Traditional Sleigh Ride and Dinner

A sleigh ride and dinner at Western Pleasure Guess Ranch in Sandpoint is now a tradition.  This is our  third year.  We normally do the sleigh ride at 5 PM and then wait for dinner until after 6:30 PM but this year we decided to take the 6:00 PM sleigh ride so we didn't have to wait for dinner. Who wants to wait for good food.  Well, we didn't plan on all the traffic and I was concerned that we were going to miss the sleigh ride.  Mike used his driving skills to get us there safely, in enough time to check in and get on the sleigh.  It's difficult to take pictures when its dark but I got a few that were only moderately blurry while we were riding.  The sleigh was on wheels because of lack of snow. 

 The ride wasn't as cold as it is normally so that was good.  The ride lasts about 30 minutes.

 This is the lodge.  Time for a great dinner.

 Prime rib, chicken, veggies, rolls and potatoes.

I love this man!

 You can see about 1/2 the people eating in the lodge in this picture. It is such a festive setting.

We even saw some wild animals! They were no threat to us.

This is where all the food was served.  After dinner there were at least 4 different desserts you could chose from.  Or you could have all four of them.

 As dinner was winding down the band started.  Wow, so good.

 The women with the flute was the mother of the women playing the harp. She made a guest appearance.

I tried three times to load a video of the band playing Carol of the Bells.  It was so beautiful.  The videos kept processing and wouldn't complete the process.  Trust me it was the best. 

We almost skipped this years trip to Sandpoint.  It's a long drive, too many big dinners, lots going on. That would have been a mistake.  We had such a good time together and we really loved the band this year.  We plan on continuing the tradition next year.   Merry Christmas to all!

One Horse Open Sleigh and Dinner

Thank you to our God that created all of this for us.  Oh what a night.  Sort of like a fairy tale.  Horse driven sleigh through the snow covered forest.  This is our second year going to the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.  We will be back!

The sleigh ride was about 25 minutes.  There was a light so we could see our way and bells on the horses to add to the atmosphere.

Here is a video or the ride.  Click to watch

One of the people guiding the horses owned a blue healer.  The dog followed us the whole time.  She said that he was never far from her.

 There's the dog again!

 It was a perfect night.  A chill in the air, jingle bells, beautiful scenery, perfect company.  God was right there with us.  I know He always is but He felt extra close this night.

 The lodge.  Time for a meal and some music.

 Our own table for two.

 Right by the Christmas tree.

 Well, you knew there had to be a roaring fire in the fireplace.

 Mike found something to read!

 There were two sleigh rides.  We were the on the first.  After the second group arrived we had dinner.

 The crowd hasn't arrived yet.

 Time to eat!

 My healthy meal!  The food was all healthy and really good.

This cracked me up.  I asked Mike what he was doing.  He said he was checking out the ham to see if they brought out a second ham.  He makes it look like the ham was far, far away.  It wasn't.

The most special part of the night for me was when Mike got up some courage to dance with me.  Another couple was dancing and had been dancing to many of the songs.  A slow song came up and Mike looked at me and he knew I wanted to dance.  I said he didn't have to but then...he stood up and we danced to a slow song.  It brought tears to my eyes because I knew he really didn't want to and was uncomfortable with it but he did it for me.  Gotta love him!  He is a good man.

 That's a wrap.  We said goodbye to the resident dog and headed home.  We made great memories tonight.  It was extra special for sure.  I am thankful that we discovered this place and can come back again and make more special memories.  God is so, so good!