Over the past decades, we have spent our summers sharing the “ranch life” with people from around the world. Families spent a week or two of their summer vacation with us, horseback riding, relaxing, and sharing meals together. This summer we are doing the same, but with a huge difference. This summer will be our last, as we have entered into an agreement to sell the ranch.

 

We will be finishing out the summer, as well as two weddings at the end of the season. (We could not see putting their nuptials in the lurch, and felt we really needed to see them through.) 

 

Certainly, this change brings many mixed emotions. Grief for the end of an era. Sadness at the thought of losing touch with our wonderful guests. Regret for our staff as we will no longer be their employer. Angst about venturing into the unknown. Uncertainty that comes with change. But also excitement at new beginnings. Hope for more time with our children and to explore our own possibilities.

 

We have known for quite some time that it would come to this. Bend is growing out toward us, and we have seen our riding terrain shrink almost every year. We no longer ride to Coyote Canyon or to Laidlaw Butte, because the land from here to there was sold by the county and irrigation district to private individuals. The land from those parcels which we purchased ourselves we had to sell to keep our operation afloat. Now we don’t even cross Tyler road on horseback. Other places have disappeared into private ownership, such as Sandy’s Meadow, much of the Second Rimrock. Although we still have access to thousands of acres for riding, we remember the time before and the change disturbs us.

 

The irrigation district is working toward “improving” their water delivery system to minimize loss. This means our wonderful Tumalo Feed Canal will eventually be piped. No more water crossings with wet boots. We already lost the Columbia Southern canal a few years ago.

 

Also, it seems that offering a remarkable program and taking care of our staff is no longer enough to make it financially. We have been scraping by for about seven years now. Several things have contributed to this. Schools start earlier to have more time to get ready for the federal standardized testing. No more full weeks in late August, children are in the classroom starting on the 15th.

 

The travel industry started discounting heavily after 9/11. Because this changed to traveler’s perception of value, many people are no longer willing to pay full rate. People are increasingly looking for the best “deal.” Having always based our pricing directly on our costs, we can’t compete without changing our service or programs. We have always offered the programs people find in a larger facility, but without the crowds of people to pay for it. The skyrocketing cost of food, hay, and fuel have further eroded our position.

 

We have made it our priority to take care of our staff as well. Many ranchers put their staff on salary to avoid paying overtime, or use their gratuities to cover their wages. Unfortunately, our idealistic views are not in line with profitability when much of the public is not ready to pay for these practices. We can either be someone we do not wish to be, or get out of the business.

 

This has all taken its toll on us. Where we used to feel the passion for the ranch every day, now we are getting tired. It is disheartening to put so much energy into something without success in all aspects of it. Although we know from our guests that by the measure of their experience we have been successful, that does not re-roof the cabins or re-tile the pool. So, when we were approached about this, we were ready to let go. The ranch will be a wonderful fit for the company buying it. We have liked everyone we have met in their group, and love that it will still be a place to “unplug and reconnect.”

 

As for ourselves, we are not sure where we will go from here. John and I should have enough buffer to be able to take time to think through “what we want to do when we grow up.” We will not be able to retire, but at least can decompress and explore our options. He is exploring video production, travel logs, and podcasting. His degree is in finance and real estate, and he may turn toward something in that arena. I have long wanted to write but lacked the time. I’ll spend my time exploring travel and copy writing, as well as committing to words the stories in my head and see where they take me.

 

I hope that our paths will cross again. Perhaps in our own wanderings.