The question I am most often asked is “how did a Yankee Ph.D. from Baltimore end up running a motorcycle only inn in Leakey, Texas?” The answer is a simple one “I am living a childhood dream!” But the story isn’t so simple. When I was a teenager I either read about or saw a TV program about someone running a bed and breakfast. Most likely I read something because I was an avid reader and watched very little TV. For 30 some years I romanticized about owning and running a small hotel or B&B.
In 2002, I found myself in one of those dreaded positions that most corporate people fear, you work so hard to achieve one’s goals, get the perfect position, then find out the company has been sold. As Director of Customer Relations, I wore many hats: trouble shooter, problem solver, contract negotiator, proposal manager, trainer, team leader, internal liaison between organizations, if it had to do with customer relations, I did it! And I was thrilled to have what I thought was the perfect position. Then I received that life changing call (yep, mine was a phone call, not even a face-to-face meeting!) informing me my services were no longer required.
After hearing many companies tell me I was “overqualified,” “would love to have you on our team, but can’t afford you,” “we are downsizing,” and various other reasons why I wasn’t to be hired, I went on vacation (isn’t that what everyone does when they can’t find a job?). While running one morning in Palm Desert, California, I began looking within and asking what do I want to do with the rest of my life, not what job title do I want, but what do I want to do? And as I turned a corner, it hit me; why not go for my dream! And when I looked up (this is no lie – this really happened!) I saw the most beautiful rainbow in the mountains. As I stopped and enjoyed the rainbow peaking out from behind the mountains, and as I watched the second half of a double rainbow develop I realized my eyes were leaking. And I knew what I was going to do; I was going to buy a B&B, or an inn. I was going to live my dream! I finished the run and returned to the room, fired up the laptop (like all good corporate people do while on vacation!), and typed in the URL www.b&bforsale.com. I didn’t search, just typed the URL. And a western-set-looking 1940s motel was the first listing.
Something about the place spoke to me, then I realized the property wasn’t a B&B, but had a motel and cabins and some RV spaces. So I called the owner, and made arrangements to see the place. Five weeks later, as I felt both calm and anxious about my visit, I told friends and family I was going on an interview in Texas. “Texas? Why? All that is in Texas is heat, humidity and buildings and concrete,” they said. Like me, most of them had only been in Houston or Dallas on business.
I arrived in Leakey about 8:30 PM with my shoulders sitting at my ears from the stress of driving 337 from Vanderpool at night with deer (did deer really have spots?), skunks, wild pigs, turkeys, raccoons, opossum, and a frog playing chicken with the rental car. When I drove onto the property a peace came over me. The next morning I walked the property and the town, and fell in love with the property, town and soon the community. I just had to drive 337 in the daylight to see what I missed the night before. I was wonderfully surprised at the scenery – so this was the Texas Hill Country! I’d never heard of the Texas Hill Country until I saw the ad for what was The Mountain Laurel Inn.
So on February 27, 2003, I bought the Mountain Laurel Inn. Within six months, I knew I had to find a niche. I just didn’t know what it would be. Then a guest rode his brand new motorcycle to the Inn for its maiden voyage here in the Hill Country. Unfortunately for him, he left with a dented gas tank because an unsupervised child tipped the bike over. The guest and I chatted for awhile and he mentioned the problem with staying at places with kids is that they are always interested in the bikes. When I asked if there were places for motorcyclists only, I learned that there are, but only campgrounds. I asked if he would stay in a place that was for motorcyclists only and he responded “yeah, like that is ever going to happen!” During the next year, I surveyed the motorcyclists and bicyclists, and asked two questions: “Would you stay at a property exclusive for motorcyclists and bicyclists?” most laughed and said “yeah, if there was such a place.” The second was “what would be at the top of your wish list for a property just for motorcyclists and bicyclists?” The top three answers were year round rates; and an American owner that lives on the property; and no kids. I made the decision to change the property to motorcyclists and bicyclists only in January, 2007.
But when the 2005 Ride Texas Magazine’s annual Reader’s Choice Top Ten Awards were announced and D’Rose Inn and Cabins was in the Top Ten for lodging, I decided to rethink the plan. And on September 1, 2005 D’Rose Inn and Cabins became the first lodging-only property in the United States (that I could find) for motorcyclists and bicyclists only!
In the March 2006 issue of Ride Texas Magazine, the 2006 Readers Choice Awards were announced and D’Rose Inn was named Best in Texas for Motorcycle Trip Lodging. I was amazed, grateful and very thankful to all the wonderful guests. Ride Texas Magazine decided to change up the lodging categories for 2007, but my guests were once again were very appreciative of the Inn and the unique services, and the Inn was named Best Mom & Pop Motel!
The ballot for the March 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards did not have a category that D’Rose Inn fit, but guests found a way to vote for D’Rose Inn and Cabins, and the Inn was voted Best B&B. Of course the Inn is not a B&B, but nonetheless, I was grateful for the votes and support of all the wonderful guests. Even Ride Texas Magazine claims it is a popular motel, “but don’t expect breakfast.”
Ride Texas Magazine readers voted the Inn the number one Place to Stay, Hill Country Region in 2009, and Best Road Trip Lodging in 2010.
Since purchasing the property, I’ve cleaned-up the property, added landscaping, started cabin renovations, sold and changed some buildings and have some long-term plans. Now, I have the best job I’ve ever had and am living my dream!
