|
   
 |
Two of our Guest ranch visitors stood on the deck in the morning sun, just starting their horseback riding vacation. With coffee mugs in hand, they gazed at the massive, snow-tipped peaks of the West Elk Range of the Colorado Rockies. Below, two fly fishermen walked up from the Smith Fork, waving a triumphant thumbs-up. Fly fishing for rainbows or browns had been good for these early risers at our luxury ranch. The SFR wranglers, out of their bunks since 6:00 a.m., were running the horses in from the west pasture, to "tack them up" for the breakfast ride from the ranch resort.
After elk sausage and eggs, fresh baked muffins and fruit, the chef and staff douse the fire and wave as the riders continue on their ride around Saddle Mountain. They'll be back at the ranch before lunch with plenty of time to rest up for the afternoon's guest ranch activities - archery for some guests, while others will choose to hike with a ranch guide up into the surrounding Gunnison National Forest. A short 25 minute drive takes others to the Black Canyon National Park, where families can enjoy a picnic lunch and hike along the rim of this amazing gorge.
Celebrations are a ranch forte - we would be thrilled to host your birthday or anniversary at our guest ranch. Our chef can prepare a special dessert or birthday cake for your celebratory occasion. After a delicious meal, it's a short walk to your comfy cabin or guest lodge. A moment's pause on the porch swing for a look at the night sky lets you take in the day and feel the deep peace of our slice of paradise.
|
||||
|
Phone: (970) 921-3454
Crawford, Colorado (CO) 81415. all contents � 2002-2009, Smith Fork Ranch |
|||||
Normally, breakfast starts at our Colorado dude ranch at 7:30 in the Cookhouse. But today, our ranch vacation guests were beginning to gather at the corral for the ride around Little Sand Mountain, a trek up past the beaver dam then down to the river for a campfire breakfast in a clearing there. The smell of hot coffee perking over the fire greets riders as they arrive and tie up their horses. Some chose to hike to the site and two or three fish their way up the river to breakfast. Not a bad start to the day for city folks used to crowded morning commutes! These small pleasures are what makes our Colorado Dude Ranch so special.
During dude ranch vacations at Smith Fork Ranch, there is always plenty to do both on and off the ranch. Horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking and archery keep our guests busy from sunrise to sunset. For off-ranch activities, one can go antiquing in nearby towns or take a wine tour of local vineyards. You can also visit the wonderful Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss to see (and buy) the works of local potters, artists and other craftspeople who flourish in the area. For those who want to be less active, a hammock in the shade beside a pond with book and a snooze sounds good, too.
Whatever the activity - from wine tours to sporting clays - everyone is back at the ranch for a shower and maybe a soak in the hot tub before cocktail time. No one wants to miss the hors d'oeuvres in the old Elk Lodge, with a glass of wine or cocktail to salute the sunset on the deck of the pavilion. After a busy day with pony rides or panning for gold, some of the younger kids will eat early with our children's counselors.They'll likely take a break from their yard games to ring the dinner bell and signal the "grown-ups" it's time to come to dinner.
The evening meal is another memorable experience. Our culinary team prides themselves on signature dishes and