The county gave us an extension and we plan to have the spas removed by the end of February. New pricing for the former spa rooms will go into effect on 3/1/08. The studios will be priced the same as the other studios at $130/night. While they have less view of the creek they have more privacy and a larger deck, to which we’ll add chaise lounges. The suites will be known as King Suites and will be priced at $165/night as they have king sized beds, a/c and larger decks that will also have chaise lounges.

Snizzling is Mike’s new word for when it’s snowing in a wet drizzle, which is what’s it’s been doing most of the morning. There are a couple of inches of wet snow on the ground and there’s an 80% chance of precipitation all day. It’s cold enough to be flakey snow but it’s coming down more like rain for some reason only known to meteorologists.

The roads in Idyllwild will be squishy with possible patches of slippery. Higher elevations are likely to be colder and have more snow and ice.

If driving to Idyllwild today it would make most sense to take the southerly routes through Mountain Center rather than the northern route through Pine Cove. Check out our weather and road conditions link for more information.

We got 4-6″ of snow on Thursday and nothing yesterday. As usual, there was more snow in the higher elevations like Pine Cove and Humber Park. There’s a slight chance of rain today a much higher chance, as in 100%, of rain tomorrow, Sunday, which is supposed to turn to snow by later afternoon and in to evening.

The most accurate online weather reporting seems to be Weather Underground, which we have linked into the navigation buttons on our web site and automatically programmed to bring up Idyllwild. Click on the link for a more detailed forecast.

Road Conditions are also on the same page. Chains are required, which means have them with you just in case. The roads were all clear as of yesterday, Friday.

We have a one-bedroom suite and a studio available with a one-night stay minimum but you’ll have to call to book for tonight because the system defaults to a two-night minimum for Friday/Saturdays. One-night stays Sunday through Thursday can be booked online.

Dear Jim & Mike,

We loved everything about your place…thanks for all the special touches!

Judy,
Fallbrook

When we bought the Inn four rooms had outdoor, portable spas on their private decks. Riverside County has informed us that these types of spa are not allowed at lodging establishments and they must be removed by February 16, 2008. Only in-ground, gunite type spas are allowed. We plan to have the spa removed by March 1, 2008 (originally February 8, 2008 but we got an extension from the county) and have modified our rate schedule accordingly.

This does not apply to privately owned vacation rental cabins, which can continue to use portable type outdoor spas.

We know this will be disappointing to our many repeat guests who have enjoyed the spas but it is out of our hands.

The existing spas are now for sale, with our vacation rental owners having first right of refusal. By January 27th we’ll accept offers for their purchase and removal. If interested in purchasing a used spa please send an email to info@quietcreekinn.com.

We will be taking a much needed vacation next week. We’ll leave Friday night after check-ins, 1/18, and will return in time for check-ins the following Friday, 1/25/08.

The office will be closed on Saturday, 1/19, but will be staffed from around 10 am to 1 pm all the other days of the week. Messages will be returned and online bookings will be confirmed during these hours. Arrangements for check-in will need to be made in advance during this time period. Housekeeping will be in every day as usual and friends will be living on site taking care of Honey & Jake. Our part time innkeeper’s phone number will also be posted.

For environmental, maintenance and fire safety reasons, and after months of contemplation, we will be providing all natural fire logs at the inn rather than firewood. Up to two firelogs will be provided for each night’s stay as soon as the current supply of wood runs out (late January or early February).

It’s been snowing lightly since late afternoon. It’s not even an inch yet but it’s likely to snow all night. It won’t be too hard to get around in if it stays light but there will be a lot more snow in the higher elevations like Pine Cove and Humber Park.

I call it sleet but our head housekeeper says it’s popcorn snow – the kind that bounces when it hits the ground. Whatever it’s called it’s building up and is starting to look like snow. It could make the roads a little slippery – drive carefully.

It seems likely that it will be snowing soon.

It’s important to note that all weather observations posted are as observed at Quiet Creek Inn and that vacation rentals at higher elevations will always have more snow, sleet, etc. as we are generally at the lowest elevation of any of our accommodations. Although we don’t handle vacation rentals in Pine Cove that area is much more likely to get snow when we are getting rain as there is a thousand feet elevation difference. During winter weather it’s always safest to take the less windy and lower elevation Ramona Expressway route around the backside of Hemet for those who would normally take the I-10 to Banning and then up the 243, which goes to the highest elevation in the area in Pine Cove.

It’s been raining off and on for the past two days. No snow but everything is green and lush. Strawberry Creek is more river-like at the moment – it’s whithin the banks but there are whitewater eddies – it’s beautiful! Every cabin on the property, including our home, has a view of the water right now.