I think our MudGather was this, in a sort of tryout. I have been thinking about it a lot... only not as a B&B, which is too uppity for us and I think for folkies... but a sort of always-there hostel... as people are passing through on their way to festivals maybe. We are not as far off the beaten track as I thought, in fact... I saw directions in a recent thread, I think to FSGW from Toronto, that pass within minutes of our door. And Seamus Kennedy goes by regularly too.

Also I think if we stay here much longer, we are destined to operate as a sort of laissez-faire retreat center. A place to replan one;s life, strategize next steps in a career change, recover from an awful job, write some tuners or stories... fish.... wander backroads.... count fireflies... tip a cow or two.... I know many who came to the MudGather got more than the music out of their time with us... we envisioned a retreat capability when we moved into this house, which is much as you describe, and more so as time goes on.

I don't want money for visits tho... just more company, more tunes, and more self-sufficient folks who make up their own beds and leave us laughing and ready for more.

Camp up in the Adirondacks is set up in a nice way, so that as each person leaves, they clean it and remake the beds for the next guest. On Leaving Day, you change the beds and sweep and swab, and then drive your linens and recyclables down the hill to the laundromat, and as the linens (including copious towels) dry, you mosey over to the grocery to get a fresh supply of canned goods.

These you cart back to Camp with the folded linens and put them away.... all the directions for this, BTW, are printed and posted at Camp, and kept by the Guestbook where you canm make suggestions and say what the visit meant to you. It's really something-- to look back on your own last visit, when you go. You leave the key where you found it...

When the next guest comes, tired and burned out, and so weary, their bed is made, a couple days' food and fresh spring water is there, towels are hung ready to use.... always plenty of shampoo... all you do is unlock, and collapse, and let the breeze blow through the dogtrot porch, and your mind.

That's how I want my house to be.

As a first step, previous visitors will be glad to know, the CATPEE RUGS are ALL GONE now.

Y'all come back.

~S~