2006 Guests

The 2006 season has gotten off to a great start! Here are some of the highlights:

Valerie Cameo once again joined us for a little vacation and a whole lot of work. With her extensive back ground in riding she came this year to give us a hand getting all the horses ready for the season. She and Gary spent a lot of hours in the saddle riding "the rough" off of the horses. They also cleared many trails, there were more than usual “downed” branches and things due to the late spring snows. I am sure she needed a good rest once she got home! We really appreciated all her help.

John Folin arrived for his spring horseback riding break. It was good to catch up and visit with him. This is his 14th year at the ranch!

Steve Jackson, Carolyn's nephew, his wife, Tara and daughter Addison made a stop at the ranch on their way home from our family celebration held in Florence MT. My family had the opportunity to share our parent's 60th Wedding Anniversary and my nephew, Derek’s high school graduation. Tara, Steve and Addison live in Orlando FL and this was their 2nd trip to the ranch. Click here to see more photos!

Karen Emery & Judy Walker made their first visit this summer. They are from MN. Both are horse owners and they spend a lot of time riding. They both own and ride gaited horses so they spent some time showing us how to get General Lee in a gaited walk and then Karen took him on the all day ride. I am happy to report that she enjoyed the ride and he behaved himself! For more photos of Karen and Judy, click here.

The Doolittle family - Cheryl, Thomas and Christopher - were next to arrive. They make their home in Ft. Lauderdale FL. For the past five summers they have joined us. This was a big year for them as they got their room named after them. Each year they have stayed in the Butch Cassidy room in the cabin, so this year it officially became the "The Doolittle Room." For additional photos of the Doolittles, click here.

Lisa McPherson, Patricia Welton and her daughter Tory made a stop at the ranch on their tour of the Black Hills. They all hail from Maine. This was their first time to this area - they arrived on a Saturday and they left on the 4th of July. Before they left, they were joined by Cindy McPherson and her son Thomas, also from Maine. Cindy & Thomas toured the Black Hills before they arrived so they joined us for the whole week. We would like to thank Lisa for getting the group together and having them all meet at the ranch. For additional photos of this fun group, click here.

On the 4th of July the Dale Alberstone family joined the fun. They are from Beverley Hills CA. Dale, Karen, Jason and Jordon shared the rest of the week with Cindy and Thomas. That week we had Amanda, Jaquie, and Carson and Carolyn's Dad here. Amanda helped out while our new wrangler Amity Holland gave Gary a hand. We had a full house; it was very busy with activities and rides. We all had a great time. For more photos of the Alberstone family, click here.

This summer we had the good fortune to be able to share our ranch with several members of our extended family. In July, my brother Bill and his grandson Jacob Jackson joined us for a few days. Jacob is from Mentone, California, and Bill from Mohave Valley, Arizona.

My cousin Zethro Richardson and his wife Leona joined us for a few days in July as well. My mother and father were here at the same time and we were treated a lot of stories of my father and Zethro growing up. Zethro and Leona are from Missouri.

Next we welcomed my brother Tom and his wife Mary. They came with their two grandchildren, Jerry Jr. and Julie. It was a wonderful week. Amanda, Jacquie and Carson were able to join us while they were here - we also talked my folks into spending a few more days with us so we really had a good visit. For more photos, click here.

This August we had the pleasure of having one of our favorite guests return. Jude Perza and his mother Linda joined us for a week at the ranch. We first met Jude in 1994 when he came with his father. They came for three summers; the last time he was here he was about 12. It was one of the nicest things to happen to us to have him return. We so enjoyed catching up with him and seeing what a fine young man he has become. Jude and Linda live in New York City. For more photos of their visit, click here.

August was a very good month at the Diamond L Ranch - we had old friends join us as well as family. Jennifer & Jason Huber from Plymouth, Minnesota, and Karen McClelland from East Peoria, Illinois, were part of the August fun. This year was Karen's third visit and the Huber's 6th. It was a great week of riding and conversations. For more photos of their visit, click here.