My name is Justin, and I’m the grateful steward of this vacation rental in a little corner of paradise in the Lasal Mountains near Moab, Utah. The category for this overnight rental property lies somewhere between teeming with wildlife, a beautifully rugged landscape, and sacred space. Deer Creek Retreat and Lasal Lookout are more than a business for my family and me; they are a living chapter in a larger‑than‑life story filled with intrigue, loss, grit, faith, and a whole lot of hope.
Years ago, these five acres in Old Lasal belonged to my older brother, Todd. He was a quiet, towering presence—6’4”, a lifelong employee at Moab’s City Market, where his limited interaction with many of the locals brought him to legend, but by most accounts, he was a hermit. He never married, had no children, and loved his secluded lifestyle. Long before there was a main house or a tiny home, Todd dug the water well, parked an old RV smack in the middle of the property, and installed pipes throughout to grow trees. I can only assume he hoped that one day he’d turn his corner of the world into a lush paradise. He saw something in this place that I am still coming to know.
We had already buried both of our parents—our mom back in the 1970s and our dad about a decade before Todd died. For many years, it was just my big brother and me. When Todd passed away from a heart attack at 47, I suddenly found myself with a hole in my heart. Grief has a way of exposing the darkness, yet somehow the cracks allow light to break through. For my wife, our children, and me, this land became a crack of light—a blessing Todd left behind stretching from my hometown of Moab, Utah, to the remote Old Lasal.
Today, Deer Creek Retreat and Lasal Lookout stand where Todd’s quiet dream once sat untouched. The water well he drilled is the only thing left of the original property, and it symbolizes a fingerprint of what he left behind. The main cabin of this mountain retreat offers a spacious, comfortable place to rest on soft beds, a rainfall shower in the master bath, and a front porch that guests routinely rave about as the ideal place to capture a full picture of the mountainside and the Milky Way. The tiny home’s loft skylights make it feel like you are sleeping under a blanket of stars, with a picture window facing the mountain and a seating area to enjoy the evening air. What began as my brother’s hidden refuge has become a place for guests to unplug, breathe, and find a much‑needed reset.
Up to this point, my personal journey has been shaped by my military service, undergraduate and graduate studies, and walking with people in the darkest moments life brings. Sixteen years ago, I entered the U.S. Army and served as a chaplain in both the Reserve and Active‑Duty components, leaving the military as a Captain in 2025. I was ordained as a pastor nearly two decades ago and have been engaged in ministry in one form or another for more than twenty‑six years. Along the way, I earned multiple undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology and ministry, a master’s in English and Creative Writing, and a Ph.D. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction.
Underneath all my titles and the letters behind my name is a simple principle: I care deeply about people finding space to heal, ponder life, and take an honest look at the world. Deer Creek Retreat is a perfect way to offer that space. The land is rugged and raw, yet strangely gentle. The wildlife is abundant, you can hear the wind brushing the trees, the crisp air is ever present, the larger‑than‑life Lasal Mountains hold your attention, and the vast starry skies touch the soul in a way that no screen and no schedule can.
Although I own the property, the day‑to‑day hosting is in the capable hands of our manager, Jeff, who runs the retreat with excellence. As I see it, my primary role is to honor the story, care for the land, and make sure that when you visit, you feel welcome—not just as a guest, but as someone whose time, rest, and story matter, as if you were a member of the family.
If you decide to stay at Deer Creek Retreat or Lasal Lookout, you’re not just booking a bed, stove, or refrigerator. You’re stepping into a sacred place shaped by family, loss, perseverance, and grace—a place where solitude is real, the stars feel close enough to touch, and hope has a way of making it through the cracks.
I’d love to share this corner of the Lasal Mountains near Moab, Utah, with you. Book today—either the main cabin or the tiny home—via the provided Airbnb link.
All the best!
Justin