Waunita Smoke Signals
Volume 5, No. 3, Newsletter 2012, Gunnison, Colorado
50 Years and Counting!
The 2011 summer season was our 50th summer at Waunita Hot Springs Ranch. And on March 23, 2012 will pass the 50-year milepost of our years at the ranch. We arrived at the Waunita (then Monarch Baseball Camp) with three pre-school boys. And last summer the youngest son, Ryan – now ranch manager - turned 50! What a wonderful ride it has been!
As we look forward to the 2012 seasons, we hope you will come our way to help us celebrate another great year of family ranch vacations.
Numbers from the 2011 Summer
Summer 2011 found us entertaining guests from 27 states and 4 foreign countries. Texas and Oklahoma 'led the pack' with 14% of our guests coming from each of those states. Next were Missouri, Colorado and Indiana. 42% of 2011 guests had visited Waunita in the past, with another 34% sent (or more often brought) by former guests.
A unique group of guests visiting the ranch in mid-August was the cross-country track team from Oklahoma Christian University. They spent the week training, as well as taking part in a variety of dude ranch activities. They even took time out of their busy schedule to paint the ranch fences.
Thanks to late spring snows, the high country around the ranch was especially spectacular during June and July. And streams were 'up,' with flowers blanketing our valley throughout the summer. Then the fall colors in September and early October were some of the most magnificent we've ever seen. What a privilege it is to live in this part of Colorado!
Our lodge host program continues to make it possible for us to better serve our guests and to allow family members occasional breaks. Lodge hosts in 2011 came from Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma. Bouquets to all of these great folks!
Winter 2011
Last winter we hosted a variety of groups for downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snowmobiling, retreats, and meetings. We also offered Bed & Breakfast stays. Although most winter guests are from Colorado, we also hosted ski groups from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.
Family News
The 'ranch' family – Rod, Junelle, Ryan, Tammy, Randi, Kolby and Dani – keep Waunita running smoothly. This fall Ryan will 'step down' from his year of service as President of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association. Tammy is in her second season of managing a weekly lunch program designed to encourage high school girls in their personal and spiritual lives. Kolby and Randi work with the horse herd and help with ranch chores. Kolby became a regular member of the music show last summer, even pursuing his music writing talent with a special song dedicated to Tammy. Randi, our resident Vet Tech, has written a column discussing her thoughts about her role at Waunita. Dani, a freshman at Gunnison High School, enjoys playing volleyball and basketball. She also helps with the children's program during the summer.
Our 'away family' – Rod, Elisabeth, Josh, Kallie, Logan – live in Abilene and Austin, TX, while Wes, Kari and Brody live in Farmington, NM. Granddaughter Jessica, husband Robert and great-granddaughter Ava welcomed an addition to their family on January 27, 2011. Liv Montgomery is a happy, health little girl. They live in Tulsa, OK.
2011 Summer Staff
We were blessed to have had another great staff to help at the ranch last summer. At summer's end Ashley Sutton, Kelsey, Leah, and Michelle returned to school, while Ben and Casey went on to other pursuits. Rachel Smith moved with her family to Cisco Texas. Eric Myers will work part-time at Waunita this fall and winter. Eric Soerensen has divided his fall working days between neighboring Double Heart Ranch and Waunita.
Two special fall events involved 2011 summer staff. Ashley Hill was married at the ranch on September 10th. She and husband Rocky Murr now live in Tulsa, OK, where Rocky is attending aviation mechanics school. Kirstin Lambert, a part-time staff member this summer, and husband Phil, are the proud parents of Urijah Calvin, born October 18th. Looks like he is going to be a 'carbon copy' of his two-year-old brother, Micah.
What's New?
We continue working to 'fine tune' the ranch facilities and program. This summer we added Power Point to the Friday night music show. 'Twas quite a hit with guests, especially during Ryan's rendition of 'The Ballad of Rod.'
Ranch projects this fall include adding a deck to the west side of the lodge and new fencing on the north side of ranch property. Last summer we began providing bathrobes in guest rooms. Makes the trip to and from the pool more comfy.
A Waunita coloring book is 'on the drawing board' this winter – a nice addition to the 2012 Kids Program.
Randi's Ramblings
I was so happy to be back for an entire summer this year! Kolby and I worked at the barn together and really enjoyed taking over some of the responsibilities for our parents.
On May 8th (Mother's Day) we had a filly born at the ranch. She was a bit sick her first few months of life, but I am happy to report she is doing well now and loves running around the hayfields with her mom. I look forward to training her when she is old enough. I have also been working with Shug (now a 4-year-old) and she should be ready to take on some trail rides next summer. When I am not working at the barn, I spend time in the kitchen baking and decorating cakes, cupcakes and cookies. I baked and decorated Ashley Hill's wedding cake and recently made a baby shower cake for Kirstin and Uriah.
I am happy to take my place in the ranch family and look forward to seeing many of you in 2012!