Giddyup to the Lazy AA
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Laid-back getaway At the Lazy AA ranch, guests sleep in the Wooly Wagon, shown above. The horses pictured belong to the ranch owners, Steve and Marilyn Auth. Guests are welcome to bring or ride in on their own horses. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Steve Auth likes living in Indiana, but he likes to visit out West.

He and his wife, Marilyn, found a way to bring part of the West back home with them, and share it with others.

They opened a bed and breakfast which they describe as a "guest ranch." They call it the Lazy AA (double A for Auth and Auth).

"It's a getaway," Steve said.

Guests camp in the woods in a "Wooly Wagon." Patterned after a sheepherder's wagon, Steve built the structure on top of a hay wagon. It's cozy quarters for two. Steve said if a family wants to come, kids can bunk on the floor or pitch a tent outside.

Included in the stay are a surrey or buggy ride in the evening, use of a billiard room with fireplace at the ranch house, and canoeing. The Auths have two canoes and will drop guests off at Wildcat Creek, and then come and pick them up.

Ranch house and hosts Steve and Marilyn Auth are pictured in front of their home near Burlington. At their bed and breakfast, guests sleep in the Wooly Wagon, but come to the house for billiards and breakfast. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

The ranch is horse-friendly. The Lazy AA has three horses, but if people want to ride, they need to bring their own horses. There are stables and a round pen for training. Guests can ride down the road a ways, or Steve can direct them to other places of interest.

"We also welcome motorcyclists who are looking for a destination," he said.

If guests want to cook over an open fire in the evening, all they need to bring is their own grub. Cooking utensils, firewood, and everything else are furnished. If they would rather be served, an extra fee gets them a chuck wagon steak dinner.

A rancher's breakfast is served at the house, or at the wooly wagon if guests prefer. They choose their own breakfast menu the night before. Steve said his wife's fried potatoes are especially satisfying.

"When people come here, we want them to feel at home," Steve said.

Boot birdhouse Steve Auth makes birdhouses and bird feeders out of old western boots. When he has some on hand, he gives them out to guests as souvenirs. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

They can meander around at their leisure. The grounds include a short walking trail, a rock garden with pond, a creek, trees, and perennial flowers and herbs. There's also a pond by the Wooly Wagon. Folks can relax and sit a spell at the water's edge.

The Auths have worked on the landscaping a little at a time, and are always adding to it.

To help create that feeling of the West, Steve has brought in a lot of boulders. He jokingly tells guests that he'll give them a prize if they can guess how many boulders are on the place. He said actually, he doesn't have any idea how many there are.

Steve likes to make bird houses out of old western boots. A number of them can be seen hanging around. When he has extras, he sends one home with the visitors.

The Auths have lived on the property for 30 years, but just opened their bed and breakfast last summer.

Their first guests were a man and woman from Indianapolis. Under a moon-lit sky, the man proposed. They told the Auths about their engagement the next morning over breakfast.

Steve said some of their other guests have been from Sheridan, Kokomo, Knoxville, and Chicago.

Right now the Auths only have one Wooly Wagon. But they have plans to build a cabin and some tepees along the creek.

"I'd also like to make a fishing pond," Steve said.

When he's not working outside, Steve can be seen painting in his artist studio or cutting hair in his barber shop - both inside the house.

The Auths invite people to mosey on over to their place. Go half a mile south of Burlingon on State Road 29, then three miles east on Jerkwater Road (CR 600S).

When you get there, you may be greeted by the Auths or by a dog named "Cowboy."