Drowsy Water

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Finally, More photos from DWR Guests!

Its a neat thing, being part of this family business, to see how Ken and Randy Sue have poured their heart and soul into every single detail of this ranch. They genuinely take so much pride in sharing their lifestyle with each and every guest.

Ken wants us all to call each guest by their first name, and Randy Sue wants to make sure we all give each guest more than they expect not only because it is simply the right thing to do, but because it feels good to operate that way. Being part of the family, I've learned more about business and customer service than I ever imagined I would when I fell head-over-heels for that cowboy of mine. Sometimes, I feel so lucky to be here that it makes me cry. Aw shucks--I am all teary right now--darn these pregnant lady hormones.

But, believe it or not, we only have five weeks left to our 2010 season. We've met so many wonderful people this year and have had great rides, great meals, and made some great memories. We have a few more photos from families that have stayed here this summer. Hopefully they'll convey how sincerely Ken and Randy Sue mean to make each guest experience a western way of life.

These photos are from the Duchene family who were here in July. Thanks Bruce, Silvia, Danielle, and Cole!
Tony, clownin' around at the kids' rodeo.
Ken and Randy Sue and a bunch of their "kids for a week"
Ken and Randy Sue working on Friday night--steak fry night!
Just a scene from a ride. . .
and a quaint cabin in the woods.

and a mild raft trip
with a little bit of wild (just a very little bit)
A bunch of cowboys and cowgirls.
And don't miss the turn-off!


Keep your photos coming. We love them (even though it takes a little while for the blog to get updated these days).

posted by Drowsy Water Ranch at 1:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Monday, July 12, 2010

From the eyes of a DWR guest, Part 2

The Wittmann family vacationed with us during our June 20th week this year. They did just about all you can do while at Drowsy Water Ranch, and I think it's fair to say they had a hoot of a time while here! Here's their week in photos. Yee-haw!

First things first: you usually have a little bit of a drive to get to us. But don't worry, you'll get great views along the way. Here's a view from Berthoud Pass.
When you get here, we show you around the ranch, show you where you'll be staying for the week, and, if needed, get you fit up with your very own cowboy boots. There is something about having a corner full of boots that makes your soul smile.
On Monday, you meet your horse. Here is Fritzi with her horse, CJ.
And then you head out for your first on many trail rides to come.
Tuesday is the raft trip. Load up those boats and get some sunshine as you float down the Colorado River.
Wednesday we'll take you on an all day ride. We pack a lunch, including our famous cowboy cookies, and head out in the saddle.
Thursday we start the day off right with a gourmet breakfast cooked and served atop a mountain.
And finish the day with some friendly competition-cattle penning in our arena.
Friday we are in the saddle again. Sometimes our cows need moved and we'll bring guests along to help. And as a ranch disclaimer, please notice the word "sometimes". We don't move our cows every week or even every other week--we move them like cowboys should--only when they need to be moved to new grass, a new draw, or out of danger.

By Saturday, the kids are lined up and ready to show off their skills in our rodeo.
Some have turned into real rodeo queens while they were here.

And then it is time to depart. We push out the doggies for a romp in the pasture,

And say goodbye. Hope you'll come again!

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posted by Drowsy Water Ranch at 9:09 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

From the eyes of a DWR guest, Part 1

Howdy!
Our summer is in full swing here at DWR. With a few great weeks under our belt, we're looking forward to a few weeks more. With all the extra things to do around here, the blog gets left behind at times. So, since we're busy out doing this or that with guests, we'll give the guests the work of doing the blog photos.

After all, we can try to explain what we do, we can try to show you how much we love the beauty and tradition of our ranch. But all our efforts don't show it through the eyes of a guest. Our guests get the best while they're here--a ranch life, Colorado adventures, and genuine hospitality, oh, and yoga and a massage too!

Please look through the following photos, and stay tuned for more posts to follow with photos from our guests.

These first photos are from Ron, Kim, and Taylor Hedenskog. Thanks for sharing! If you'd like to share yours, just email 'em this way.

Thanks and Happy Trails!
Gretta
Wrangler's ride
Lauren the leader
Tyler and his hat
A little rest. . .
Julie, silly Julie
Flyin' by for food
Hiking in the Rocky Mountains
Rebecca: Growing plants and chasing Buckaroos

posted by Drowsy Water Ranch at 8:33 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Friday, June 4, 2010

Opening Week Howdy


Just wanted to say "Howdy!" and let you all know that we did it! Drowsy Water Ranch is now open for Ken and Randy Sue's 34th year!

We may only have eight guests this week, we've been busy!

Many of the horses were still out at pasture, frolicking in the Colorado sunshine.

So we'd catch those doggies, load 'em in the trailer, and bring 'em home.

And we've been having a lot of fun with our small crew of guests. We had a few go rafting on Tuesday, some great rides, a beautiful morning for our breakfast ride where we serve breakfast on top of the mountain, and a nice evening for our supper cookout. Here are a few shots from this week's supper cookout on third point.


Here's our state of the art outdoor grill cooking up some chuck.
The thing about supper on third point is that I don't know which is better: the view from the dining room. . .

or the food itself!
And don't forget the master himself, Ken, indicating points of interest.
Hope to see you here soon and happy trails!

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posted by Drowsy Water Ranch at 11:00 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

One last big Hero

The final superhero: the superman (or woman) that fills the role of Head Chef. This season's chefis really a spectacular genius. You may know the food here is great, or you may be coming to find out if it's as great as we say. Either way, you'll thank this hero at least once during your stay, probably more than once. We've just been warming him up having him feed all the staff. I didn't know a grilled cheese could taste so good. All I can say is DELICIOUS! Just wait until he gets fired up for the guests.

His Name: R. Calvin Strombeck
Position: Chef
Number of seasons at DWR: First
Hometown: Vicksburg, MI
When it's not summer he. . .goes fly-fishing with family and works other cooking jobs throughout the country.
He wanted to work at DWR because. . .I am looking for a more intimate cooking experience.
Goal for the summer at DWR? Explore fly-fishing streams, meet new people and have a great culinary experience.
Something interesting about him. . .I have worked in the Middle East and I just became an uncle for the first time!

posted by Drowsy Water Ranch at 1:39 PM 2 Comments Links to this post

Thursday, May 13, 2010

They Just Keep Coming! More 2010 Ranch Hands!

A few more staffers for the summer, our trusty friends! And, Trish, our longtime head-housekeeper is even wearing her super-hero attire! You can't see it, but her jacket has a giant 'T' is diamonds on the back. Usually, she only wears this when cleaning multiple rooms simultaneously.

Name: Patricia "Trish" Hurst
Position for 2010: Head Housekeeper
Number of seasons at DWR: 6th!!
Hometown: Blanding, Utah
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? Depends on the year. Currently working on a bachelors in business.
Why did you want to work at DWR? I had three cousins work at DWR before me and it sounded interesting.
What are your goals for the summer? Continue working on becoming a career employee at DWR. Actually go running.
What is something interesting about you? I am a nomad. I am always up for changing directions.

Name: Melanie Hartwick
Position for 2010: Wait/Maid Staff
Number of seasons at DWR: This will be my first!
Hometown: Caro, Michigan
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? I attend Michigan State University. I'm a Hospitality Business major. Go Green!
Why did you want to work at DWR? I have always wanted to travel out west, and when this opportunity arose I knew I had to take it!
What are your goals for the summer? I am mostly hoping to meet a lot of great great people! I also really want to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible and take in all the things I don't get to enjoy where I live. And I've always wanted to learn to play the guitar...any teachers available? :)
What is something interesting about you? I play the harp (for fun, and for a job.) And, I'm afraid of the car wash!

Name: Alexis "Alex" Marino
Position for 2010: Wrangler/ entertainer/ token Canadian/ that girl that never stopped talking on that all day ride.
Number of seasons at DWR: This will be my third season at the ranch! Maybe a 4th or 5th to follow?
Hometown: London, Ontario, Canada
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? In the off season I spend 8 months waiting for the summer to begin again. I also try to keep busy by attending the University of Western Ontario, studying music and vocal performance. Of course I ride horses during this time as well, work at a store selling camera's, and when there's snow I snowboard.
But mostly I just wait for summer, and the ranch, and cowboy cookies... yummmm....
Why did you want to work at DWR? After looking at several different ranches, I couldn't resist the charm of DWR. There were great reviews online about the ranch, and I liked the family ranch idea. Now after 2 seasons working there, I love meeting all the new guests, catching up with old guests, and the fact that I get to ride horses and talk all day isn't so bad either!
What are your goals for the summer? Teach myself how to play the banjo, start a hillbilly band (which I will play the banjo in, or the spoons), learn 3 new arias for school by the end of August, and maybe try to wear shorts more often so my legs aren't so pasty white.
What is something interesting about you? I sing Opera, and I'm willing to do just about anything to get Ken and Randy Sue to adopt me so that I can stay at DWR.

Name: Lindsey Kertin
Position for 2010: Waitress and Housekeeper
Number of seasons at DWR: This will be my first and I can't wait!
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? Make jewelry, Yoga, babysit, and work construction with my dad
Why did you want to work at DWR? I love being outside and I wanted a fun new experience
What are your goals for the summer? Meet new people from all over, explore, and new opportunities
What is something interesting about you? Out of thirty people in my family i'm the only one with curly hair

posted by Drowsy Water Ranch at 2:47 PM 1 Comments Links to this post

Friday, May 7, 2010

Superheroes of the Ranch, Part Deux

So you've had a few days to commit those last Drowsy Water Ranch staff members to memory. Maybe you even made flash cards and have begun quizzing the entire family in preparation for the upcoming vacation. I bet you are ready for some more. Here are a few more folks to get to know. We can't wait to get them going and see their secret super powers at work.


Name: Joshua Hancock
Position for 2010: Wait Staff
Number of seasons at DWR: This will be my second season.
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? I'm a professional skateboarder and musician. I paint when it's too cold to skateboard.
Why did you want to work at DWR? Because, just because! (like the DWR classic song)
What are your goals for the summer? My goal is to make everyone smile from buckeroos to the boss man.
What is something interesting about you? Bob Dylan is my favorite musician.


Name: Jack Love
Position for 2010: Asst. to Chef/Cook
Number of seasons at DWR: This is my first.
Hometown: Chicago, IL
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? I attend the University of Illinois majoring in Psychology.
Why did you want to work at DWR? The highest geological point in Chicago is 735 feet, and it's home to a landfill.
What are your goals for the summer? Meeting cool and interesting people from all over the country and world while exploring one of the most awesome regions in the country.
What is something interesting about you? I've been to 10 baseball parks, none of them being Wrigley Field.

Name: Rebecca Tacoma
Position for 2010: Buckaroo Counselor
Number of seasons at DWR: This is my first season and I am very excited!
Hometown: I'm from Toronto, Canada.
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? I am attending McGill University, studying Industrial Relations.
Why did you want to work at DWR? I love that it is a family run ranch in a beautiful mountain setting, and most of all I want to experience cowboy country in the great American West.
What are your goals for the summer? I want to meet lots of new people from all over the country and learn more about horses.
What is something interesting about you? I have a twin sister who looks nothing like me.

Name: Nell Pollak
Position for 2010: Wait and Maid Staff
Number of seasons at DWR: First season working, 15th summer attending DWR.
Hometown: Pleasantville, NY
What keeps you busy when you're not at DWR? I am attending school at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Why did you want to work at DWR? Being that I have so many irreplaceable memories at DWR, I want to contribute to making that possible for others.
What are your goals for the summer? Meet fun people from all over the country.
What is something interesting about you? I love Native American turquoise jewelry.

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posted by Drowsy Water Ranch at 10:37 AM 0 Comments Links to this post