Powderhorn Ranch

Monday after work Stephen & I headed east on 58 to interstate 15 across the desert – destination, Powderhorn Guest Ranch, Colorado. We pulled off the road just before Vegas to meet up with Debbie & Tom Madril. We spent an enjoyable hour visiting over ice cream. They sent us on our way but we only got as far a Mesquite before fatigue set in. In the morning we hit the road. At the highway 70 turn off we were pleased to see a Cove Fort sign. It was a beautiful morning so we pulled off and took the missionaries tour.



Fascinating. What a family life the Hinckley’s had. We were so pleased to hear there are 30 missionary couples serving very steadily. Brother and Sister Euall conducted an interesting tour for us. At the end of the tour the missionaries asked if we felt impressed to send a church video or book of Mormon to anyone. We each filled out a referral card. One for Stephen’s Dad and the other to his Aunt Marilyn. The missionaries will then call them on the phone, read them the message we left, and ask the individual if they will accept the video or book. If they agree, local missionaries will hand deliver it. Isn’t that great! I remember doing that one time before following a tour on temple square. That time I referred a video to a coworker and she accepted it gratefully. You never know. The funniest part was, while on the tour a little boy from the tour ahead of us said, “That’s my Bishop”. It turned out to be Hyrum Hansen. How funny that we are visiting Cove Fort and run into the Hansen family. They decided to make a stop at the fort while traveling to Canada for a family visit. (7/3 As a PS to this post - Sister Euall called from the fort and said she had a nice chat with both Stephen's Dad and Aunt. They both accepted the videos and will recieve a visit from the missionaries to deliver them. She also said the day we stopped in they had a record 900 visitors - pretty great)

It was time to get on the road again – next stop, Grand Junction, Colorado. The scenic drive across Utah and Colorado afforded me a view from a different window. Never before do I remember seeing such high plateaus, or sheer rock buttes. Miles and miles of twisting canyons, desert floor, and towering monoliths.


It was beautiful. There is a scattering of little towns (and I mean little) along the interstate. It was fun to stop anytime something looked interesting or a shop looked inviting. Arriving in Grand Junction we found a hotel for the night then went out to dinner. The next morning it was Powderhorn day!

The drive through the canyon toward the ranch was breathtaking. The sloping canyon walls were green with pine trees and aspen groves as well as stark rock cliffs. Narrow passages would open up to expansive green meadows sprinkled with grazing cattle. A river wound its way through the heart of the canyon floor with meandering streams feeding meadow pastures.



To see such lush green and freely flowing water was heavenly. We were almost covetous as we thought of our dry parched valley and all the farmers that are crying for water.

Our Powderhorn vacation was a blast! Stephen & I were two of twelve guests so you can see it was small and intimate.

The ranch hands almost matched the guests in number. The first night we had a square dance where guests mingled with hands for a great time. We all ate together in the rustic dining hall. The meals were wonderful. Plenty of home town cooking. The next day almost all went river rafting.


So fun! In the afternoon Stephen & I drove to a darling little town just up the road called Crested Butte.


It is beautifully nestled in a small valley below tall mountains. Approaching the town we saw what looked like a colorful pup-tent city. As it turned out there was a Colorado bike tour passing through hosting about 1000 riders. We shopped around the historic town then headed back to the ranch.

That night a country singer came and entertained us in the lodge. He was great. So interesting because he told the history of various cowboy songs and song writers. The next day was trail ride day. Oh my – it was the highlight of my week. The high country was breathtaking. We rode to 11,000 feet.


For a short time it clouded up and lightly rained. No matter, just like real cowboys we donned our slickers or ponchos and kept riding. At the top we ate lunch and rested the horses. We were gone all day and when the group returned it was hot tub time.


That evening following a delicious dinner we gathered around the fire pit for a wonderful program topped off by s'mores. After breakfast on Saturday morning Stephen & I said our goodbyes and started for home. Our vacation was everything we wanted it to be and we someday hope to have a dude ranch experience will all our children and grandchildren.