Wonderful!
We reserved the ranch for our annual family reunion. We stayed in the lodge and the 3 other houses on the property, and used the art studio for our dinners each night. The lodge is magnificent, spacious, and bedroom accommodations were very comfortable. Our kids enjoyed the lodge game room; adults congregated in the main hall and on the decks. The view from the decks is breathtaking and very scenic. There are plenty of chairs for sitting and visiting in the lodge and outside on the decks. The swim-hot tub outside the lodge was a favorite place for our kids to congregate after dinner. The other houses on the property were also very comfortable and accommodating for our large group. Sunset house and the Octagon house share the same view as the lodge, while the Caspian house is more in the woods and adjacent to the art studio. The houses are also very nice inside, well equipped, and very comfortable. The art studio is a great addition, as it is very spacious with a large main room that opens into a smaller room with a TV and refrigerator. There is a large sink in the main room and also a half bathroom off to one side. There are grills at each of the buildings that we utilized, and also fire pits for each building fully loaded with wood. Several of our men were very excited to be able to use the smoker to smoke a brisket that was delicious. We also used the pizza oven outside the lodge. There are trails for walking or biking throughout the ranch, and the various animals were very entertaining to watch. The mooing of the cows and rooster crowing each morning added to the pastoral effect of the ranch. The pond was great for fishing, the ball field hosted our kickball games, and the makeshift 9 hole golf course with milkcan greens was great fun.
The ranch is a working cattle ranch, and the work on the ranch takes a lot of time and effort. Although the ranch buildings are in good condition, the outside of the buildings and landscape around them show signs of needing paint and weeding.
The owner and ranch manager were both on the property and were very helpful. I gave communication 4 stars because we had a miscommunication about a fifth house that sits outside the ranch complex. When communicating with the owner, be sure that you and he understand exactly what your are discussing.
This is a great place, a hidden jewel in Galena, and we would definitely come again.