Summer Vacation at Latigo Ranch

We were not expecting to take vacation this summer. So, it was very humbling to learn that annonymous friends provided for us to enjoy a week at a "dude ranch" in the high Rockies. We didn't know what to expect except for a bit of information mailed to us and Latigo Ranch's website (click on the link and enjoy it for yourself!)

We were delivered to our cabin in a covered wagon, pulled by two huge, beautiful horses and began a most delightful week. The first evening we were invited to hors 'douvers with the owners on the deck of the lodge. The deck overlooks a gorgeous lawn, a stocked pond beyond, the road, a pasture and then row upon row of Rocky mountains. The beauty took our breath away and I (Shelly) kept asking the Lord to expand my soul to be able to take it in. Every time we looked out across the mountains, the scene changed because of the constant shifting of the sun and shadows. One morning Glen went down and watched the horses being driven up to the barn from the pasture. He came back invigorated by the mountain backdrop, cool morning breezes, cracks of the whip, the sun shining behind the horses and the pond in the foreground.

Latigo ranch is bounded on three sides by the Arapaho National Forest and we spent a good portion of our daily rides there. Glen and Culver rode morning and afternoon most days, they also enjoyed fly fishing. I rode each morning and spent the afternoons in our cabin, reading, praying, studying and napping. One afternoon a large buck appeared in the window and we enjoyed watching him forage for a snack outside our cabin. We took a nature walk and learned a lot more about the flora and fauna of Colorado. Since then, it's been fun to recognize various wild flowers in our neighborhood.

The ranch served several meals dude ranch-picnic style outdoors, complete with open air grilling and all the delicious accompanying dishes. One morning we rode into the national forest for an open air breakfast. The food was unbelievable. We rounded up cattle, participated in penning competitions, learned to crack a whip and rope a cow! Culver was the only teenager guest and soon was included in the staff activities. He earned a wrangler's award for helping to clean up the barn by shoveling horse manure!

It was a wonderful experience for all of us. We thoroughly enjoyed each staff member and the other guests became friends. We had significant conversations with various ones about a vital relationship with Jesus. We came home refreshed, having enjoyed a wonderful, active break. It was the first time in 10 years that I've been able to take a vacation without having to cook or clean! We are so thankful for God's provision!