October 31, 2007 Dusty Trails ATV Season comes to a close.

December 1, 2007 Spur of the Moment Ranch Open House 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

December 15, 2007 ATV Trail Reopens for 2007 Trial Run

Spur of the Moment Ranch will have its first annual Christmas Open House. For all of you who love Thorn, he will be giving carriage rides around the ranch on December 1, 2007. Come and join in the fun. There will be munchies and hot chocolate and piping hot apple cider to enjoy. Check out our new massage center, and meet Lori Yeager, our certified massage therapist. Make an appointment to have a massage yourself; or purchase a gift certificate for Christmas for someone you want to give a special gift to.

Delight in walking or carriage driving around the ranch to see what’s new. Our Cedar and Maple Cabins opened up Memorial Day. Gift Certificates for ranch stays will also be available. They make great Christmas presents. Check out all of our cabins and plan to do a little Christmas shopping as we will have crafters and artists displaying their gifts for sale around the ranch.

Stop in and learn about our Vermicomposting Adventure. Our Composting Center is nearly complete and we are hoping to have organic fertilizer available for spring planting. Check out how we will be using red wiggly worms to process our manure; and produce worm castings. With any luck we will have "worm castings" available in the spring to enhance your garden.

HELP CHOOSE THE WINNER OF OUR 2007 PHOTO CONTEST. I am hoping to be able to display everyone’s ranch photos from the season, you will have a chance to pick the winner by voting for your favorite. Plan to stop by and spend the day at Spur of the Moment Ranch. Much more than an Open House. Save December 1, 2007 on your calendar of events for the holidays. We will be open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you at Spur of the Moment Ranch.

2007 PHOTO CONTEST

NOW IS THE TIME! SEND ME YOUR BEST PHOTOS TO ENTER OUR PHOTO CONTEST. You can send them by snail mail; email; CD, but do send them in. Please send in one entry per person. Do not forget to include your Name; Address; and Phone Number so that we can contact you if you are the winner! What do you win, you say? The winner will win a two night stay in our new Maple Cabin for 2008! Surely, that is worth your time and effort..

All of the pictures need to be to the ranch by Thanksgiving Day to be included in the contest. They will be displayed at our Open House December 1, 2007 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. People visiting the ranch that day will be able to vote for the winner. So, SEND ME YOUR PICTURES! VISIT THE RANCH FOR THE OPEN HOUSE AND VOTE!

Spur of the Moment Ranch hosted one of the producers, Stacey Wendt-Kaisler and videographer – Kyle from the Discover Wisconsin series when they were in Mountain. Discover Wisconsin is producing a program about ATV trails in Oconto, Forest, Florence, and Marinette Counties. Spur of the Moment Ranch will have some footage and mention during the show. We are very excited about it, the show will air sometime in March 2008. When we have an exact date we will let everyone know, so be sure to check the website.

The initial footage from the ranch was taken the weekend of September 21, 2007 to coincide with the ATV Adventure Weekend in Gillett. Thanks to Don Price, who demonstrated saddling up and riding out of the ranch; and to all others who rode down the trail; and rode on the wagonette that Skip was driving with Thorn. Thanks also to Dolly and Dale Meulemanns for manning our booth at the ATV Adventure Weekend in Gillett. We appreciate everyone’s assistance. We look forward to seeing the final product next year.

The Dusty Trails Club and the Chute Pond Snowmobile Club have planned a work day for November 3, 2007. The plan is to replace surface boards on bridges. If you enjoy the trails and have time to devote a Saturday to maintenance, please meet at 9:00 AM, at the snowmobile garage, across the street from School House on County HWY W.

Our NEW Massage Center opened its door on the weekend of September 21, 2007. It is located in the Pine Cabin at Spur of the Moment Ranch. At this time massages are available on Thursdays; Fridays; and Saturdays. The cost is $65/ hour. Please feel free to call for an appointment. Massages are available for community residents as well as guests staying at the ranch. Ranch guests can either call ahead for an appointment or make an appointment once you arrive at the ranch. Our certified massage therapist is Lori Yeager from Blackfoot Llama Ranch. Our phone number is (715) 276-3726 or (800)644-8783.

Lori has been a holistic health and metaphysics practitioner since 1975, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. She has been a Reiki Master Teacher since 1991. She specializes in and is certified in Deep Muscle, Swedish, Relaxation; Myofascial Release; Flower Essence Therapy; and Reiki.

These holistic therapies have been proven to relieve stress, loosen tight muscles, reduce the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and increase circulation. Massage enhances balance between mind, body, and spirit.

Winter ATV Season

This year the Oconto County Parks & Recreation Department is opens the Nicolet Trail (Railroad Bed) for a trial ATV Season.  The initial opening will be December 15, 2007 and it will be open until there is snow that can be groomed for the Snowmobile Season.  Limited access will be available on ATV Routes in the Town of Mountain and other communities.  The snowmobile trails are not open to ATV traffic and will be enforced by the Sheriff's Department Recreation Officer.

Watch for our winter getaway special in the mail with your Christmas Letter. Not only is the ranch a great place in the spring, summer, and fall for ATVing; horse back riding and driving; hiking; and fishing. But it is a wonderful place to put your feet up, kick back, and relax on a winter getaway. Sit by the fireplace, watch a movie, or read a good book; or share a glass of wine with friends or family.

If the weather cooperates and gives us a nice white winter; bring your winter fun stuff with you and snowmobile; ice fish; cross country ski; snow shoe. Life is good. Enjoy it at Spur of the Moment Ranch. For reservations, go online at www.spurofthemomentranch.org or call (800) 644-8783.

There is no better high for me than to know when people have truly enjoyed their stay at the ranch. The following is an email I received this fall from a gentleman who had spent a few days with us at the ranch.

" I want to just send you a note and say thanks. The last time I went for a riding weekend it was catastrophic. Problems with my horse, sleeping in the back of the truck on a flat air mattress and other limitations and problems than you can imagine. It was so bad in fact, that for a year or more I just gave up on horses.

This last summer, one of J____’s child prodigies decided that it was time that I got back on the horse. Since then I have been trying to ride a little every week. Taking this trip was a make or break thing for me. Either I was going to come back loving to ride, or I was going to retire to the realm of full time horse rider support team for my wife.

Your hospitality, and the quality of the accommodations for use and the animals were outstanding. Don’t get me wrong, the riding was great (I am committed); but coming back to a warm, cozy cabin, a warm meal and a comfortable bed absolutely made it one of the best horse trips I have ever taken. Your genuine care made all the difference… we look forward to more trips up north to see you guys and will make sure we tell everyone about your place. " Signed D___.