Sometimes romance blossoms at our Colorado Guest Ranch. We think the glorious sunsets have something to do with it.

We’ve had more than one romance blossom at 4UR Colorado Guest Ranch over the years. There seems to be something about this place that helps love take root and grow. It could be the radiant sunsets. It could be the clean, fragrant air. It could be the warm ambiance of the lodge, or then again, the incredibly satisfying food. Maybe it’s simply that 4UR brings people together.

We don’t really know why 4UR sparks romance. In truth, we don’t even know that it does. It could just be a coincidence. Still, we smile each time we hear of an engagement.

Over the holidays, we heard of several engagements. Kate the wrangler and Tobe the ranch hand got engaged over Christmas, as did Ashley Robinson and Robbie Farmer from the summer of 2007. And staff aren’t the only ones who fall in love at 4UR: two couples from Texas who’ve stayed at this Colorado Fishing and Dude Ranch recently announced their engagements.

Yes, love is in the air. Breathe deeply.

We're looking ahead to 2012 at our Colorado Family Guest Ranch.

We’ve been holding budget meetings here at our Colorado Family Guest Ranch. These might not sound like fun, but they actually are. It’s during these meetings that we learn about all the new things we’ll get to buy and try out and implement next summer. It’s kind of like Christmas for adults–we all enjoy it.

Staffing for the 2012 season is going well. To date, we have found many wonderful new people from all over the nation. We’re also happy to have some returning staff; we’re eager to learn more about their off-season adventures like school and travel.

We’re thrilled to announce that Head Chef Wray Warner will be back again. 2012 will be Wray’s 7th summer at our Colorado Family Guest Ranch. Sous Chef Blake Bond is returning for his second season with us. Both are Cordon Bleu trained, and create amazing dishes from organic local produce and meats. Our mouths water just thinking about their return; spring can’t come soon enough!

Speaking of eating, the horses have been doing quite a bit of that. Winter has been mild here in the Southern Colorado Rockies. Days have been sunny. The horses are fat and sassy, and we’re all happy.

Have the experience of a lifetime. Work at 4UR.

We always have a handful of returning staff (it could be the atmosphere that entices them to return, or it could be the food). Some folks are interested in the same job they had last season; for example, wranglers often return as wranglers. Other folks return to a different job; a housekeeper might be a Kids’ Counselor the following year.

It can be non-stop at our Colorado Family Dude Ranch in the height of the season. Our staff need to be hard workers with a good attitude. But just as we work hard, we play hard. Staff take advantage of free time to hike, fish, ride, and more.

We’re told by our staff that working here allows them to meet many interesting people they would not otherwise have met, both staff and guests. They make long-lasting friendships. They try new things. And more than one staff member has met their future spouse here!

If you’re interested in working at 4UR this summer, contact us soon.

Spend a week at 4UR, and let your dreams come true.

That’s what you’ll find at our Colorado Vacation Ranch. Our fishing waters include miles of private tailwater trout streams (Goose Creek), the Rio Grande River, wilderness lakes and trophy ponds. You can stand in different water every day, surrounded by the incomparable beauty of the Southern Colorado Rockies. For many an angler, a week spent at 4UR is a dream come true.

Our fishing guides are patient and extremely knowledgeable. They’ll help you as much as you like. Novices, rusty anglers, and children may start with casting lessons on the lawn; you may spend one or several mornings or afternoons with a guide on your own stretch of water. If you know what you’re doing and crave solitude, they’ll get you started and leave you be.

Most of the fish in our waters wild. They were born in these waters. You’ll find rainbow, cutthroat, browns, cutbows, and brook trout. Guests frequently catch 16 to 18 inch fish–a satisfying experiencing indeed.

Some of us are passionate about our work. Some of us are passionate about the arts. Some of us are passionate about fly fishing. We spend the winter months tying flies, remembering the best moments of last season, and anticipating great moments to come. If this describes you, contact our Colorado Vacation Ranch soon.

Thanks to all our staff, seasonal employees, and guests. You made 2011 a great year!

Give them a gift they'll always remember and appreciate.

As parents, we want our children to be happy. We want to watch them open presents and smile and laugh. Their unbounded enthusiasm adds a wonderful spark to the holiday season.

At the same time, many of us don’t want to simply give our children every little thing they want. We understand that many of those toys won’t have staying power–they’ll be played with once or twice, and then end up disappearing under the bed or in the back of the closet.

We want to give them something they’ll really appreciate. Something that will impact their lives. We want them to have a gift they’ll remember for years to come.

Consider giving them a week at our Colorado Family Dude Ranch.

We’re offering a Two For One Kids Special again this year. One child stays for free with one paid child (for children 9 and under). That’s the kind of bargain some folks fight for at the Walmart. You won’t have to shield yourself from Bear Spray or Mace–you just need to give us a call.

A week at our Colorado Family Guest Ranch will involve horseback riding and hiking in the Rockies, swimming, and fly fishing on Goose Creek. It will be one adventure after another, with plenty of good food and many new friends. Your children will never forget it. Now that’s a present worth giving.

Your children will have to wait until summer, of course. But patience is a virtue and worth cultivating, right? Our Two For One Kids Special Weeks are June 9-16 and August 11-18, 2012. August is nearly full, but there is still plenty of room in June.

Please contact our Colorado Dude Ranch for more information about the Two For One Kids Special.

Stephen Quiller during the 2011 Painting Workshop at 4UR.

Bristol Yarnworks Studio is a favorite with the knitters and weavers among us. Many of the natural fibers and yarns sold there are handspun and hand-dyed at the studio, and their quality is  unsurpassed. When we don’t feel like clacking the needles or threading the loom ourselves, we treat ourselves to a Teri D. Inman original masterpiece.

It’s always fun to spend a snowy afternoon at the Creede Beadery with our own Damon and Kiera Gibbons. Beading may not be described by many as “thrilling”, but it can be; sometimes we don’t know what we’ll create until the creation is complete. How wonderfully mysterious.

Anyone who participated in the Painting Workshop with Stephen Quiller last summer will know the Quiller Gallery. The gallery is open by appointment only at this time of year, but Stephen’s work can be viewed any time at his website. We’re already looking forward to the 2012 Painting Workshop with Stephen Quiller next June.

We always like to stop by The Holy Moses before Christmas. Hand crafted wooden toys and hand-thrown pottery are just two of the attractions. It’s a great spot to find unique gifts.

Guests of our Colorado Family Guest Ranch don’t always take the time to head into Creede to browse the shops of Main Street. We understand; folks come here to immerse themselves in the splendor of the mountains. Yet guests who do find their way into Creede always enjoy the time they spend there, whether they browse the shops and galleries mentioned above, or take in a show at the Creede Repertory Theatre.

Our Family Vacation Ranch is peaceful when blanketed with snow.

Kathy just got back from 2 weeks in Oklahoma, where she had Thanksgiving with her family. 25 people sat down together for the Thanksgiving feast, which was really fun. Baby Girl Adelman is growing nicely; she’s not due to arrive until February 24, but Grandma thinks she won’t be able to wait that long. Kathy and Jimmy will be staying in Creede with their immediate family for Christmas.

Our Dude Ranch Foreman, Kyle Michaels, is currently attending the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association Convention in Reno, NV. We hope he’s having a good time and learning lots. His wife, Kate, was unable to attend the convention this year because she is working towards her Nursing Degree and in the midst of final exams. At least Kyle and Kate will be able to spend some time together relaxing in Oregon before Christmas.

We hope all our past and future guests are enjoying their Decembers, wherever they are.

• For the angler in your life, give some time at our Fly Fishing Vacation Ranch.

• For the equestrian in your life, give some time at our Family Dude Ranch.

• For the children in your life, give an unforgettable experience replete with horseback riding, fishing, swimming, and unparalleled outdoor fun.

• For the grandparents in your life, give a Colorado Family Ranch Vacation – it’s the perfect family reunion.
  

  For someone in your life, this is a dream come true.

Don’t battle it out at the mall this year. Do your holiday shopping with us.

We’re thankful for our families and friends, for good health and good humor. We’re thankful for the opportunity to live and work together in a beautiful setting.

We’re thankful for our fabulous staff and terrific seasonal employees – also friends. We’d be lost without you.

We’re thankful for our wonderful guests. We’d be lost without you, too.

We’re thankful for the beautiful location of 4UR Family Dude Ranch. Waking up to see the Colorado Rockies each day makes waking up worthwhile.

Thanks to all of you who make living and working at 4UR special. Happy Thanksgiving.