Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:27:38 -0800WeeblySun, 03 Jan 2010 18:57:16 -0800http://www.gildenlodge.com/1/post/2010/01/happy-new-year-to-all.htmlWe certainly know how to party here in Mt. Shasta... yes folks, in bed by 8:00 p.m. on Dec. 31.  Woo hoo!!  But seriously, we had a lovely dinner in town with friends at Mike & Tony's.  The weather was spectacular and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. ]]>Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:56:47 -0800http://www.gildenlodge.com/1/post/2009/11/happy-turkey-day-everyone.htmlHowdy folks,
Another Thanksgiving is upon us and I am quickly slipping into a food coma... again.  Once again I am shocked at how wonderful our guests can be.  Our newest visitors are absolutely fantastic people who presented us with a couple of gift baskets of treats from their home town.  I never tire of chatting with great people, and time again I find we seem to attract only the nicest folks to the Gilden Lodge.  Thanks guys!]]>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:06:55 -0800http://www.gildenlodge.com/1/post/2009/09/a-reason-for-feeling-cozy.htmlHey folks, Nic here,
We went to sleep last night with a chilly rain falling upon our roof.  We awoke to the sun rising in sky of azure, a mountain dusted with light snow and the earth below frosted.  I tell people the chilly months have always been my favorite time of year, and when I awake to something as magical as Mount Shasta with my family cozying next to me on this chilly morning the realization of the absolute truth of this is undeniable.  I can't help being overwhelmed with joy, and intoxicated by love...]]>Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:10:36 -0800http://www.gildenlodge.com/1/post/2009/09/friends-not-just-guest.htmlHey folks, Nic here.
 As you know, those adorable woodpeckers decided to focus their attention on our beautiful home. As a result, I decided to purchase a mock owl to mount on or near the house in hopes of discouraging my fine feathered friends from carving up our magnificent lodge.  I casually mentioned this to one of our guests (as he was outside at the same time I was trying to spot the destructive wee beasties).  The following day our guest departed and Suzi entered the house to prepare for our next arrivals.  From outside I heard Suzi calling me, I assumed to facilitate some repair or assist in cleaning.  Upon entering, I was greeted by two of the loveliest Great Horned Owl "scarecrows" and a note that among other things said:
  '...No, we did not see or hear any woodpeckers.  But here are a couple of owls just in case one of those naughty birds gets near your beautiful home.  Thanks so much for sharing your magical place with us.'
Once again proving that, more often than naught, the people who arrive as guests are simply friends we haven't met yet...]]>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:14:32 -0800http://www.gildenlodge.com/1/post/2009/09/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlHi everyone, Nic here! 
 Mornings in Mt. Shasta- beautiful, peaceful, majestic.  As I sat bleary-eyed with my indispensable cup o' joe in hand (just ask Suzi how absolutely necessary that morning cup is), I watched an amusing program on Discovery channel called American Beaver (which I highly recommend).  As they featured all of the woodland animals which benefit from the beaver pond created by these amazing critters, they showed a woodpecker nest with four adorable chicks being fed by mama. Just adorable... suddenly the sound of the woodpecker hammering away at a tree came from the telly ... or did it?  In my semiconscious state did I simply imagine that sound came from the television, because it sounded like it came from the house. That would be entirely too ironic, right?  
With the sound off I waited until, alas, another salvo came. Any home owner will tell you woodpeckers are a pain, but log home owners share an especially deep-seated dread of these remarkable birds. After I few minutes outside I spotted the little culprits, watching me from behind the roof edge.  Our eyes locked and they knew the jig was up.  Two flew off immediately, but the last to stay behind (I can only assume the leader which led the others astray) sat watching me with what can only be described as an air of defiance. After a moment of mutual acknowledgment it flew away. I'm sure only to return later.  Suzi and I are off to purchase some kind of deterrent.]]>