Black Mountain Ranch

Fall Colors

2007-09-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

The bushes are starting to turn shades of red and orange giving the hills a hint of fall. But the days are still %100 summer ! The nights cool to the perfect temperature that a fire doesn't seem to extravagant. Tonight a bunch of the neighboring ranches are joining us for some ropin'. Should be a fun day overall.

2007-08-30T10:33:00.001-07:00

Coyote Songs and Leonard's Yarns

2007-08-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

The coyotes are singing every night and Leonard has returned with his treasure trove of tail tales and well spun yarns. From Alien Cows to the horses he has broke, Leonard can fill a night with stories from his past. And there could be no better background music for Leonard than the howling coyotes! They have been talking tons and really like to yelp at the full moon.

yahoo!

2007-08-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

A bunch of returning guests this week - what a blast!

Lunch Bell

2007-08-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

The lunch bell just rang! YUM! I wonder what Bob has cooked up this time - perhaps Fried Chicken? Or Caesar Salads with Ahi Tuna? or maybe some Crayfish Chowder? Chef Bob, just off a stint in Chicago, and after cooking all over the States serves-up some of the best food around. It is a good thing you do a lot of walking around here!
Dinner tonight is a choice of Veal wrapped with roasted red pepper and buffalo mozzarella or Tuna seared with a sesame glaze. My stomach is growling - gotta run!

RODEO!

2007-08-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

T.J. and Ryan roped twice on Thursday at the Beaver Creek Rodeo. It was a cold rain at the start and made the steers horns just that much harder to grab. Everyone had a good time even with the wet seats and returned to ranch for a few beers and a few stories.

Pack Camp

2007-08-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

Heard great things back from the folks at Pack Camp including the "secret" to making BMR margs - the oops factor (ha ha ha). The second pack camp group is leaving shortly and I think a few stow-aways want to sneak back up for a second night under the stars. Hope all is well with our past and future guests!

Happy Trails!

Dinner Ride

2007-08-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

Last night we had a great Dinner Ride - perhaps our biggest of the year! The steaks were cooked to perfection over an open fire and baked potatoes couldn't have tasted better. Most of the wranglers packed their swim suits and went for a lake swim out to our floating dock. They enjoyed the view and the colors of the setting sun before swimming back to shore and dinner. After everyone had their fill it was a nice leisurely ride back to camp. Most of the guests headed to the hot tubs for a relaxing way to finish a smashing day.

We have a full U.K. contingency this week and talks of a World vs. U.K. soccer/football game is already being had. Will update late with scores and highlights!

That's all for now - Happy Trails!

long time no post

2007-08-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

It can't really have been that long since The Ranch posted! YIKES!

It is just gorgeous today - a true Colorado Blue Bird Sky and everything is so green from the rain we had early this week. Last night at the cocktail party the staff posed for a photo (smashing group I must say) and then started giggling about the summer this far: missing past guests, guessing about this weeks guests, and all around agreeing that the summer has flown by.

A few new wranglers arrived to replace our College students who are leaving one by one- Bye Kevin.. Bye Court.... And with the new staff a bit a excited energy.

Off to enjoy the outside a bit- CHEERS

Afternoon Storm

2007-07-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

We had a great storm a couple days ago that drench the landscape perking up the wildflowers and greening the pastures. The horses galloped around in glee and the wranglers watched with smiles as mini-waterfalls appeared off each roof line. Looking forward to teepee village tonight.

Birthday Bash

2007-07-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Last night was Ryan's May birthday and the ranch came out in force to celebrate it. A huge chocolate cake baked by his sister started the evening out sweetly. The saloon then played host as guests, staff, and friends played a few bar games. Dancing, laughing, and merriment continued long into the night. Today the guests are recovering and having a nice and relaxing afternoon. Pack camp went great last night and everyone is really bonding with their horses.

Last Week!

2007-07-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

What week - no time for posting!

The Ranch had a great group with lots of kids. Nightly games of team hide-and-seek for the kiddos and a glass of wine for the adults was the norm. Pack Camp and rafting went well for all - many stories were told the day after. At the rodeo our wrangler team once again came away victorious in the Burro Race (hooray Dan, Gus, & Kevin) and Miss. Avery May won the Mutton Bustin'!!! Ryan and T.J. roped twice - switching ends. It was funny to see T.J. race out of the headers box. Even with the rain at the rodeo our cheering section was not dampened. The week wrapped up with a lovely cocktail party at Nowell's house and delicious dinner back at the Ranch. Then the saloon really got cranking and we concluded the week, and the night, with a round of dancing on the bar! To all our guests last week - THANKS! What a blast!

Singing Lessons

2007-07-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Dave comes tonight for our weekly campfire sing-along down at teepee village. I think the crew will be ready for a relaxing evening after the lunch rides I overheard the wranglers planning at breakfast. Hidden Meadows and antler hunting are popular today!
We had a great rain shower yesterday that really re-vitalized the ranch (and kept the dust down!)
The ducks might have been the happiest about the rain - they kept jumping in and out of the water during the storm. Time to pack lunches - bye for now.

Hello to Friends

2007-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

A big SHOUT OUT to Dolphin and Puma.

Dance Party

2007-07-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Dancing the night away as we said goodbye to this week's guests. After a delicious dinner and a few tales about the cattle drive everyone congregated in the Saloon. Country dancing eventually gave way to hip hop - the stars were certainly out by the time most us made it home.
Looking forward to tonight's BBQ and the new crew arriving!

Rodeo

2007-07-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

Last night the whole crew went down to the Beaver Creek Rodeo. Ryan and T.J. had a good go in the team roping. Avery represented the May Family in Mutton Bustin' as she held on to WiddowMaker for a score of 82. And then the Cibroski Family surprised the crowd with a victorious Burro Race- they started in the back but crossed the line first. It was a great night. Today the wranglers and guests are getting ready for a Cattle Drive and then a bit of roping this afternoon. Another day in the west at Black Mtn Ranch.

Howdy!

2007-07-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hello. And so begins the Black Mtn Ranch Blog - BMR Blog if you will. The big news?! The chickens have started to lay eggs! Besides that the weather has been just beautiful. A little on the warm side but there is always Jake's Lake to cool off in.

The breakfast bell is about to ring... bye for now.