I have finally gotten a breath(literally)since returning from our trip out west. An eventful trip highlighted by our stay at The Big Diamond Ranch. First, let me describe the ranch house. The rooms and closets were huge and very nice. The front porch and views were amazing. The kitchen/dining room were amazing. We also enjoyed eating around the huge dining table and sampling several adult beverages. I could spend much more time describing the house but the longest lasting impression was the hospitality.

Our timing was not the best considering the forest fire that had started a couple of days earlier at Lava Mountain. Martin touched base to let us know there was a fire but all was well. When we arrived, the ridge line was ablaze about a mile from the ranch house and smoke filled the air. Martin's exact words were, "watch the flag pole because it will tell you all you need to know". The wind would blow the flag towards the ridge line which would tell us the fire was being pushed over the ridge away from the ranch house. Martin kept us up to date on the status of the fire and acted as our confidant to some of the daily "drama" that presented itself. He also explained why there was at least 4 or 5 fire trucks accessing the ranch each day to fight the fire by "watching and eating doughnuts". The ranch had the only bridge capable of withstanding a fire truck. Another attention to detail that was not lost during our stay. Through the smoke, fire trucks, and (yes) helicopters, Martin's guidance was brilliant. It's this kind of hospitality and attention to details that make The Big Diamond Ranch a destination my family will return for years to come. Martin and his family are first class and that is how I would describe The Big Diamond Ranch. Although we did not get to fly fish or four wheel as much as my son and I would have liked due to the fire, the accommodations and the hospitality were second to none. Martin, to answer your question on "what can we do better"? Answer, "keep doing what your doing"!