When this city girl was first approached to visit Rawah Ranch in Colorado I had to stop and think. Do I want to go to a ranch? Will I enjoy it? What will it be like? After taking a quick look at Rawah’s website I thought to myself this will be a really unique experience. Let’s go!

I don’t know what comes to your mind when you think of a ranch. I thought of cowboys, horses, and outdoor activities. You wouldn’t be wrong with that assessment. But there’s much more than that. I didn’t realize I’d find gourmet food, complete relaxation, and time to enjoy nature to its fullest.

Rawah Ranch is located about thirty minutes south of the Wyoming border in Colorado. Rawah is the Ute Indian word for “abundance.” The ranch is located in the Roosevelt National Forest. When the Wilderness Act passed in 1964, this area was preserved indefinitely. In 1948 Ralph Jordan established Rawah Ranch not as a cattle ranch but as a guest ranch with warm and comfortable accommodations. It was meant to be a place to have hearty, tasty meals and experience the beauty of the wilderness.

The ranch has been in existence for over 60 years and continues to host guests from around the world with its warm comfort and natural beauty. It’s open from the middle of May to the end of September.

The Journey

We drove to the ranch from Fort Collins, which took about 2 hours. The drive was really beautiful. Most of it was on a winding road that went along the Poudre River. We could see rafters navigating the rapids as we enjoyed our own scenic views. I grew up in the mostly flat state of Illinois, in the city of Chicago. Taking in the majestic mountains and natural beauty of Colorado was a pure pleasure for this city girl.

About 30 minutes from the ranch you get off the main road and really start to head into the wilderness. I have to admit I was a little unnerved when we lost our GPS and phone service. We truly were in the middle of nature.

We were warmly greeted by the staff at Rawah Ranch when we arrived. Exploring the warm and inviting main lodge and dining room, we knew we’d be right at home when we spied the plate of freshly baked cookies set out for our enjoyment.  They welcome you to Rawah and instantly make you feel at home.

Our next stop was our cabin. We found our room beautifully decorated in ranch-chic and immediately checked out our back porch, which overlooked a pasture and the river that flows through the ranch property. Little did we know then how much we would come to fall in love with our views and all the critters we would see.

Where Are We?

There was something wrong. What was it? Do you hear that? The only noises we heard were birds chirping and the gentle breeze blowing. No phones ringing. No emails buzzing. I was starting to feel something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Relaxation, my long-lost friend!

After a quick nap, we headed back down to the lodge for dinner where we met the other folks that were staying at the ranch. Over our fun and casual meal of fajitas, we listened to them share all about their visit. They were on their last evening and couldn’t wait to tell us everything they did, how much they enjoyed their stay, and how they already looked forward to coming back again.

After spending just a few hours together we all became fast friends and congratulated ourselves on finding such a special place in the world.

As dusk came upon the ranch we found ourselves wandering back to our cabin. We nestled into our warm cozy bed and fell sound asleep. The trickling in of the morning light had me wondering what surprises lay ahead for the day. I took a peek out the back window to find a family of deer enjoying the mineral lick behind our porch. I tiptoed over to wake up Diana so she could enjoy the view too. We watched silently as a family of deer enjoyed the morning and certainly lit up ours.

Nature In All Its Glory

We love nature and all the creatures that we get to experience in this big world. We feed our little bird friends at home and support many animal care shelters. But to be out in the wilderness, seeing the deer enjoying a leisurely morning in their own home was a real treat.

One of the things that we really like about Rawah Ranch is that there is no hunting on the ranch. They do have fly-fishing but it is all “catch and release.” No animals are harmed at Rawah. In fact, we made lots of new friends with all the dogs that live at the ranch. They often followed us to and from our cabin and around the property.

I grew especially fond of Loki, an energetic ranch dog who loved to play fetch. He would bring his toy along with him and we’d play catch up and down the path to the lodge. He even waited on our porch for us just so he wouldn’t miss an opportunity to play.

We woke up early but that seems like the right thing to do at a ranch. We had hot coffee and tea delivered to our room each morning. Watching the deer or moose or horses and listening to the birds in the morning before heading to breakfast set the mood for each wonderful day ahead.

During our stay, we saw deer, moose, birds (especially the hummingbirds), and horses in the pasture right outside our back door. Every day there was something new to see and enjoy. This time watching the animals was a highlight of the visit for us.

Upscale Rawah Ranch Dining

One of the things that really drew us to Rawah Ranch was their emphasis on the food they served. While you may be in a rustic setting the accommodations and the food choices are anything but.

Our mornings started with freshly baked buttermilk biscuits, blueberry pancakes, beignets, and muffins, farm-fresh eggs prepared to order, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee or tea. Each morning had different choices, everyone was as good as the next. With a hearty breakfast in our bellies, we could take on the days at Rawah full of energy.

Our lunches and dinners were all fresh, creative, and delicious as well. We had everything from beef tenderloin with cherry sauce to salmon with mouth-watering risotto. Everything was prepared expertly and lovingly.

Clearly, Rawah is one of those rare places where the dining experience is totally professional, creative, personal, and memorable. We enjoyed our food and always had more than enough to eat. But just in case, special treats were always around from biscotti to caramels to little chocolates placed on our night tables after turn down. The attention to detail is one of the things we liked best about Rawah. We felt totally cared for during our stay.

Ranch Life

The ranch hands run in the horses every morning. Rawah has over 30 horses, mini horses, and mini donkeys. Leon, one of the donkeys, runs in with the horses too. He’s an adorable little guy with quite a reputation. He’s fathered all the latest donkey babies and thinks he belongs with the big horses. Some horses aren’t too fond of Leon. But his best horse friend Big Snip, has his back and keeps him company in the pasture.

I’d never been on a horse – unless you count that one time I sat on a pony when I was around 11 or 12. Living in the city I just never had the opportunity to ride horses. I wasn’t sure I was going to at the ranch either.

Needless to say, it surprised even me when I found myself about to get on a horse our very first morning at the ranch.  It must have been that fresh country air. Next thing I know we’re standing in a room looking at cowboy boots. Rawah has a huge selection of boots you can borrow for riding – or just kicking around. I have to admit that once I had the boots on I started to feel like a cowgirl.

After a quick horseback riding lesson we were ready to start on our adventure. The Chef had packed us a portable lunch so we knew we’d be out most of the day. I have to admit that I really enjoyed my horse Trigger and riding him. He was patient with me even when I wasn’t sure where we were going. We went up some pretty steep hills and found ourselves with quite a view of the ranch. We stopped for lunch and admired the breathtaking panoramic vista.

Other Activities

Rawah also offers fly fishing, hiking, skeet shooting, and archery and can arrange white-water rafting excursions. You can also just sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet. Families often come to the ranch to reconnect and enjoy themselves just by being together in a beautiful setting. There is no cell service. They do have a landline, so if you must call someone you can. They have a wireless signal in the lodge, but it’s spotty. The best plan is to unplug and enjoy the rare experience of being disconnected. This ended up being a good thing for us too.

As food & travel writers we’re always posting the latest and greatest on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter as it occurs. Rawah forced us to focus on the experience itself and it felt really good just to relax and enjoy getting to know the ranch.

In the evening you’ll find good conversation in the lodge as well as plenty of games and books to keep you busy. The ranch also brings in local musicians for the entertainment on some evenings. Surely more than a few fish stories have been told around the fireplace or fire pit out back after a few cocktails. We even heard a few ourselves.

Rawah Ranch makes a perfect vacation haven for just about anyone, whether a family retreat, a guys’ fishing trip, a girlfriend’s getaway, or a simple desire to escape the madding crowd. Fantastic scenery, ample activities, gourmet cuisine, animal encounters, and friendly company ensure that there’s absolutely something for everyone to enjoy. There’s no better place to replenish, refresh, revive, and reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with others. An incredible view of stars in the pitch-black sky took our breath away as we headed back to the world we know. We won’t forget our time at Rawah, and we know that once you experience it, neither will you.

Thank you to Rawah Ranch for hosting us. All opinions are our own and reflect our experience.

If you’re interested in learning more about the ranch you can visit their website at RawahRanch.com.

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a real ranch adventure in a beautiful setting with comfortable gourmet cuisine check out Rawah Ranch. Whether you’re looking to relax and reconnect or take on the rugged outdoors it’s the place for you.

If you live in the Midwest you more than likely grew up taking road trips. There are so many lovely places to visit all within a couple hours’ drive. One of my favorite places for a road trip is Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sometimes I just want to get out of my sweet home Chicago. Milwaukee is a perfect getaway with only a 90-minute drive.

We were invited by Visit Milwaukee to come and experience all that Milwaukee has to offer the Food Travelist.

Milwaukee’s Tasty Food 

It never fails that every time we visit Milwaukee we find more terrific places to eat. Here are just a few spots we think you’ve got to try when you visit.

Blue’s Egg

We love a good breakfast and Milwaukee has a lot of great spots to try. Blue’s Egg is known for a lot of specialties. Their hash browns are some of the best we’ve ever had. Thinly shredded and cooked with a crispy brown crust, they’re a memorable treat for your tastebuds. Add the cheese for their Browns N Cheddar and you won’t regret it.  Blue’s Classic Benedict with pulled ham off the bone is another winner. Their rich, dense, and sweetly satisfying monkey bread is small but dangerous. Get one to share with caramel sauce. Just don’t fight over who gets the last bite.

If you go on the weekend leave plenty of time. The lines are long. It’s the perfect time to indulge in a Bloody Mary with Miller High Life back or any other of the breakfast cocktails they serve.

Honeypie Cafe

Another breakfast spot is Honeypie Cafe. Known for its pies and pastries, this restaurant serves up a terrific brunch too. Everything is made from scratch so don’t be in a hurry. Relax enjoy a drink and prepare to be well-fed. We sampled their breakfast pork fries – roasted magic potatoes, shredded BBQ pork, cheese sauce, sunny side-up egg, green onions, pickled jalapeños, and, of course, bacon. We don’t know what “magic” lurks in the potatoes but this sure makes for a great hangover or brunch dish.

Bavette

If you’re looking for high-quality charcuterie and cheeses Bavette is your place. We stopped in for a quick lunch and had roast beef with fresh horseradish and cherry tomatoes. It was the best we’ve had in a long time. Owner Karen Bell’s care shines through as she serves responsibly-sourced meats and uses whole carcasses to reduce waste.

Wisconsin Cheese Market

It wouldn’t be right to visit Milwaukee and not try some of Wisconsin’s finest cheeses. For the best selection in town try the Wisconsin Cheese Market. They say they have the world’s largest selection of Wisconsin cheese and we won’t disagree. From cheese, in the shape of the state of Wisconsin to 18-year-old cheddar they really do have it all.

Milwaukee’s A City of Festivals

If you’re familiar with Milwaukee you’ve probably heard of Summerfest the 11-day celebration of musicals that is held on Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront. You might not know that Milwaukee has festivals all year long!

Some of the largest fests include German Fest,  Festa Italiano, Irish Fest, Polish Fest, Pride Fest, Indian Summer Fest, Holiday Lights Festival, and Oktoberfest. They have just about every ethnicity, holiday, and season covered. If you want to learn more about the great festivals in Milwaukee visit VisitMilwaukee.com for all the details.

We had the pleasure of attending Oktoberfest last year. In an effort to work off the beer and brats, we signed up for the Dunkel Dash. It’s a 5k fun run/walks that goes along the Lake Michigan lakefront and benefits the Hunger Task Force. After the “dash” participants meet up at the lively Oktoberfest for beers, brats, music, and fun. Perfect for us Food Travelists!

This year’s Dunkel Dash takes place on October 13th check the website for more information.

Stay At A Brewery

Wait did you read that correctly? Yep, The Brewhouse Inn & Suites is formerly the Pabst Brewery. Think we’re kidding? The copper containers that remain in the open atrium will easily convince you. The suites have full kitchens and a workspace. They are comfortable and spacious with wonderful oversized showers. Most importantly we love the fact that the shower fixtures are simple to use. They’re modern and logical and won’t take you an hour to figure out. Complimentary Wi-Fi runs throughout the property. And, as if that weren’t already enough, continental breakfast is included with the room!

The Brewhouse is conveniently located near many Milwaukee attractions. And, for those who want a bit more brewery history, the fantastic Pabst Mansion is right across the street. If you’re in Milwaukee for the beer this is definitely the place for you.

The fun and funky Jack’s Blue Ribbon Pub is right next to The Brewhouse. It has terrific pub food and super cheap happy hour specials. We stopped in for a quick Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap and the place was jumping. It makes it easy to enjoy the specials when you just have to walk next door to go to bed!

Of Course, There’s Beer!

You simply can’t escape it and why would you? If you want to learn how beer arrived in Milwaukee visit the Pabst Mansion and get a chance to hear the story in person. Sample a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, tour the mansion, and don’t miss the gift shop. It will take you on an amazing tour of beer history and tradition. It’s full of a lot of great beer memorabilia, some of which will surprise and delight you in unexpected ways.

Sprecher Brewery

Another hometown favorite that brews beer is Sprecher Brewery. Sprecher also makes a very full line of gourmet sodas (or pop as we call it in the Midwest) including its beloved root beer and cream soda. Go for the tour and enjoy plenty of samples afterward in their indoor beer garden.

Curious as to where the longest bar east of the Mississippi is located? Then you won’t want to miss Buck Bradley’s in downtown Milwaukee. It’s on a very happening block that also has Usinger’s Sausage, the Wisconsin Cheese Market, the incredibly authentic German restaurant Mader’s, and many other noteworthy local spots.

One of our other favorite local hotspots is Lakefront Brewery, which you can learn more about here. They give an awesome tour that’s fun and informative. Of course, comes with plenty of samples too. Lakefront Brewery is also known for its award-winning gluten-free pilsner-style New Grist beer.  And, if you’re looking for a large brewery experience, the Miller-Coors tour is for you.

Year Round Fun

Fall is a beautiful time to drive to Milwaukee and enjoy the changing season in all its glory. But don’t worry. Any time of year you head to Milwaukee you’ll find great attractions, lots of festivals, terrific food, and friendly people.

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for good midwestern hospitality, tasty food, and lots to do, look no further than Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s got it all!

Read more Food Travelist stories about Milwaukee: 

Exploring The Tastes of Milwaukee

Tea Is Brewing In Milwaukee