Rick gave me a 15-page write up, of the hospital's history. He laughed that it might be more than I wanted to know, but I was totally entertained!

A Cripple Creek Native
​

Don and I also had some fun talking with Gary Lou, when she came on duty. Gary Lou was surprised to learn that we had been guests, 5 years before she began working at the hotel. She was born in Cripple Creek, possibly around the same year I was born in Indiana. I wonder if they had any paved roads in Cripple Creek, when she was born? There was only one in 1985.

It was especially interesting to read more about "Doc" later. I learned that he had come to town in 1922, to find work as a miner. When he learned about the need for additional physicians, (40+ doctors wasn't enough) he took a 2-year medical course and began treating local patients. By 1942, the boom was long over and Dr. Denham was the only doctor in the county. He continued to practice (often supporting the hospital, with his own funds) until his death in 1984.

Exploring and Learning

My blog rambles a bit, but it's sometimes hard not to share the fun tidbits we learn with our stays. Our most notable nights, usually involve an enthused "people encounter" and Rick was just that. He did not bombard us with history. He only shared, when we showed sincere interest!     

Rick pointed out a downstairs guest room, with a thought provoking history. The large guest room is now called the Outpatient Room. Rick said it had initially been a dorm-like space for men, who earned their keep by helping out at the hospital. The facility really had two purposes, when it opened in 1902. It was known as the "Teller County Poorhouse and Hospital".  Lots to think about with that.

I was eager to head up to the floor, where patients once stayed and operations occurred. I remembered the staircase well... extra wide, to accommodate gurneys and stretchers.

Wallpaper and Transoms 

I recognized the wallpaper from my old photos. The transoms looked different. Rick said the plain glass was replaced with stained glass designs, to block the intrusion of hall light at night. That was appreciated!

New and Old
​

I loved seeing the old radiator and the rocker, with lion heads. The wooden wheelchair looked familiar, but it was now roped off... so no playing, like 34 years ago.

The carpet had been replaced. I'm all for authenticity... but new carpet is nice!

I spotted an old doctor's bag and wondered who once carried it. Was the bag owner a doctor, who practiced in 1902... when 14-year-old, Roy Bourquin was rushed to Teller Hospital, after blowing off his hands, while playing with explosive powder? 

Hopefully Roy's ghost was not wandering these hallways. Roy eventually became a resident at Teller Hospital, in the Poorhouse, I assume. He continued to cause serious problems with his love of dynamite, despite the fact he had no hands. He lived at the facility, until a more serious action sent him to prison, in 1922.  

Operating!
​

Don and I were mighty pleased that we were able to grab the Operating Room for our overnight! Some might shy away from the room's history, but we grinned with anticipation as we headed towards the door. Luckily I didn't know the story of Roy, when we walked in. I didn't picture the young pyromaniac being treated in our room... until right now. Yikes!

As Remembered

​The room looked as clean as an operating room should be. I remembered peeking in this room years ago, but I didn't notice the odd doorway to the bath, until this time.

Our bathroom had once been the Scrub Room. My photo shows how the brown woodwork, is within a larger (white) frame. After the medical staff scrubbed up, they they would head through the large opening, to the Operating Room... I guess.

Our Own Scrub Room!
​

Bathing in the Scrub Room might not thrill all guests. But there are many options for others, who don't like to be reminded of the hotel's odd history. But, I loved our scrub room! Look at the old transom, hiding behind the toilet and shower. That was the room's other entrance, from the hall.

The original marble sinks and floor tile were impressive. The brass buttons on the floor didn't function, but I had fun imagining the physicians and nurses, working them with their feet.

Updated Just Enough
​

Our cozy room had been updated just a bit, since I peeked in 6 years before. There were new window treatments and the queen bed had new bedding.

Our room wasn't huge, but there was enough space on both sides of the bed, for a table and lamp, a chair and even a radiator. I'm always thrilled when Don and I get our own lamps and tables in old hotels. 

Three tall windows and the bright white tile, made the room seem even larger than it was. In fact, our room seemed much better suited for relaxing, than for operating.

Time For Fun
​

This time, we respected the protective rope, for our photo op. Don didn't have nearly as much fun posing, without Chris. 

Maternity Time
​

Years ago, I stuffed a pillow under my sweatshirt, when we stayed in the Maternity Room. This time, we didn't have a third to take our photo and I was too old to play "Mommy".  I popped a nurse hat on and cradled the pillow, instead.

​Cripple Creek Donkeys!
​

I was surprised to know that a local club has cared for the donkeys since the 1930's. I never spotted any critters on our past visits. We wondered how the residents feel about these critters. Rick assured me that the donkeys came first. "If you don't like donkeys in your yard, you're encouraged to build a fence." I love that.

The cutest donkey moment, was when two seemed to snuggle up, in the middle of the street. I told Rick later and he told us the donkeys often hang out with their favorite buddies. That made me a little sad, when I noticed the third donkey in this photo. He needs a buddy.

Solarium Happy Hour
​

Gary Lou gave us some ice and Don made a couple martinis... although they look like glasses of water in this photo. Hmmm? We made a toast to the donkeys!

There were other guests, but we had the wonderful glassed in porch to ourselves. We spotted the actual wheelchair from our photo, 34 years ago. We were told later that the operating table (holding the baby scale) had actually been used for surgeries, in our room.

We didn't get around to checkers, but we loved lounging with our view through the glass. As the wind picked up, the surrounding trees became very entertaining. I could have sat there forever, but we needed to get some dinner. 

Rick recommended a restaurant called, Maggie's. We walked about a mile to town and ate in the basement restaurant, which had once been the town morgue. The food was quite good and gave us energy for the uphill hike back to the hotel. As we headed up the hill towards the glowing, brick building, we were glad we were able to return... unlike some of the patients who ended up at the morgue, after their stay at Teller County Hospital...

​Morning
​

Don and I slept well in the Operating Room. In the morning, we scrubbed up well and headed to the "kitchen" for our complimentary breakfast snack. 

There were a couple of old stoves and an antique table, holding some decent breakfast options. We chatted with Rick one more time before heading off. He laughed at the photos I shared from our visit years ago. He gave us some great suggestions for a scenic drive to the nearby town of Victor and some old mines. We were off, in great spirits!

​What's Notable?
​

This time around was even better. (Except that Chris wasn't with us!) Don and I may be old geezers now, but we felt as giddy as we did in 1985. We had a hoot of a good time,  rediscovering all the delights of the hotel.

​While we enjoyed all the whacky medical stuff, we also appreciated learning about the history and the renovation.. and preservation. Thanks so much to Rick and Gary Lou for helping with that. This was not just an oddball overnight stay in a hospital building. We learned about its connection to the town and the people. 

We left happy! We won't wait 34 years to return, this time!

Don and I spotted this Victorian beauty when visiting Ouray, in 2013. It looked pretty grand on the outside, with the San Juan Mountains in the background. We could see how it got its nickname, way over 100 years ago.

​A Peek Inside
​

On that summer day, we stepped inside to have a look around. The hotel had recently undergone major renovations. The lobby, with its split staircase, looked pretty swanky. Swanky at least, for a town of only about 1,000.

This past June, Don and I had our chance to be guests at the Beaumont Hotel & Spa. Neither of us cared about the spa features of the hotel. I was mostly eager to know that our second visit to Ouray, would involve a hotel room... with a bathroom and no bullet holes.

Quiet Lobby
​
​We arrived at 3 and found no one at the lobby desk, but a sign told us to use the antique phone, for assistance.

A young voice answered politely and soon we heard her steps trotting down from the 3rd floor. The young woman welcomed us with much enthusiasm and got us checked in.

Posing Like Newlyweds
​

Our very enthused host saw me trying to photograph the staircase and offered to take our picture. She teased us into posing like many of the bridal couples, who have celebrated weddings at the hotel. Our western attire wasn't exactly suited for the photo shoot.

3-Stories
​
My eyes kept wandering upward, as we chatted at the desk. The afternoon sun through the skylight, made the lobby extra dramatic.

Later, when we climbed the stairs towards the skylight, I found my favorite view. Looking over the railing on the 3rd floor, I took in all the shapes and patterns and angles... above, across and below. Altogether, the wallpaper, railings and woodwork created a fun design!

Below 
​

Looking down, I was glad we weren't traveling with small kids who like to climb, or drop things.  Actually small kids aren't allowed at the hotel. So I guess that's never an issue.

Third Floor
​

Our host took us to our third floor room. We rolled our bags past some lovely doors and a stack of vintage trunks. Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover were once guests at the hotel. That was back in the day, when people traveled with steamer trunks.

Wallpaper
​

I recognized the intricate wallpaper from our first visit. I recall some stories about the renovation challenges and the difficulties of matching the original wallpaper patterns. I couldn't decide which was my favorite.

Next to The Dragonfly Suite
​

Each of the 12 rooms had a name plaque. I liked the name of the room next to ours. "Dragonfly" We were told Oprah once stayed in that room.

​Sarah
​

In our usual style, we booked one of the cheaper rooms. Our room named Sarah, didn't look a bit cheap. I would rather have a queen with 2 nightstands than a king, without. There were certainly no bullet holes in the Sarah!
​
Tiny Bubbles
​

Our 4 windows were decorated with elegant drapes, pulled open with equally deluxe (and festive) hardware. The windows gave us a good peek at the hotel's garden, below.

Rich and Cozy
​

Victorian is not always the most comfortable of styles, but we had no complaints. Our pretty little room had all that was needed from desk to ceiling fan, to fridge, microwave, Keurig coffeemaker and TV.

Bath
​

Our marble vanity held 2 sinks, which is a treat in an old hotel. The nightlight was handy and so were the small towels in the box beneath the sink. "Rags... For your dirty work"

After returning from dinner, we decided to make some coffee and chow down on the cookies we'd bought earlier. While the coffee brewed, we discovered the robes. They worked like giant bibs for all those giant cookie crumbs!

Hotel Changes
​

We were sad to learn that the hotel no longer had a restaurant and bar.  However, our building housed a bookstore and sometimes books can be every bit as exciting as food.  

Morning
​

In the morning, we enjoyed a complimentary breakfast in an area that was connected to the book shop. 

I sipped my coffee near the old fireplace, waiting for the book store to open at 10.

Garden Courtyard

​I'm guessing the breakfast room must have been where the restaurant was in 2013. Many years ago, the same space was a movie theatre.

From the breakfast room, there was another door, (near the stove that held the toaster) that led to the hotel's garden. What a sweet little mountain view, between the buildings!

Little Switzerland

The Beaumont may no longer have its own dining options, but there were so many options nearby. Ouray felt like an extension of our hotel. We could head right out the door and explore the little mountain town on foot.

We enjoyed the view from the rooftop lounge, at Ouray Brewery and we dined at the Outlaw Restaurant. If we'd been just a little braver, we could have mingled with the locals at the nearby Elk's Lodge. It was Bingo Night and the sign said, "All Welcome!"

What's Notable?
​

It's also hard to believe that our meticulously restored hotel, showed no signs of it's troubled years. There were no hints of the pink paint that covered it, when it sat vacant. I'm so grateful that the Beaumont was rescued... so that we could be guests in 2019! 

On page 215, I found Redstone Lodge, with a recipe for Mock Cheese Cake and an illustration that looked like a Walt Disney created fairytale setting. I checked the internet and the hotel was still in operation! We decided to stop for breakfast.

June 2017
​

The hotel didn't exactly match the exaggerated book illustration, but it was festive with flags and flowers. 

Not Always a Hotel

The building was completed in 1902, but not as a lodge or inn. The structure was built to provide housing for bachelor miners, who worked for John C. Osgood's Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. Pretty ritzy, for miners who were often used to living in shacks.

​Clock Tower
​

The hotel lobby was neat and quiet, that June morning. The woman at the desk was pleasant. She steered us towards the bar/grill.

Old Dining Room
​

I was disappointed that the main dining room was closed, since this was probably the place where Mock Cheese Cake was once served.  

Dining in Back
​

We were actually better dressed for the bar and grill. We settled in with our menus and coffee. While waiting for our omelets and bagels, I studied the space trying to determine whether it was a new addition. I always prefer old.

It looked like at least part of the dining area was the original building. One of the servers said the round window had been there since 1902. It looked like a glowing, circular painting. 

Bright
​

There was a screen door and there were lots of windows, to enjoy the surrounding pine trees and gardens and sunshine. Best of all, our young server was excited to see the cookbook with the spotlight on Redstone. "We don't even serve cheesecake at all!" She laughed as she studied the watercolor image and recipe. Usually young people don't really get it, when we share the cookbook.

June 2019​

I reworded my question twice but couldn't get a real answer. I sensed there were no other guests on our floor, but she seemed to enjoy withholding the information. "Oh there are just a few." She said at first. I said I would be more comfortable, if I knew how many people I might be sharing towels and soaps with. "Oh... there really shouldn't be a problem." That answer was a little vague for me. 

Morning
​

In the morning, (after rushing more than usual in the shower) I was pleased to come down the stairs and see a new smiling face at the desk. I asked my I'm just curious question, and she answered with an enthused voice. "Oh, you were our only guests on the third floor last night! You had it all to yourselves!" Grrrr! I would have enjoyed my shower more...

Our Clock Tower Room

But our sweet little room was just fine.

When we first opened the door to our square, cozy space, I grinned. I loved the idea of sleeping beneath the big clock. We also had a clock on the wall, but it was the tower clock that I heard late at night, when all was quiet. The soothing tic-tocking sound, helped me drift off to sleep. 

Windows
​

There were two sets of windows, with oddly tied curtains. The window shapes were fun and the view was even funner.  

The lush landscape beyond was lovely, but I was intrigued by the roofline, with all the dormer windows. 

Our tower room was a little tight, but the high ceilings made it feel less cramped. We had a desk and even a TV. The closet held a fan and a portable heater. I was very curious about the ladder in the closet, that obviously led up to the clock. But the trapdoor was locked.

Exploring
​

Since we couldn't explore the upper tower and examine the clock, we took off to explore the grounds. The swimming pool was closed for renovation. That worked for us, since we hadn't planned on swimming... and the hotel offered a $25. food voucher to compensate.

Lounging Area
​

The area between the lobby and dining room was charming, with leather sofas, chessboard and a great fireplace... if only it had been colder. But the lights were off and I didn't wanted to ask the desk woman, who seemed cranky. Maybe she was just having a bad day.

​Library
​

There was a brighter area on the other side of the lobby that looked more welcoming. There were books and there was another great fireplace... if it had been colder.

Balcony with a View
​

Don and I wandered outside and noticed the outdoor sitting areas on the first and second floor. No one seemed to be making proper use of these wonderful lounging areas, so we searched for an entrance to the second floor veranda. It was through a little sitting room, in the tower, beneath our room.

Cheers
​

We had to dust the pollen (or something) off the chairs before sitting. But once we were seated in our wicker, we had a lovely mountain view. We made a toast, while the Nikon's auto-timer beeped away.

Dinner
​

We were again disappointed that the main dining room was closed. It was summer, but still only open on weekends.  Luckily the grill was open again, since the Redstone community is very isolated, with no other dining options that night.

Relaxing in the Bar & Grill
​

If you love horses, this image is a little disturbing. But I was drawn right away to the fluid style of all the artist's work that was displayed in the hotel. 

While we talked about the art, our artistic meals arrived. The phyllo & elk appetizer and enchiladas were as tasty as they looked.

Sleeping in the Tower

We grabbed complimentary hotel coffee and some food from the car and headed for a marble table, beside the Crystal River. After our breakfast picnic, we peeked across the highway to see the old coking ovens that were part of Mr. Osgood's mining company. 

Planned Company Town
​

We wandered down the only road in town, to see a few homes and shops that are left from Osgood's old company town. In the early 1900's, the miners who had families, lived in the cottages, just down the road from the dormitories (now hotel) that held the unmarried miners.  About 130 residents live in the area, today.

What's Notable?

​We slept in the same Tudor Revival style building, where miners once slept. That's pretty notable right there. 

It's hard to picture this place abandoned and in disrepair, after the mines closed in 1909. Much of the town was dismantled or demolished, but luckily the old dormitory was turned into a lodge in the 1950's. Selfishly, I'm glad the inn didn't have a grand, resort feel. It was nice having much of the place to ourselves. But I so hope others will come and enjoy, to help preserve this hotel and community. Sweet little place!

Don and I pulled up to the corner of 13th and Spruce, on Sunday afternoon. We lucked into free street parking and headed for the entrance.

​Since 1909

The 110 year old building was impressive. You've got to love the combined Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival styles. I did, even if I'm not exactly sure what that means!

I'll bet the folks who attended the 1908 opening gala on New Year's Eve, were impressed. Then again, they might have been too busy socializing, like the crowd enjoying the Corner Bar.

Check In
​

The inside was actually more stunning than the outside. We had a quick and easy check in, at a newer reception area. (not pictured) Then we headed into the spacious  open court area.

How to Capture?
​

The open court lobby was impossible to capture in one photo. My picture shows off the stained glass, canopy ceiling and the spectacular stairway... that Don and I climbed many times!

Posing
​

Don and I didn't manage to pull off any posing photos on the stairs, but these folks did.

Otis Elevator
​

 
Room 500
​

Staying at the Boulderado was a splurge for us. We booked the cheapest, historic room we could get. But when we approached our door in the north corner of the top floor, Don and I grinned. It was right at the top of the grand stairs and it had its own mini hall. Sometimes we just luck out.

I Love Corner Rooms
​

What a fabulous surprise to open the door to our lovely corner room. We had 6 windows, plus another in the bathroom. Later, when I looked up from the street, I could spot our room easily. The top vines looked like they were pointing 2 fingers at us!

I opened a side window and looked out. I could see the brown trim and the half pillars!

The bathroom was charming with its dresser-vanity and pleasant smelling Aveda products. The window had a pretty view, of  a church and mountains.

Lounging 
​
Don and I didn't have a need for the desk, but we made good use of the marble sink, refrigerator and coffee maker, in the corner. 

We also made use of the sitting area and enjoyed a little snacking. It was nice to take in the Victorian decor... without the vintage smells, that usually come with older hotels. 

Back to the Lobby
​

There were lots of decent sitting areas in the lobby. Bonus points for that. I wondered about the famous people who have enjoyed these areas. Louis Armstrong, Clarence Darrow and Helen Keller are some of the famous, past guests.

I found a number of unusual chairs. I would love to know the story behind the wooden chairs near the fireplace. I found no info, but they made me think of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Keeping Time and Making Calls
​

I loved these reminders of the past. The classic grandfather clock and marble column, framed the 2 phones quite well!

Hmmm?
​

There were other things we noticed while wandering, that were less worrisome. I had to grin when I noticed the fire extinguishers below the mirror, where you might expect to see some canes or umbrellas. The water fountain was quite a fun feature. I can't believe I didn't attempt a drink, of Pure Cold Water!

Happy Hour Time
​

Don and I were especially excited to share a little of our Boulderado experience with our nephew and wife, who live in Boulder. We met them in the lobby at 4 and headed for the Corner Bar. It was actually crowded, unlike my photo. So we headed to the patio.

Perfect!
​

It was pretty fabulous sitting outside, catching up over drinks. The air was perfect and the crowds were just lively enough. We had a good table for people watching. There was lots of activity since we were in the heart of downtown, just a block from Pearl Street.

Continuing the Fun
​

Andy and Casey picked a delicious Nepali restaurant, a few blocks away for dinner. When we returned to the hotel, it was time to have another peek at the bar in the basement.

License No. 1 Liquor Bar
​
​There were no passwords needed, but there was definitely a speakeasy feel, to bar in the basement. Luckily I had taken some photos earlier. The bar was hopping at 8 pm and my flash would have been obnoxious.

The basement was a maze of cozy rooms. Each one was different. I liked the shoeshine throne, in this one.

Serving Since 1909

Evidently this bar has one of the oldest liquor licenses in Boulder. The sign at the door announced, "Serving since 1909... Legally since 1969" 

It was easy to picture a little alcohol being served down here, during prohibition. 

It was a totally different experience exploring at 8:30 when the rooms were buzzing with guests. 

Don and I were dressed and back down to the hotel's Spruce Farm & Fish Restaurant, to make use of our food voucher.

We sat in a sunny, enclosed area that had once been the hotel's porch. Don's omelet with bacon and goat cheese was pretty scrumptious. I ordered fresh fruit, knowing that's often a risky order. I was pleasantly surprised with every mouthwatering bite.  

What's Notable?
​

Soda Creek Road

​We arrived in Idaho Springs on a cool morning. We drove through the cute little town and turned onto Soda Creek Road. 

We'd been warned about the congestion and road work. At least the dusty, dirt road was quiet, before 9 on a Saturday.

Historic Site

We parked near the sign and briefly studied the rambling building. We could see the  enclosed dome at the end. I was reminded of a few comical, Holidome experiences in my youth.​

Don and I always appreciate a little history with our overnights and the hot springs history goes way back. Long before the Westward Expansion, these healing spring waters were discovered by Native Americans.

​Center Section

We crossed the walkway, to the entrance. The center section of the complex was built in 1869, as a bath house.  Now it holds the lobby.

The lobby was quiet at 8:45 am, but the staff behind the big corner counter rushed around like they were expecting weekend crowds. Hours later, we would see day guests lined up, between the black poles.

Waiting for Friends

Don and I studied the wall decor while we waited for Martha and Bill to arrive from Denver. 

We had a 5-minute history lesson, as we studied the old photos. I loved seeing the black and white image of Indian Springs in 1915, after construction was completed.

 

Showing Us Around!
​

Martha and Bill arrived at 9. Martha and I did some squealing and gabbing in the parking lot, then we 4 headed for the stairs. Martha kept pointing to different things and gasping. Her last visit was years ago and the place had changed. We headed down the stairs towards the locker rooms.
​
Women's Locker Room

The air in the locker room felt warm and steamy. Luckily there were no sulphur smells! 

Martha laughed to see how spiffed up the decor was, compared to her last visit many years ago. 

Tiki Bar?

The air became more moist and tropical as we headed towards the "translucent dome".  We paused to look at the old gazebo, which was actually built, in 1869.

Don asked an employee if the gazebo had ever been a tiki bar. The man nodded and laughed and hinted at the wilder days, when there were fewer rules at the lodge. Alcohol is not allowed today, although one employee winked and reminded us that he wouldn't know what we had in our thermal mugs. 

The Pool

The pool had just opened when we arrived. We were glad to get in before the indoor paradise filled with families and floaty toys. 

Posing With Props
​

Before soaking in the therapeutic waters, I insisted we do a little posing with our Hawaiian leis! Then, I let Martha show me how to "take the waters" as they say in Spa Speak. Martha has a dramatic flair with everything she does!

We soaked and gabbed until we were only slightly prune-y. Then we wandered a bit, studying the flowers and palms and banana trees. The humongous rubber tree plant was over 130 years old. Bill said he'd never seen one that big... even in Vietnam.

Important Signs
​

On our way out of the pool area, we took some time to read the rules that we'd missed earlier. There were no signs telling us to whisper, like we'd seen at a recent Hot Springs Hotel in New Mexico. In fact our Indian Springs experience had little in common with the NM Hot Springs experience... except hot water.

Quick Tour
​

Before heading off to town for a bite of lunch, Martha showed us around, pointing out things she remembered. She was impressed with some of the renovations and disappointed to learn of some changes. The lodge no longer has a restaurant or a bar. And in the evening, they no longer have live music. 

The Historic Main Resort

However, I read that the Vanderbilts and Roosevelts were guests at one time. Clint Eastwood is the only still-living celebrity guest, I saw mentioned. He probably was not as demanding as those wealthy guests from the east, but I'm not sure he would have put up with our lumpy mattress and 3 flat pillows. It was sort of comical.

Fine For a Night
​

Don and I did chuckle a little at our accommodations. For $128. we had a half bath only. We may not have had luxurious robes, but we did have free all-day use of the soaking pool, on the days we checked in and out. 

Open Windows

We were given a room facing the steep hill behind. Much better than the parking lot!

There was no a.c. and no need for one. However, the room was a little stuffy and we wanted some of that mountain air. Luckily, someone left a rock on the windowsill, which came in handy for window propping. The bathroom window was better. I love open windows.

Easy Walk
 

It was kind of crazy that we couldn't even buy a cup of coffee at the hotel. But luckily the walk to town was easy... at least on a construction free weekend. We ate at The Buffalo, in the evening and I had a pleasant jog through town, the next morning. 

What's This?
​

I grabbed my things and headed to a different area of the basement,where two caves were carved out of the rock, 100+ years ago. I didn't dare use my flash when I snuck a photo in the eerie, "gender specific, clothing optional" soaking cave! I was too hot for the 104-112 temps, anyway. I just grabbed a shower and then Don and I hit the road.

What's Notable?
​