Since attending Shelter Institute in the 70’s we have continued to study and learn about practices that lead to sustainability. Long interested in building and in solar, there have been opportunities to take classes in photovoltaic solar and straw bale building along with our basics in timber framing and passive design.

Our organic garden provides many fresh ingredients for our award winning breakfasts and we support our local farmers and suppliers in the area. We compost and use a drip irrigation system from our natural spring for much of the garden and land- scape areas.

Within the lodge we have recycling bins, energy efficient appliances and digital set back thermostats. There are low flush toilets and water saving European shower heads in all of the bathrooms. Our entire property is non smoking. We use all no phosphate detergents, bulk organic soaps and shampoos and line dry linens when possible. There is compact fluorescent bulb and LED lighting throughout and we of course use biodegradable natural products for cleaning.

The National Wildlife Federation has recognized Spirit Mountain Ranch as an official certified wildlife habitat site. Our 72 acre eco system attracts a wide variety of birds as well as elk, deer, moose, bear, porcupine, ermine and fox.

"Hi! My name is Jessica, and I was an intern at Spirit Mountain Ranch Bed and Breakfast during July and August 2010. I want to tell you a little bit about my experience, and perhaps convince you to apply for this amazing opportunity. First off, the owners of the Ranch, Beth and Sandy, are two of the most warm, funny, and inspiring women I have ever met. As you will learn on the website, Beth and Sandy hand-built their gorgeous mountain retreat from the ground up, and there's very little, if anything, they don't know how to do. They are the perfect people to own and run a bed and breakfast, because they give so generously of themselves and open their home to everyone. I think "genuine" is the best word for them. The four weeks I spent at the Ranch were some of the most peaceful, productive, and fun days of my life.

A typical day as an intern at the Ranch might consist of the following: An early rise with the sun, to drink coffee and tea and wake up with the day. Breakfast, which is always delicious because Beth and Sandy are such good cooks, but is especially delicious if the Ranch happens to be hosting guests that morning, in which case you get to kick everything off with some perfectly done eggs or the world's most delicious waffles. After cleaning up, it's out to the barn to let the llamas and alpacas out to pasture, and then we get down to work. I never would've imagined we could have accomplished as much as we did this summer. Under the patient and expert tutelage of Beth and Sandy, I learned to build a retaining wall, lay a flagstone patio, create an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, do strawbale mudding, cut and gather firewood, lay fresh sod, do exterior staining and interior painting, mend fencing, and more. These were all projects that we completed over the course of 4 weeks. Post-work, you shower and relax over a glass of wine. Dinner is often a gourmet stirfry or something equally delectable (Beth was a professional chef at one point). Maybe a movie to end the evening, and then it's time for the best night of sleep you have ever had.

It's true--I ended every day exhausted, but woke up the next morning so excited to tackle something new. There are endless projects to be completed at a Ranch, and so much to learn. Thing is, it never feels like work. You have to love the outdoors of course, and be up for a little physical labor, but you're laughing so hard along the way that every moment is an adventure. And we certainly didn't work all the time. There are hiking trails leading straight out from the back door that I explored with the Ranch dog, MacKenna, on several occasions. There's a legit wood-fired hot tub in the greenhouse perfect for late night soaks. Nearby Grand Lake has several good restaurants and quaint shopping, also a large lake for kayaking. And of course, Sulphur Springs, Colorado, home to 27 natural sulphur hot spring pools, is a quick 20-minute drive from the Ranch. Or it's just 2 hours to the more metropolitan Steamboat Springs.

What Spirit Mountain became for me was an incredible escape into a beautiful 72-acre paradise with two awe-inspiring women I came to care about deeply. A month after my internship ended, I went back to visit for a weekend and was powerfully reminded of the magic of the place. I have never found anywhere so deeply and holistically satisfying. If you get the chance to stay one night as a guest at the bed and breakfast, you will never forget the experience. If you are graced with the opportunity to intern at the Ranch for a summer, contributing to an operation that brings joy to so many, you won't leave Spirit Mountain the same person. Good luck."In peace, Jess