Folks ask us all the time what we do when we don't have guests? It is a valid question. Since we only have guests here for about four months of the year, what keeps us busy when we aren't taking rides, cooking supper, or dancing the two-step? I wish I could say that Randy Sue and I sit on the couch watching The View and eating chocolate covered strawberries while Justin and Ken talk about the weather and the stock market (oh, wait. . that is what they talk about). Really, when the lasts guests leave for year, we still have a lot that needs done [...]

We said goodbye to the last of our guests last Saturday as our 2012 season came to a close. The end of the season is always a little bittersweet around here. Do we look forward to a little down time? Yes. Do we enjoy having fewer beds to make and mouths to feed? Of course. Do we miss the outstanding guests that we are lucky enough to spend our time with everyday of the summer? Most definitely. Our ranch attracts the greatest people. From all walks of life and all corners of the world, the people that share their vacation with us Drowsy Water are [...]

Our Drowsy Water Ranch Zip line is up and running! We have over 3000 feet of zipping on four different lines that fly up to 300 feet in the air! Here are a few photos from Joanne Gutowsky, a guest and zip-liner. Christina, Cecilia, and Emily are all smiles after the 1400 ft line that zips 300 feet high over the ranch. Ground school is the first stop--learn to zip, clip, and rip!The crew is all smiles after ground school-ready for the big lines now!Ceclia practices breaking at ground school. Christina zips across the ranch!Ian zips across like a professional guide should!Emily takes a break from cooking [...]

By Thursday, the folks vacationing here at Drowsy Water Ranch are really, truly, walking and talking cowboys and cowgirls. To celebrate the successful transistion from suits and ties to boots and hats, we treat them to a breakfast like none other.  First, on horseback or via the trustee white ranch truck, the folk make their way to the top of a mountain.  After stepping off their mount, they walk through the trees and brush are greeted by smiling facesAnd then get to grab a plate with fresh biscuits, fruit, hasbrowns and cowboy eggs. Finally, they get to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. 

 The 2012 Summer season is officially underway! We kicked off our first week of the season with great group of 30+ guests. We had kids, moms, dads, grandfathers and grandmothers, aunts and uncles and long lost friends. By the time they left, they were all part of our Drowsy Water Family. A highlight for the kids during the week is our Tuesday night hayride. The kids get to leave their parents at the ranch (where the parents enjoy a four-course candle-lit dinner) and head down the road in the haywagon for songs, sights, and s'mores. The horses were at pasture along the road, too, so we [...]

We've been introducing our staff little by little. By now, we hope you're ready for a new bunch. We still have a few more to go so check back again next week! Name: : Ellen TholenHometown: Grand Rapids, MinnesotaPosition for the summer:  WranglerOne think I am looking forward to this summer is: Meeting everyone and having great new experiences!The greatest thing I've done in my life so far is: Leaving home to live in the Rocky Mountains this past year.Name: Dirk Ashly KnoedlerHometown:Gothenburg, NebraskaPosition for the summer: MaintenanceOne think I am looking forward to this summer is: meeting a lot of good people and waking up in one of the most beautiful [...]

Here's our second batch of staff for 2012! We can't wait to have them all here to welcome our guests! And go back to the last post to meet the others, too. More still to come!Name:  Alex LakenenHometown:  Marquette, MichiganPosition for the summer:  Waitstaff/housekeepingOne thing I am looking forward to this summer is:  meeting new people and having the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors!The greatest thing I've done in my life so far is: moving away from home to live with my extended family last summer. It was an experience I would never take back and  have gained a close relationship with them that I will have forever.  Name:  Emily JohnsonHometown:  Charlotte, [...]

Welcome to the newest cowboy! Born on Tuesday, November 23rd, Chase Henry Fosha weighed in at 8lbs 4oz. Mom, Dad, baby, and big sister are healthy and having fun with the new addition.

Its a neat thing, being part of this family business, to see how Ken and Randy Sue have poured their heart and soul into every single detail of this ranch. They genuinely take so much pride in sharing their lifestyle with each and every guest.Ken wants us all to call each guest by their first name, and Randy Sue wants to make sure we all give each guest more than they expect not only because it is simply the right thing to do, but because it feels good to operate that way. Being part of the family, I've learned more about business and customer [...]

Howdy!Our summer is in full swing here at DWR. With a few great weeks under our belt, we're looking forward to a few weeks more. With all the extra things to do around here, the blog gets left behind at times. So, since we're busy out doing this or that with guests, we'll give the guests the work of doing the blog photos. After all, we can try to explain what we do, we can try to show you how much we love the beauty and tradition of our ranch. But all our efforts don't show it through the eyes of a guest. Our [...]