By Steph
As we roll into 2015 with a crazy cold morning, it gives me some time to hunker down inside and reflect back on the past couple weeks. It’s been a whirlwind, to be sure!
Our opening week was filled with a varied and fun group of guests. The highlight was not only watching them all connect, but also celebrating the engagement of guests Alyssa and Jeff, followed days later by the engagement of Cori and Dan, former staff who stopped by the ranch for a quick proposal. The week was pretty quiet, which allowed us to all settle into the season, work out any kinks, and get into the routine of being open again.
Christmas week was so memorable. Some of the guests were worried we wouldn’t have enough snow leading up to the holiday. Well, Mother Nature delivered with the clouds opening up on the day the guests all arrived, and barely stopping the entire week. Yes, it was indeed a white Christmas. One of the unique events of the week was the decoration making party we had one night after dinner. Hosted by the amazingly creative Kelli (yes, she rocks it out at yoga, skiing, mountain biking, and yet she is also the most crafty gal I know) the guests and staff put together unique and colorful natural decorations to deck the trees in the yard. Although the decorations were intended to be safe for the birds to nibble on, we soon discovered that the ranch dogs thought they were perfectly yummy. Mental note- hang them higher next year.
New Year’s week at the ranch has been an amazing one. Everyone is so happy to be closing out 2014 in Colorado. An adventurous group of guests and phenomenal powder have ruled the week, even in sub-zero temps. It’s been crazy cold, but it’s not stopping anyone from having fun. We rang in the New Year with a noisy and fun barn dance last night right in the Great Room. As we caught our breath sometime around midnight (it was midnight somewhere in the world) Charlie dazzled us with the one and only Boot Drop followed by the ranch hand’s show of fireworks. We’re still not sure who had more fun….the spectators watching from the warm Great Room or the ranch hands dancing around with their flares.
Life at the ranch will settle into a routine starting next week. The New Year’s crew departs on Saturday and then we take a few days to clean up, regroup, and give the crew some much deserved time off before kicking off our adult only vacation times at the ranch.
We hope you all finished off 2014 in style, and are off to a new and grand 2015.