I get to go to the Ranch this weekend!
What adventures await me…
Friday morning I wake up early with the anticipation of heading up to Standing Bear Lodge at Antler Basin Ranch (ABR) this afternoon. Lots of thoughts go through my head. First, YAY I’m going! We get to stop in Winter Park for dinner. Where should we eat so with many choices? Deno’s Mountain Bistro, Casa Mexico, Fontenot’s Seafood & Grill, Randi’s Irish Pub, Hernando’s Pizza Pub, and don’t forget a few miles down the road Tabernash Tavern another goodie.
The drive up the mountains is so beautiful. I wonder what I might get to photograph on the way up and will we make it up before dark? It’s always nice to drive up at dusk. I know when I hit the mile long driveway I’m there! When I get there, I know I will need to turn on the heated walkway due to the snow and start a rip roaring fire in the beautiful stone fireplace so we can snuggle in.
It’s 3:00pm as we pull out of the driveway and head for the mountains over Berthoud Pass. It’s a specular day and the lenticular clouds give me something to photograph on the way up. They are making formations that are just amazing! As we enter Winter Park our first stop is Deno’s Mountain Bistro; a wonderful choice for dinner and the wine list is one of the best in Colorado! Now for the last part of the drive to ABR. By the time we make it to the gates it is dark but magical. Our headlights make the snow sparkle like thousands of tiny diamonds. Ahhhhh we are here and the fire makes for a toasty night.
Good morning Antler Basin Ranch. The beauty of the mountains greet me as I stand out on the porch in the cool crisp morning air, smelling bacon in the air as breakfast is coming. I wonder what adventures await us today? Shall we snuggle in and stay in our jammies and read a book, watch a movie or do we head out for an adventure? We can go snow shoeing, snow biking, cross country skiing or maybe take a snow mobile ride? How about some sledding, hiking or heading to town for a little shopping? If we make it to town, we will make a visit to Drive by Pies, a local culinary delight!! Bottom line there are so many wonderful choices to choose from. If you happen to come up in the Spring or Summer you can fly fish, mountain bike, hike, hunt or explore ABR on an ATV. Try boating on one of the three nearby lakes or tubing in the Fraser River. Check out some of the nearby breweries, wineries and great shopping in Grand Lake.
To be honest, you really don’t have to go anywhere to have a relaxing and wonderful best time. Today we choose to sit by the fire, watch a little football, cook, read and write with a nice glass of wine and a cigar in the ABR Cigar Room.Who knows what tomorrow shall bring…
