vintage escapes
Glamp Life
City life is busy. Traffic is stressfu l. When walls are closing in on you, we’ve got the per fectly peaceful remedy: Get your glamp on at Hoo t Owl Hill. By Heather Scanlon
T
hough Hoot Owl Hill is fresh on the glamping scene, owners Steve and Brenda Wrischnik’s masterpiece resort has been in the works for years. Truly two of the most inspiring people you’ll find met by chance at The Blue Note (it was so crowded they had to share a table) and married a year later. In the midst of searching for a Victorian house, one in Paola stole Brenda’s heart. Unfortunately, her perfect home was not for sale. Nothing less than fate placed the house on the market the very next week, and the Wrischniks moved in. The couple spent 12 devoted years in renovations, Brenda working at a bank and Steve in real-estate appraisal. The dream of running a bed-and-breakfast motivated them through the years, but the beautiful Victorian simply wasn’t fit for it. Steve ran across a five-acre property for sale on Osawatomie Road,
Photos Wheat Photography Hair Amy K. Kincaid Styling Anna Sabatini Models Elizabeth Bittiker, Voices&; Jacob Redlingshafer, Manifest Talent
26 VintageKC / Summer 2014
and he and Brenda went to check it out. The land was overgrown — a disaster area, if you will — and the couple had some trouble finding potential in it. While walking the desolate land, Brenda stumbled over a half-buried rock; further observation revealed a statue. A much younger Brenda had struggled to find her religious beliefs, but she met Hazel, a staunch theosophist and believer in karmic law. She became Brenda’s spiritual mentor. After the guru passed away, any distress led Brenda to meditate on thoughts of Hazel and her teachings. During nearly every one of these meditations, Brenda heard an owl hoot in the distance. Convinced Hazel still guided her, the symbolism of the owl comforted her. Coincidentally, both Wrischniks celebrate December birthdays, and the owl is the Indian spirit-guide for that birth month.