Sister-Brother Team Create a Family Retreat

     What began in 2001 as a plan for cabins to accommodate visiting children and grandchildren has now grown into the newest, family-style lodging facility in Swan Valley, Idaho.  Sleepy J Cabins has 10 new cabins, complete with kitchenettes, that can accommodate from 3 to 6 comfortably; and one is fully handicap accessible.  In addition, the new Lodge Room is available to guests and can accommodate up to 50 for private gatherings. 

   Michele Hornby and her brother Jake Jacobson grew up on the ranch where Sleepy J Cabins is located.  They would like to welcome you to their new family retreat in Swan Valley and share with you their knowledge of the area and the vast collection of historical photographs on display in the Lodge.    

     The concept for the cabins came as an avenue for our children and grandchildren to visit this beautiful valley and the land our ancestors settled.  Therefore, our motto for Sleepy J Cabins is that we offer to the public the level of accommodation we would want for our own family.  Our cabins are very clean and modern, and our staff is friendly and helpful.

    I lived in this valley until I was 13.  I then started my grand adventure of seeing and experiencing the world.  Along the way, I resided in Utah; Washington, D.C.; Sydney, Australia; Glendale, California; Sutter Creek, California; and Scottsdale, Arizona.  During my professional life, I have earned an AA in Accounting from Glendale College, a BS in Psychology from Brigham Young University, an MS in Gerontology at the University of Utah, and spent 20 years working in the LA area in forensic accounting.

    I returned as a resident of Swan Valley four years ago.  My personal passions are travel, wellness living, and, of course, my family of 3 children and 3 grandchildren.  My hobbies include yoga, ballroom dance, and travel.

    Come chat with me in our comfortable chairs outside the Lodge about your travels or about aging and wellness.  Or you could join me for a morning yoga session inside or outside.  I love sharing directions and info about the area or my favorite moose-sighting location.

     My sister Michele and I were raised next door on the ranch.  One day in 2001, we were talking; and she said she was going to try and build three cabins on our land so that her kids would always have a place to stay on their visits to Idaho.  I told that I would also like to build three cabins for my own three kids.  We decided to fill the lot up and rent the cabins to help defray the costs of our family retreat.  In the spring of 2002, our dream began and the cabins were fully open on August 10, 2002.  Since that time, we have added a lodge, which can easily accommodate 50 people for family reunions, business meetings, retreats, etc.

    I left the ranch and the area in 1966 to attend the University of Idaho.  I came home during the summers and helped dad with the ranch and worked for the Forest Service.  I graduated with a BS in Business in 1970 and entered the Air Force to attend pilot training at Williams AFB, Arizona.  I retired from the Air Fore in 1990 and was immediately hired by United Airlines as a pilot.  I am still actively flying for United; and if I am not at the cabins during the summer, I am out taking people to see the world.  I currently fly the 747-400.

   My family is the most important part of my life.  I also enjoy hunting, fishing, snow skiing, and anything else associated with the outdoors and Idaho.  I currently reside in Vacaville, California, with Linda, my wife of 31 years.