In September of 2005, we had an intense rainstorm which caused a 12-foot rise in our usually gentle McElmo Creek. A second swell, bringing water from northern and eastern drainages, flooded the entire lower creek area and caused our old bridge to be displaced from its footings. In December of 2005, an entirely new bridge, utilizing a steel railroad car bed, was put into place. This bridge can hold buses and heavy laden trucks up to 160,000 lbs. No need to skimp on baggage!

Autumn of 2006 brought a series of intense but shorter rains. This time our creek didn't flood, but the sandstone canyons north of us gathered more and more of the water, dumping it in spectacular "pour-overs" onto Kelly Place property. Unfortunately, one was located behind our double-wide mobile home, the location of our living quarters and the 2-bedroom modular suite (#11).

A rapidly eroding gorge developed right alongside the mobile home, threatening to topple it. After a few attempts to dissuade the water path, we stopped fighting Mother Nature and moved the mobile home far away from the rock cliffs and the new canyon.

The "new canyon", now about 14 feet wide and 12 feet deep in places, separates most of Kelly Place property from the garden site where recent excavations have taken place. Although none of the excavations were affected by the canyon, Mother Nature has shown us where and how deep we must excavate to get to newly found structures and other interesting prehistoric remnants.

A cache in the side of the canyon revealed a burial dated around Pueblo II era (900-1150 AD). To prevent the burial and information being washed away in the next rainstorm, our archaeologists excavated the remains. Analysis of the human remains from site 5MT-11739 by archaeologists Dr. Christy Turner, Dr. Dave Breternitz, and Jim Colleran indicated that an apparent family of 7 people, including men, women and children, had been brutalized and probably cannibalized at this site. This type of gruesome event was not completely uncommon during this time period in the Four Corners region. The victims were indeed Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi), but the identity of the perpetrators remains a mystery.

Rodney and Kristie Carriker sold Kelly Place to Marc and Jerene on July 1st. Marc Yaxley is a software engineer and Jerene Waite is a neuroscientist & teacher. They moved here from San Diego to get enjoy a new lifestyle! Marc and Jerene intend to continue the work and plans which the Carrikers have instituted over the years. Their hope is to continue all programs and add a few new ones.

Greetings from Kelly Place and McElmo Canyon Research Institute.

Though in operation since 1980, recent years have provided us with the chance to begin work we've envisioned for our entire existence. With the monumental efforts of over 100 volunteers (largely made up of enthusiastic Elderhostel participants) and an excellent professional staff, we began surveying, stabilizing and protecting some of the fragile ruins in the nearby Sand Canyon region. Sand Canyon, an offshoot canyon from our home McElmo Canyon, is part of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Well over 6000 acres, part of this Monument land, borders Kelly Place to our north. This new National Monument occupies 164,000 acres and borders Kelly Place BnB on the North.

During 1997 and early 1998, over 1600 acres of this land were surveyed as part of a partnership program and cooperative agreement between McElmo Canyon Research Institute (a non-profit organization) and the BLM. As a result of the survey a total of 136 cultural resources were identified consisting of 100 sites and 36 isolated finds. 73 new archaeological sites were recorded and 29 previously recorded sites were re-located and re-recorded. All were evaluated for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places.

The purpose of stabilization is not to restore the site, but to preserve it as it is today. Materials used are compatible with original materials and everything is done by hand. The process is very time consuming and only a few people can work on a site at any time. When we are finished with the site, it would be very difficult for the ordinary person to know where we worked. However, everything that is done to the site is accurately documented. Since 1999, 341 Elderhostel volunteers worked with McElmo Canyon Research Institute (MCRI) staff to stabilize six sites in the Sand Canyon area. Most of these are close to the Sand Canyon trail and are open to the public again because of our work. Annual visitation is substantial. In 2002, over 17,000 people hiked the Sand Canyon trail.

We are honored that our partnership with the BLM and the resulting survey and stabilization program, has been one of 24 programs chosen by the "Share Your Heritage" initiative to exemplify the best national programs in cultural heritage preservation. Details have been published in "Share Your Heritage", available from the National Trust for Historic Preservation (202-588-6000).

At the Kelly Place itself, work continued with some excavation at the Garden Site and the restoration of Sue's Kiva and its associated room block. The interior of Sue's Kiva has been painted and the mural is complete.

Kelly Place has been featured twice on the "Colorado Getaways" program on Denver Channel 4, a CBS affiliate. One of those programs was about our stabilization work at the Saddlehorn site. The other was about a horseback ride with Kristie to some of the Sand Canyon ruins. Also, in 2002, Kelly Place facilities were used to film a documentary on cannabilism which aired on the National Geographic Channel. Much of the program was film at George's Kiva and in the lounge at our lodge.

Our web site has produced an abundance of inquiries and reservations. Activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, as well as pottery and archaeology (when available), continue to make Kelly place one of the most unique bed and breakfast experiences in the country.

Well, that brings you up to date with us. Thanks for checking our newsletter and keep coming back - we update as developments occur.

We intend to revamp the web site soon and bring all the news up to date, and keep it that way!

Hope to see you at the Kelly Place

Marc Yaxley and Jerene Waite
Proprietors, Kelly Place

and the staff at McElmo Canyon Research Institute .

All content, design, and images are ©2008 Kelly Place, All Rights Reserved