Eleven years ago, I built the Hobbit Inn tucked into a hillside in Chelan, Washington. I wanted to create a place that felt like stepping into another world — a little piece of the Shire hidden in the mountains where people could slow down, celebrate, and make memories.

Over the years, thousands of guests did exactly that. They came for anniversaries, honeymoons, birthdays, quiet weekends away, and adventures they would remember long after they left.

On July 4th, the Chelan Hills Fire destroyed it.

When I first stood in the ashes, I really didn’t think I would rebuild. I thought maybe that was the end of this chapter.

But then I shared what happened online and the messages started coming in — stories from guests who had stayed there, people who had followed along for years, and people who were still hoping to visit someday.

I also had to cancel over 100 future guests who were waiting for their own Hobbit Inn adventure.

It made me realize that while I was the one who built it, I wasn’t the only one who loved it.

One of the hardest parts of this loss is that there won’t be insurance money to rebuild. Creating unusual places has always meant figuring out things that don’t fit neatly into normal boxes — financing, permitting, and even insurance. While I have protection for guest-related emergencies, this wildfire was outside of that coverage.

Since the beginning, the dream was always bigger than one little house in the hill. I imagined a whole Hobbit village — winding paths, round doors, gardens, and a place where every corner felt like it had a story.

And maybe, in true Hobbit fashion, the story isn’t over. Even the Shire had a chapter where things were destroyed and needed to be restored. With help from those who loved it, new trees were planted, the gardens grew again, and the Shire found its way back.

If you loved the Hobbit Inn, stayed there, dreamed of visiting someday, or simply believe the world needs more magical places — thank you for helping bring a little piece of the Shire back.