My favorite place in the world

I’ve finally started feeling a little stir crazy these past few days, so I decided to invite you all along as I re-visit my favorite place in the world, Latigo Ranch, through some photos.

Latigo is nestled high into the beautiful Colorado Rockies, and is surrounded by national forest on three sides, making it the quietest place I’ve ever been. Seriously. You don’t know what quiet is until you step out of one of their cabins onto the porch and it’s so quiet you can literally hear a gentle breeze rustling through the grove of aspen trees all the way down the hill from you, and that’s it. Pure bliss, occasionally punctuated by the whinny of one of their 60-ish horses from the corral.

The ranch is also full of some of the kindest people I've ever met. I don’t know what it is, but somehow Latigo consistently attracts the most wonderful staff and vacationers. Actually, I take it back, I do know what it is. Latigo is owned and run by the George Family, and Randy, Lisa, Hannah, Spencer, and Amanda all put their heart and soul into every aspect of your experience there, from the clean and cozy cabins to the 5 star dining every meal. I’ve never met a family so welcoming and humble in their demeanor, just one conversation with any of them leaves you feeling both welcome and understood, and that sets the tone for the rest of your week there. Plus, Latigo never has more than 30-ish people there per week, so you really get to know the other families and individuals. Last time my husband and I visited, we even befriended a family from Germany!

Finally, I have to mention the horseback riding. They have horses for everyone, from your grandma who has never been on a horse to the experienced horse owner themselves who wants a change of scenery. Their trails cover some of the most beautiful ground I’ve ever seen, from mountain vistas to evergreen forests, aspen groves to crystal clear reservoirs. You get to lope across wide open fields and even have a chance to practice gathering cows! The horses really are the centerpiece of a vacation at Latigo, with two long rides most days, and the option for an all day or overnight pack trip.

I had the privilege of working as a wrangler the summer of 2015, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve returned 3 times since both as temporary help and as a guest; this past summer I was delighted to capture photos for their social media, one even appeared as an ad in Cowgirl magazine! Few things have filled my creative heart as much as standing in the middle of the herd at sunrise, alone with my camera, surrounded by more beauty than I could begin to document. As I write this I’m dreaming of the next time I’ll be able to step foot onto their red Colorado dirt and into the blissful quiet.

If you’re looking for a place to spend quality time with family, ride horses, and just enjoy beauty and serenity like nowhere else, check out their website LatigoTrails.com to book a vacation you will cherish for years to come!