This week at the Ranchdude ranch history old brochures

We had a guest visit us earlier this summer who came to Vista Verde in 1985 and was coming back to share the experience with her grandson. She brought a folder of brochures and a newsletter (back when newsletters didn’t have an “e” in front of them!) that we got to pour over. There were photos of a brand new Zirkel cabin and even one of the Homestead cabin in its original building spot up at the main compound. It was moved to its current location out in the “Homestead pasture,” go figure, in the 1990s. What a kick to see how the ranch looked then and how ranch life was marketed back then!

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of the folks who have made Vista Verde their home. The stories are amazing of a different life in a different time—what the ranch looked like, how it was operated, and the ups and downs of ranch living in the various eras. From the stories of the Tufly women skiing up to the ranch in the winter for a “girls weekend” that consisted of shoveling roofs, to the wild stories of the Munn’s closing on their purchase of the ranch just days before the summer season kicked off, to the mischievous adventures of staff over the years that will not be repeated here, so many people have been impacted by this piece of property and those who have been committed to making it a special getaway. What stays the same through all the stories is the way the place makes everyone feel and the ownership those of us who have come through the front entry feel for this special place.

I have been lucky enough to be a part of recent history of this ranch since the late-90s. As I hit 25 years of working at Vista Verde, it is bittersweet to say goodbye and pass the reins of sharing the VVR story on to Devyn. It has been the job of a lifetime, and something that was far more than a job as it really is a lifestyle. I feel so lucky to have met so many wonderful people over the years, and to have had a hand in creating an experience that can range from a much-needed reprieve to a life-changing experience for our staff and guests alike. Thank you to all of you who have cared for me, encouraged me to become a better person, embraced my kids growing up at VVR, and allowed me the opportunity to be a part of the Vista Verde experience. I look forward to watching from a distance as others come to call the ranch home and love it as much as I have.

Happy trails- Steph Wilson