Colorado 2007 July 1 2007
Sunday: Last day; travel day. Ever the organized couple, we printed our boarding passes, packed everything but our travel clothes and toiletries and placed our bags in the car the night before. All we had to do was get up, get dressed, eat and head out. Our flight was at 1:00pm (CST) so no worries about traffic or other delays causing us to miss our flight. Except missing car keys. One of us drove to Estes Park the prior afternoon to shop for nicknacks, doodads and other souvenirs; the other stayed behind and sat at the pool with The Offspring updating the trip report. That same individual who last possessed the keys no longer had the slightest clue as to their current location. This is bad. I tore open every bag (essentially unpacking everything that had been packed the previous night) and searched frantically. I checked the pool, the lost and found, bathrobe pockets, the car -- everywhere. No keys. Babs called National Car Rental and explained the situation. They said they'd send someone out from Denver, but the minimum charge was $100 plus whatever the locksmith charged. And no one was in who could handle it so we'd have to wait at least 2 hours. It was 9:30 and the drive to Denver was at least 2 hours. We'd miss our flight. After 30 minutes the woman Babs spoke to called back and revealed The Secret of The Rental Car. National (and probably most other car companies) places a extra key in the trunk with the spare tire. The woman felt so bad that we'd miss our flight she got permission from the High Priest to reveal The Secret. Normally they just screw the customer and stay mum. (I should note that we had two keys, but they were attached by a strand military grade steel cable that proved impervious to the mightiest of attacks. Had we been able to separate the keys, this would have been a minor problem). I got the secret key, checked that it did indeed work and we were off. Whew! On the way, Kelly was rifling through her toy bag, and shouts: "I FOUND THE KEYS", and she did indeed. No one thought to look there. They were probably swept up during one of the many toy cleanups. Child got some special candy for this one. She saved us the $100 charge for the replacement key and remote. ***** The Lane Guest Ranch is a service oriented organization and top notch service they do provide. While we did not meet everyone who works at the ranch (around 55 people) those we did meet where friendly, knowledgeable and always helpful. Many of the staff have split shifts (a few hours in the morning, afternoon off, then evening on) so they hang around the pool, guest house or general vicinity. Whether on duty or off, they never failed to render assistance. These kids hustle. Below are some pictures and short bios of those we met. Maggie Maggie was our primary server for breakfast and dinner. Kelly loved her, as she does anyone who brings her food. Maggie recently graduated with a degree in Geography and will be seeking employment in the Denver or Boulder area. Mary Beth Mary Beth was our server when Maggie had the day off. She's is a junior at Dartmouth majoring in chemistry and psychology. She most recently interned at Lehman Brothers and was a guest last year. Melissa Melissa is one of the concierges and was helpful in ways too numerous to state here. She's a pediatric nurse by training and does contract work the 9 months of the year she's not at the ranch. Seth Seth is in charge of the waitstaff and the main climber dude we got our beta from. He's primarily a boulder, but claims to get more then 10 feet off the ground from time to time. Paul Paul was our guide on the Twin Sisters hike. Yes, he looks nothing like my description; remember, most of it was fiction. Paul's been at The Ranch for almost 30 years. He's in charge of the website and staffing. In addition, he's a professional photographer and writer. Millie Millie is Lloyd's dog. She just wanders around The Ranch enjoying life and the occasional pat on the head from a guest. Ryan Ryan is one of the wranglers on staff and is a true cowboy. He hails from the Indiana countryside and is currently studying veterinary medicine at Purdue. He's also an accomplished musician, dancer and loves Broadway musicals. Holly Holly is a member of the waitstaff, but she had nothing to do with our table. I included her because she's both stunning (this picture doesn't do her justice) and interesting. Holly's a junior at the University of Kentucky studying opera (yes, opera). She's into comic books, video games and sports of all kinds (although she does not yet rock climb). She has an amazing voice as was demonstrated on karaoke night.
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Colorado 2007

July 1 2007

Sunday: Last day; travel day. Ever the organized couple, we printed our boarding passes, packed everything but our travel clothes and toiletries and placed our bags in the car the night before. All we had to do was get up, get dressed, eat and head out. Our flight was at 1:00pm (CST) so no worries about traffic or other delays causing us to miss our flight.

Except missing car keys.

One of us drove to Estes Park the prior afternoon to shop for nicknacks, doodads and other souvenirs; the other stayed behind and sat at the pool with The Offspring updating the trip report. That same individual who last possessed the keys no longer had the slightest clue as to their current location.

This is bad.

I tore open every bag (essentially unpacking everything that had been packed the previous night) and searched frantically. I checked the pool, the lost and found, bathrobe pockets, the car -- everywhere.

No keys.

Babs called National Car Rental and explained the situation. They said they'd send someone out from Denver, but the minimum charge was $100 plus whatever the locksmith charged. And no one was in who could handle it so we'd have to wait at least 2 hours.

It was 9:30 and the drive to Denver was at least 2 hours. We'd miss our flight.

After 30 minutes the woman Babs spoke to called back and revealed The Secret of The Rental Car. National (and probably most other car companies) places a extra key in the trunk with the spare tire. The woman felt so bad that we'd miss our flight she got permission from the High Priest to reveal The Secret. Normally they just screw the customer and stay mum. (I should note that we had two keys, but they were attached by a strand military grade steel cable that proved impervious to the mightiest of attacks. Had we been able to separate the keys, this would have been a minor problem).

I got the secret key, checked that it did indeed work and we were off.

Whew!

On the way, Kelly was rifling through her toy bag, and shouts: "I FOUND THE KEYS", and she did indeed. No one thought to look there. They were probably swept up during one of the many toy cleanups.

Child got some special candy for this one. She saved us the $100 charge for the replacement key and remote.

*****

The Lane Guest Ranch is a service oriented organization and top notch service they do provide. While we did not meet everyone who works at the ranch (around 55 people) those we did meet where friendly, knowledgeable and always helpful. Many of the staff have split shifts (a few hours in the morning, afternoon off, then evening on) so they hang around the pool, guest house or general vicinity. Whether on duty or off, they never failed to render assistance. These kids hustle.

Below are some pictures and short bios of those we met.

Maggie

Maggie was our primary server for breakfast and dinner. Kelly loved her, as she does anyone who brings her food. Maggie recently graduated with a degree in Geography and will be seeking employment in the Denver or Boulder area.

Mary Beth

Mary Beth was our server when Maggie had the day off. She's is a junior at Dartmouth majoring in chemistry and psychology. She most recently interned at Lehman Brothers and was a guest last year.

Melissa

Melissa is one of the concierges and was helpful in ways too numerous to state here. She's a pediatric nurse by training and does contract work the 9 months of the year she's not at the ranch.

Seth

Seth is in charge of the waitstaff and the main climber dude we got our beta from. He's primarily a boulder, but claims to get more then 10 feet off the ground from time to time.

Paul

Paul was our guide on the Twin Sisters hike. Yes, he looks nothing like my description; remember, most of it was fiction. Paul's been at The Ranch for almost 30 years. He's in charge of the website and staffing. In addition, he's a professional photographer and writer.

Millie

Millie is Lloyd's dog. She just wanders around The Ranch enjoying life and the occasional pat on the head from a guest.

Ryan

Ryan is one of the wranglers on staff and is a true cowboy. He hails from the Indiana countryside and is currently studying veterinary medicine at Purdue. He's also an accomplished musician, dancer and loves Broadway musicals.

Holly

Holly is a member of the waitstaff, but she had nothing to do with our table. I included her because she's both stunning (this picture doesn't do her justice) and interesting. Holly's a junior at the University of Kentucky studying opera (yes, opera). She's into comic books, video games and sports of all kinds (although she does not yet rock climb). She has an amazing voice as was demonstrated on karaoke night.

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