Wind Walker Guest Ranch -Our Story- Your story?

Loretta Johnson owner of Wind Walker Guest Ranch shares her story of how a thought turned into a dream, and a dream beacame a reality.

What is my story?
My story of the journey here started out as a desire for a place where you could go to rest and pamper yourself. Maybe have community or be able to spend quite time in nature. Maybe learn something if you wanted to. I always used to play like I was Annie Oakley and my cousin was Roy Rodgers when I was a kid so I was in love with the old west for as long as I could remember. My best friend when I was growing up was a horse named Strawberry but he wasn't mine so I had very little riding experience when I started. In fact the first dude ranchers conference I went to (the ranch wasn't open yet) they asked me what that piece (I now know as a bridle) was on the floor I guessed right but was lucky. They laughed and I promised to bring back the real cowboys next year, which I did.

I've always loved nature so that was a good fit. I've always loved serving others so that was a good fit, I'm not afraid of hard work and long hours so that was fine. I had worked in catering so I know something about that. Seemed like I had the ingredients to start a new adventure with a ranch. I have learned a lot since.

Just after my inspiration to create this place I was offered to sale my medical courier service. I had decided that now may just be the time to turn a thought of a ranch into a reality. I looked all over the western United States for the property and it ended up being not far from where I had been the last 20 years. Wind Walker became more of a calling rather than desire. This was ten years ago (we've now been open for 9 years) I envisioned the ranch with horses and all the recreation that it has, but Wind Walker is much more than I envisioned. Wind Walker was something way beyond my mortal abilities to build. It's the special history and energy of the land that doesn't just host you but facilitates the entire self.

When conceiving the creation of the ranch, I was repeatedly told too not to forget the children. My daughter then 9 was diagnosed with an in operable brain tumor (the type that is suppose to take them in 6 months). She is now a miracle at 19 years old. This is where I learned what they meant. The ranch, horses and staff empower people. You know you can move mountains if you think you can.

Audina one of the miracle children of Wind Walker at age 15 wrote: "Here as we sit in this world we all know that we have a purpose. We all have a journey or an accomplishment that needs to be done. Who gives us these and where do we find them? That is the question. Here at Wind Walker is where the angels are and we shall all know and always know that no matter where we go we have angels watching over us. Where do these angels come from? God. He sees us in need and sends angels down to help. Recently we had a little girl come here that said, "I don't have anything wrong with me so does that mean that I don't have angels?" She was very intelligent and has SAT scores of 605 at 11. But she felt as if something was missing. Like there was a deep dark whole inside of her that needed to be filled. She thought that there weren't any angels for her because she didn't have troubles. The fact is that you don't need to have troubles in your life in order to have angels. We all have them around us and they are here to guide us and help. They just wait for when you are ready to have them come. That way they try not to scare you. I have a friend that is an angel. He was my best friend when he was alive. He died at the age of 14. I was worried about him and thought that maybe he didn't go to heaven. One day while sitting on the back porch talking about the kids camps all these angels were standing around singing "He's got the whole world in his hands." My friend that had passed over was there. I knew that he was ok. He had made it up to heaven. This friend that passed over was trying to get help for Wind Walker; he went to Nebraska to try to get a rich guy there to help. The man wasn't ready and so he got scared. He is now in counseling as we speak. So if an angel ever comes to you, it could be in your dreams or somewhere else always knows that they are there to help and not to scare. We all find our journeys sooner or later."

In the book sacred places it is said the Native Americans believe there are such places on earth that the energy is off just enough to allow you to drop your shields and heal. I love watching the shift in people. It takes a day or two to get the city off. People begin to reconnect with who they really are laugh, play and become very real. They are like family before they are gone. The kids cry when they don't want to leave. They have been able to be kids without a lot of fear, able to enjoy horse riding, nature crafts, running, playing and having fun. Lots of women come to the ranch on their own. Some attend with their kids. I usually call them the type A personalities. I mean after all women put romance and grit into the Wild West didn't they? All guests are able to go on an adventurous ride then come back and be pampered by a jetted tub, massage and a facial, or do tai chi, do a card reading or join meditation class, learn some native ways. Participate in some target practice, hiking, biking or go for a swim. We even have times on the ranch that is set up just for women. We call it rejuvenation retreats. What a way to go. Our plans are to expand on this for special programs just for empowerment and connection to spirit.

It started as a desire, it changed to a calling and out of my limited funds this ranch has taken form. Adults and children alike experience an energy that can not be explained by words. Some come to help some to be helped, some don't know why they came and all will learn. If this resonates with you it is quite possible you are part of this Wind Walker story.