Honeymooners Brian and Mary Bostwick returned to buy rustic inn and cabins.
Later that year, they did.
“We were both in the technology industry and my husband, Brian, had some construction experience, so we played with the idea of purchasing some acreage and building cabins in Flagstaff,” said Mary. “What we didn’t know was the current owners at the time, Ray and Pauline Wanek, had plans to sell their business but were waiting for the right people to take over the inn.”
“We had some conversations with the Waneks that following May and about four months later, we purchased Arizona Mountain Inn & Cabins, our dream,” she said. “It was approximately 50 years after Ray had purchased the undeveloped land.”
Ponderosa pines adorn the 13-acre property that now has 17 cabins and three bed and breakfast suites. “The hogan was the final cabin built in 1988 and can accommodate 16 people,” said Mary.
“We did a lot of remodeling, as the cabins needed a ton of work,” said Brian. “From the roofing to the floors, new furniture and lighting, we refurbished it from the top to bottom.”
The cabins are popular year-round and provide access to nearby hiking and cycling trails, a sled run for guests visiting in the winter and Lake Mary a few miles down the road.
“For several years, the Cancer Center in Flagstaff sponsored a three-day retreat for cancer survivors,” said former Registered Nurse Angie Sanserino. “Arizona Mountain Inn & Cabins provided a tranquil environment. The ponderosa pines made it the perfect setting to promote healing and the participants always looked forward to returning the next year.”
Previous owner Ray Wanek left a love note to his wife posted on a tree near Cabin #1. A few lines of the poem read:
In the Spring of ‘53
Underneath this very tree.
I asked Pauline to marry me….
Maximum occupancy for Arizona Mountain Inn & Cabins is 110. “Downtown Flagstaff is about four miles away, but it feels like we’re so secluded. We’re probably one of the most unique properties in Flagstaff,” said Mary.
“We have stayed a bunch of times on and off for the last 25 years and we just love it,” said Phoenix resident Tyler Meeker. “It’s children- and pet-friendly and there’s plenty of wide-open space, but it’s still close to downtown Flagstaff. We’ve stayed in almost every cabin and even had a family reunion and rented their hogan. Winter is fun there, too.”
Catering to their bed and breakfast guests, the Bostwicks have incorporated an impressive early morning menu featuring their Breakfast Egg Bakes. “These are individual casseroles that we make in-house using fresh veggies and meats and creamy cheeses like Gouda and Jarlsberg,” said Mary.
A few of their selections include their Spicy Fiesta Breakfast Bake with seasoned pork chorizo and mild green chilies, a Veggie Breakfast Bake with sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes and a touch of basil and their newest creation, the Sweet and Creamy French Toast Breakfast Bake.
“Arizona Mountain Inn & Cabins is a great asset to the community,” said City of Flagstaff Business and Retention Manager John Saltonstall. “It’s a piece of Flagstaff you can visit and get a chance to experience the Flagstaff that everyone loves.”
Most of the Bostwicks’ time is spent running their business, but Mary does find time to teach Jazzercize and Brian is an avid motorcyclist.
Arizona Mountain Inn & Cabins is located at 4200 Lake Mary Road. For more information, call 928-774-8959 or visit www.arizonamountaininn.com.
LAST TIME I THANKED MY YOUNGER SELF
(Mary) I don’t normally thank my younger self, but I’m glad she survived her wild and crazy younger years. So ‘thank you,’ young Mary.
(Brian) Typically, I’m upset with my younger self for not taking care of my body better.
MY ROLE MODEL
(Mary) My mom. She was a young, divorced housewife with no education. She was able not only to survive but turn her life around and now she is comfortably retired – and she did that all by herself.
(Brian) My dad and my uncles are my role models. They are all entrepreneurs, but the best part about it is three of my uncles are blind. That never stopped them from living a successful life. Their stories are very amazing and inspiring.
MY GUILTY PLEASURE
(Mary) Lay’s Stax or Pringles potato chips.
(Brian) Mary is an amazing baker. Her cakes and cookies are absolutely my guilty pleasure.
CHARACTER QUALITIES I MOST ADMIRE
(Mary) Integrity and a sense of humor.
(Brian) Passion and self-confidence. One of my best friends moved from another country with nothing and in 23 years built a business and has been recognized as one of the best in his industry. His passion and self-confidence to succeed are so rare. Failure is not in his vocabulary.
HOBBIES FOR THE FUTURE
(Mary) Cookie decorating.
(Brian) I would like to get my pilot’s license. QCBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Mary and Brian Bostwick stand by the tree that holds the poem written by original owner Ray Wanek, a love letter to his wife, Pauline, 70 years ago.
Leave a Reply