HAWLEY MOUNTAIN
GUEST RANCH

It's wintertime in the Rockies and snowpack in the mountains around us is at normal or above for this time of year. That is always good news for us in the west.

Our regular 2008 season begins on June 15th. We are going to offer something new this year- wellness retreats. They will be offered in the two weeks before our regular season and again the last twp weeks of September. They are being organized by Jodey Dance who comes to us from Outward Bound. We have added web pages to give you the details:

Well, we arrived home yesterday afternoon—very depressed! We all agreed that our week with you was the best vacation we have ever had—and when we said our farewells, it was truly like saying goodbye to family. You made everyone feel so welcome, and it’s so apparent that everyone at the ranch loves to be there and enjoys sharing it with guests. There’s not one experience with you that stands out above the others as everything we did was so much fun. The friendships we made that week with all the other guests made it special too. Thanks again.
The Miller family PURCELLVILE, VA

Another great time at Hawley Mountain. Randy loved the fishing, and I had another awesome time riding. Thanks to the great staff for all of their hard work. It’s always hard to leave!
The Elkins family LAGRANGE, KY

We’ve had a wonderful time here! Everything about your ranch is relaxing, beautiful, and great fun. We have enjoyed spending this time with such wonderful people!
The Neumann family NAPA, CA

This has been a dream come true for me to be here this week. Thank you so much for all the wonderful things you had to offer and all the extra considerations you gave us. This spot will always have a special place in my heart.
Nancy and James Greer CALIFORNIA, MD

This trip was more than I could have ever hoped for! Hawley Mountain Ranch is definitely “God’s Country”. I can’t say enough about the staff, all perfect hosts What a fantastic experience. I hope to make it back next year.
Wendy Monfort LUXEMBURG, WI

My time spent at Hawley Mountain was the best in many years of travel. I only hope that someday I will have a place like that to call home. It is a trip that I anticipate repeating more than once. Thanks again for the “five star” hospitality.
Mark Wisniewski JUPITER, FL

What an amazing, spirited place you have here! Great weather—great guests—fine wranglers—what can I possibly say—other than I will be back!!
Pat Hanson SAINT PAUL, MN

When we planned this trip, I knew we would like it—I didn’t expect to love it! Love the mountains, love the horses, love the trails, and love the staff!! Oh! And we mustn’t forget LOVE THE FOOD! (Thanks, Nancy!) Your hospitality made us feel like a part of the Hawley Mountain Family.
Randy and Merrill Dodd Megan, Nicole, and David NOVATO, CA

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the ranch in early July. It was everything we had hoped for and more. Our fellow guests were a great group of people, and we left very much at home with them in a short time. The lodge folks and wranglers were wonderful, and each of them contributed to making our vacation a great experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the horses and riding to those breath-taking locations, and fishing on the Boulder in the early evening is a treasured memory. Thanks again for a wonderful experience.
Dennis and Kathleen Tremblay YARMOUTH, MAINE

Leaving Hawley Mountain and all the people that make being there so special was really difficult for us. We had such a wonderful time with you. Somehow, being at Hawley Mountain is like coming home to a place we love and to a family we choose! It is truly a magical place in our hearts. Not a day has passed that we haven't mentioned "moving to Montana". Both of my kids, but especially Max, had a life changing experience the two weeks we were in Montana. Max said he learned how superficial many people and our culture are. The experience gave him some real clarity about what his values are and how he wants to live life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We really miss you, the ranch, and all the wonderful people that work there.

Kelley Galambos and family ATLANTA, GA

Thank you to Ron and Phyllis, Bryant and Ellen, for having this place The wrangers...for helping me with my horse (I couldn't have asked for a better one.) The cook...the food was the best! The housekeepers...for keeping the cabin beautiful! And everyone else....who helped make this a memorable experience

Bridgette Lonergan JACKSONVILLE, IL

And comments from the rest of her family were...we had a wonderful time at the ranch. I have heard from most of the people that were on the ranch and it sounds like they also had as good a time as we did. The kids are begging me to go back next year. You are all close to top of mind awareness. Thanks again for the wonderful time we had there. It was the best vacation we have ever had.

As a part of the "Mathews Reunion". we arrived expecting a terrific vacation for the kids--but a wonderful time was had by all! Claire never would have expected to enjoy horseback riding so much, but the staff and horses made it so easy, and Andrew is looking forward to continuing to ride back home. Kelley caught his first fish. Dave loved the hikes, and Claire finally understands at least the basics of fly fishing 10 years after her first lesson. Thanks to all!

The Louder family CROFTON, MD

We are having serious withdrawal symptoms and last night when I looked at the Boston skyscraper skyline, I so wished I could still be in Room #3 looking out on the mountain instead. As you probably know, we had a fabulous time, and as gorgeous as the landscape is, it really was your hard work that made us feel so well treated and indulged. Plus it was great to get to know you and the family history. From here on for us Montana will always be a special place and you very special friends. Hope that you know that you have friends in Boston too.

Bob and Yasmina Manning BOSTON, MA

Thanks again for sharing Hawley Mountain with us last week. Much of our family's conversation the past week reverted back to something that happened on the ranch. The people we met there were wonderful, both the staff and guests! We have already been exchanging emails with some of the other families. Brenda and I especially miss our morning coffee out on the rock with Ron. It was a special part of the day for us. Thanks again for a special vacation.

Mike and Brenda Nelson, Bryce and Lucas NEENAH, WI

What an amazing adventure our whole trip was for everyone-but we always end up talking most about our time at Hawley Mountain. So if you notice a lot of folks from Roanoke, VA coming your way, you'll know why! We were all in a funk for days after leaving the ranch. We had silence in the motorhome for the first time on our trip. I wish I could muster adequate words for express our gratitude for the wonderful time we had with you-it was truly a magical experience for each of us. A heartfelt THANK YOU! will have to do!! I AM certain you'll be seeing us again-we have been smitten! THANK YOU THANK YOU so much again.

The Trinkle family ROANOKE, VA

This is definitely a destination in the future for us. It's a wonderfully different world there, and we loved it.

A huge thank you is in order for the card you posted to Casey and Jake with JaHaa and Cinnabar's mane cuttings enclosed. What a wonderful surprise when we opened it! The kids were absolutely thrilled. It was just one more check mark that went into the "over and above expectations" column if we were ever to fill out a survey on Hawley Mountain Ranch. As the weeks pass, our time spent with you doesn't seem to diminish, in fact, we are more eager to do a return visit.

The Cogar Family
Annapolis, MD

Oh, my gosh! I was reading the Hawley Mountain website, and it made me think. What you said you would try to offer all happened! I have so many memories that I never want to forget!- Megan, INDIANA

Our visit to Hawley Ranch exceeded our expectations. We had a wonderful week, and not one of us wanted to come back home. Ah, if life could be so good all of the time. It really was the perfect getaway from city living. We were treated so well by you and everyone who works at the ranch. I could go on and on singing praises about the magical week we spent and Hawley Mountain Ranch. -Mario, PA

What a wonderful week we had! You made us feel so comfortable and truly spoiled us. What a wonderful adventure! Everything was perfect. Your ranch is such a beautiful slice of heaven in the wilderness. After the hustle and bustle of the city, we really needed a little wilderness in our lives. We miss sitting on the rock in the morning with a cup of coffee, riding horses, hiking, the delicious food, and fishing. I still can’t believe I caught that giant fish!- Christine, PA

What a fantastic vacation you gave us. Everyone was so gracious. We realize how much work it requires to entertain that many people, and you guys made it look so simple. Thank you for showing us how to work our horses more. We loved the trail rides!- Denny and Kathy, NC

If I had to choose one word to describe you all, it would be “comfortable” because that is how you made us feel. I could not have hoped for a better time this week. Thanks you all for making this a wonderful vacation for us!- Greg and Robin, TX

We had a great time, as Hawley Mountain was everything we were looking for. The food was superb. The horseback riding, scenery, rafting trip, “Old Blue” trip, and everything else we did, we thoroughly enjoyed. Most of all was all of you and your help, and the way you catered to us and everyone there. You are top notch when it comes to your relations to your guests. Thanks again for the wonderful experience.- Dennis and Deb, MN

It was by far the best vacation we have taken as a family. What a beautiful place to get away from the stress of everyday life. Great fishing, excellent food, friendly staff and patient wranglers all combined to make our week unforgettable. The highlights for me were the 4x4 trip to Blue Lake and the ride to Meatrack. The girls fell in love with their horses, and tears were shed when they had to say goodbye. You really made us feel at home, as well as the other guests. We made a lot of new friends.- Greg and Tanya, VT

Thank you so much for your hospitality—and that of the staff—during our stay last week. I think we all agree it was the best vacation we ever had. Just last night we were going through our photos and enjoying the memories.- Dave, Tasha, and Erin, VA

It’s been a little over a year when we were at your Dude Ranch, and I am sitting here thinking about and missing “your mountains!” I can remember vividly the smell of the sage and the pine trees and when I go outside of my house—pine trees line the back of our yard—it brings back great memories of our time there.- Barbara-NJ

We wanted you to know how much we appreciated our time here and all the efforts from everyone involved that made our vacation memorable and unforgettable. We have loved the activities, and the lack of TV or radio has enhanced the experience. We both feel you have been blessed with an incredible location, but also the best staff. ……have managed to make each guest feel welcome and special…..created a wonderful place, have an exceptional staff, and everything here is a testament to hard-work, dedication, and love.- Paul and Sandy, Somerset, UK

“What an awesome vacation! Spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, good weather, and “too good” food. Everyone at Hawley Mountain was so client oriented. When we decided not to ride in the rain one morning, we were surprised to find Steve and Meredith knocking on our door a little later. The weather had turned nice, and they came to see if we would like to ride. Talk about customer service!”

“We wanted to tell you what a sensational time we had at the ranch. From the first to the last day, I can truly say it was an experience of a life time. For a city slicker to ride a horse for the first time in 30 years that in itself was a miracle, but to not even be sore is miracle number two. Accommodations over the lodge were “A” plus with a view of Mother Nature at her best. All our meals were delicious and always ready on time. Everyone who was there was friendly and always going out of their way to make our stay unforgettable. I told Jerry for the first time in years I truly felt like I had a vacation. We will definitely try to come back and visit again.”