FEAR ANTS: Trail Canyon Ranch

Trail Canyon Ranch, owned by my Aunt Pati and Uncle David, is in Cortez, Colorado. Snugly situated in a valley between two mountains, there's about 500 acres to explore. Amagad, it is simply sublime. Please, book a stay there. You would adore it and Pati and David are some of the loveliest people known. You don't even have to leave their property to hike, bike, climb, stargaze, and see ancient glyphs and ruins! We stayed here every night, 'cept one, and it served as home base. Lucky, lucky us.

After our arrival, the very first thing we did after hugging my aunt and uncle's neck was hop on some bikes and ride up the mountain to check out the waterfall before sundown. We really needed to move after being in the car for two days.

The cottonwoods have turned their brilliant yellow. Just so's you know, anywhere there is a cottonwood, there is water.

See ATM there?

Atop:

My aunt & uncle's home @ dusk. They get to live here!

They've got six horses and a couple of burros. Not really suitable for riding as they are mostly adopted wild horses or aged. My Aunt Pati is a master rider and trainer.

We did do a little shit shovelin'. Can't go to a ranch and not do it!

This is Sherman, a one and a half year old wild mustang, recently adopted. He is jumpy as all hell, but really sweet once you gain his trust, usually with treats in hand. Up close, you can see his silver coat coming through. Our casita is behind his corral.

Our solar-powered casita! We had total privacy here. Lots of quality details within.

View from the kitchen window:

Ceiling:

Love the Navajo rugs adorning the walls and this one from Afghanistan:

Detailed:

View from the shower:

Bits and pieces found on the property:

Pati and David's house:

Can't forget the dogs! Here's Chancellor and Winston, a rescued res dog:

Hermann (foreground), Chancellor & Winston:

That Winston is lounging like Marilyn Monroe there! That's my Uncle David:

On the morning of our last day, we climbed up the mountain to explore a cave that had ancient soot and corn cobs inside. The corn has been examined by a corn expert (Yes, there is such a thing and is this lady's life work to examine ancient corn!) and she determined it to be about 1,500 years old. It was an extremely moving experience to visit where ancient Puebloean people have tread.

Winnie came with us:

Photo by ATM

Sandstone alcoves:

We climbed higher to take photos of the ranch:

Although it afforded us great views/photos of the place, it was really stupid to climb that high without an adequate water supply. High altitudes + extreme aridity + no cellular service = city slicker danger. There are no trails, so you would sometimes have to double back just to ascend/descend a few yards. Footing is iffy and I actually sprained my left ankle. Cactii, yucca plants, scorpions, and tarantulas abounds. Also, the mountains are deceptive in that they look easy to conquer.