The Jackson Hole Guide from Jackson, Wyoming • 55

Wednesday, December 16, 1998 Jackson Hole Guide, D7 Painted Porch Jj I tiff' I A Inn at I I slftKPis Buffalo Y- Alpine Hoiise 9 (LJZ Wildflower SassV Moose (Located in Moose) I I 0LGiii Huff House JTSaLn Beloney 5 oy Jf i I 1 Broadway Teton View I po peari fr I Ji 1 Nowlin dliiscii) HrBentwood i -r snSwtffng I MooseX 1 Twin Trees A -i Teton 'MeadovJsN imiie Jj Treehouse Scale Map: Shawn Raecke Where should we stay? A guide to valley bed-and-breakfasts continued from previous page ers Ken and Sherrie Jern thrive on turning people on to the outdoors. The couple worked as ski instructors in Vail before moving to Jackson 20 years ago. Ken guides for Exum mountain guides. "You want to help people have the best time possible. We've had guests from New York who have never been on a trail or who are bowled over by wildlife sightings.

We are their own guide to Jackson and we love to turn people on to the outdoors," Sherrie said. The Johnstones, who own The Alpine House are also hard-core outdoor athletes. Nancy was an Olympic biathlete in the 1992 games and Hans was in the Nordic combined and ski jumping competition of the 1988 Olympics. Hans guides for Exum and for Doug Coombs' Valdez Heli Ski Guides in Alaska. Many of their clients package lodging and climbing and the Johnstones' driven outdoor personalities meld well with' out-doorsy guests who want to get up and go.

Working 9 to 5 and 5 to 9 While the idea of owning a may sound romantic, think before you leap. From grocery shopping and cleaning to marketing and bookkeeping, these innkeepers do it all. Imagine rising at 6 a.m. to prepare breakfast for guests and having to be cheerful and chatty. "You don't expect to be on-call 24 hours a day, but you are," said MacEachern, who once had guests arrive when one of her children was just three weeks old.

"It's both a benefit and challenge that you are so personally involved." Nell Fay at Bentwood said owning a can occasionally become like an acting job, but with no backstage dressing room to hide in between scenes. "You have to be on all the she said. "People seem to think we're retired," she said. "If this is retirement, I want to go back to work." The. fact that owners live in their workplace makes balancing personal and private space difficult.

Many have raised children in their which "brings the world to their to Sherrie Jern, but is also challenging when family issues arise. The personal involvement is both the job's biggest challenge and most rewarding blessing. "It is a juggling act with family," said Jern. "But I see people walk in and their troubles just drop off. So much of you is invested, it's hard to let go.

It's like having friends visiting every day." gregarious social atmosphere. Rates: $139 to $149, 10 percent local discount. A Teton Tree House 733-3233 Heck of a Hill Road, Wilson Host: Denny Becker This gem of an inn is situated on a quiet mountainside, tucked away from the town of Wilson. It is the oldest in the valley, with five rooms in a whimsical, multi-level playhouse with unique architectural features: Decor is rustic Western and all rooms have private baths. Becker has lived and guided in the area for more than 35 years and knows exactly where to send guests for the right adventure.

Rates: $115 to $170. Teton View 733-7954 21 36 Coyote Loop, off Teton Village Road Hosts: Carol and Franz Kessler The new owners of Teton View have remodeled the living space and redecorated the three bedrooms in mountain-lodge style furniture. There is one private bath, one shared bath and an indoor hot tub. They host with Western hospitality and European flair Franz's Austrian heritage is apparent in many of the breakfast offerings. This is an affordable, family-friendly place and allows children over the age of 8.

Rates: $80 to $120. Twin Trees 739-9737 575 South Willow, Jackson Hostess: Pat Martin Across the street from Snow King Resort, this country-style has great access to skiing. All three rooms have private baths and down comforters. There is an outdoor, enclosed hot tub on the deck. One room has Asian-influenced decor and the others are country floral.

The owner has cats, so if you're allergic, beware. Children are not allowed. Rates: $90 to $125. The Wildflower Inn 733-4710 3725 Teton Village Road, turn left on Shooting Star Lane Hosts: Sherrie and Ken Jem This hand-built log home designed by the owners sits on three wooded acres with four charming rooms and a suite. Decor is refreshingly simple but cozy.

All rooms have private baths and decks and the sun room that houses the hot tub is a standout. Family-style breakfasts are served in a casual living and dining area where you definitely feel you can put your feet up and relax. With 10 years of experience, the Jems make guests feel very at home. Rates: $180 to $230. This is the place to stay for solitude and quiet since it is located 35 miles north of Jackson near the north end of Grand Teton National Park.

The inn houses five comfortable country rooms with private baths and incredible Teton views. Outdoor hot tub. Depart for outdoor1 activities from your front door. Rates: $100 to $189. Moose Meadows 733-9510 1 225 Green Lane off Hwy.

22 near Wilson Hostess: Juli James There are three large guest rooms with private baths at this informal, family-style You can catch a glimpse of the Tetons from the large deck and outdoor hot tub. Decor is eclectic, filled with James' grandmother's Victorian furniture and cowboy accents. Expect a huge hearty breakfast, with items such as elk steak. Horse boarding is 5 available. This is a good place for children.

Rates: $98 to $135. The Nowlin Creek Inn 733-0882 660 E. Broadway, Jackson Hosts: Susan and Mark Nowlin Features four guest rooms, one suite and a separate two-bedroom log cabin. All rooms have private baths and are filled with family antiques and hand-crafted touches from the two artist owners. The in-town location is across from the National Elk Refuge which the owner's great grandfather helped create.

The Nowlins are knowledgeable about the galleries and artists in town. Rates: $1 05 to $21 0. Painted Porch 733-1981 3755 Teton Village Road Hosts: Martha and Matt MacEachern This restored 1 901 farm house is situated on three acres of aspens near Teton Village. There are four rooms with decor on the formal side featuring country French florals, quaint antiques, hand-painted walls and works by local artists. Two rooms have private baths with Japanese soaking tubs and separate outdoor entrances.

Rates: $115 to $225. The Sassy Moose Inn 733-1277 Tucker Ranch Road off Teton Village Road Polly Kelley and Craig Kelley There are five rooms in this sassy Village Road three of which have fireplaces. They all have private baths, vaulted ceilings and down comforters. Two have wood-burning stoves and there is a hot tub. The decor is rustic, with a comfortable elegance.

The mother-and-son Kelley team create a By Alyssa McCornock Jackson Hole Guide If the bed-and-breakfast experience is appropriate for your visiting friends and relatives, read on because each inn has its own personality and appeal. Guests should consider location, decor style and shared or private baths in choosing the right room. The Bed and Breakfast Association (800) 542-2632 can handle reservations and informational requests for the establishments listed below, or call direct. The Alpine House 739-1570 285 N. Glenwood, Jackson Hosts: Hans and Nancy Johnstone The Alpine House has seven rooms and feels slightly more like a small hotel than a classic It is affordably priced with Scandinavian charm, an' outdoor hot tub and private baths.

Furnishings are light and airy with clean lines and simple decor such as sleek pine beds, heated tile floors and ski and climbing photographs. The hosts are both former Olympians in cross-country ski events and can offer advice on area trails. Rates: $85 to $130. Bentwood 739-1411 4250 Raven Haven Road, off Teton Village Road Hosts: Nell and Bill Fay The owner-designed majestic log home has five luxurious rooms with fireplaces, private baths and large bathtubs. Rooms are tastefully decorated with a blend of English antiques and cowboy chic.

There is an outdoor deck facing the mountains amid three acres of cottonwood trees. Bentwood is well-equipped to handle weddings and one room has a loft that is suitable for travelers with children. Rates: $145 to $240. The Huff House Inn 733-4164 240 E. Deloney, Jackson Hosts: Jackie and Weldon Richardson This in-town is located two blocks from the Town Square and has five guest rooms and four cottages with whirlpool baths.

The historic Huff House was built in 1917 as the home of Jackson's first doctor, Charles W. Huff. There is an outdoor hot tub and hearty family-style breakfasts are served in the gracious dining room. Decor is on the formal, elegant side with Victorian accents. Rates: $1 33 to $1 94.

The Inn at Buffalo Fork (307)543-2010 Six miles east of Moran Jet. at 1 8200 E. Hwy 26-287 Hosts: Gene and Jeannie Ferrin If Barry WilliamsGuide ULTIMATE HOT TUB: The Wildflower Inn boasts a relaxing spa in a cozy window-filled room for optimal stargazing and wildlife watching while you soak. Proprietors Sherrie and Ken Jern built the on Teton Village road 10 years ago..