The end of August saw guests lounging by the pool and relaxing in our spectacular hot springs. Some guests enjoyed a round of golf at nearby Rio Grande Club, while others indulged in massages right here at the ranch. Guests spent their days hiking, mountain biking, and out on long trail rides; and just about everyone spent time fly fishing. Each evening the lottery for fishing spots included a lot of laughter and good cheer.

It’s a good thing we all stay so active here at our Colorado Dude Ranch, because Chef Wray Warner and his crew keep us exceptionally well fed with succulent dishes featuring duck, venison, and lamb. We all enjoyed the homemade empanadas and margaritas at the Wednesday Mexican buffet by the pool, and the steak ride on Thursday evening. The fried rainbow trout at Station 15 on Friday was out of this world. We all savored each bite.

Doesn't it look good?

There are no more Adults Only Weeks in 2010, but if you think that sounds like your type of Dude Ranch Vacation, they’ll be back in 2011.

If so, a week at our Colorado dude ranch will make your dream a reality.

Whether you have never been near a horse or grew up riding every day, you’ll find your Dude Ranch Vacation to be an unforgettable experience. Our wranglers, lead by Damon Gibbons, will educate you on how to ride a horse with respect and gratitude. You’ll ride up into mountains and down into valleys, communicating with the horse under you as you go.

Let 2010 be the year you go after your dream. Contact our vacation ranch today.

Reconnect with nature by riding a horse.

Tranquility at our Colorado Guest Ranch.

That said, we understand that adults sometimes crave a little “adult-only” time; and it is with this thought in mind that we offer two “Adults Only” weeks at our Colorado Dude Ranch – the weeks of August 21 and August 28, 2010.

Whether you are parents looking for a week alone with your spouse, parents looking to reconnect with grown children, or non-parents looking for a fun retreat, you’ll find it at 4UR during the last two weeks of August.

You won’t be woken at 5 am when your children wiggle their way between you and your spouse. You won’t be caught in splash fights in the pool. You can stay up late, chatting with friends over drinks, and sleep in late. Spend the day with a book by the pool, go for a long, strenuous hike up a mountain, or lose yourself in a reverie while angling on Goose Creek. The choice is yours, and yours alone.

Cole’s victory has caused us to reflect on the Kid’s Program at our Family Dude Ranch.

Children thrive at our family dude ranch.

Offering a well-rounded Kid’s Program is important to us for us a number of reasons. We want both parents and children of all ages to have a good time, of course, which usually means being active and engaged. We are happy that our Kid’s Program allows parents some time to go off and hike, horseback ride, or fish at their own pace – or even to relax by the pool with a good book. But that doesn’t get to the crux of it.

Children who have never seen a horse before arriving at our Colorado Family Guest Ranch may be riding horses when they leave. Children who have never held a fishing rod before their arrival may well be showing off their angling skills come the end of the week. Kids who have never really hiked before find themselves standing on a peak.

It may sound a bit corny to say so, but these every day events are empowering to children – they really are. As we all know, it feels good to try something new and to actually do it, however imperfectly. How wonderful for children to reconnect with their parents over dinner and share the day’s events. Together they can sympathize with each others’ challenges and celebrate the triumphs – both are part of life.

Kids stay free at 4UR the week of August 14 – 21, 2010. We can’t wait.

Fly fishing is an art.

The first mention of fly fishing in recorded history is said to be by the Roman Claudius Aelianus, in the second century. He had heard of Macedonians luring fish to the surface with colorful imitation flies attached to a line and rod. They apparently took the idea from watching fish surface to consume strange flies that hovered over the water. Undoubtedly they did so for food, as people have been doing for thousands of years.

In the Treatyse on Fysshynge with an Angle, written at the end of the 15th century, the author firmly states the fishing with an angle is the best form of sport – the least uncomfortable and the most pleasurable (when compared with hunting, hawking and trapping). The author goes on to discuss crafting the ideal rods, hooks, floats and lines for various waters and fish.

Fly fishing may not be too taxing, but it certainly requires skill and knowledge, from creating the proper equipment to understanding the fish and fishing conditions in each location. This, perhaps, is why it appeals to so many. Each minute spent on the water with rod in hand is a chance to better oneself. Each cast is a new start.

The guides at our guest ranch, lead by Andy Lee, know the waters and the fish that dwell in them well. They are expert teachers, adept in the art of bringing forth the angler in every man and woman. That said, fly fishing is ultimately a private sport. Only you can catch the fish.

We think that’s why people come here to fish. They want to stand in a gloriously beautiful setting and rise to the challenge of each minute. They feel that somehow, no matter the outcome, just being here and trying their best makes them a little bit better.

Fishing tips from Kid's Counselor Emily.

Or imagine this: at dinner tonight you surprise your spouse and children by announcing you’re all going on a family dude ranch adventure the last week of July. They cheer, they applaud, they jump up from the table and dance a jig. Family bliss. You have just enough time to prepare.

Our luxury fly fishing resort has some last minute openings the weeks of July 17 – 24 and 24 – 31. This is a wonderful opportunity for friends, couples or families to immerse themselves in nature: partake in hikes and horseback rides in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado; treat yourselves to an angling adventure like none other, on seven private miles of Goose Creek; splash and play in our pool.

At our ranch in Creede Colorado, adventure awaits everyone. Spend hours lost in reverie by the water, practicing patience and the dance of the fly rod. Ride deep into stunning valleys and along high ridges, appreciating views and the sounds of nature. Watch in awe at the end of the week as your children amaze you with a riding show, or show you how well they can handle a fly rod. Warning – it may bring tears of joy to your eyes.

When not taking advantage of all there is to do, guests enjoy congregating over meals out of doors and in our dining room. It’s a good thing fresh air and activity stimulate the appetite, because you will definitely want to eat this food. Remember to save room for dessert at least once a day.

Please call 719-658-2202 to ask about last minute openings the weeks of July 17 0 24 and 24 – 31, 2010. We look forward to meeting you.

Wray is equally at home in the kitchen or manning a grill by the Rio Grande River. He enjoys serving up steak cooked to your tastes, creating wonderfully subtle soups, and wielding a pastry bag. We love to eat it all!

Not only does Wray’s food taste great – it looks great. The 4th of July cake pictured at right is almost too pretty to eat…. almost. The first cut hurt a bit, but trust me, it was worth it.

Meal time is a wonderful experience at 4UR Colorado guest ranch. It’s a time when families come together after mornings and afternoons of various activities. It’s a time to share stories, laugh, and relax. Maybe the food is one reason our guests tend to form such strong bonds with each other, returning year after year to see one another again. We all feel so good after tucking into fresh salads, smoked local beef and desserts like the one pictured here that we crave recreating the experience.

We look forward to getting to know you throughout your stay at our family dude ranch – out on the trail, side by side in the river, and over a delicious meal.

It has been fun to see people comment on their great family dude ranch experience at 4UR. We aim to please, and we aim high! So when we see families reaching out to each other after the trip, wanting to share photos, stories and plan to come together again next summer, it is like honey to the tongue. Fans of 4UR Guest Ranch have posted pictures and talked about their great fishing experiences. They have bragged about our guides (and who wouldn’t, really? You can’t find a better crew!) and the lovely trout they have caught. The light, the air and the riding are one of a kind here – don’t take our word for it, our high (very high) return guest rate speaks for itself.