Lovely Blog, Thanks! Keep up the great work.

Doris

Chico

When is the last time you sat and listened to birds? Or smelled truly fresh air? Or could take a walk at any time of the day? Or see a canopy of stars at night?

This will be your experience if you stay at the Casita at Gallina Canyon Ranch. It is an 8 mile drive down a remote private road. Bring enough food to last in case a rainy day makes the road impassible and you have to stay an extra day as my husband and I did. This relaxed feeling that you adopt while here is a rare gift in today’s society.

The Casita is comfortable with a basic kitchen and a dining area at a window with a great view. The bedroom is comfortable, as well as the light-filled living room. Off the living room is the outside deck which we used the most as it has two chaise lounge chairs and a dining table and chairs. We were also lucky enough to receive fresh, out-of-the-garden organic tomatoes and zucchini from our hosts.

This has been an outstanding and relaxing experience for us.

Elizabeth R

Santa Fe, NM

We have had an amazing and peaceful stay. Gallina Canyon Ranch is beautiful. We had breakfast on the small covered patio near the mint, coffee on the deck, we grilled at the small picnic area, dipped our feet in the river, and thoroughly enjoyed the beds on the sleeping deck that overlooks the canyon. Every spot was well thought out. We didn’t lack a thing during our stay. The kitchen is well equipped. Thank you for being a gracious host. It was nice visiting with you and we hope to revisit!

Jonathan and Monica Thompson

A few days into my week stay I decided to extend by two extra nights. Do I need to say more?

Loved the peace and quiet, loved watching the dogs playing (although I am not a "dog person"), loved the sleeping deck. Even enjoyed the weather in spite of the typical New Mexico afternoon heat.

My time I split between a writing project, enjoying the view from the sleeping deck, and the occasional morning hike.

The sleeping deck really is as special as I expected. It welcomed me with a spectacular moon rise, humming birds waking me up by whizzing by inches from my face, a slight breeze to compensate for the afternoon heat, and even if I much would have preferred not to need it --- a good enough Internet connection!

Maybe the highlight of my stay was a two-hour hike (one way) to the Jacal. Unfortunately I could only stay for one hour, to beat the afternoon heat, but I am hooked! Making up all kinds of schemes now for how and when I can return and spend a few days out there. Maybe combining a week at the Casita with 3 or 4 days at the Jacal.

BTW, if you go on that hike, make sure to take suitable shoes for the 14 crossings of the Gallina River.

Lis

We wanted to go some place different. The casita far surpassed any expectations we had. The ranch and canyon were out of world for us. Our days were spent exploring and looking for evidence of those who went before us. Our nights were spent on the spectacular sleeping deck. It was sweet relief from the brutal 100 degree temperatures we have in Tulsa. Our hosts have made the casita charming and filled with everything you need to enjoy every minute of your stay. Our host during our stay was David. He made every effort to assure we were comfortable and shared his knowledge of the ranch and canyon as we questioned him incessantly. Enjoy the hummingbirds, the escort service of the charming dogs, Roosty the rooster, the delicious spring water, the amazing scenery, and a canyon experience that will leave you thankful for hosts that share their treasure with you. We hope to return soon.

Barbara and Kim Drew

Tulsa OK

Gallina Canyon, and the ranch that graces its bottomland meadows, red rock cliffs and groves of ancient cottonwoods, deserves to be listed as one of the most exquisite places in the planet. The miles-long Canyon runs roughly east-west, the Gallina emptying into the magnificent Chama River directly opposite the Christ in the Desert Monastery that sits along the river's edge on the opposite bank. There is so much beauty in this remote wilderness, so much serenity, so much silence that it is impossible to capture the experience. Be prepared to be transformed. My wife and I stayed at the Casita for three days in mid-July, and found it to be exactly as described by Elizabeth and Andrew. The kitchen is well-equipped: we prepared wonderful meals -- most with a chili component -- and enjoyed them either at the cozy table in the dining area or out on the Casita's deck. The bedroom is quite large and the bed was very comfortable. The large living room has multiple options for curling up with a book, which we did every evening, using the Casita's solar-powered reading lamps. Elizabeth, Andrew and David were warmly welcoming and readily provided both practical information about the Casita as well as many stories about the area's rich history. The Casita -- the entire ranch -- is off the grid, which provides another valuable experience. Electricity is produced by solar panels attached to the roof. The refrigerator is powered by propane gas, which also provides the fuel for a small but efficient hot water heater. The toilet is a composting unit that is a marvel. The sleeping porch, located about 100 yards up a slope from the house, is simply magnificent. High enough off the canyon floor to catch the nearly constant breezes that flow down the canyon, the porch provides a shaded perch from which you can stare at miles and miles of red cliffs, blue skies, and the constantly changing cumulous clouds that flow across the northern New Mexico sky. Miraculously, you can also connect to the ranch's wifi from the porch (with occasional interruptions). Walk the Canyon. The track to the Jacal stretches for miles along the Gallina River, through groves and meadows, crossing and re-crossing the river as it meanders beneath the ever-present red cliffs that reach 1000 feet above the Canyon floor. Let the exquisite beauty and serenity of the Canyon soak in.

David Lisak

Clean, comfortable and homey; a great place to get away hustle of daily life. Elizabeth and Andrew go out of the way to make sure that we had a perfect stay. The views are spectacular and a very relaxing vacation.

Dan and Teresa

Steffen

As the gate opens and you journey across the Chama River, prepare yourself to be transported to a magical place. Leave behind what you know. Open your heart. Most important, learn the ancient mother tongue of stone and river and sky. Be silent. The spirit of the canyon can never be captured, only experienced. Find your way to Gallina Canyon Ranch.

Patricia DeLoss