{"product_id":"querencia-a-journey-memoir-of-building-an-elegant-inn","title":"Querencia: A Journey - Memoir of Building an Elegant Inn","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Querencia: A Journey, the authors' memoir is recommended for readers who care about place-making, small-business determination, and the messy reality of building something from scratch. Mike and Mary Jo Macfarlane tell the story of acquiring forty acres near Murphys, CA, and turning raw land with no road, power, water, or communications into a highly rated inn. The single biggest reason to read this book is its detailed, honest account of the long, costly slog and the practical, human work behind an elegant hospitality success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounding narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e A full account of acquiring forty acres and the early decisions that shaped the inn, useful for readers curious about land development and vision.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction detail:\u003c\/strong\u003e Step-by-step stories about building without existing infrastructure, showing the logistical and emotional costs involved in creating a remote inn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOperations insight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Firsthand descriptions of running Querencia offer practical lessons on hospitality, guest care, and maintaining high standards once the business opened.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePersonal memoir:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors include adventures and misadventures, giving readers an intimate look at the people and choices behind the property.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegional focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Set in Calaveras County near Murphys, the book situates the inn in Gold Country history and landscape, adding a strong sense of place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuerencia: A Journey suits readers who enjoy \u003cstrong\u003ememoirs of building and hospitality\u003c\/strong\u003e, small-business owners considering or undertaking property development, and anyone fascinated by the practical work behind a boutique inn. The book is particularly valuable to those wanting honest accounts of setbacks and triumphs rather than romanticized instant success stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose looking for a technical how-to manual on construction methods or detailed architectural plans should look elsewhere; this is primarily a narrative memoir focused on care, commitment, and the lived experience of creating and operating an inn in a rural setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCompelling, grounded storytelling that conveys the scale of transforming undeveloped land into a destination inn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eUseful operational anecdotes that reveal what it takes to run a highly rated small inn in Gold Country.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eStrong sense of place and history around Murphys and Calaveras County, which enriches the narrative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe book is narrative-driven rather than a technical guide, so readers seeking construction specs or blueprints will find limited practical detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQuerencia: A Journey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMike Macfarlane, Mary Jo Macfarlane\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMemoir of building and running an inn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSetting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForty acres near Murphys, Calaveras County, California\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrom raw land with no road, power, or water to a highly rated inn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThemes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCare, commitment, hospitality, place-making\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuerencia: A Journey is a rewarding read for anyone interested in the human side of building a boutique inn; its honest portrayal of setbacks, logistical challenges, and eventual success makes it good value for readers looking for memoirs about perseverance and hospitality rather than technical construction manuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover the construction process in detail?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book describes many construction challenges and decisions but is narrative rather than a step-by-step technical guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the memoir focused on business operations or personal story?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth: it interweaves personal memoir with practical stories about running and maintaining a highly rated inn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Querencia located?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe inn is built on forty acres near the town of Murphys in Calaveras County, California.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mike Macfarlane, Mary Jo Macfarlane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48231087309019,"sku":"1496120620","price":41.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71uLmH0QXAL._SL1360.jpg?v=1770822669","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/querencia-a-journey-memoir-of-building-an-elegant-inn","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}