Link: http://www.johnsonmill.com

By Jim Brearton 

What would be the perfect business? I often thought it would be a bed and breakfast operation, built where I would most like to live, designed with all comforts I would most enjoy, using occasional boarders, eventually repeat customers who are fiends, to help finance the mortgage on this dream-home. I would design a place that all my kids and grandkids would want to come visit, near world class fly fishing and near national parks. My wife and I would offer personal guiding for guests to local attractions and or fly fishing. And we would have a gift shop selling her creations, including pottery, as well as my hand tied flies. We would work hard during the tourist season, then take the winter off to travel and restock our gift store. We may even partner with another couple to share duties and commitments so this operation would never trap us.

The realities of this dream somewhat cloud it... the long days, financial risk and worries associated with catering to the vagaries and the whims of all types of people. I will say that I have pursued the idea enough that I have stayed at numerous B&B establishments in Idaho and Montana, checking out what is out there. So, when invited to stay at Johnson Mill Bed and Breakfast in Midway, I came with a frame of reference. Let me share how I feel this establishment holds up.

My wife and I checked in on a Friday night. I took a few photos of the grounds while Pat relaxed in the room and then we were off to Park City and dinner. The next morning we started early on the walking path and made it all the way to a park in Heber and back before breakfast. After French toast and bacon, we fished the inn’s large pond, where we hooked several nice rainbows, including a 4-pound beauty. If I could do over, I would have checked in much earlier and done some Friday fishing instead of going to Park City, but I feel we made the most of our short stay.

Located between Midway and Heber, an area I consider to be one of the best place to live in our state, I give an A+ to location. Two, soon to be three, premier golf courses, world class skiing and flyfishing, great restaurants, the area has it all, including stunning views of the Utah Alps this valley is famous for. It is a stone’s throw from the Provo River, has its own private ponds, and a spring creek runs through the property. One of the ponds is more like a small lake and is stocked with trophy trout. The Four Seasons Flyfishers shop in Heber offers guide service on the property. Great water quality with some really nice fish.

Amenities

Bob Johnson recently refurbished the rooms and they are all warmly decorated and supremely comfortable. All have TVs, VCRs, fireplaces and private balconies. Many from the German Winter Olympics team stayed here last winter while winning several medals. They were obviously well rested.

The basement offers a game/exercise room and the grounds invite one to take a long stroll. There is a biking/jogging trail close by that leads all the way to Heber.

Breakfast is wonderful, served outdoors when weather permits, on the back patio deck, close enough to the large pond to see fish rolling. Resident ducks and even a pair of swans with offspring enhanced our view.

There are remarkable photo-ops at every turn, making this a great venue for wedding receptions. Gazebos, swans, hand-crafted water wheel, walking paths and even a 35 foot waterfall. I guess I’m most impressed by the 14 acres on the Provo River, but to each his own.

As Bob and Charlene say, “Come... listen to the quiet.” And, tell me how to clone your place somewhere up on the Madison River in Montana.