Journal Entries and Videos Gallery

Welcome to our Journal. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us as we share stories, lessons, railroad history, and the simple joys of creating memorable places and meaningful experiences.

The Rock Island Host Journal

Journal Entry No. 1

Welcome to the Rock Island Lifestyle

A Note from Christine

When we opened the Rock Island Railroad Staycation, I decided to begin keeping a journal.

Not because I have all the answers, but because I believe some of life’s greatest lessons are learned along the journey. My hope is that these journal entries encourage new hosts, inspire experienced ones, and remind us all that true hospitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about making people feel welcome.

So, welcome aboard.

Have you ever stayed somewhere that simply felt different?

Not because it was the biggest home.

Not because it had the fanciest furniture.

But because, from the moment you walked through the front door, you felt like someone had been expecting you.

A light was left on.

Fresh coffee was waiting for the morning.

The beds looked inviting.

Everything felt peaceful.

Those little things may seem ordinary, but together they create something extraordinary.

They create an experience.

That is the heart of what I call the Rock Island Lifestyle.

When our family opened the Rock Island Railroad Staycation, we didn’t dream of creating just another place to stay. We dreamed of creating a place where people could slow down, reconnect, and leave feeling refreshed. We wanted every guest to know that someone had thoughtfully prepared a place just for them.

Long before we welcomed our first Airbnb guest, life had already been teaching me what hospitality really means.

As a teacher, I learned that people flourish when they feel seen.

As a wife, daughter, mother, and friend, I learned that love is often expressed through the smallest acts of kindness.

Hosting has simply become another way to live out those same lessons.

I’ve discovered that hospitality isn’t measured by how long you’ve been hosting. It’s measured by how intentionally you care for the people who walk through your door.

One of the greatest joys of this adventure is that it has become a family journey. My husband, Larry, shares my love for creating a welcoming experience, and my parents help prepare the home with the same pride and care they would if they were welcoming family into their own house.

Every freshly folded towel.

Every sparkling countertop.

Every carefully made bed.

Every little detail quietly says the same thing:

“We’re so glad you’re here.”

As a former science teacher, I have always been fascinated by how small changes can produce remarkable results. Hosting has reminded me that the same principle applies to hospitality.

Sometimes the smallest touches leave the biggest impressions.

A handwritten welcome note.

A basket of snacks after a long drive.

A clean kitchen.

Soft lighting.

A quick message letting guests know you’re excited for their arrival.

None of those things are expensive.

But together, they create an experience that guests remember long after they’ve returned home.

This journal isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about sharing what we’re learning, celebrating what works, admitting what doesn’t, and growing into the kind of hosts we hope every traveler is fortunate enough to meet.

Whether you’re welcoming guests into a spare bedroom, a lake cabin, a downtown apartment, or a historic railroad-themed home like ours, my hope is that these pages will encourage you to create more than a place to sleep.

Create a place where memories are made.

Create a place where people feel at home.

Create an experience they’ll never forget.

That’s the Rock Island Lifestyle.

I’m so grateful you’ve joined me for this first stop on the journey.

Until the next stop on your journey…

Larry & Christine Jumper
Founder & Host
Rock Island Railroad Staycation

The Rock Island Host Journal

Journal Entry No. 2

The Journey Begins Before Arrival

A Note from Christine

One of the greatest surprises I’ve discovered about hosting is that the guest experience doesn’t begin when someone unlocks the front door.

It begins much earlier than that.

It begins with the very first impression.

When someone books your home, they’re not just reserving a place to sleep.

They’re making a decision to trust you.

They’ve chosen your home over hundreds of others. Maybe they’re traveling to celebrate an anniversary. Maybe they’re visiting family. Maybe they’re simply looking for a quiet place to rest after a long day on the road.

Whatever their reason, one thing is true.

They’re hoping they made the right choice.

As hosts, we have the opportunity to reassure them long before they ever arrive.

I remember how important communication has always been throughout my life. As a teacher, I learned that people feel more confident when they know what to expect. The same is true for our guests.

A simple message can replace uncertainty with confidence.

A warm greeting can replace anxiety with excitement.

That’s why I believe every message we send should sound less like a business transaction and more like a conversation between friends.

Instead of saying, “Your reservation has been confirmed,” why not say,

“We’re so excited to welcome you to the Rock Island Railroad Staycation! If there’s anything we can do before you arrive, please let us know. We’re looking forward to helping make your stay a wonderful one.”

Can you feel the difference?

The words aren’t complicated.

But the feeling is.

Guests remember how you made them feel.

As hosts, we often spend hours making beds, polishing mirrors, folding towels, and stocking the coffee bar. Those things absolutely matter.

But sometimes the greatest hospitality happens before the first suitcase ever crosses the front porch.

It’s answering questions with kindness.

It’s sending clear directions.

It’s letting guests know where to park.

It’s checking in after they’ve arrived to make sure everything is just as they expected.

It’s reminding them that someone genuinely cares about their experience.

One thing I’ve learned is that hospitality isn’t about being available every minute of the day.

It’s about being present when it matters most.

Guests don’t expect perfection.

They simply want to know that if they need you, you’re there.

That’s a comforting feeling, especially when someone is far from home.

As our family continues this hosting journey, we’re discovering that every thoughtful message, every friendly response, and every small act of kindness becomes another brick in the foundation of trust.

And trust is what turns first-time guests into returning guests.

Before your next guest arrives, ask yourself one simple question:

“Have I prepared my guest as thoughtfully as I’ve prepared my home?”

If the answer is yes, you’ve already started creating an experience they’ll remember.

That’s the Rock Island Lifestyle.

Until the next stop on your journey…

Larry & Christine Jumper
Founder & Host
Rock Island Railroad Staycation

Journal Entry #3

It’s the Little Things Guests Remember

When people think about what makes a stay unforgettable, they often imagine grand gestures or expensive amenities. The truth is, it’s usually the little things that leave the biggest impression.

A warm welcome message. A clean, inviting home. Fresh coffee waiting in the morning. Soft towels. A comfortable bed after a long day on the road. These simple details quietly tell your guests, “We’re glad you’re here.”

At Rock Island Railroad Staycation, we believe hospitality isn’t about perfection. It’s about thoughtfulness. It’s about anticipating someone’s needs before they even realize they have them.

As we’ve worked to create our staycation, we’ve learned that every small decision adds to the experience. Every improvement, every personal touch, every extra moment spent preparing our home is an investment in making someone feel comfortable and cared for.

Our hope is that when guests leave, they don’t just remember the house. We hope they remember how they felt while they were here.

Those are the memories worth creating.

Until the next stop on the journey…

Larry & Christine Jumper
Founders & Hosts
Rock Island Railroad Staycation

Journal Entry #4

More Than a Stay—A Story Worth Sharing

Every home has a story.

Some stories are written in old photographs. Others are found in weathered stone, worn wooden floors, and the echoes of people who walked those halls years before us.

Rock Island Railroad Staycation is more than a place to spend the night. It’s a chance to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy a home that has stood the test of time while welcoming a new generation of travelers.

We love imagining the conversations that once filled these rooms and the lives that passed through this historic home. Today, those stories continue with every guest who walks through our front door.

Whether you’re visiting Colby for business, family, a weekend getaway, or simply passing through, we hope your stay becomes part of the continuing story of this special place.

Thank you for allowing us to share a small piece of Rock Island history with you. We look forward to welcoming you back whenever your travels bring you our way.

Until the next stop on the journey…

Larry & Christine Jumper
Founders & Hosts
Rock Island Railroad Staycation