We hope all our friends have had a wonderful Christmas this year, sharing a good meal with good friends and family!

Speaking of Family, you may remember that the talented photographer Kirk Shepherd visits Wyoming in the summer, and he specializes in portraiture in natural settings using natural light.  You can visit his website to see examples of his photography: Kirk Shepherd Photography. 

If you did a photo session with Kirk this summer, you can still order prints from those sessions. If you didn't have that opportunity this year, but would like to next year, think about booking some of his time during his 2015 trip to create a wonderful family memory to last for years to come!  We'll be sure to post an update about his 2015 dates and how to book time with Kirk as summer draws near. These photos would make wonderful Christmas gifts for 2015!     

Here are some of the portraits Kirk created of family and friends over the summer this year.  Enjoy!

Winter often brings us reductions – in plant life, metabolism, daylight, energy,  - but Winter in Wyoming has just as many fun outdoor activities as Summer!  As my Norwegian friend says, “There’s no such thing as bad weather; only bad clothes”!

Most people think of Jackson Hole or Yellowstone when they think of Winter in Wyoming.  But the whole state has some pretty wonderful winter activities!  Here at the Diamond S Ranch and Retreat, we take winter recreation seriously.  This is the time of year that we have a little room to breathe and can fit in some leisure activities.  Our proximity to the Bighorn National Forest is perfect for almost any type of winter adventure you can think of!!

Here are some of the Winter activities in and around the Hyattville area.  Have we missed any of your favorites?  Drop us a line and we’ll be glad to look into other activities!

• Dec. 13th: Hyattville Christmas Party – free to the public. Bundle up nice and warm - we start with caroling through town at 5, and follow that with a chili supper in the cafeteria. Then - if we can manage to pull him away from his North Pole Workshop - we may even have a visit from Santa Claus, too!!  There will be a collection jar in the cafeteria for any donations to assist in Santa’s visit. Please feel free to bring a dish that will complement a chili supper – salads, side-dishes, fixin’s, rolls, and deserts. 
  
• Cut your own Christmas Tree in the Big Horn National Forest ($8 permit)
  
• Skiing at family-friendly Meadowlark Ski  Lodge in the Bighorn National Forest.  You can rent skis, snow shoes, and cross country skis here. 
  
• Snowmobile trails are plentiful in Bighorn National Forest, and if you don’t have your own you can rent them at Deer Haven Lodge.
  
• Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at Willow Park, in the Bighorn National Forest
  
• Weekend events are regular at nearby Ten Sleep Brewing Company
  
• In Worland, the Washakie County Museum and Cultural Center is a must-see.  World-class exhibits daily, plus special events through the winter that include guest speakers, artist auctions, and more. 
  
• January 1, 2015: “Our park”, as we like to call it, is open all year.  Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site is only a few minutes away from us, and they host a wonderful January 1 tradition called the First Day Hike at 10 am.  We’re competing with parks in Arizona to see who has the best turnout, so you’re more than welcome to join us for a little fresh air, winter hiking, and hot chocolate to boot!
  

So, don’t let old man winter deter you from a visit to Wyoming.  Come visit the Diamond S Ranch and Retreat, and we’ll make sure you have just as much fun in Winter as you would during Hunting Season or Summer!