Friday nights at DWR, we get our steak on. On the grill, on an open fire, and probably some on our shirts too.  Justin’s been grilling up tri-tip steaks for the final dinner at the ranch each week for a few years now.  The steaks are mouth-watering good and something we’re proud to serve and happy to enjoy each Friday night while we sit and visit with our guests in the cool mountain air.Steak on Friday is no news at DWR, we’ve served multiple varieties of steak for years.  But the Tri-tip, I’m proud to say, are a little product from my roots.  My [...]

We were in for a treat our final week of the season this year. The Colorado Mule Riders joined us for a week of adventure. The 40 or so mules and their riders traversed our countryside with gusto--we're talking a half-day ride to Music Mountain (holy moly!), and an all-day ride to the tippy-top of Elk Mountain (double holy moly!) about 10 and 19 miles, respectively, atop their fast-walking, long-eared, loud-braying companions. The mules were fantastic. Their riders were fantastic too. Their long ears and special brays (talking about the mules again, not the riders) were a hoot to see and hear. And the conversations and [...]

The circle of life is always near the forefront of ranch life. We see life begin, we see it grow, and sometimes, we see it come to an end.  Recently, we lost one of our favorite ranch hands, Duke, Randy Sue's trusty, loyal, intelligent, and loving friend.Duke was born in Grand County and came to Randy Sue's home shortly after his life began. He quickly learned life on the ranch from Bandit, an older female border collie.  He rapidly became the lead cattle dog for Randy Sue as his instincts as a cow-dog were unmatched.  He also fared well as a trusty hiking companion [...]

 One of the parts of the ranch guaranteed to win you over? The western skies; they never disappoint in beauty and grandeur.   Whether it is morning, evening, sunny or rainy, the sky here is always incredible.  We love hearing kids tell their parents "Woah, look at all the stars!" or one friend saying to the other while riding along, "Look how blue the sky is!"  The mountains are always different against the sky and the clouds. Sometimes you can see them so clearly you think you can touch them. Other times they are shrouded in fog. Sometimes snow covers the peaks in bright white, [...]

The summer is upon us. The leaves on the aspen trees are turning green, the sun is warming our mountain air, and smiles are brightening our faces as we share this life with our much anticipated first group of Drowsy Water Ranch guests. We welcomed our first group of families and friends on May 31st this year and we will continue to welcome great groups of families and friends all summer long. One of the highlights each week is Wednesday's all day ride.  In small groups, riders head all different directions from the ranch.  One of our favorites? Music Mountain.  We climb atop our horses [...]

All winter long, the animals at Drowsy Water Ranch get a chance to be themselves and show their personality. Let me tell you, we have a lot of characters around the ranch--animals and humans both. Two of the animals with the most personality around here? The goats, Phoenix and Shooter.Usually, we buy baby goats in the spring, keep them for the petting zoo during the summer and sell them in the fall. But these particular goats and their extremely personable demeanor have allowed them to continue residence through the winter. They've made a place in our hearts and, specifically, in Peyton's heart.  Peyton actually [...]

Howdy!You'll hear this word a few times during your vacation here at Drowsy Water Ranch. We shout "howdy!" to greet you, we holler "howdy!" when we want your attention, and we simply say it in passing as we meet you walking through the ranch. The word is simple enough, but, for us, "howdy" is much more than just a greeting.  For us, the word howdy is how we share our western hospitality.  Howdy is how we welcome you into our family and into our way of life here on the ranch and Howdy is how we tell you that we love what we do and [...]

The secret to a perfect marriage is here, right here, at Drowsy Water Ranch.  Yes, you better believe it, we have all the components for a perfect marriage: sweetness, softness, dependability, and fun. You jealous? The marriage also includes a lot of chocolate.  And peanut butter. Jealous now?  Huh?  Are ya?  Bet you didn't see that one coming. I bet you thought we're talking about Ken and Randy Sue, folks, or Justin and Gretta?  Both of those marriages are a-okay, but neither compare to the relationship involved in the Drowsy Water Ranch Peanut Butter Bars. When these bars are baked in the DWR kitchen, other marriages turn green [...]

The month of love seemed an appropriate time to write a history lesson about a heart that has flown around Drowsy Water Ranch for decades. The Flying Heart Brand is the brand associated with Drowsy Water Ranch from its early days as a dude ranch. The main lodge is called the Flying Heart Lodge and you'll see throwbacks to the old brand hidden throughout the ranch.  The brand is a key part of Drowsy Water Ranch history.  Ken get out the ranch history books so we could learn more. Deane "Pops" Glessner, the founding father of the modern day Drowsy Water Ranch, owned the brand [...]

We don't usually see what is pictured below during the month of January. Or February, and rarely March. The photo is OPEN WATER on Drowsy Water Creek, and it is as absurd as a a horse standing on two-legs. Due to an unseasonably warm January, the creek in no longer frozen. That never happens around here in January. The weather is so warm we've all been wearing our bikinis and swim trunks 24/7. Just kidding. We don't even do that in summer; our legs are as white as snow 365 days a year.But it really is warm for us--the temperature has climbed well above 30 for [...]