Our Wranglers Are Many Things

Ranch life brings to it a very diverse group of people, as my previous blogs have shown. But sometimes even WE are surprised at some of the "underlying" talents shown by our staff...

Can you guess who our "Ninja" Wrangler is??

     This is for our guests/ friends to answer, so ranch staff.....SSSHHHHHHHHHH 



Saying' "see ya' later".......

Last Saturday we had to say those words to Head Wrangler, Shannan Hitch. She has moved on to a new career as a Kindergarten Teacher and we are all thrilled for her! Knowing that her love of the ranch and horses (& US)  will bring her back as often as possible makes her leaving a bit easier!
Good Luck "Ms. Hitch"....those kiddos are very lucky to have you.
And at the same time we are VERY glad to have Wrangler Ross Ketchum step up to the plate and take over as the new Head Wrangler! Having been here for 3 years now we can guarantee this man knows his business!
Also leaving us tomorrow is our friend Robyn Williams. She wanted to continue her experiences here in the "wild west", but family takes her back to Ohio. Thanks to you too Robyn....we will miss you and your never ending supply of "does anyone have......" :)
Safe travels friend!

Wonderful Wyoming Wildlife

We have been very fortunate this year to see some amazing herds of Elk, Deer & Antelope. Occassionally, we do have a Moose or two on the property. And then sometimes, we are really lucky....
This handsome guy was found grazing (unfortunately not here) but at the Teton Nat'l. Park last Saturday.

                                                                We just had to share!

Lee, Bob & the rest of us!!

Bob, Lee (& Piper) Naylon...owners of the ranch for about 19 years now. We can't get them to sit still long enough to get a recent picture, but that's ok, because that's what makes your stay special. All of us on the go taking care of the details.

They are available 24/7, every day of the year to visit with folks and help you in any way they can to make your ranch vacation the best it can be!

....and then there's me...Annette, Ranch Manager & sometimes "blogger". I am from Texas and have traveled to Colorado, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming & Texas working on ranches, but none compare to the love I have for the L&B. 2011 marks my 3rd year w/them & the friendships I have made with the remarkable staff & guests over the years have truly blessed me.

Our Super Crew of 2011 (final "chapter")...well, maybe !

Max, our friend of many years, is always willing to help out when asked. Not only an experienced horseman(where he will ride just about anywhere, as the picture cleary shows), he is also very knowledgeable in the history of the Dubois area. For those lucky enough to ride with him, it will be an experience you will not soon forget :) Thanks Max...we appreciate you!

                                                 

We jokingly posted on our Facebook page that "if you hope to lose weight this summer while here, forget it"!! Little did we know that those words would be very true. Head Chef, Christopher Correnti (Oregon) (above) and Sous Chef Mike Bales (Washington)  (below) continually suprise us with the dishes they make. They have taken "down home ranch cooking" to a whole new level and have "educated the taste buds" of a lot of us staff members! They go out of their way to make sure that even guests w/special dietary needs are well taken care of. And if you want any of their recipes, just ask....they are always happy to share.

OH....one more thing, these guys are not just great "cooks"....ask Mike about fly fishing! And if you are real lucky, you may just catch Chris on the piano sometimes. Divine!!

                                                           

Our Super Crew of 2011 (part 2)....

See this happy face.....this is Mindy Musselman (housekeeper extraordinaire)! Yes, she is usually this happy and we appreciate her hard work, positive attitude & dedication to every task that is asked of her. Originally from Indiana, she has a lot of "ranch work" under her belt and intends to make Arizona her home. Lucky Arizona :)

Lyndsey Stull comes to us from Ohio! An accomplished horsewoman and Wrangler, this is her first year at the L&B. Witty, fun loving and dedicated, she fits right in to our ranch family and we are glad she is here!

Piper Naylon has spent most of her life here on the ranch (& in the saddle) and enjoys sharing her love of the country with guests! Her love of horses has transferred into the rodeo arena where she barrel races, among other things! Humm....wonder if running the ranch after school/college is in the works for her?

Robyn Williams is here "living a dream" to live & work on a dude ranch! She fills in just about anywhere and if you need anything, believe me, she has it! We still wonder how she got all of that stuff in her Jeep! We appreciate  her hard work and dedication!

Cousins Hopie Feek & Magen Gary will delight you with their Southern (Tennessee) Hospitality, they keep our dining room shining with their quick smiles and warm laughter! Music and family are very important to these ladies...qualities that serve them well here!

(to be continued.....)

Our Super Crew of 2011 (part 1)

 Knowing that we cannot make our ranch run without the hard work and dedication of staff, we want to introduce those who are responsible for your amazing ranch stay!

Back for her 6th year is Head Wrangler, Shannan Hitch! A Florida gal who moved to Wyoming and fell in love w/the state, she is now a full time resident and a 1st year school teacher. Always happy and devoted to her job, the ranch AND the horses, she makes every day brighter!

Ross Ketchum, Wrangler & Packer, came to us in 2008 from Oregon. The "strong, silent" type, he has a wandering spirit and a love of the outdoors and has proven to be a great asset to us. Not to mention that all the ladies just love to dance with him (although he will tell you that he does not know how).

Claire Thomas is our peppy little friend originally from Wales. She has, more than anyone we know, the biggest of "wanderlust spirits". Her travels include Africa, New Zealand, Ghana, etc...but she will tell you that her most favorite place in the world is right here at the Lazy L&B! And she is pretty darn good w/the horses, too!

Mike Ioffredo, a city boy from Boston, first came here when he was 13 with his family on vacation. He was hooked! Writing letters to us, he finally convinced us that he could be a good ranch hand. After 5 years, he has established himself as not only a valuable asset around the ranch but was promoted to Wrangler last year!

Tony Doan...aka "Yogi", is our Maintainance Man from Minnesota! He keeps us laughing with his quick wit  & antics and is always eager to help anyone out, be it guest or fellow staff member. He loves to blog and is determined to video blog his summer here w/us! But he stays soooo busy he may not get it ALL in!
(to be continued).......