Waldo is our horse of the month bringing in the New Year and decade.

Waldo is a purebred quarter horse that was purchased from Krebs Quarter Horses in Kansas.  He is technically the Fisher’s horse, but has made his way into the dude string on many occasions.

Johnny used Waldo extensively when he was managing Reeder Creek Ranch in Kremmling, Colorado.  It was a large cattle ranch, so Waldo knows his way around a cow.

This beautiful buckskin lost his best friend this fall – Blackberry Kid.  Unfortunately “the kid” had a severe case of colic and could not recover.

Since that time, Waldo has made new friends and is doing well.

Now you know the answer to “Where’s Waldo?”

By popular demand, Johnny and I have decided to extend our 2009/10 season closing date.  We will now be closing on March 31st.

We are a Colorado dude ranch in the summer, but during the winter we offer the perfect spring break for the family or relaxing getaway.  With cross country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, sleigh rides and tubing there is plenty for everyone in the family to do.  We also offer a shuttle to the base of Steamboat ski area for those that need a little more speed and vertical drop.  There are many other activities that can be arranged – dogsledding, snowmobiling, cooking classes, wine tastings, and shopping excursions to Steamboat.

As the snow continues to fall this winter we are expecting to have great snow all spring.  Mike and the guides have many different trails off the ranch that are great for all levels of skiing for a short tour or all day adventure.

As our winter season is our ’slow’ time at the ranch we try to make the best of it and knock a few projects off the to-do list.

First Coat on the floor

This winter we have decided to refinish the wood floor in the rec room.  The rec room is used differently each season.  It is used most by the children and teens programs in the summer.  During other seasons it is transformed into a meeting room, yoga studio and pilates space.

On Monday the rec room was emptied in anticipation of a new floor.   I can’t believe how much it has changed in the course of three days.  Here are a couple of shots as the floor has progressed.  I was just telling the refinisher how I can’t wait to do yoga on the new floor at yoga and horses retreat this  spring.   We are also trying to do pilates and cross country skiing retreat this spring before the snow leaves.

Almost Done!

We are finishing it with a ‘tougher’ finish and hope that it can handle all that the ranch uses it for each year.  We still won’t be able to use it for about another week, as it takes a full week to cure.  The final coat is to be applied this afternoon.