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Green Gables Loft B&B Little Bavaria in the Rockies |
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Like Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Alps, Revelstoke is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and national parks. The Columbia River, the Trans-Canada Highway, and freight trains run gently through the small town. Revelstoke is no longer in the tourist season, which only lasts 3 or 4 months in summer.
However, the weather and nature invite us to hike and enjoy many other sports and leisure activities.
Mount Revelstoke National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to numerous mammals, including grizzlies, black bears, moose, lynx, mule deer, elk, and beavers.
Arriving at a small green wooden house, we were greeted by a smiling blonde lady: Gundy Baty, the owner of Green Gables Loft B&B. Tastefully decorated down to the smallest details, Gundy has made this house unique. The decorative paintings on the cupboards and roof gables are reminiscent of Eastern Europe.
Originally from Bavaria, Gundy had a long journey before settling here: a German teacher in Bordeaux, a gemstone store manager in Toronto, as well as a travel agent, medical aide, etc. She adopted two children, now studying at the University of Toronto: Robert, originally from Seychelles, and Vincent from Colombia. She doesn’t miss Germany too much but has a bit of nostalgia for France, which she seems to know well.
From strudel to pumpkin soup, sauerkraut, and homemade jams, Gundy loves cooking. Despite the daily challenges of running her business, she remains spontaneous and available for her guests.
B&B owners are a unique kind of people, perhaps seeking more fulfillment or chasing an ideal or dream. Sometimes, the dream takes over, and the business suffers. Staying grounded while dreaming big is key...
The Columbia River is regularly interrupted by dams. A large water reserve for Portland and Seattle, the river is so wide it feels like a lake. The ferry crossing takes 25 minutes. A magical landscape of water, forests, and snow-capped peaks with trees still vibrant in late October, displaying red, ochre-yellow, and light green leaves.
On the waterfront, a few minutes from Nakusp, lies the Halcyon Hot Springs Hotel, a small thermal spa with calcium-rich water emerging at over 50°C. A large log-built structure, Halcyon hosts visitors with three pools: one at 38°C, another at 42°C, and a small one at 12°C.
A stunning view of the Columbia River (called Upper Arrow Lake here) and the mountain on the other side. The land was purchased by Captain Robert Sanderson in 1890 from the British Crown. Since the Halcyon Hot Springs Hotel's construction, the area became the local "Deauville" until 1955, when a fire destroyed the establishment. This magical spot of relaxation in a unique setting is one of the true pleasures of a trip to Canada.
The history of Mount Revelstoke National Park
The walk allows you to see the rainforest, followed by the subalpine forest and, near the summit, the sparse trees of alpine meadows. In July and August, these meadows burst with vibrant wildflowers. Higher up are the barren landscapes of the alpine zone with small lakes, reservoirs for local wildlife.
The mountains and valleys are blanketed in thick snow during winter. This heavy accumulation shapes the development and behavior of animals and plants in Mount Revelstoke National Park.
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The New International Family of Innkeepers
As we age, we miss the time when family was
important. It gave us a sense of security. I belong to the generation of "baby boomers" born after the Second World War, and I nostalgically think of past years—a way of
life that has disappeared. Many of us are divorced, our children have grown up and their lives are elsewhere; we often live alone in a big city where no one talks to anyone. My way of escaping this life was to move from Toronto, the largest city in Canada, to the small town of Revelstoke in the Rocky Mountains, 5000 km further west.
To avoid loneliness, I bought a Bed & Breakfast hoping to host visitors from all over the world. It was a fantastic decision. People who enjoy "Bed and Breakfasts" are very different and interesting individuals. Most
of them are well-traveled, highly educated, and it is fascinating to talk with them and learn their life stories. Many of them have become friends, they often return
or stay in touch by email. I meet extraordinary people, most of whom are more interesting than the rest of my family. I am always sad when they have to leave.
One day, I received an email from Philippe Papadimitriou, the owner of L'Etoile Guest House in France; he asked if I was interested in an innkeeper exchange. What a wonderful idea! He, too, is someone trying to escape this new lifestyle of today. I was impressed!
He has a very interesting website with reports and photos of all the people he has exchanged with in places like Canada, the USA, Australia, Poland, and Morocco. The web pages were well-designed, and I was very enthusiastic about the possibility of being part of this new international family.
Philippe came for 5 days with a charming girlfriend from the Czech Republic, Radka. Right away, we felt like old friends and shared stories about our delightful guests who make our lives so special. After only a few hours, Philippe, a complete stranger, felt like a brother.
I married Syd Blackwell, also the owner of a B&B in Revelstoke, and we went on our honeymoon trip to Europe. We have a lot in common. We were both teachers, have traveled extensively over the last 30 years, love people, cooking, and especially our new life as guest house owners.
We arrived at L'Etoile the same day as Philippe, who was returning from an exchange in the United States. We immediately felt
at home in his house. It was pleasant, even though the house was empty because it was closed for the season (open from 15/06 to 15/09), and it was cold and rainy for 3 days. Despite the weather, we
had a wonderful stay.
Other tourists might decide to stay bored in
their hotel until the rain stops, but we went with Philippe to explore the surroundings. We could not believe our eyes at the beauty of this region, even in the rain and
fog. 
Small winding roads, with every curve revealing a splendid view: waterfalls, impressive rock formations, small rivers, and diverse vegetation—it was breathtakingly beautiful in the mist. I had lived in France when I was married to my first husband, who was French. I had visited extraordinary places throughout France, but
I had never seen this region of the Cevennes; what splendor!
Philippe, a bon vivant, always positive and easygoing, took us to small medieval villages with narrow streets, showed us Roman and Gothic churches and chapels, a picturesque market with fruits, vegetables, cheese, and good bread, as well as clothing of all kinds.
I had told my new husband from Canada about the diversity of markets in France, but we hadn’t found one in the three weeks we spent in France before arriving at Philippe’s place in La Bastide-Puylaurent. He took us to excellent little restaurants at lunchtime; what a difference it makes to have a guide. Our experience with restaurants in France before visiting Philippe was not always what we had hoped for.
At L'Etoile, everything was simple, no eccentric attitudes; we felt at home, eating as a family and helping with cooking and doing the dishes. It was an unforgettable experience. We hope that more innkeepers will be drawn to this idea of exchanging all over the world and meeting people they would never have met by staying as tourists in anonymous hotels. Syd and I dream of returning one day in summer to cycle through the magnificent wilderness. In the meantime, we will treasure this little gem. by Gundy Baty
Green Gables Loft B&B in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada - Map
Former resort hotel with a garden on the banks of the Allier, L'Étoile Guesthouse is located in La Bastide-Puylaurent, nestled between Lozère, Ardèche, and the Cévennes in the mountains of Southern France. Positioned at the crossroads of GR®7, GR®70 Chemin Stevenson, GR®72, GR®700 Voie Régordane (Saint Gilles), GR®470 Sources and Gorges of the Allier, GRP® Cévenol, Montagne Ardéchoise, and Margeride. It offers numerous loop routes for hiking and day-long cycling excursions. Ideal for a relaxing stay.
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