Every healthy relationship needs a lot of fun and a little romance. But why not add a touch of a few hobbits, trolls, sprites and fairies to really create an experience that you will never forget.
The Hobbit House of Whitepine Shire is the brain child of Steve and Christine Michaels. It is located in the outskirts of Trout Creek, Montana. Population: a few hundred I'd say. Since it opened a little over a year ago, it has been featured on MTV's Extreme Cribs and written up in various publications recently, including the NY Times. Not bad for what started out a few years ago as a simple yet eccentric guest house, that turned into a “hobbit” forming wonderland of troll folklore and all it's accoutrements.
The Hobbit House is literally “tucked” away in the mountain side of a pristine 20 acre parcel over looking an 80 acre spread owned by Michaels. Since the Hobbit House is located in my neck of the woods just a mile or so down the road, I actually had the pleasure of watching the place transform from ordinary to uniquely quirky and extraordinary over the past few years.
Steve and Chris Michaels will be the first to tell you, there is nothing ordinary about them, so I guess it didn't surprise me when I began to see heavy equipment climb the mountainside. But I have to admit, my first thought was “What in the world are they doing now?” As time went on, we began to see a structure of sorts emerge. A rather unattractive cement dome to be exact, which stuck out like a sore thumb on the mountain side, rendering my next reaction of “Is that a bomb shelter he's building?”
As our paths crossed at the mail boxes one day, Steve originally described his new project as being an eco-friendly, climate controlled guest house and getaway for he and Chris. I smiled and nodded, just hoping he would say they would eventually paint the thing a greenish/brown so that it would blend in with the scenery.
Little did I know a much bigger plan was about to hatch. Shortly into the project, a Lord of the Rings fan said the place looked like a hobbit house. Needless to say, a light bulb when off in Steve's head and as they say, the rest is history. The place quickly began to transform into a troll and fairy wonderland.
Considering Steve Michaels is a successful businessman, entrepreneur, author, wildlife and aerial photographer, he could have easily called in some big guns from the big city to complete the hobbit wonderland project. But he did his best to keep local contractors and artists busy with not just a hobbit house, but an entire hobbit homestead on his prime mountainside property.
One of the local contractors asked to work on the job happened to be my husband Dan. With a background and passion for Landscape design and artistic landscape installations, he was commissioned to construct a rock retaining wall which included formulating and constructing an abandoned mine shaft, troll size of course which Steve whole heartedly believes the Trolls have overtaken. To say they went a little “hobbit happy” through out the entire project might be an understatement.
Needless to say the place no longer looks like a cement bomb shelter. The Hobbit House and the surrounding troll and fairy wonderland are truly beyond comprehension, leaving no detail left undone. The main house which is a 1000 square ft abode is fully furnished with one full bedroom, one smaller nookish bedroom, one bath, dining area, living room and full kitchen. There is a large flat screen TV with DirectTV and blue ray player, and Wi Fi connection too. It also includes a deck with a bbq that overlooks the Michaels' 80 acre estate, home to alot of wildlife, a small tranquil lake and a llama farm. Besides the main house, there are countless troll and fairy sized homes through out the woods, a troll bridge over a recirculating brook, and of course, a wishing well.
When Steve gave us a tour of the house and grounds, he was like a little kid, pointing out all the little nuances that perhaps only a hobbit enthusiast might notice and appreciate. He admitted that people think he's crazy for creating such a place for guests, including the hobbits and all. His explanation was that he grew up financially unfortunate and now at age 63, he is living out his childhood dreams.
The Hobbit House of Whitepine Shire is basically located smack dab between Spokane, WA and Missoula, MT and the drive from any direction is truly spectacular. It is a quirky yet romantic way to spend a few days in the fantasy land the Michaels' have created. The surrounding communities of Trout Creek, Thompson Falls and Plains are quaint and inviting, offering plenty of good eats, entertainment and plenty of outdoor fun. Truly an escape you will never forget.
Although the Hobbit House is located in the mountains of Montana, pets are not allowed due to the fact they might attract unwanted wild game too close for comfort or leave behind remnants of allergenic hair. Also, Steve is not real keen on small children with sticky hands and dirty feet for unknown reasons. But if we are talking about romantic get a ways you might want to leave the kids with grandma and grandpa anyway.
Steve and Chris may never live long enough to recoup their initial investment of $410,000 but they are hopeful that hobbit lovers of the world or just plain curious folk will mark staying at the Hobbit House of Whitepine Shire on their bucketlist of things to do.
Although love and romance is a vital part of any healthy relationship. Often, adding in elements of the unexpected with a hefty dose of imagination is just what we need to stoke the fire of our most important relationships. Being a kid at heart, taking in simple beauty, sitting quietly and watching a young bald eagle test out his new found confidence, breathing in pure fresh air are all things you will find when you visit this little known hide away of western Montana, called the Hobbit House of Whitepine Shire.
Be sure to scroll through the pictures and watch the MTV Extreme Cribs video before you leave too.
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