2010 will be my 5th consecutive year visiting the Bar Lazy J, I totally fell in love with  it my first visit for many reasons but mostly because it is such a fabulous escape from our chaotic lifestyle. I love the staff there as well as the great friends we made and still stay in touch with. Every year I get the worlds best horse sometimes repeats but whomever I ride they are perfect for me. Thank you Jerry & Cheri for the most memorable vacations of my life. Sorry to be such a blubbering idiot with all the tears when we leave. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one. See you soon, God Bless!!, Sharron Burge-Voelker,Twinsburg, Ohio,USA

We just returned from our 7th stay at The Ranch. This was our first time staying 2 weeks, and we are afraid that we may have to continue that trend. As usual, the food, cabin, people and scenery are unmatched. I cant say enough about the riding too. I must say that for me the riding just keeps getting better. The level of instruction and their desire to make a horseman out of you (if thats what you want) is incredible. I have never been so comfortable on a horse and have never had the riding challenge that we did this year.

I watched several people who were either terrified of horses or had never been on a horse before transform before my eyes. They went from quiet observers to riders as the week progressed. Their excitment each day as they proclaimed their goals for the next and then the sense of accomplishment they showed as they met those goals was a joy to watch. The staff at the barn was kind and patient with a sense of humor. We were there during adults only week. While children go into things with a sense of adventure and abandon, adults have a healthy respect for these gentle giants. Some of these folks were in their 70’s and this was their first horseback riding experience. I am sure that it can be more challenging to overcome the fear in an adult, but I watched it happen.

I had a new horse this year who was better than each of the others I have loved in the past. My husband rode his favorite too. We could not have asked to be better matched with our companions during our stay. Jerry and Cheri assure that all of their animals are well cared for from the pig to the horses. I cant tell you how many times you hear people commenting on their love for the animals found on the ranch.

This year we went hiking, riding, biking, day tripping, and participated in the nightly entertainment. Our only complaint is having to prioritize what you would like to do. There are choices for everyone from sightseeing trips to physically challenging activities. We will have to go back to get in some of the things that we didnt get to this time. The fishing while we were there was great. We watched as the guide and many of the guests hauled in (and released) beatiful trout from the river just outside the front of their cabins. We have commented many times that this would be the most beautiful movie set.

I could go on and on about our love for this place. With stressful jobs dealing with people everyday this is such a welcome change. The peaceful setting the wonderful family of people that work here and many and varied activities this place cannot be beat. We have enjoyed family time here as well as adults only time and each have their wonderful benefits. I would recommend this ranch to anyone. We have recommended friends go on this trip and they too have become return guests. This is truly the ultimate vacation.

We will miss the staff that we have become friends with, but hope to see them again at the ranch and as they move on. We have truly become friends with those we have met. I commented to my husband on the magic of this place as we left. It was evident as we watched other guests say their goodbyes while shedding tears. I have been fortunate enough to travel to some wonderful places, but never have I seen people cry as they said their goodbyes. You truly do become part of the ranch family.

To all those who make the Bar Lazy J such a wonderful vacation, we truly appreciate you. We are fortunate to have found a place that allows us to fully unwind while enjoying every minute of it. We will see you next year…hopefully spring and fall.

Bar Lazy J is close to our home in Grand Lake and is one our favorite vacation places in the world. The staff is amazing, the food is wonderful, thanks to a world class chef, and the horses are a dream. We have met some of the nicest people there. It’s a perfect place to recharge and come away feeling there are still places where people are honest, kind, and very generous. We have visited three times, and will return.

My husband and I just returned from a much needed vacation at the Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch. From the minute we pulled into the breathtaking property, the staff took care of our every need. We were given a tour, escorted to our cabin, and met Jerry and Cheri (the owners.) Oh, and let’s not forget the wonderful ranch dogs - in my next life, I want to return as a ranch dog.

We settled in and met everyone in the dining area for dinner and became instant friends. We talked about our day and planned our next day. After dinner, we took a walk around the ranch and along the Colorado River. We then walked out to the island - yes, the island - in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.

Throughout our stay, we received horseback lessons, improved our riding skills, pushed cows (this is a must do!), ate like we’ve never eaten before (Thanks Chef Eddie), swam in the heated pool, relaxed in the hot tub, played horse shoes, met life long friends, relaxed and laughed.  I would have to say that my favoriate part of our stay was “rush hour”. This is the most incredible site and sound you will ever experience! It happens in the morninig and night when the wranglers bring the herd from the barn to the stables and back.

Finally, the most impressive part of our stay was meeting people from around the country and world. Then, discovering that many quests are returning for their 4 year, their 8th year and even their 14th year. During dinner on the last night, we all (guests, wranglers, staff, Jerry and Cheri, Chef Eddie - everyone!) hugged with tears in our eyes to say goodbye (although we all knew we’d see each other again).

Thank you all for a magical stay!

Sharon and Ernie Santella

Our trip to Bar Lazy J was one of our most memorable family vacations ever and we take our kids EVERYWHERE! We traveled with another family and extensively researched about 6 ranches in colorado and montanna and were so happy we chose Bar Lazy J. We are vey picky travelers so if we were happy, you will be too! The best part of our trip was the authenticity of the experience. The staff did not dress up and “play” cowboy all day, then go home and put “street” clothes on.. they ARE cowboys (& girls!) and you are really living their life for the week. I also, so appreciated the intimacy of the setting. Capacity for guests at the ranch is 42.. we had 38 that week and it really lends to the whole expereince. By the third night, kids are eating dinner at an “all-kids” table, adults are sitting w/ new friends each night and an impromtu “happy hour at the pool” takes place! That is a difficult atmosphere to achieve when you’re at a high-rise resort w/ 800 guests (we like those vacations too, but again, this setting was perfect!) Following are specific details of varioius aspects:

Program: riding program was great.. my husband and i do not ride, my kids (ages 9 & 11 ride english) after an orientation ride, you get to pick amongst 3 different rides types/levels for an a.m. & a p.m. ride. These are real riding lessons, not just pony rides for photo ops.. although there is always a scenic ride offer as well, which is nice.. but all the rides are scenic! By the third day, my husband bought a pair of chaps/chinks (sp?) and i ditched my city-looking country club visor for a cowboy hat.. kids program is outstanding… riding incorprated w/ other “camp-type” activities, swimming, crafts, farm aninmal activities.. kids loved it, it was as structured as it was flexible. I felt completely comfortable being off on my own ride while the kids were back doing their stuff (& one of my kids is special-needs!) We also liked that as great as the program was, we were on a family vacation and i did want to ride with my kids so we arranged a private ride w/ our family and the the family we were traveling with.. just another example of how an intimate setting can accomodate special requests. One detail we learned while researching other ranches.. most start kids programs at 6 years.. our other family had a 4-year-old and there was one other 4-year-old guest as well.. that was a huge deciding factor for us, but beware, while other ranches claimed they could accomodate riders under 6, when pressed for detailsl, it ended up being glorified babysitting.. BLJ offers a true program for kids under 6, however; having said that, it would be my recommendation to hold off til kids are 6, even when we rode w/ kids, couldn’t go w/ little one.

Food - meals were great… everything was cooked to order.. never felt like i was eating mass-produced food… plenty of options at each meal.. we traveled w/ a vegetarian and her needs were met (with advance notice) the best was the breakfast ride.. rode into the mountains to a camp site where breakfast was made at a campfire.. it was as yummy as it was beautiful.. lodge is open 24 hours a day if you needed a drink or needed to raid the cookie box (cookies were made fresh daily!)

accomodations - we stayed in the ranch house. it is the house the owners lived in for a bit when they first took over the ranch. it was perfect for us.. no need to have all that space if you’re a single family (or couple) we were a group of 8 so it was great… it’s a full house so there was a kitchen, laundry, 2 full baths and plenty of living space.. never looked into the other cabins but each is unique, some larger than others.. but quaint and rustic.. no fridge, they provide coolers on porches and re-stock ice each day if you want to keep stuff cold.. location is a non-issue.. everything is located perfectly, you’re as close to the river as you are to the lodge as you are to the pool.. however; the ranch house is not on the river, i believe all the cabins are and i know people really enjoyed listening to the rushing river at night!

Entertainment - you were entertained and pampered western style, i love checking into the Penninsula as much as the rest of you, but again, the authenticity and rustic setting really lended to the whole experience, you still had housekeeping (although it was patchy at the ranch house, seemed just towels and beds, floor was not vaccumed and dishes never done, in their defense, maybe that wasn’t part of the gig and i forgot to ask??) your meals were served to you and your dishes were cleared.. of course there’s the one morning where owner, cheri, makes blueberry pancakes and you have to “catch” the pancakes (the size of my face, by the way!) w/ your plate!
evenings consisted of anything from line dancing, to campfires, pow wows and a rodeo “field trip”.. no tv’s,. thought i’d miss that, but it was so refreshing!

Staff - OMG, where to begin?? gotta start w/ Scott!!!!! i’ll never forget him.. was a great wrangler and leader and just plain ‘ol fun! Chad is outstanding as well, quite a compliment coming from me since i took a bit of razzing from him and wrangler, Katie, about my wearing lip gloss! (hey, i got rid of the visor!) Can’t mention everyone but rest assured, the entire staff was outstanding including those that worked with the kids. Owners Jerry and Cheri got “it” right… you will not be disappointed!

Our family and the family we traveled with were the only new families, all others were repeats, which makes quite a statement. We would love to return, only thing that would keep us away is my husband’s philosophy of always trying something new, hates to repeat, but we’ll see. (might have to plan a girls trip!)

p.s. - speaking of you girls: bring the jog bra, think twice about the thong!