Taydie took some time to answer some questions from her home (and the B&B) not far from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
How did you decide where to open your inn?
It wasn't up for discussion. We used the home in which we raised our sons.
What are some of the unique features of your location?
Oh my, there are so many! We are on 120 acres, near Curt Gowdy State Park and Medicine Bow National Forest. We are set up to accommodate those traveling with or wishing to vacation with their horses.
We also provide "Adventure at Your Pace" packages which can include mountain biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, back country tours, taking a llama to lunch or just relaxing. We're more than just a place to spend the night!
Which is your personal favorite room at your bed and breakfast?
I have two favorites, the Carriage House Loft, because it is so very private, peaceful, and special. It has a private deck with an outdoor hot tub, and gas grill, while in the room there is a small pantry-closet kitchen with microwave, refridgerator, and coffee pot. It is totally self-contained, and also has a firplace, wonderful views and an awesome window seat the size of an extra-long twin bed, and a steam sauna. Definitely a room for feeling pampered.
The other is a more simple Nantucket Garden Room, which has a different simple charm to it with a private deck amidst a little garden which the hummingbirds love. It, too, has a window seat, and bookshelves filled with interesting reading options!
How do you make a stay at your B&B special?
Each guest has different needs and expectations. We fix meals with those differences in mind, and meet guests at their level of comfort. Nothing done is routine.
What would you say to people who have never stayed in a bed and breakfast?
They are all totally different. When you call to make a reservation, you can tell a lot about the place by the response to your questions. If you are interested in trying one out, give them a call, and go with your 'gut feeling' if it is the right place for you.
What made you want to become an innkeeper?
I needed a source of income, and wanted to stay at home to care for the garden and animals... When you live in a utopia, why leave if you don't have to?
What's your favorite part about being an innkeeper?
Serving, delighting and suprising our guests.
And the logical follow-up: What's your least favorite part?
Awaiting guests' arrival.
When did you first stay at a bed and breakfast?
We had been in business as a B&B for about two years when we stayed in one in Michigan when we attended our son's graduation from college.
What do you remember most about your first stay?
The cantaloupe was warm, and we were locked out of our room with no innkeeper available.
What would you say to people interested in becoming innkeepers?
Don't do it unless you truly love to serve people, have endless patience, boundless energy, and can turn a bad hair day into a celebration!
NOTE: This interview was originally published in February 1998. Since then, it appears that A. Drummond's Ranch B&B has stopped accepting guests.
