It is with great excitement that we announce the 2021 recipient of the Elk River Kipper Scholarship. In its second year, we were reminded how difficult it is to select just one winner for this scholarship. The applicants were all wonderful staff members, present and some past, who are setting their sights on pursuing the…
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No one gear tests like a guide! Their heavy use allows them to put apparel and gear to the test as well as try out a lot of different options along the way. So, who better than our guides and wranglers to provide some insider tips for all of you! Horseback Riding If you were…
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The hammering outside the Lodge is hard to miss right now, but each day Nate and his crew get closer to having our new fitness room finished. The new setup will be far more convenient for our guests to access and will offer more space to spread out. The best part is, it is right…
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There are so many areas in our life where we are defined by being called a “beginner” or “novice” or “advanced” or “expert”, and everything in between. But when it comes to horses and horsemanship, what do those labels mean? It is common that people equate speed with ability. We hear from many riders that…
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One of the things I’ve always admired about the mindset of the leadership of Vista Verde Ranch is the consistent push towards “betterness.” You can’t find this term in the dictionary, but it comes from former ranch owner John Munn, and we continue to use it as a guiding principle today. The key is to…
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Oatmeal White Chocolate Craisin Cookies Ingredients: ½ pound unsalted butter ½ pound Crisco/shortening 2 cups brown sugar 2 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 1½ tsp. vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. nutmeg 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon 6 cups old fashioned rolled oats 1 cup white…
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If you’ve got a case of Spring fever, this recipe might be just right for you. As the snow melts and the days get longer, we’re itching for dinner on the patio and, here’s a novel idea, visiting with friends over a great meal! Although it’s always better to have Chef Jonathon make this for…
DetailsWe have been hit by the Covid rebound syndrome. People have been cooped up, are craving a vacation, and want to go to more remote and outdoor destinations. We know that some guests who usually plan their summer vacation later in the spring have been disappointed when they reach out and find we are booked…
DetailsERKS Back in 2019 we established the Elk River Kipper Scholarship Fund (ERKS) to honor Charlie’s 20th anniversary at the ranch and add to his legacy of helping our staff grow and develop at the ranch and into their lives when they leave the ranch. A bright spot in the blur of 2020 was awarding…
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Several of the horse lovers here at Vista Verde have gotten hooked on podcasts from horse trainer Julie Goodnight. Julie is a Colorado-based trainer who also partners as a clinician with our friends and fellow dude-ranchers at C Lazy U Ranch. We love the way she approaches teaching and training with her pragmatic philosophy that…
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