I am a Florida girl, through and through. I come from a long line of Florida people and was lucky enough to grow up in the state when it really was still a paradise. I am also the daughter of a career military father. This allowed me to experience so much of the world that most young people never have the chance to do. I had the best of both worlds.
I set out to visit places that were totally opposite from Florida and years ago, it doesn't seem like that long ago but it is, I went to Colorado with a woman from work to visit a guest ranch. I fell in love with the state then, and I still go there in my mind sometimes, for the calm and beauty.
In my mind, it is my comfort place. When I first visited, my goal was to visit a dude ranch. I did that and experienced things like sleeping on the ground on Coulter Mesa, freezing my butt off but viewing stars that felt so close you could reach out and touch them. Drinking cowboy coffee and eating breakfast at daybreak and then saddling up my trust steed, to head back to the ranch. Just kidding, the wranglers, including one named Hoss and one named Justin, did all the work.
I made several trips out there. No season was safe and I even braved winter, cold, snow and other things I swore I would never do. I rode a snowmobile; tried on snowshoes, threw snowballs and sat around a fire and drank adult beverages while telling tall tails.
I was in a dark place in my personal life during these trips and would sit on the side of a mountain and think. Contemplate, make lists in my mind and try to come to some decisions about my life. It became my special place in a way Florida could not do. No one knew me. I could ride horses or hike by myself. I could stay on my cabin's front porch and take in the view or wander down to the lodge and socialize with the other guests.
I ended up making some good friends and sharing the space with some good friends. My dark period was fading and new memories were being made. Some of these wonderful people are still in my life and brought such happiness to me during this time.
It has always been in the back of my mind to go back for a visit. I knew all the people had changed and it would be different but it would still be my beautiful space, filled with nature and calmness. Every year I had a reason not to go. The ranch changed hands. A new family bought it and it became more geared towards families and probably not as geared toward wayward people, searching for something. I couldn't leave my job or I didn't want to spend the money. I should have gone.
This morning, I happened to be cruising online and did a search. Coulter Lake Guest Ranch is not operating. I found this story that talks about the lake drying up and the cabins being empty. Permits have expired. Their website is down along with their Facebook page. Tripadvisor has several very negative review from people who never got their money back.
Like many things, the state will probably take over the property. They will turn it in to a recreation area for tourists. My mountain sanctuary will probably close for good. I feel sadness that like so many other places from my memories, this special spot may soon be gone.
No comments:
Post a Comment