Welcome! One day old!

Jazzy is now pretty thanks to Justin

Last summer, Justin rescued a very skinny and remarkably ugly little gray mare named Jazzy.

Under his skillful watch, Jazzy blossomed into a fat and loving all-around children’s horse  -  a favorite!

Filly, age 10 days

In March, Jazzy started looking “funny.” You know, this big bulgy

Mom & Baby taking a walk while their shed is getting housekeeping

tummy started sticking out. Not worms, not

melanoma, not too much beer. The obstetrical experts (Justin and Ellen) . . . → Read More: Colorado Dude Ranch: Hello’s and Good Byes]]> New Arrivals and Sad-Joyful Departing’s

Hello Nameless Filly!

Welcome! One day old!

Jazzy is now pretty thanks to Justin

Last summer, Justin rescued a very skinny and remarkably ugly little gray mare named Jazzy.

Under his skillful watch, Jazzy blossomed into a fat and loving all-around children’s horse  -  a favorite!

Filly, age 10 days

In March, Jazzy started looking “funny.” You know, this big bulgy

Mom & Baby taking a walk while their shed is getting housekeeping

tummy started sticking out. Not worms, not

melanoma, not too much beer. The obstetrical experts (Justin and Ellen) examined her to find…. a kick! ANOTHER kick! A BABY!

Little nameless filly was born April 12th. Then it snowed, and snowed and its still snowing! So the tractor shed was renovated into the mom and baby nursery, where they are both doing quite nicely, thank you!

Baby is now old enough that she will approach us and allow us to hold her head and pet and generally love on her.

Justin: Best Wishes on your New Dude Ranch Adventure!

Due Ranch Barn Manager Justin

Sad for us, a

Great and Joyful Adventure for You!

Although he told us: “I have a dream that when I grow up I will be the CEO of Wal-Mart or NASCAR,”  it came as no surprise when Justin told us that he is buying his own dude ranch.

He’s a cowboy through and through, and it will be heart warming to watch his dreams grow and unfold.

On the secret staff Page, Justin introduced himself to his staff with these words:

Hello there my future minions… So Justin Ripley here (Believe It Or Not) I am your Barn Manager but I do anything and everything needed on the ranch. I have a dream that when I grow up I will be the CEO of Wal-Mart or NASCAR until then I am just playing..

I am from Indiana, a Vet Tech, horse trainer, and former Military. I needed a break from the real world so I moved to Colorado a few years ago to follow my childhood dream of working on a dude ranch for a summer. Ends up I refused to leave so I took over managing the ranch for awhile. Then I was off to AZ to play with the rattle snakes and cactus at another ranch. I would not recommend taking up Rattle Snake Charming anytime soon.

Boss!

Dan and Ellen decided to rescue me from a horrible death from snake bite.. I have been at Sundance since Nov 2010 and have fallen under its spell.

And now the spell of his own place!  Yee-haw! Here are his websites:

http://www.1880sguestranch.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RbarSminiatures?fref=ts

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-cowboys-dream-the-1880-s-guest-ranch

Justin & Cyril dancing

Dude Ranch Justin Square Dance Graduation

Justin is now working on fleshing out his Business Plan, Balance Sheets,  PPM Offer and all that other fun stuff.

Not sure if Ellen’s “town job” gives us enough income to invest, but we sure do plan on being customers. We can’t wait for the opportunity to visit. Yes, dude ranchers tend to vacation at dude ranches! And summer in Montana is beautiful; both weeks!

Happy trails, Justin. We welcome you into the neighborhood of dude ranchers and wish you all the happiness in the world.

Happy Trails

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It’s the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here’s a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
Happy trails to you,
Keep smilin’ until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we’ere together?
Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you,
Til we meet again.

Starting simple

So many of our guest ranch guests have been here numerous times, so every year or two we try to

add something new to our “standard” adventures all designed to make you VERY dirty, very tired & maybe a little bit sore

Looks easy, eh?

Wrangler Nick is back (yee-haw!) & he is drawing and building not one challenge course, but three!

A Single Person Challenge Course

A Team Challenge Course A Kid and Horse Obstacle Course

Mudder . . . → Read More: Dude Ranch Challenge Courses: Part 1]]> Colorado Dude Ranch Vacation

Single Person Challenge Course

Starting simple

So many of our guest ranch guests have been here numerous times, so every year or two we try to

add something new to our “standard” adventures
all designed to make you VERY dirty,
very tired &
maybe a little bit sore

Looks easy, eh?

Wrangler Nick is back (yee-haw!) & he is drawing and building not one challenge course, but three!

A Single Person Challenge Course

A Team Challenge Course
A Kid and Horse Obstacle Course

Mudder Nick!

Nick is a “graduate” of the “2012 Colorado Tough Mudder,” An obstacle course phenomenon with lots of, yes… you guessed it, mud! Twelve miles with 22 obstacles and an unbelievable amount of mud.Completely insane.

How many obstacles? Ohmygosh! Who knows?

He will start with as many as he can get set up this spring if it ever stops snowing!

The Crawl

(Who-hoo! We have water this year!) And then he will continue to add as he is inspired by this June’s Tough Mudder,

and then next year’s

and then the year after,

and...

Bridge can be easy and fun!

First, Nick is building a “Single Person Challenge” (death waiver required).

What’s going to be in it?

• Pipe crawl
• Walls to climb
• Balance beam
• Hand over hand (rope version)
• The tire swing (Sounds easy? Ha! You aren’t paying attention!)

I’m requesting he add:

Climb and Dance

• An under/over Log Jam Crawl/Climb
• Single log climb overs
• Pull-up bars

So if you want to try a new dude ranch adventure,

it will be waiting for you right here at the Sundance Trail !

Are you getting excited?

Can you feel the burn?

Come see us!

Do you have any favorite obstacles that you would like to see included in this course?

Let Nick know (970-224-1222 or ride@sundancetrail.com)! But Dan says: “No ice water baths, no electric shocks, no mud (well… maybe a little mud…)!

Climb Over, Crawl Under

Next week I’ll tell you more about his Team Challenge Course and his Challenge Course for the kids to work their horses in.

Note: none of the pictures here are from our property. Nick can’t build in the snow! But these photos give a pretty good idea of what some of the challenges might look like.[A huge special thanks to Tough Mudder for letting me use some of their photos! And for inspiring us...]

Request our Dude Ranch brochure, or Download pdf now, or Email the ranch.

Flat Stanley is a pal of our friend Julian Byrnes from New York. He loves to travel and Julian suggested that he might enjoy  experiencing a Colorado Dude Ranch vacation. Flat Stanley arrived and immediately threw himself into the excitement of winter in the Rocky Mountains.

He had to be a little careful on his first few days because it was very windy and blustery up here and he doesn’t have a whole lot of body mass. He was afraid he might blow away!

He braved the wind in the afternoon though to help me feed the horses.

. . . → Read More: A Unique Sundance Trail Guest]]> Introducing Flat Stanley to Our Dude Ranch Life:

Flat Stanley is a pal of our friend Julian Byrnes from New York. He loves to travel and Julian suggested that he might enjoy  experiencing a Colorado Dude Ranch vacation. Flat Stanley arrived and immediately threw himself into the excitement of winter in the Rocky Mountains.

He had to be a little careful on his first few days because it was very windy and blustery up here and he doesn’t have a whole lot of body mass. He was afraid he might blow away!

He braved the wind in the afternoon though to help me feed the horses.

Flat Stanley also helped me feed the chickens.

Finally the wind died down enough for Stanley to go riding with me. He was very excited when he learned that we had a horse named Stanley on the ranch. So here is Flat Stanley riding Little Stanley. We went up into the woods so that Flat Stanley could look out at the Mummy Range of the Rocky Mountains and check out some Aspens and Ponderosa Pine trees.

After a long day on horseback, kicking back in the hot tub is the perfect way to relax.

And even better if it’s followed by an evening in front of a roaring wood fire.

Just before he had to leave, Stanley was lucky enough to meet another ranch friend. Madam Moose stopped by to check on us.

Unfortunately, Flat Stanley had to be on his way. We’ll miss him but we’re sure he’s having a great time in South Carolina with Ellen and Dan. I’m sure there will be more stories of his adventures upon their return. From the staff at Sundance Trail, we hope you had a fabulous winter and have exciting plans for the coming summer. Maybe we’ll see ya up on the mountain!

www.SundanceTrail.com

800-357-4930

970-224-1222

A very BIG special thanks to Ms. Marian, who was Stanley’s wrangler!

Come join us and relax over a long Holiday weekend. Let us cook and clean! A  Christmas Eve Seven Course Dinner, a Family Style Christmas Dinner of Turkey carved at the table; a Champagne Breakfast on Boxing Day: family fun, including for mom!.

Some typical Morning Activities: Trail Riding, maybe in the snow! With lessons available.

And available Afternoon Activities: Trap and rifle shooting Trail Riding, maybe in the snow! Horse back riding lessons & coaching available Make and decorate Holiday/Christmas cookies Decorate the tree (help us find and bring home just the right  tree) Hiking Pool Table & Foosball Table . . . → Read More: Christmas at Sundance Trail Dude Ranch – 10% Discount!]]> Family Christmas Dude Ranch Vacation: 10% Discount

December, 2012

Details and rates here.

Come join us and relax over a long Holiday weekend. Let us cook and clean! A  Christmas Eve Seven Course Dinner, a Family Style Christmas Dinner of Turkey carved at the table; a Champagne Breakfast on Boxing Day: family fun, including for mom!.

Some typical Morning Activities:
Trail Riding, maybe in the snow! With lessons available.

And available Afternoon Activities:
Trap and rifle shooting
Trail Riding, maybe in the snow!
Horse back riding lessons & coaching available
Make and decorate Holiday/Christmas cookies
Decorate the tree (help us find and bring home just the right  tree)
Hiking
Pool Table & Foosball Table
Disc Golf?
Sledding?

Trap and rifle shooting every afternoon

Evening Activities we are planning:

Square Dance (if we have sufficient number of guests)
Cowboy Christmas Music with Lars & Amy
Star-gazing with our family telescope
Evening soak in hot tub
Parlor fireplace
Pool Table & Foosball Table
Hot chocolate & cookies
(Murder Mystery Possible!)
Wine, spirits and beer available at our liquor store.

Details and rates here.

Ride a horse, maybe in the snow!

To book your reservation, call us at 970-224-1222 or 800-357-4930

This HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE will highlight craft booths offering

Get silly!

Details and rates here.

Come join us and relax over a long Holiday weekend. Let us cook and clean! A  Christmas Eve Seven Course Dinner, a Family Style Christmas Dinner of Turkey carved at the table; a Champagne Breakfast on Boxing Day: family fun, including for mom!.

Some typical Morning Activities: Trail Riding, maybe in the snow! With lessons available.

Your hostess, Ellen, on the front steps!

And available Afternoon Activities: Trap and rifle shooting Trail Riding, maybe in the snow! Horse back riding lessons & coaching available Make and decorate Holiday/Christmas cookies Decorate the tree (help us find and bring home just the right  tree) Hiking . . . → Read More: Family Christmas Week at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch]]> Family Christmas Dude Ranch Vacation:

December 22 – 26, 2012

4 night Package

Details and rates here.

Come join us and relax over a long Holiday weekend. Let us cook and clean! A  Christmas Eve Seven Course Dinner, a Family Style Christmas Dinner of Turkey carved at the table; a Champagne Breakfast on Boxing Day: family fun, including for mom!.

Some typical Morning Activities:
Trail Riding, maybe in the snow! With lessons available.

Your hostess, Ellen, on the front steps!

And available Afternoon Activities:
Trap and rifle shooting
Trail Riding, maybe in the snow!
Horse back riding lessons & coaching available
Make and decorate Holiday/Christmas cookies
Decorate the tree (help us find and bring home just the right  tree)
Hiking
Pool Table & Foosball Table
Disc Golf?
Sledding?

Trap and rifle shooting every afternoon

Evening Activities we are planning:

Square Dance (if we have sufficient number of guests)
Cowboy Christmas Music with Lars & Amy
Star-gazing with our family telescope
Evening soak in hot tub
Parlor fireplace
Pool Table & Foosball Table
Hot chocolate & cookies
(Murder Mystery Possible!)
Wine, spirits and beer available at our liquor store.

Details and rates here.

Hot where you are? Dani & Alex & Montee cooling off in the Sundance Trail pond.

We are actively booking the 2013 season, but there are still some rooms available the weeks of 7/15/12 7/22/12 8/5/12 8/26/12 and 9/2/12 (Adult Only week) and we are offering deep discounts! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to call us at 970-224-1222 or 800-357-4930.

We still have Smoke (a very old horse), but no fire!

Don't Just Stand Around! Give Us a Call!

Give us a call (970-224-1222) and Enjoy Serious Significant Savings! Every week can be a special week. Pick your week and call us. (970-224-1222) As these weeks get really close, we are downright enthusiastic to fill them! Don’t forget the “Refer another family” discount & “Non-rider” discount. ]]>

Create Your Own Family Dude Ranch Vacation Rates for July 8, July 15 & July 22!

• Time is running out &
• we are getting downright enthusiastic to
• book all rooms for July! (The week of  8/1 and 8/29 are fully booked – Sorry.)
  

  Don't Just Stand Around! Give Us a Call!

• Give us a call (970-224-1222) and
• Enjoy Serious Significant Savings!

• • Every week can be a special week. Pick your week and call us. (970-224-1222)
  • As these weeks get really close, we are downright enthusiastic to fill them!
• • Don’t forget the
  • “Refer another family” discount &
  • “Non-rider” discount.

The fire remains at least 25 miles south east of us and on the other side of the river ( a major big protective fire line).

Our prevailing winds continue to be from the west or northwest, pushing the fire away (and filling Fort Collins with smoke). A wind from the south will push the fire north, but still far west of us. A wind from the east will push the fire far south of us. Our concern is high winds from the south-east; pretty unusual. We are watching closely and we are prepared.

Staff fire training is complete. We own our own foam system to cover the lodge. We have set up impulse sprinkler systems around defenable buildings as a precaution. The last few beetle killed trees will come down today. All is well, we are prepared. Actually, thanks . . . → Read More: Sundance Trail Dude Ranch & High Park Fire Colorado]]> Wow! So many emails and phone calls! Y’all make us feel very cared for.

The fire remains at least 25 miles south east of us and on the other side of the river ( a major big protective fire line).

Our prevailing winds continue to be from the west or northwest, pushing the fire away (and filling Fort Collins with smoke). A wind from the south will push the fire north, but still far west of us. A wind from the east will push the fire far south of us. Our concern is high winds from the south-east; pretty unusual. We are watching closely and we are prepared.

Staff fire training is complete. We own our own foam system to cover the lodge. We have set up impulse sprinkler systems around defenable buildings as a precaution. The last few beetle killed trees will come down today. All is well, we are prepared. Actually, thanks to Nick, Victor, James and a few others, we have been well prepared for a couple of years now. (We have been expecting this since we moved here – Smoky the bear has caused almost one hundred years of fuels to be left on the ground – Mother Nature is trying to balance out our arrogant foolishness.)

Neighbors closer to the fire are bringing their horses here. Thanks to Dicky and Christine’s loaning us their 10-horse trailer, we can move all of the horses to Luann’s corrals in Owl Canyon in less than three hours.

In other words, we are expecting the best, prepared for the worst, and watching closely.

Now join us in praying for rain.

And we are starting the summer dude ranch season. Yee-haw!

Sorry no pictures on this post – have been off buying horses! Have bought 6 new horses in the last two weeks – all are “honeys”! Pictures of Ralph, Dharma, Rio, Guss, Soda-Pop and Gene soon.