Summer 2019 Events at Everson Ranch

Ever wondered where all the water goes after you soak in it at the hot springs? Well, this is the summer you can see for yourself! The Everson Ranch, part of the Orient Land Trust, is a working ranch just a few miles downhill from Valley View and it is here that we can show you.

Summer is the best time of year for visiting and experiencing life on the ranch and we are excited to announce our plans for 2019!

Thanks go out to the Board of Directors, staff, and dedicated volunteers who have been brilliant in developing the perfect mix of fun ranch activities and hands on experiential learning! Exploring Orient Land Trust now engages all five senses with the following activities.

Ranch Tours

Guests of Orient Land Trust are welcome to visit the ranch, farm animals, observe wildlife, and walk to the reservoir. Guided tours are offered daily 10am-2pm. So on your next visit to the hot springs, dry off for a bit and see what the ranch is all about!

Ranch Camping

Experience the feel of being on a working ranch with an overnight visit! Camping is now an option that includes a nice grassy tent spot or easy pull in vehicle site. Camping also includes the use of the (straw bale) bath/kitchen house. And best of all, it's clothing optional! Campers pay a facilities use fee of $15 per person.

Bird Watching & Photography Workshop

Long time land trust member, Dr. Daniel Fleming, will be at the ranch of May 18, 4-6pm, as part of his amazing Bird watching & Photography workshop that he offers at no cost. Participants will want to wear good walking shoes and bring water bottle, hat, and binoculars. Long lense or zoom cameras are helpful but not required to enjoy this workshop.

Everson Ranch Market & Grill

Memorial Day Weekend will kick off this season's Everson Ranch Market & Grill. This first Market Saturday, May 25, will feature a Plein Air Painting workshop with Salida artist, Carl Ortman. He will work with guests from 10am to 1pm and asks that guests bring their own easel and supplies.

The Market & Grill events will be held every Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm. A simple menu of our fresh farm foods will be offered and will vary depending on what we have on hand. There will be juicy meat dishes from the barbeque, grilled vegetables, fresh eggs, garden salads and smoothies made to order. Note: The Market and Grill will be unavailable for the month of July. July is the month we have the Science Camps for children, quarterly Board of Directors meeting, and Member Appreciation Weekend. We will continue to schedule Volunteers working in the garden for the month.

Mid-September will wrap up the season with our annual Harvest Celebration TBA

New this year!

Free Garden Classes with Sabine

New faces at the ranch this summer are Sabine Borchers, garden manager, and her assistant, Macon Terry. Sabine can guide you through a short meditation which will open your senses to set the tone for your experience in the garden. So that when you visit or volunteer even just a few hours you walk away inspired. She can direct you to different tasks in the garden as a learning experience or just for relaxation. She will be so grateful for busy hands wanting to help with high altitude gardening. Once upon a time she was a psychotherapist in a hospital where she also provided stress management. According to her picking spinach is definitely a form to manage stress. Come try it out. Sabine is aiming to take Wednesdays and Thursdays off. Check with staff if you want to take advantage of her inspiration on those days.

Front Porch Pickin' and Grinnin'

The idea here is to create a fun place for musicians to connect with other players, hone skills and make friends! We hope to attract musicians with diverse backgrounds to showcase their own style. Come and bring your instruments, singing voices or just your listening ear. The jam sessions will take place during the Market & Grill and begins when the first player starts!

Sheep Series with Amber

Amber Shook moved to the San Luis Valley 37 years ago. Newly married to Jeff, their dream of homesteading began. Her passion for fiber has been cause for owning angora bunnies, many types of sheep, and llamas. Harvesting wool, cleaning, spinning, dyeing, weaving and felting have been her focus. Whether you are interested in owning one fuzzy friend, or a flock of woollies, Amber's introduction to animal fibers will answer your questions.

Sheep Series (and other critters)

1) June 8 2-3:30 Raising Wool Producing Animals
 Rabbits, Sheep, Llama, Alpaca, Goat, Yak, Camel, Dog

2) July Sheep Shearing (all ages)
 Culling, butchering, shearing, and processing fiber

3) August 10, 2-2:30 Fiber Use
 Home, sale, natural/dyeing, spun, knit, crochet, felt

Everson Ranch will be closed for private events July 1 – August 11. Volunteers in the garden can still schedule. We appreciate your help!