Mark Tidd's Citadel

Four friends from Michigan set out for a promised mountain getaway, only to arrive at a crumbling, long‑abandoned summer hotel perched above Lake Ravona. Their excitement, sparked by a faded brochure promising fishing and deer‑filled woods, quickly turns to bewilderment as they discover the building hasn’t been open since the era of Ethan Allen. The group’s leader, Mark Tidd, a newly wealthy inventor, tries to keep the mood light despite the obvious disappointment, while his nervous laughter and the others’ banter reveal a tight‑knit camaraderie that carries them through the absurd situation.

As the friends regroup in the nearby town, they learn that the only clue to salvaging their trip lies with a mysterious local named Jim Ames, who seems to own the lumber pile that once supported the hotel. Their curiosity drives them toward the white‑painted house at the edge of town, setting the stage for a series of misadventures that test their friendship, ingenuity, and the promise of Mark’s generous plans for their futures.