Archive for the ‘Newsletter’ Category
Construction Update
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009Construction on the ranch continues and we can now see the lodge taking shape.
Finishing Touches
I paid a visit to Jeff Pool at Silverado Rustics recently. Jeff is making all the furniture for the cabins, as well as our fabulous 100 sq. ft dining table and chairs. It was really exciting to witness the craftsmanship that goes into every piece. Many of the pieces have been custom designed for us and all of them are hand constructed. Seeing the piles of peeled logs ready to be carved into bedposts or chair legs was great. Equally as exciting was selecting the varnishes and hides that will finish the pieces and make each one truly unique.
Meet some more of our horses
Winter can be tough for our horses with temperatures dropping to below -30°C (-22°F) and around 4ft of snow on the ground. These guys certainly aren’t complaining though. They have beautiful long coats to keep them warm and a daily supply of fresh hay, all cut from our own hayfields. Each one of them needs around 30lb of hay a day to keep them fit and healthy and I have the pleasure of delivering it to them each morning, no matter how cold it is, or how deep the snow drift. Seeing them trot up to meet the tractor and hearing them whinnying gratefully is reward enough and suddenly it doesn’t feel so cold anymore.
Pictured here is Jake and Owen. Owen was the first horse I bought when I moved here and Jake arrived a few months later, so it’s no surprise really that they are best buddies. If they look a bit distracted here, it’s because they have just spotted a coyote in the adjoining field.
We’re now taking bookings for Summer 2009. Some dates are already full, so to make sure you’re not disappointed – reserve your cabin today!
Winter 2008
Monday, December 22nd, 2008Seasons Greetings from all at Tod Mountain Ranch
Winter was a bit late arriving, but it’s arrived in style. We have around 2ft of snow at the ranch and this is allowing us to have endless fun with all the snow activities that we have access to locally.
We have lots of work to do getting the ranch ready for our spring opening and keeping the horses fit and healthy in harsh winter conditions, but we do still find time to enjoy some skiing and snowshoeing on and around Tod Mountain.
Construction Update
Construction of the lodge and cabins is well underway. We broke ground in the autumn and the foundations have been laid. Work has started on the frame but the guys are taking a well earned break for the holidays and will be back on site in a few weeks to continue with the construction and getting everything ready for our spring opening and our first guests.
Main lodge foundations
Meet some of the herd
We had a busy summer working with our horses exploring and mapping the trails. We also helped our neighbours move their cattle to the summer range, and then went back up the mountain to bring the cows home for the winter. This involved a number of very long days in the saddle and was the perfect opportunity to keep the herd fit and get them familiar with the trails and the terrain. We’ll introduce you to them all over time but for now meet Cache and Baxter.
Both of these are experienced ranch horses and love being out on the trail. Cache is a very handsome chestnut gelding with blonde mane and tail. He’s 10 years old and just under 15hh. Gentle and kind, Cache likes to take care of new and inexperienced riders on the trail. Baxter, the black horse, is around 15 years old and stands tall at 16.1hh. A real character who loves his work and never seems to want a day off. He’s one of the first to the gate in the morning and seems disappointed if he’s not chosen for the days ride.
All the horses are of course on their winter break now. Their shoes are off and they’ve grown beautiful long thick coats to keep them warm and dry.
We’re now taking bookings for 2009, so to be one of the first to experience BC’s newest guest ranch, contact us.
