Vista Verde Ranch, Day One

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to stay and review the lovely Vista Verde Ranch near Steamboat Springs.  Brian, Liam and I packed up and headed out early (8am--super early) with the hopes of being there by noon.  Six hours and wayyyy too much snow later, we were there.  The kind and considerate staff fed us immediately, then showed us to our cabin.  It's not what I expected!  Ranches and cabins bring to mind cold, drafts, outdated decor and suspicious furniture.  Not so here--it was tastefully decorated (always vital to me) and comfortable.

Liam ran upstairs to the loft and claimed the largest bed even though he had no competition.  Next, he let me know that he loved it here because he had his very own Kleenex and garbage can.  (Why do I bother buying him toys???)  The rest of the day was spent sledding.  Since we came (well, mostly I came) woefully unprepared, Charlie, our sledding guide, lent us snowsuits and gave Liam goggles.  I only brought my thin boots with heels, so yes, I went sledding in heels.  The ride up on a sled pulled behind a snowcat was as much fun as the rush downhill.  

Dinner was fantastic.  The other two couples at our table, from Steamboat and New Jersey, had plenty to share and made us feel like we had been expected there.  I practiced my sad and sorry French on Martine, originally from France.  She was kind enough not to comment.  Liam searched the room for a stuffed Moose housekeeping had hidden for him that night.  Before bed, I sat in a leather chair by the fire and typed away on my laptop.  Eventually I made my way to bed and slept well (unusual for me).

Click here to see part one of my Vista Verde Ranch series on Examiner.com.  

I'll save the next day for a post tomorrow.  Time to go watch "House."  Goodnight!