Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, Summer of 2019

I am doing something quite new this summer.   I accepted a job as "host-guest services" at a resort ranch in Stanley, Idaho.   It is a spectacular place, small, quiet (needed after the long stint in Yellowstone), and friendly. I am learning new skills, meeting new people. I am the oldest on staff but enjoying the energy of the young people around me.

The Ranch was started in 1929 and opened in 1930.  This project, during the early years of the Great Depression must have been a boon to locals who found work on the buildings.   It was designed as a guest ranch or club from the start.  And although there are horses and cattle on the acreage, its purpose was to serve people looking for a restful, western experience.

But rather than talking a lot about it, here are photos to show the place I am calling home for the summer.   I didn't bring my motorhome as they have employee housing.  I have a large room to myself, shared bath and small kitchen although meals are provided for us at the main lodge.  My lodgings are definitely first rate.

Some of the guest cabins with Sawtooth Range in the background.

View of main lodge (right) and some of the cabins with the pond in the foreground

View from the lower ranch, taken just below the hot spring pool.  I haven't gone horseback riding yet, but should in the next couple of weeks.

Canada Geese take flight as horse are let out to run

Main room in lodge.  This is during training, normally large cardboard boxes and clutter would not be there

Hot spring pool.   Water is fed from the natural spring, by pipe, across the Salmon River to feed the pool.  Runs between 102 to about 104, sometimes 105 degrees in the pool.  Delightful place to soak, look at the stars.  The area around Stanley has many hot springs.

We had three snow falls after I arrived in early June. Here are a few photos of how it looked.

View from ranch

Look closely.  The little white dots which may look like lint on the photo is snow.  It was just starting

The dining room

The ranch brand, fireplace in dining room

Plenty of snow shoe hares.

The crew doing wine tasting during our training.

More snow photos.   Mid June.

This photo reminds me of one I took on the deck of Old Faithful with the benches covered in snow.

This is from the museum located in between Upper and Lower Stanley

Salmon River which we floated during training.  White Otter Rafting Company works with the Ranch to provide raft trips.  It was cold and I was dreading the trip, even though I enjoy white water rafting.  But they outfitted us with wet suits and it was delightful.   River was running high, we saw bald eagle, deer and American Dippers.

Driveway for Ranch this is below the lodge and pond, looking towards lower ranch, where
hot spring pool, Salmon River, horse barn, lodgings for owners, and some staff.

View towards Sawtooth Mountains from Lower Stanley.

View from the museum.  Swallow is in the opening of the bird box, Sawtooth Mountains in the distance.

Upper Stanley, Idaho.  Custer County has no stop lights.  Stanley's population is 63 the school which has a spectacular view has about a dozen kids in k-8.  None of the streets, except Hwy 21 which runs through Upper Stanley and Hwy 75 which runs through Lower Stanley are paved.   During the summer, on Thursday nights, one of the streets in Stanley is closed to vehicles and they have dancing in the street with live band which sets up in front of the post office.Great fun.  While the year round population is small, it is a mecca for people looking for great outdoor space.

Shooting Stars, one of my spring favorites.

Another view from the ranch.  When I am at my post at the host station, I can see the 

mountains.

I have learned to carry trays of wine glasses, open and pour correctly, set up the outdoor self-help lemonade, ice tea and coffee stands, gas wine bottles at end of shift, use the application to record drinks served, and then post those to the accounts, lock up areas that are locked (lodge building is open 24 hours).   Still a little nervous about programs for making reservations for white water rafting, massage, horse back riding, but that is my goal for this week. I've managed to check out Off Ranch guests for dinner and ring up tab (fixed price dinners, drinks are separate) 

I know some friends will be horrified to hear I am carrying trays of glasses, or dishes from tables.  But I have learned some tricks of the trade.   Some things I haven't had to learn, especially conversing with the guests.  That comes easy after all the summer jobs I've held.   

I will continue to post photos as I explore the area.  There are lots of old mining sites which I love.  The light and play on the Sawtooths is ever changing and a delight.   I am not seeing as much wildlife as I did in Yellowstone, but will share what I see.  Lots of backroads to explore, mountain lakes.   But now it is almost time to start my shift, so more on Stanley, Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch will come later.