An iconic Moab guide house and a heritage cottonwood tree are set to be razed to make way for more luxury homes. This isn’t surprising for our town, but as these places dwindle, I wanted to pay tribute to the “5th Whiskey” house, where I cherished four years of life, graciously rented far below market rate by the previous owner.
I often enjoyed coffee on the porch of the 150 sq. ft. studio in the back, watching no fewer than fifteen deer twitch their big ears in the calm of the morning. I’ll miss the 10’ wide fire pit, which hosted no shortage of oversized fires, and the shade of one of the largest cottonwoods in town. This acre of land was a gem. Whenever I mentioned where I lived, locals would exclaim they’d lived there too or at least attended a party that featured a massive bonfire—and once, an undercooked entire pig.
While we broke the chain of river guides who called this place home, we decided to move on when we heard it was for sale, fearing we’d be left houseless. 5th Whiskey returned to its roots with a lively group of river guides taking it over again, who kindly informed us that the bulldozing had begun and invited us to one last bonfire party. I asked them where they would go, and their answers varied, none too certain. One planned to head off in his van for the winter, another had found a place, but a few were left with shaky options ahead.
The goodbye party felt almost like a funeral—not just for the buildings that won’t be salvaged or the majestic cottonwood we all wish the developer would save, but also for what Moab once was: a place where you could live on an acre for almost nothing, where you felt like you were in the countryside yet Main Street was only five minutes away. A place where twenty trees and shade were more valuable than second homes that no local will inhabit.
Despite this, I am grateful I experienced it, even if briefly, and that so many others did too. Having that stable, affordable housing is what allowed us to stay in Moab, to build community and create a life here. It was a launchpad, a sanctuary, and a home. Rest in peace, 5th Whiskey House.
Faith Dickey
Moab
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