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Not since 1912, when the High Rolls Development Company
built a three-story hotel with 25 rooms, has there been a place to
"hang your hat in High Rolls." The hotel had a colorful
history before it was dismantled, having served as both a tuberculosis
sanitarium and later as a retreat for Jesuit priests.
Almost 100 years later, in February, 2000, two
entrepreneurs, bent on making a dream come true, bought a large ranch home
destined to become Good Life Inn Bed and Breakfast. The innkeepers, Guillian and Melise,
envisioned creating a haven for weary travelers, honeymooners, tired
parents, couples looking to wed, or those in need of
nature's soothing presence. A little more than
mile off of the Highway to Cloudcroft (Highway 82) in Karr
Canyon, nestled
in a sprawling meadow amongst the pines, the mountains
and the lullaby of
the stream, awaits such a place.
Valentine's Day, 2000, was moving day for the two
partners, who knew it was an auspicious date to begin creating this place of
romance and relaxation. Four and half months later, Good Life Inn opened and
welcomed its first guests, Mr. and Mrs. Lackey, of Alamogordo, who
celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary at the new bed and breakfast.
The journey to opening day was not without its twists and
turns. On June 29, 1999, almost one year to the day before truly realizing
their dream, Guillian and Melise held
a "Very Merry UN-Grand Opening" for a similar business, Casa
Celebrations, in Alamogordo. It seemed an unlucky turn of events, when a
string of misfortunes occurred in the eleventh hour; misfortunes so great,
that they would force the two to regroup, sell their home and begin business
elsewhere. Comforted by the truth that God never closes a door, without
opening a window, the two prayed, put their house on the market, and
began looking for a new place where they could pursue their dream of
owning their own business.
It seemed the new century brought good fortune to Guillian
and Melise--no sooner did they find a buyer for their home in early January, than one week later they found
the place which would become Good Life Inn. Uncovering all of the quirks and oddities
of their "new" home, after the harrowing false-start in 1999, seemed like a
breeze to the two. Nothing could dampen their spirits.
After four and a half months of painting, tiling,
texturing, decorating, and sewing, the exhausted but happy pair, finally
got down to the business of inn keeping. They lovingly
decorated and offered three suites: the
Tea Rose Suite, the Kokopelli Suite
and the Secret Garden Suite. Each
room was completely different from the others, yet all rooms had amenities
any guest would enjoy: private baths, fridge, microwave, TV/VCR with 100
channels, compact disc player and a table for two. The Secret
Garden Suite even had its own private balcony and was on a separate
story from the rest of the house.
The house was built in the seventies by Mr. Leonard Sheffield,
a Statesman and a
prominent builder at the time, for himself and his family to enjoy. Many have said that the craftsmanship
present in a home constructed by a builder for his own use, is
unparalleled. This home is the only home in New Mexico that has housed
two statesmen at the same time, as both Mr. Sheffield, Sr. and his son were
both in the legislature while residing at what would be Good Life Inn. This is certainly the case at Good Life Inn. A few local families have
enjoyed the home since the Sheffields. Some have such a fondness for the
location that they have
come back (a second and a third time) to see the transformation from family home to
bed and breakfast.
All have been pleased with the results. The living room,
or Rustic Room, as it is called, became a place of country charm, with the warmth of a woodstove, quilts,
rocking chairs and actual artifacts unearthed on this historic property,
founded by William Karr in 1885. The Route 66 Game
Room, complete with pool table, darts, an antique piano, and other fun
stuff to do, also gave folks a feeling of nostalgia for days gone by. The
Spa and Fitness Room, was been expanded to include a place
for fitness buffs to exercise before taking a soak, all
while enjoying the wraparound views.
The land surrounding the house was spiffed up and
included sculpture by local artist, Sonny Villareal
and those featured at Off the
Beaten Path (an eclectic gift shop in Cloudcroft). There were plenty of serene places to relax and enjoy the beauty that is
High Rolls. Many folks out on a Sunday drive stopped by the Inn to take a
tour and meet the innkeepers.
Guests who checked out usually took one last stop to enjoy
the stream. Some have even said
it is like a dream from which they don't want to wake . For Guillian
and Melise, it was a dream come true to share such a magical place with new and old friends.
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