All good things have to come to an end and I have to say my
trip to The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks
Ranch was all good. I had brought my friend Lynn along and we took full
advantage of the unlimited spa, food, drinks and activities this place offers
guests.
After we had an early breakfast, Jenn Brenneman, the lodge
manager, met us to take us on a full tour of the lodge. We started with a
little history about how David Pratt purchased this land in 1999, combining six
ranches because he wanted a big cattle ranch. He also acquired 25 miles of Little
Snake River and undertook the largest river restoration in the United States.
The area – partly in Colorado and the rest in Wyoming –
offered some of the best trout fishing in the world and he started a fishing
lodge here. Soon he needed more room and the lodge we were staying in was
built, complete with 15 guest rooms for a total of 35,000 square feet. Every
detail had been carefully constructed, from the wood coming from London that
was hand carved to the Charlie Russell sculptures.
We took a good look at the breakfast and main dining rooms,
which always felt elegant and we received fantastic service in both. There was
also a wine room used for wine pairing dinners and small groups that wanted
privacy when the lodge was full. As we
walked past the entry way, I remarked how was always filled with one of my
favorite flowers, gladiolas, welcoming you into a living room filled with
priceless art that still felt inviting and comfortable.
One of our favorite pieces in the lodge was the Steinway
piano (the only known signed one of this model), which was set up to play
itself while an adorable stuffed bear sat on it. We would hear that music every
night as we enjoyed cocktails by the bar. That bar room was always a
conversation piece in itself, starting with the huge mural behind the bar by
Wayne Cooper that depicted what the area may have looked like long ago around
the Three Forks River. It was one of many different pieces of art throughout
the building that included vases and platters from the Ming Dynasty.
There was a conference room that Jenn told us was used by
corporation and groups who booked the whole lodge for a stay. We took a quick
stop at the fitness center before we headed down the stairs to look at some of
the other room types. The library suite was lovely, with an antique secretary
that reminded me of the one my grandfather used to have.
Before we left we took a final look at our beloved spa. It
had been the center point of our visit and had brought us so much relaxation
during all the treatments that are included for every guests stay. For me, spas
have always brought a tranquility that I can’t get anywhere else and there was
something about looking out at this huge ranch that just made it that more
peaceful (and the massages, wraps and scrubs were fantastic). Although I did
not venture out this trip, I could imagine how wonderful the indoor/outdoor
pool would be in the summer.
It was time to head out and Jenn took us through the snow
caped mountains. As we got closer to Steamboat Springs, my cell phone started
buzzing with messages. It had been a unique, feeling to not have service for
four days, but I think I had really enjoyed it. I was far from cut off since Three Forks Ranch not only provides
guests with wireless internet but also their own IPads.
It was back to full
civilization for Lynn and me, though, but I have a feeling that I will be back
on the ranch again someday.
1 comment:
Hello, I am the piano rebuilder who restored the vintage Steinway Grand Piano you reference in this blog. It is very encouraging to know that the piano has brought joy to so many people!
- Dennis Chupp , Chupp's Piano Service, Inc.
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