All of the guests have left their mark from being here and from each I think (hope) we have learned. But the time that we spend with our staff.....now that is another story!
Most ranch owners will tell you that it is hard hiring someone over the phone, but that is usually just what we all have to do! Because our staff doesn't consist of folks from nearby towns! We hire people from all over the world!
And we have been pretty fortunate over the years to have had some awesome workers share their summer, and talents, with us! Sometimes easier said than done.
Think about it for a minute if you will. You leave home and travel vast distances, maybe even from the other side of the world and show up to spend months with total strangers. You were "warned" that ranch life is not easy, but you can never truly understand until you get here and dig in to the everyday work. If you expected feather mattresses and fine linens, TV's, texting on your cell phones and an 8-5 schedule you are in for a very rude awakening! But we do try our best to explain.
It's hard work, with long hours and everybody helps out in all areas!
And if you have just the right mind set, something pretty neat happens. Come Friday night after the barbeque cook out and the poetry, you seem to be hesitant to load up and go into town. Instead you want to sit back and relax while listening to the guests talk and laugh about their adventures!
.
You realize that the hard week you have behind you was so worth it because you have helped folks make memories of a life time and you will always be a part of those special memories. We have years of memories tucked away and on those quiet nights they come to life for us again.
It's hard to see our guests leave. They become a part of our L&B family and yes, we do tend to get all sappy on Saturday mornings when we say "good-bye".
And unfortunately, sometimes we have to say that to a very valuable staff member, and dear friend, that leaves us to answer the call of his/her heart.
Such is the case now.
Ross Ketchum has been with us for a long time and has been one of those that we could count on, no matter what, to help out and (hardly) ever complain! Quiet spoken, a lover of books, world traveler and all around good guy, he has been a constant for us, a rare find in the dude ranch industry!
He leaves us to pursue his desire to teach and we wish him the very best of luck. And we hope that, no matter how much time marches on, he (& Louie) find their way back to their "L&B home & family" from time to time.
We will miss you Ross.
Thank you for being one of the best!
