Guest Comments
If you would like to post a comment here in our guest book, please send us your name, where you are from, and your comments. Please include your e-mail address for me, in case I have questions. I will not include your e-mail in your guest book entry.
We also have launched a blog site for our staff and family to record their impressions and experiences working here at Rock Springs Guest Ranch. Several of our guests have contributed reviews on TripAdvisor, a site which offers travelers the opportunity to tell others about their experiences through a third party website. Our guest reviews have made us #1 in Bend for popularity!
Thanks!
Eva Gill- eva@rocksprings.com
Judine & Terry Brooks, Washington
We hardly know where to start to tell you how we feel about Rock Springs Guest Ranch. We started coming to the ranch in the early 1990s with our son Alex. Now, for the past four years, we have been coming with grandson Hunter and various other family members. It is a special family time for us every year in which we get to vacation together in a place we love. Everyone wants to do something different, but at the end of the day we all come together for visiting with the other guests and a good dinner. Hunter now brings a friend every year, and at age 11 is able to ride morning, noon and night, should they offer this last at some point. They love the independence that the ranch affords them, that sense of being on their own with their own program. After the first day, Hunter let us know that he was fine on his own and we didn't have to tag along after him. The girls ride most of the time, but love the river rafting and exploring. Judine loves scrapbooking in the cabin when not riding, and I love just sitting and thinking about how happy I am.
We have vacationed all over the world, but this is the one place we look forward to going back to every year. John and Eva and the staff have made it what it should be for every guest. We don't bother thinking about going to other ranches for our family vacation; we don't tell people to bother looking any further. Rock Springs is the best.
Mary Daniel, Portland, OR
Rock Springs has been our favorite vacation destination for the past 19 years. Even though we recently relocated from LA to Portland to our own pint sized version of Rock Springs, July just wouldn't be the same without spending it with the Gill family and all the friends we have made over the years at RS. And although we have our own horses at home, it is always fun and exhilarating to ride the beautiful trails on Rock Springs horses, crossing water, cantering through gorgeous wilderness and climbing up to enjoy the breathtaking views. One for the memory books was when our daughter, Cara, became a wrangler during college summers and took out our rides.
When we first visited Rock Springs in July of 1988, we had never played tennis before but joined in on the fun. We were lucky enough to meet and learn the game from a great pro, Anni Miller, who comes over from Portland for two weeks every summer to teach tennis and host the ever popular RS tennis tournament. It’s a fun tournament, with ‘ranch rules’ and all levels of playing skills. Because of her great teaching methods and all around fun attitude, tennis has become a part of our lives, as has Anni.
Writing this makes me long for summer and the warmth and beauty of Rock Springs. Looking forward to drinks on the deck, greeting old friends and meeting new ones!
Kent and Nancy Kitselman, Orange, CA
Rock Springs Guest Ranch is probably the best family vacation we've taken and has given us great memories. We have been to the ranch 4 times and have never been disappointed. John and Eva run their business very efficiently but have kept the home feeling that makes you feel very welcome. They are very orgainized and consider all of your needs.
It is an excellent place for families with all age kids. The kids program is awesome and the staff is wonderful. I can't say enough great things about the Ranch. Our family has so many happy memories from our trips and we have met some great people. One family from Spokane, WA has become good friends and we've take other vacations with them.
I look forward to going back again.
Don and Donna Kernutt, Eugene, OR
The summer of 2007 will be our 36th consecutive summer vacation at Rock Springs. Our daughters were ages 3, 7, and 9 on our first visit. While they and Donna were riding the trails, Don found new acquaintances to play the many local golf courses. Our daughters worked college summers as wranglers, youth counselors, etc. This summer we will have our oldest granddaughter, aged 4, for her second summer. We have made lifetime friends with the many repeat guests. The riding is fantastic across miles of central Oregon, and there are horses for all levels of riders. The youth program is extensive and well done. The atmosphere is wonderful and quickly draws you into another world. We love this place!
Angela Figgis, Surrey, UK
What can I say - our fifth visit to Rock Springs and it continues to be the most magical holiday. The relaxed atmosphere, the incredible staff (at all levels) and the ability to do as much or as little as one wants. Nothing seems too much trouble for wranglers and others.
It really is the most beautiful setting and sitting on the deck eating dinner with a glass of wine, watching the osprey fishing, and listening to the interesting mix of guests and the laughter of their children is hard to represent to people at home. We will however do our best to continue to persuade everyone we meet that Rock Springs is a must!
Thank you again - until next time!!
Ailie Kerr, Larkspur, CA
I have literally grown up on the ranch, and LOVE IT, going there is definetly my favorite part of the year! I'm going on my 13th year there and cant wait! yay!
Dustin Miller, Lake Oswego, OR
Wow! Once again my family came home full of memories of a lifetime. It was so nice to meet new and fabulous faces on both sides of the Ranch-- staff and guests. Riding a horse with dust in my face has never been so enjoyable! My daughter had a blast this year all by herself with the YC just like I had done 30 years ago myself. Thank you so much for your enduring hospitality and generous service. Rock Springs is a breath we all need every year and miss the moment we leave.
--Dustin
p.s. I mention The Ranch in a little blurb in my bio on our webiste as my dream day in the Northwest--- www.macgroup.net.
Shelley Emmons, Maple Valley WA
We were new to the whole concept of a ranch vacation and didn't know what to expect. We were warmly welcomed and it just kept getting better! The entire staff, wranglers, youth counslers and the other guests made us instantly feel like family. It also was a great experience for both of my daughters, ages 11 and 20. Everyone pitched in to help us celebrate the oldest's birthday - what fun! We definitely hope to return next year.
Mary Daniel, Los Angeles, California
Thanks, John, Eva and the RS staff, for another fantastic vacation. I guess our 17th consecutive year at the Ranch tells you how much we love it! It is always a special treat to have our favorite former wrangler, our daughter Cara, come into Bend to take out my ride. Thank you!! And I love my horse, Jesse James. See you all next July.
Proud to be your honorary MOD, Mary Daniel
Carly Patterson, age 9, Washington
I am Cameron's sister and we go every other year . I have been really close to the youth director , Hud ( duH ). Last time I went I had the best horse, Pepper. Last year, Pepper died. I can't wait to see what horse I get this year .
(note: Unfortunately, many our best children's horses are also the oldest in the herd. Pepper was with us for a very long time, and is greatly missed by us all.)
Cameron Patterson, age 11, Washington
I'm cousin with Jessie and just like her I love coming to Rocks Springs every other year.It's so fun and the staff is really nice. I get to go there in about 6 more days. I can't wait and also with Jessie I have also been counting down the days to go back!!!
Jessie Patterson, age 12
Rock Springs Rocks!!!!! my grampa and grandma invite us to go every other year and it's a blast every time!!! i have been counting down how many days it was until we get to go there again since it was 140 days!
this is my favorite place to go for vacation!
From Carol Kerr, California
We are returning for our 12th summer. My children (now 18 and 13) have literally grown up at the ranch and it is one of our most treasured family traditions. My first summer (tired mother of an infant) I reveled in wonderful meals someone else prepared and how my oldest was enchanted by the youth counselors. We have all become capable riders and I even learned to throw a lasso (if the target was stationary...) Now I watch my teenagers handle horses, make new friends from around the world, and take up their own place bringing new kids into the fun of life at Rock Springs. The food, relaxing atmosphere, interesting guests, and warmth of the experience are the elements of a wonderful vacation.
From Lori Vance, Oregon
WOW! What a wonderful week. My daughter and I were fortunate enough to be invited by my parents who returned this year again. I grew up riding horses, but have never experienced anything like this ranch in my life. My 8yr old daughter was so sad to leave Dandy, we had to make a special trip to the back barn to say goodbye on Saturday morning. Leaving behind her new friends and the wranglers brought tears to our eyes. Rock Springs was more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you!
Mary Reichman, Orange County, California
I had such a wonderful week as a guest at Rock Spings. Everything from the staff, the gourmet meals, the fun wranglers and of course the great rides. Having a horse of my own I was especially pleased to have such a responsive horse to ride, Merry was a delight. Looking forward to next year.
