About three months ago to the day, I turned down the driveway to Drowsy Water Dude Ranch. Since then that driveway has meant so many things to me. From running up and down it, dreading walking the 1/2 mile from the car to the top after every outing, late night talks with friends, the adult hayride and so much more. Now that you know how much just the driveway means to me, you can imagine how much this place means to me. 

Let me start by saying that I am 100% a city girl. I always do things though to test my self, just to make sure that I’m not missing out on the quality of life that country living has to offer. This summer, I have been surrounded by horses, pigs ( until the bears came and ate them), the four ranch dogs Aspen, Buddy, Duke and Lily, goats and the list goes on. I have learned the importance of haying ( or more directly what that means :), the amount of work that it takes to keep 50 horses happy, how rain never means you have to go inside, and that there is always a job that needs finishing. 

If you would have told me this time last year that I would be working on a Dude Ranch in Colorado as a Prep Cook, I would have laughed in your face. It’s crazy how life leads you down paths that are not always the most expected. I can’t say that this is what I saw myself doing at 21, but I will say that everyday I see a little clearer why God put me here. 

I met some rockin people. 

I fell for a boy. 

I hiked my ass off. 

Started running again. 

Learned to appreciate someone else cooking my food. 

I made quite a few mistakes. 

I went to mud races, the rodeo, the hot springs and rode a horse three times. 

I understood utter bordom. 

I appreciated being able to look up everynight and see the sky filled with stars. 

Basically, it will be bittersweet driving down that driveway in 2.5 weeks, but knowing that i will be back in the best state in the world and my sweet mama and skippy- there will be no regrets. 

As I have said before, it’s always easier leaving than getting left behind.