The vacation was a relaxing and educational experience for the city dwellers that we are. Being a family of 12 including both very young (a 2 year old) and seniors (70 and 80 years of age), we were not sure all would be able to find interesting things to enjoy. We were soon relieved of that thought when we were met by Sandi, the intelligent and well-versed-in-the-property proprietor. She spoke with us upon arrival, directed the children to follow safe behavior and walked us all through the home. The home was accommodating and provided plenty of space for us all. The kitchen is the only eating area, but with a small folding table that we brought and the chairs for the 4-10 year olds, we were all seated well for meals. Also, the huge covered front porch provides a large eating area for everyone when the weather is not too warm. The well-stocked kitchen made meals easy to prepare along with our favorite items brought from home.
The seniors loved the gorgeous serenity of the front porch and the outdoors with a place for a campfire, plenty of shade provided by the numerous trees and a beautiful pond, all seen from the porch. The parents and the 6 children left on many occasions to visit the prepared, abundantly hilly and forested trails outlined for us at arrival. When the grandchildren left to go exploring with their parents, the seniors eagerly enjoyed the beauty of nature surrounding the house and a quiet respite from the much loved Kiddos. We appreciated the quiet almost as much as hearing from the little ones when they came back to share their adventures.
If the great outdoors with all its interest, quiet and beauty is what you want, this is the place for you. Critter sightings and feeding the nearby goats was a favorite for us all. Be prepared to be without television and land line phones....which may have been the best treat of all!! Believe it or not, the lack of so much busy-ness was just what we all needed. The choices of things to do may be somewhat limited, but that turned out to be the most unexpected, yet excellent part of our 4th of July get-away at High Hope Ranch. Our family was restored and we all hope to return again.