We’re looking back at our very first year as hosts… what went right, what went hilariously wrong, and the lessons we’re taking into Season Two! Come for the before-and-after photos, stay for the story behind Lincoln’s Lodge.

Nine days to renovate a kitchen during peak rental season. What could possibly go wrong? This is the story of what happened next, featuring a nine-day sprint, a crushed cabinet, and one very dramatic royal blue after photo.

We knew hosting guests from a two-day drive away was going to come with challenges. But we figured: we’re capable, travel-savvy people. We’d figure it out. Spoiler alert: we are figuring it out, but plenty of things have still gone hilariously, stressfully wrong!

When we asked for the property to be fully furnished, we were thinking beds, maybe a couch, a kitchen table if we were lucky. What we got instead was… everything. Every single rusty, dusty, questionably useful thing. This is the story of how “fully furnished” turned into fully overwhelmed. Welcome to The Great Cabin Purge!

We expected some quirks. Some fixes. A handful of items to knock out before hosting guests. What we got instead was a renovation starter pack. A house-shaped checklist of issues ranging from "eh, cosmetic" to "you should probably call an electrician yesterday." Let’s break it down…

We pulled up to an unassuming fixer-upper, a For Sale sign planted in the front yard like a question mark. After years of searching, we were finally here… staring at a place that could be a hidden gem or a total disaster.

This is the story of how we found, bought, and are now renovating a fixer-upper near Yellowstone National Park, including what we saw in these cabins, why we took the leap, and the adventure that’s only just beginning!

Most places require miles of hiking or off-road driving to reach views even a fraction of this picturesque. But in the Canadian Rockies, the views are everywhere. When I say this is one of the dreamiest road trips, here’s what I mean…

The vibrancy of Lake Louise is even more striking from this skyline summit, where its creamy turquoise waters pop against the gray haze of the sky and the iconic Fairmont Chateau. But first, we have to earn this epic view!

This third excerpt is hosted on our sister site, Dreamy Travelogues. This site features "pinch me" places, from luxurious hotels to immersive experiences and the most perfect views. Chateau Lake Louise was the one that started it all.