Imagine driving along the picturesque Highway 50 to Elmdale and turning west.
Within just 90 minutes, you’re surrounded by the authentic tranquility of Kansas.
Listen to the rustling of leaves, marvel at an untouched night sky, and experience a golden serenity.
Deep in the heart of West Chase County, surrounded by lush soybean fields and embraced by a gentle creek valley, lies a vacation rental in a silo known as the “Owl’s Nest Silo House.”
This isn’t just any house; it’s a carefully crafted log cabin, built in 2019, that you can call home for at least a weekend.
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Gerald Wiens, the man behind this refuge, originally envisioned building a log cabin for sporadic weekend rentals.
“We decided to build a log cabin and rent it out for weekends, hopefully like Airbnb. We thought just a few weekends a month,” he said.
However, he had scarcely anticipated the overwhelming demand during the pandemic year, as the Paw Print Cabin was occupied for over 180 nights!
Near the cabin stood an old silo towering high.
It was in remarkably good condition and sparked an idea in Gerald.
With some creativity, sketches, models, and considerations of floor plans, he set out to convert the silo into a living space. However, the circular structure presented some challenges.
“That’s basically what happened. And then, you know, we looked at a lot of ideas. We drew small models. We had different floor plans,” Gerald said according to KSN.
The result? A four-story marvel standing 45 feet high.
Upon entering the vacation rental in the silo, the entrance seamlessly flows into a unique circular living room, an intimate space designed for comfort and relaxation.
Two cozy leather armchairs immediately catch the eye, perfectly placed to foster heartwarming conversations or solitary moments of reflection.
For those seeking entertainment, a modern flat-screen TV is strategically mounted above a magnificent gas-fired stone fireplace.
Whether you’re in the mood for a movie night or simply want to enjoy the gentle warmth of the flames against the backdrop of your favorite show, this living space provides the perfect setting.
And let’s not forget about practicality: Cleverly tucked under the winding staircase is a discreet guest restroom. This space-saving design ensures that guests don’t have to go far for amenities even while enjoying the comfort of the living room.
Furthermore, the Owl’s Nest Silo House offers an exceptional journey to the pinnacle of comfort. To reach the splendor of the fourth floor with the master bedroom, you embark on a fascinating ascent via 45 steps winding upwards.
The second floor features a cozy bedroom for three. Here, Gerald has created a custom-made bunk bed with a double bed below and a single bed above.
Meanwhile, he had a challenge to overcome: accommodating a bathroom on one floor with a bedroom. The solution? The entire third floor is dedicated to this spacious bathroom serving both bedrooms.
But what makes it particularly special is the generous shower that makes those in typical homes seem tiny. It’s pure luxury that allows guests to pamper themselves stylishly.
The highlight of this architectural masterpiece is the master bedroom, equipped with a ceiling height of 16 feet and a luxurious king-size bed.
Gerald has poured his heart, soul, and countless hours into this project.
The silo recently opened its doors to its first guests.
Curious about the prices? It costs $175 per night, with a minimum stay of two nights and an additional cleaning fee.
But heed Gerald’s gentle warning: If you’re looking for a Disneyland-like experience, this might not be for you.
This is a destination for those who truly appreciate nature.
Gerald and his family carried out the entire construction themselves, with occasional assistance from their architecture student grandson.
For those interested, the log cabin is already listed on Airbnb under “Vacation Rentals Chase County,” and the silo vacation rental will soon join its ranks.
“To say it was a labor of love, I mean, we spent so much time here.
If you had to pay me for it, I’d hate to say how many hours it took because it’s not a typical build,” Gerald said.
See how amazing this silo vacation rental is by watching the video.