Smith Fork Ranch

Have you ever thought about truly getting away and enjoying nature? Sitting in a rocking chair looking at the beautiful mountain scenery? Breathing in fresh crisp air? Riding horses (trails, team penning, barrel racing) and fly fishing in ponds and rivers? Hiking, white water rafting and archery? Campfires, campfire songs, and smores? Oh, did I forget to mention the exquisite meals and outstanding wine list? Then, on top of that, what about an equal number of guests and staff? Staff that not only cater to your every need, but become like friends and family. Too good to be true? Not at Smith Fork Ranch in Crawford, Colorado!

Our family had historically gone on beach vacations. In the summer of 2008, we decided to try out a luxury dude ranch. It was everything we hoped for and more. It is an easy flight into Montrose, Colorado and about an hour drive from the airport. The minute you step on the property, you are greeted like one of the family and can feel the stress drain out of your body. The activities are endless and my husband took the trip of a lifetime spending an entire day fishing in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We played hard all day long, ate and drank well, enjoyed new friends, and slept like babies. The children are free to do what they want – spend time with their parents or join the children’s program. The flexibility is amazing.

I can’t quite put my finger on my favorite memory. It would probably be holding my daughter in my lap as she fell asleep at the campfire. Her favorite memory would be Peppermint – the horse she rode for the entire week. What are we doing in the summer of 2009? We talked about going back to Hawaii or back to Smith Fork Ranch. Can you guess where we are going? We all got new cowboy boots and we are ready to show them off to our old friends at SFR! And, we have reserved Peppermint for that week!!