The Old West – in times gone by it was full of cowboys, open frontier and adventure. Today, the lure and call of the West still beckon from Colorado’s prairies and mountains to those who hunger for a taste of…
The little sorrel mare plunges joyfully through the powdery drifts, like a carousel horse freed from its pole. Her shaggy winter coat is frosted with snow and when she pauses at the hilltop, she snorts steam and her sides heave…
The sun has set and the nearly full moon will soon be rising over the Colorado peaks. Skiers and snowshoers group outside the lodge at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, bindings latched and stomachs churning. It’s time to eat. They are the…
A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park often means staying in adjacent Estes Park. But you can ditch the big tourist crowds and go not too much farther away – to Allenspark. It’s a quieter alternative. And you may see…
One of the great joys of summer is getting outside and enjoying the sun. With its 300-plus days of sunshine, Colorado summers are as long as the mountains are tall, and one place to enjoy the blue skies and mountain…
Remember sleep-away camp? Roasting marshmallows by the fire, bunking in log cabins, crafting leather belts, laughing in the dining hall with new-found friends… Picture your adult self at camp with your kids. Now add snow. That’s the scene at the…
The ranch compound lies about a half-mile below. It would take two minutes to drive, but right now no vehicles are allowed on the roadway. This route to the ranch is reserved for us sledders. I center my Flexible Flyer…
Located just over 10 minutes from downtown Fraser, CO is the beautifully enchanting Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Anything but demonic in nature, the year-round ranch is home to two restaurants, spa, and unbelievable accommodations for the ultimate Colorado getaway. Just west…
A vacation to Granby can be a lot of things, with the exception of being boring. If you’re looking for something slow paced and relaxing, it’s the place for you. If you’re looking for something more adventurous and exciting, Granby…
Purple lupine, pink wild roses and yellow arnica color the green hillside directly outside my cabin. Any moment, I expect to see a deer wander through the thick forest of aspen, pine and spruce trees. It’s this gentler side of…
Vacationers seek out Colorado dude and guest ranches when they want to rough it Old West style – exploring mountain wilderness, navigating trails on horseback, fishing in Colorado’s roaring rivers and ending the day with campfire stories before retiring to…
The last traces of snow have disappeared here in the Rockies, replaced by blooming wildflowers, shimmering aspen and the pure, warm breezes of summer. The temperate days and cool nights provide perfect conditions for hiking along mountain streams and horseback…
Colorado dude ranch vacations can be as simple or luxurious as you want them to be. From airy mountaintop cabin rentals with four-star gourmet meals and spa treatments to rigorous cowboy camping excursions, guest ranch proprietors are ready to make…
Barbara Sackman is a city girl. She and Alan Sackman, her husband of 40+ years, are Manhattan developers. They have traveled the world and visited many places that most never see. Yet years ago, the couple came across a secluded…