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    Secluded Log Chalet nearby Adventures, Town & Ski Country! Priced Just Right!!

    Buena Vista, CO, USA
    • Chalet2800 sqft
    • Bedrooms5
    • Sleeps14
    • Bathrooms3
    • Half Baths0
    • Minimum Stay2 nights

    5 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Sleeps 14

    Welcome to The Nellie Bly Chalet, a Colorado mountain vacation home beyond compare! A secluded oasis, yet close to town and every outdoor adventure sport you could ask for – all year round. Easily accessed on well-maintained private road. (Affordable rates described below.)

    IDYLLIC ALL SEASONS. ALL TOGETHER. ALL HERE!

    Whatever time of year, this 5-bedroom log Chalet is the perfect vacation home-away-from-home, where up-to-date conveniences bring new life and purpose to an historic landmark legacy. We are thankful that the Lord allowed us to acquire this 100-year-old historic mining claim and build this incredible 3-story mountain log home from the ground up! Now travelers have discovered it as a favorite place of awesome family vacations, sweet reunions, group retreats, romantic honeymoons, and at times – as Jesus sought – a place of prayerful solitude. The Chalet, by the way, has a maximum capacity of 14 overnight guests, plus a port-a-crib for baby or toddler. In all ways, we pray it will be a time of refreshing for all our guests. Most sincerely, –Pastor Richard "Little Bear" & Marilyn Wheeler

    AFFORDABLE RATES YOU'LL FIND HARD TO MATCH:

    Whether peak-season ($195 per night) or off-season ($179 per night), we've been told our rates are surprisingly affordable! Both peak and off-season rates are based on 4 guests; during peak-season add $25 per additional guest per night; and during off-season add $15 per additional guest per night. Children are always welcome, and our youngest guests age 2 years and under stay FREE of charge. [When booking with children, fill-in number of children age 3 and older only.]

    100% NO-SMOKING POLICY / NO PET POLICY:

    In consideration of all our guests (and due to acute allergies within the family), we have found it necessary to maintain a firm No Pets & 100% No Smoking (of any kind) policy – both inside and outside. To be clear, marijuana smoking (medical or otherwise), is NOT permitted anywhere on the property, neither inside nor outdoors. We appreciate your respectful observance of our policy.

    SECLUDED MOUNTAIN-TOP RETREAT, YET CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOWN!

    Ideally located in the majestic Colorado Rockies, this vacation Chalet overlooks the numerous spectacular Collegiate Peaks. From the wrap-around deck, there is also a bird's eye view of the Chalk Cliffs that overlook Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and the Midland Mountain Range where the former Midland 1800’s railroad once operated. It’s not unusual to be graced with the display of God’s glory with a stunning sunset and the display of millions of stars at night. The Chalet is only a 45-minute drive to 2 affordable ski resorts and a 20-minute drive to the nationally awarded Browns Canyon National Park. It's also within 2 miles of the adventure seekers Arkansas River rafting and fishing, as well as area wide pristine lakes.

    SKI THE COLORADO SLOPES!

    From the Nellie Bly Chalet, historic downtown Salida is only a 35-minute drive south – home of Monarch Ski Resort, and historic Leadville is just a 45-minute drive to the north – home of family-friendly Ski Cooper. Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail are all fairly close to our Chalet. (For projected open and closure dates for most Colorado ski resorts, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://coloradoski.com/page/resort-season-dates).

    “THAR’S GOLD IN THEM THAR HILLS"

    The Chalet is built on the site of the once famous 1889 Nellie Bly Mine at an elevation of 8,000 feet, and is surrounded by state and federal land. Although the property has the mystique of appearing remote, it's only a 1/2-mile drive to and from the gate (on a well-maintained dirt & gravel driveway), and then a mere 6-mile drive to the nearest town of Buena Vista for convenient shopping, dining, and entertainment. This historic town of Buena Vista (or B.V. as the locals call it), is a whitewater rafting paradise and boasts of one of the largest retailers of whitewater kayaking gear in the world. The Arkansas River is just 2 miles away for those looking for world-class fishing, rafting, or kayaking. B.V. also has many galleries, it's own Buena Vista Coffee Roastery, specialty shops and restaurants, including a small but renowned sushi restaurant. (See web directory for Buena Vista annual fun-filled festivities for the whole family.) For more of the Gold Rush experience, you might tour the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, or just a 35-minute drive north-east on Hwy. 285 lands you in a most fascinating reconstructed mining town of historic South Park City in Fairplay, which is cholk-full of artifacts from the Colorado Gold Rush Days.

    MORE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE OF ALL TYPES

    Additionally, about 2 miles from the property are miles upon miles of Jeep, ATV, dirt bike and mountain biking trails. During the winter months, there's nearby snowmobile riding tours up to the Continental Divide, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, as well as snowshoeing. Right on the Nellie Bly property are miles of rock climbing, repelling, and hiking trails. We are 2 miles away from the Arkansas Headwaters National Recreation Area where a fisherman with fly rod or reel can bring home fish for a outdoor campfire cook to preserve the last of fresh cooked fish. Right up the highway is Buena Vista's scenic golf course just 30 minutes away. We are conveniently located 2 hrs. 40 min. from the Denver International Airport and 1 hr. 50 min. to Colorado Springs.

    CHALET FLOOR PLAN: MAIN (MIDDLE) LEVEL

    ----On the main floor you will find a fully equipped kitchen, dining area which seats up to 12+ people, family living room with an ember glow gas stove furnace. Equipped with board games and puzzles in the rustic armoire. Master bedroom named "The Crockett Quarters," has a queen-size bed, and full-size bathroom with a walk-in shower, as well as a nostalgic eagle claw tub. Also a wall-mounted 32-inch flatscreen TV in "Crocket Quarters" master bedroom is available for DVD viewing.

    SECOND LEVEL

    ----On the second level there are 2.5 bedrooms, "The Alpine Chalet Suite" has a queen-size bed and a lovely view from the balcony. A port-a-crib/pack 'n play for the littlest traveler is stored in the "Alpine" closet, but can be moved to any room of choice. Directly across from the Alpine Suite is "The Northwoods Bunkhouse" suited to accommodate 4 people in 2 bunk beds. This room also has a balcony and view for miles. Both bedrooms share a bathroom with a shower/tub combination. Also adjacent to the 2 bedrooms is the wonderful cozy "Loft" which is furnished with a futon couch/bed that sleeps one adult or 2 children, and beckons the quiet reader to curl up and enjoy a favorite book amidst the amazing mountain view!

    LOWER LEVEL

    ----The lower level is multi-purpose, starting with the "ski lodge" decor home theater equipped with a 55-inch HDTV and DVD player with many classic DVD's in our home theater library. (Netflix & other wireless viewing is available when signal is strong.) Also downstairs are two additional bedrooms, "The Victorian Vintage Suite" furnished with a queen-size bed, and the second bedroom "The Wild West Buffalo Bill Hideout" is newly furnished with a king-size bed. The lower level bathroom has a walk-in shower (only) and is shared by both bedrooms. Also on the lower-level is a fully-supplied laundry room with washer and 2 dryers, as well as an old fashioned clothesline situated outdoors for fair weather days and energy-saving conscientious guests.

    Beautifully decorated and each room uniquely historically designed and furnished with an unbeatable convenient location.

    AT A GLANCE

    Sleeps: Up to 14 people plus 1 more when counting baby or toddler in the port-a-crib

    1 Queen-size in the "The Crockett Quarters" master bedroom on the main floor

    1 Queen-size in "The Alpine Chalet Suite" on the third floor

    1 port-a-crib/pack 'n play and linens stored in the "Alpine" room closet

    2 Twin-size log bunks sleeps 4 in "The Northwoods Bunkhouse" on the third floor

    1 Full-size futon in "The Loft" on third floor (sleeps 1 adult or 2 children)

    1 Queen-size in "The Victorian Vintage Suite" on the lower level

    1 King-size in "The Buffalo Bill Hideout" on the lower level

    Owner

    Richard and Marilyn Wheeler

    Member Since 2016
    Premier Partner
    This VRBO partner has demonstrated and is committed to fast response times, the best rates, and a great guest experience.
    Response rate:
    100%
    Response time:
    within one hour
    Speaks:
    english, spanish
    Calendar last updated:
    Apr 22, 2018
    About Richard and Marilyn Wheeler

    When Marilyn and I are not in Colorado at our dream-come-true vacation Chalet, nor in bonnie Scotland visiting my wife’s cousins, you'll likely find us at our home in the peaceful Texas hill country. We have been happily married for 45 years (and counting), and having just recently retired from the pastorate (after 35 plus years in Christian ministry), we now enjoy being whole-hearted grandparents to our nine (and counting!) incredible grandchildren. You could say this all started through the eyes of a child, a child's dream turned to prayer. When I was a young lad back in the ’50’s and living in Santa Monica, California (where both my wife and I were raised), I got bit by the Davy Crockett (all-things-frontier) “bug!” Coupled with my fondest childhood memories of living for a short while at my (step) Great-Uncle Jack's hand-built cabin in Lockwood Valley, California, I decided then and there that my long-term goal was to build a log home of my own. And by the grace of God, nearly 50 years later, that prayer came to pass. You will have the joy of sharing in this dream come true when you come and stay at the Chalet, which overlooks the majestic Collegiate Peaks – all 3 peeks over 14,000 ft. and directly in front of the Chalet. I’m a rugged outdoors man by nature, and before serving as pastor full-time, I traveled over 2 million miles over the course of 35+ years with Mantle Ministries as historian/evangelist and known by my full name, Richard "Little Bear" Wheeler. You will see those faith-based historical touches all over the Chalet, making the place a delight and amazement, which we hope you will immediately sense as an awesome experience. Young and old alike will find it hard to leave this little "taste of heaven" in the Rockies.

    Richard and Marilyn Wheeler purchased this Chalet in 2003

    Why Richard and Marilyn Wheeler chose Buena Vista

    When deciding where to build our Chalet, I headed to Colorado in search of property anywhere from Trinidad in the south, to Leadville in the north central part of the state, to find just the right place to "stake a claim." Little did I know then, but that the Lord led me to a once-famous 1889 gold mine, "THE NELLIE BLY," named after a ground-breaking 19th century female investigative reporter. This 10-acre piece of property (the legal size of most mining claims), is surrounded by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and national forest, yet is only 5 miles east of the historic town of Buena Vista off Highway 24. Because of a large chunk of “free-gold” that was mined out of this very property in 1889, the Nellie Bly was the very mine that brought the miners from all over the world to seek gold in the Midland Hills surrounding the Chalet. Although no longer full of its “gold luster,” by walking the property, you will be standing on the actual ground that miners worked over a 100 years ago. If you're interested in the history of the area, you can visit the 1890’s Buena Vista Courthouse, now a humble museum with the history of the railroad and area mining.

    What makes this Chalet unique

    When first acquiring the land and trying to decide where to build our Chalet, I recall kneeling on the very spot where the Chalet is standing today and asking the Lord to direct the building site. When I finished praying and opened my eyes, I was struck with the breathtaking view, and felt the Lord’s prompting to erect the dwelling right on the same spot, and Marilyn wholeheartedly agreed. As an outdoors man, I wanted the sense of the wilderness, yet my wife prefers the more refined conveniences of town life. Providentially, this property provides both! Every wild-at-heart man's dream can be fulfilled only minutes away – mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, fishing, (and more...), while gracious women, like my wife, can enjoy that sort of thing, but also the "creature comforts" of a short 5-mile drive into town for a candlelight dinner or uptown shopping in the pedestrian-friendly village of South Main by the Arkansas River. There is hardly anything quite like this Chalet in the area with the mixture and easy access to both. We pray you, too, will be overwhelmed by the beauty and diversity of the Buena Vista Valley and mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see.

    $195avg/night
    57 Reviews
    Exceptional 5/5
    Premier Partner
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    For booking assistance, call 888-640-7927

    Property # 819158

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