Waunita Smoke Signals

Volume 5, No. 1, Newsletter 2010, Gunnison, Colorado

Show Time at the Arena!

This summer we began Arena Games with a presentation of the U.S. and Colorado flags accompanied by the National Anthem, followed by Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud To Be An American" — setting the mood for another great Colorado morning of riding, games and fun. And this reflects our attitude about life at Waunita Hot Springs Ranch. We are happy to be in a business where we have the opportunity to show our guests a great time in a wholesome, Western atmosphere. We're in a gorgeous corner of the Colorado mountains, blessed by crystal clear hot springs, and blessed by the folks who come our way each year.

Ranch Update

NEWS &NOTES Summer News: Last summer we added mountain biking to our repertoire of guest activities. Most folks biked on nearby roads and trails. We also continued offering an evening of trap shooting. Add to those activities a variety of trail rides, fishing, swimming, rafting, forest cookouts, hayrides, square dancing and Western music — for a week of great fun!

Good News about summer 2010 rates. They remain the same as for 2009, along with discounts. So book early and we'll make plans for you to visit in 2010! Winter rates are only slightly higher than for 2009.

An Invitation to Past Guests: We are in the process of putting together a "Memory Scrapbook" of guests' favorite stories/experiences at the ranch. If you wish to include a story in this book, please send it by email (or snail mail) — or better yet, bring it with you when you come and we'll add it to our collection.

A FEW OF OUR PAST STAFF – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Former Head Wrangler Scott Nordberg and wife Mary both teach in the Gunnison School system. Scott is the Ag Teacher and supervises 4-H programs, while Mary teaches Life Science. They have four children.

Kirstin Potter (Lambert) who worked seven summers as a housekeeper, then wrangler, lives in Gunnison. She and her husband Phil were married at the ranch and now have a handsome baby son, Micah.

Wrangler Charlie Ward met his wife Lisa Jackson at the ranch. They live in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where Charlie works with his stock and roping in horse shows, movies and commercials. They are expecting their first child in January.

Wrangler Jennifer Dutton received her Masters Degree at Oklahoma State University in Ag Business. She currently lives in Rock Springs, WY, where she is Executive Director for two Wyoming counties for the USDA, Farm Service Agency.

Sara Beth Waller, 2008 & 2009 wrangler, recently accepted a position as a 4-H program coordinator for the State of Arkansas. Sara Beth has written a number of "cowboy poems," one of which is featured in this newsletter.

Housekeeper Laila Hochmuth graduated with a degree in Hotel Management and now works for the Wyndham Hotel chain. She returns to the ranch each May to help train our housekeeping staff.

Will Dudley, musician extraordinaire, continues to visit Waunita each summer week and joins our home-grown musicians for an evening of Western music. Will achieved his long-held goal of a college degree, graduating from Western State College last December. He currently lives in Walsenburg, Colorado. Some of his music is available on iTunes and he maintains a website at: willdudley.com.

Family News

Ryan and Tammy's daughter, Randi, is completing her final year of Vet Tech School in Aurora, Colorado. Her brother, Kolby, has begun his college career at Colorado State University at Pueblo. Dani, now 13, is taking up the family "athlete" role in volleyball and basketball.

Our "away-from-the-ranch" family, Rod and Elisabeth Pringle, celebrated the marriage of their son Josh and Kallie Moore. They live in Abilene, where Kallie teaches Kindergarten; and Josh is employed with a landscape contractor. Rod and Elisabeth's son Logan is pursuing a career in music in Austin, TX. Wes and Kari Pringle continue teaching in Farmington New Mexico, while spending holiday time with daughter Jessica and granddaughter Ava in Tulsa. Their son Brody works in the Farmington area.

Tipping Our Hats

In this issue of Smoke Signals, we would like to "Tip Our Hats" — cowboy hats, that is, to the following:

We 'Tip Our Hats' to the many returning guests who came our way this summer — a whopping 70% of all who came. And often "old" guests brought or sent friends — for another 17%. Last summer was also a year for family groups. Seven family groups returned to the ranch, with 8 to 19 in each group — enjoying a week of visiting, relaxation and fun.

2009 summer guests came this year from 27 different states and 4 foreign countries. In all of our years at Waunita we have entertained guests from all 50 states except Wyoming, as well as 12 foreign countries.

We also 'Tip Our Hats' to those new guests who know nothing about us except what they have read on our website or in our literature. They represent a challenge to us – to live up to our slogan of providing them with "the best week of their year." It's truly a privilege to be in a business where we can get to know folks from many different places and from many "walks of life."

And we 'Tip Our Hats' to our great 2009 summer staff. They came from Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan and California. Each summer we grow to love them and appreciate their hard work, as they help us serve our guests. On that same note, we enjoy keeping up with past staff members, as they venture out into the "real world." We have included a segment in this publication noting "where are they now…" about a few of our past staff.

We also 'Tip Our Hats' to our Lodge Host volunteers, who come for one to three weeks each summer, helping us manage the ranch and doing so for little more than a "pat on the back." This summer they came from Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Colorado.

And a final 'Tip of the Hat' to those folks who visit the ranch during our winter/spring seasons. They come for a night or more for B&B, a meeting, a retreat, a winter sports weekend, a wedding, or just for soaking in the pool while enjoying some crisp Colorado air. Winters are a quieter time at Waunita, accented by a fire in the fireplace, a steady supply of coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, food and fellowship.

My Daddy and My Horse, a poem by Sara Beth Waller

The only two men I love in life are my Daddy and my horse.
They both listen, they both love, and they don't judge me, of course.
My Daddy gives me options, opinions, shows me trails I can take.
My horse carries me down those trails and stands by the choices that I make.
My Daddy gives me space, because he knows how independent I am,
But he's close enough to come to the rescue, if I need him to take my hand.
My horse gives me freedom, the wind blowing through my hair,
And he seems to know how fast to go to out run all my cares.
My Daddy is my prince and tries to protect me from the bad.
My horse takes me to another world and is the best friend that I have.
My own mistakes I'll have to make, they'll love me for better or for worse.
That's why the only two men I trust and love are my Daddy and my horse!