Home On the Ranch

The summer after my freshman year in college, I went to Granby, Colorado to work on a guest ranch. I have always loved horses, so this was more fulfilling a dream of mine than worrying about what the wages would be--though my mother worried enough for both of us and commented for years about how she didn't think I made enough. I arrived on a gorgeous June day and fell in love with the red-roofed cabins, the sky bursting with stars and the herd of horses that ran past my room every morning during round-up. Pure heaven.

Drowsy Water Ranch employed about 25 people that summer from all over the country. And oh, the range of personalities! I made friends and gained enemies. I was the youngest staff member, but let's just say that I discovered new lows in immaturity from some of the older & wiser staff members...ahem. Our bosses were friendly, conservative, and I learned a lot from them. And I got to ride on my days off—what a joy! The ranch sits at about 8,000 feet, 2 hours west of Denver, nestled in the mountains near Winter Park. We rode through rainstorms and in bright sunshine, and  there was no greater pleasure for me than being in the saddle. I got teased for my choice in horses, but I didn't care. Laredo, a Palomino, was a dream to ride. 

The summer had its dramas: Randy Sue, one of the owners, was in a car accident. Two of the horse wrangling staff got engaged. One staffer was sent packing after she verbally dressed down one of the owners' sons. I took full advantage of my surroundings and my freedom from Ohio and college, borrowing cars to go sightseeing in Winter Park, Estes Park, and Boulder. Lots of young people travel to Colorado and never return to their hometowns. That didn't happen with me, but I've always felt my true home is in those mountains on the back of a horse. Maybe someday. For now, I'd be content to take my son and husband to the ranch to share a little of my history with them. But it's cheaper to go to Europe!

Is it too late to learn how to run a ranch?