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| Bill & Lauren in Yosemite's high country |
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| A beautiful snowy morning in our meadow. |
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| Indian Grinding Rock at Sunset Inn |
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The Story of Sunset Inn
History:
Sunset Inn, a small quaint lodging located in a beautiful spot of the High Sierra, is just 2 miles west of Yosemite National Park, at the Big Oak Flat Gate (Highway 120). The 3 cozy, well equipped cabins are surrounded by lush forest, on the edge of a private meadow, and accommodate visitors to Yosemite and the high country. This prime property is also the home of the Nickell family. But it wasn’t always so...
The first inhabitants, local Miwok Indians spent their summers in the Sunset Inn environs feasting on acorns, abundant wildlife, and other local delicacies. Evidence of their habitation from prehistoric times can still be seen in the grinding stones near the cabins overlooking the lush meadow.
Originally homesteaded in 1883, Sunset Inn has had a colorful past.
In its hey-day, around the turn of the last century, Crocker Station, the main stage coach stop along the Big Oak Flat Road to Yosemite, housed nearly 200 inhabitants. The 2 acre Sunset Inn property was purchased from homesteader Henry Crocker by local wood shake/shingle maker Franklin Babcock in 1886, and eventually became the only portion of this 160 acre homestead still privately owned to this day.
Several other individuals owned the property in the ensuing years, operating a variety of enterprises. At one time Sunset Inn was know to be the local brothel, catering to gentlemen looking for entertainment and companionship. Later a logging camp was set up, followed still later by a hunting lodge. Local legend has it that the likes of such notable characters as John Muir, Galen Clark and possibly Sammuel Clemmings visited Sunset Inn in the early days.
A fascinating story was published in the periodical magazine, ‘Arizona Highways’ in the 1950's about a hunting trip where the hunter, while staying at Sunset Inn, discovered gold! Unfortunately he lost his bearings during an early snow storm, and was never able to relocate the huge vein he had discovered amongst a group of giant cedar trees.
Many years of neglect, coupled with only occasional seasonal use had left the three Sunset Inn cabins and the house in a state of disrepair. Until the 1970's no one had managed to brave the winter months at Sunset Inn. The mountains were quite formidable in those earlier times.
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| The Nickell Family at the Big Trees |
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| Recent Years:
In 1976 Bill Nickell and Lauren Bauman (that’s us) arranged to rent one of the rustic cabins, were married, and shortly had the good fortune of purchasing the property. Our two children, now in college, were born and raised here. For many years Bill and I commuted to Yosemite and the surrounding communities, working at whatever jobs we could to provide us the income necessary to purchase this extraordinary property. Bill generally worked in construction and carpentry, honing his trade doing side jobs while also doing construction for the government in Yosemite and elsewhere. I worked and learned the hotel business, including housekeeping, front office and hotel management, and eventually ended up in the professional kitchen where my true passion for cooking blossomed.
Much time was devoted to improvements which allowed for year round occupancy of our property. Establishing an effective system to provide indoor running water, including the winter months was one of our first tasks. Next, foundations under the main house as well as the cabins were in order. All the structures had been sitting right on the dirt. The foundation projects entailed the grueling job of digging under buildings, jacking them up, and then pouring concrete.
Many years have passed. The multitude of restoration, renovation and construction projects Bill has performed are miraculous. His expert craftsmanship and attention to detail are evidenced throughout the architecture of all three of the cabins as well as in many areas not seen. An incredibly talented master carpenter/ craftsman, Bill has put his heart and soul into Sunset Inn.
For 6 years, beginning in 1993, I operated an out-of-the-way bakery in what later became the “family cabin”, which catered to many of the local eateries, and also created custom designer wedding cakes for innumerable weddings in the Yosemite area. Becoming known for my fine culinary skills, the bakery provided the opportunity for me to work at home while our children were young.
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We reestablished the “Inn” in 1998, and have since thoroughly enjoyed welcoming guests from all over the world to this unique spot. We have continuously worked on upgrading and improving Sunset Inn. In 2000 we finally managed to convince Pacific Bell that we needed an actual phone line. This turned out to be a very worthwhile investment after so many years with no phone connection to the outside world.
Much remodeling as well as constant maintenance has ensued over the years. During the early months of 2004 we completed our most impressive endeavor to date, the remodeling of the family cabin, Meadow Lark. We are so thrilled with this beautiful transformation! The following winter we also remodeled the kitchen and bathroom of our secluded Sugar Pine Cabin. The bathroom was enlarged with a new, full size granite look shower and 2 bathroom skylights. Thanks to guest comments (we do listen) we also enhanced the Larkspur Cabin with more wood interior and beautiful lighting. Most recently three master stone masons were engaged to build a beautiful, natural stone patio outside the Larkspur Cabin, enhancing the BBQ area immensely. We are so pleased and proud to share these beautiful cabins with our guests and friends. We hope to some day redo our own house so expertly.
Sunset Inn has become our home and our heart. The beauty, the tranquility and the peace only found in nature have inspired us to be totally dedicated to our incredible home. Knowing what a wondrous place this is, we thoroughly enjoy sharing it with others.
We hope you too will make the journey and find out for yourself what so many others have treasured in Sunset Inn.
Gratefully yours,
Lauren & Bill Nickell
February 2011
(Please contact us for written permission to copy or use the above material. Thank you.)
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| Amy, Bill & Andy at Cascade Creek |
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