Meet Your Hosts

Meet Your Hosts: Colleen & Vern Myrick

Attending a destination wedding in Spain in 2017—and staying in Airbnbs throughout Europe—sparked a dream for lifelong Walla Wallans Colleen and Vern Myrick. Inspired by the hospitality and character of the places they stayed, they returned home with a vision: to create a cozy, welcoming lodging experience rooted in small-town warmth, scenic beauty, and the joy of connecting with others.

That vision became Horsing Around in the Barn, which opened in 2019 on their two-acre spread just three miles from downtown Walla Walla. Built by the Myricks themselves, the barn is spacious enough to house both guests and their beloved animals—horses, goats, chickens, and Gringo, their miniature schnauzer—each with their own quarters. Guests can interact with the animals as much or as little as they like (and yes, feeding marshmallows to the goats is encouraged!).

Over the years, Colleen and Vern have hosted travelers from all over the world—artists, journalists, winemakers, and families—each bringing their own stories and leaving with new ones. “We’ve seen people of all kinds in the last six years,” Colleen says. “We found we truly love hosting.” Their guests often describe the barn as peaceful, restorative, and full of heart.

Married for what Vern jokingly calls “145 years,” the Myricks’ partnership is the heart of their hospitality. Vern, a registered nurse in the PACU at Providence St. Mary’s, and Colleen, now retired, love welcoming guests to share their slice of country life. Whether it’s watching the sunset over the Blues, brushing the horses, or simply sitting on the swing under the stars, a stay at Horsing Around in the Barn feels a bit like visiting old friends—and maybe, discovering a little piece of paradise.