Absoraka
Mountain Lodge • Kerry
& Theresa Boyd
1231 Northfork Highway • Cody,Wy 82414
• 307-587-3963
Visitor
Comments!
Dear Kerry and Theresa,
Enclosed are pictures we took during our 5-night stay with you all in June. I thought the ranch hands and wranglers would enjoy some of them.
We spent a lot of money on our 13 day trip to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore…and though we thought Absaroka Mountain Lodge was going to be “just a place to stay” for 5 nights, your lodge ended up being the highlight and most memorable experience of our vacation. Our kids. Scott –13 yrs old and Austin –10yrs old, remember the unbelievable horseback rides we took with you, and the food, an Ms. Kitty (the cat) and Cedar (the dog).
They don’t tell their friends about Old Faithful, but they mention their horses they rode by name at Absaroka.
They don’t tell their friends about Mammoth Springs, but they tell them about helping Austin and Jeanna build a campfire to cook burgers (they got a double cheeseburger), and how we rode horses for hours at Absaroka Mountain Lodge through trees, valleys, mountains, creeks and rivers.
They don’t mention to their friends the beauty of Yellowstone, but how we crossed creeks at Absaroka on their horse and how Cedar would jump in 1st and float a few seconds before dog paddling to the other side.
And Scott mentions the fried potatoes for breakfast, and how they were so delicious. Steve and I enjoyed the Creek Coffee we had on our breakfast ride, as well. The vistas we saw during our lunch ride will always be engraved in our minds.
We were thoroughly impressed with your ranch, your crew and your family. The evening camp fires, the singing and guitar playing from your wranglers, throwing horseshoes, and roping with the wranglers were all great memories for my 2 boys who didn’t seem to miss their Xbox or TV at all.
The cabins were clean, quaint, and big enough for our family of 4. The food was delicious and you had a wonderful menu. I think during our 5 day stay, we ate at the lodge every night, except for the one night we were stuck in Yellowstone with the 10 inch snowstorm (in June?) and we could not get out of the park.
We thank you for the “best vacation we ever had”. We WILL be back.
Sincerely,
Cathy and Steve
Southlake, TX
We just want to thank you for providing our family with such a great place to stay while visiting Yellowstone. It is the perfect family vacation. Our girls enjoyed everything about your place it was fun to watch them interact with your staff and the horses. Krista and Gina made our horseback riding a time we will never forget. Melanie was great playing soccer and volleyball with the kids in the evening. Katrina provided us with incredible service every evening at dinner and we very much enjoyed her singing and guitar playing at campfire. Steve was also very helpful and he too provided great music in the evenings. It was so interesting to talk to Austin about horses; he has such an incredible passion! And of course, Shannon was as helpful as could be with any request. You are very blessed to have such a beautiful place in paradise. It is very apparent how much hard work and pride you put into owning such a place!
Thank you.
The Young Family
San Diego, CA
We just returned to Chicago from the Lodge, and we had to look over the web site to keep the memories fresh.
We miss the mountains we could see just outside or door, the sound of Gun Barrel Creek to put us to sleep, and cheerfulness of everyone from you owners, to the wranglers, and even the wait staff. With the greatest enthusiasm I would recommend anyone spend time at the Absaroka Mtn Lodge. My only complaint is that you don’t have enough pictures on your web site. Thank goodness I took plenty of my own. These memories will last forever. Thank you for a truly great time.
B. Voves
Dear Kerry, Theresa, Shannon, and crew,
I hope you had a good 4th of July weekend. Wish we’d still been there with you. My family and I would like to thank you all for a wonderful vacation last week. You sure made us feel like family. Each of you added a special part to our stay – we remember and thank:
Katrina for her sweet singing – it really added to the campfire experience!
Melanie for playing sports with our boys – you’re a super athlete!
Steve for making the campfire interesting – I was ready to try your pine needle tea if you’d been in charge there another night!
Gina and Christa for a great breakfast ride, and Cole and Austin for a wonderful dinner ride y’all are great hosts and cooks! We thoroughly enjoyed both rides the scenery was superb and the company fun.
And thanks to Cole and Austin again, for sharing their music as well as their rodeo knowledge. Guys, we had a great time at the rodeo last Sunday – the boys got such a kick out of it – and we are sorry we didn’t get to see you two perform. It would have been even better to be able to root for someone we knew. Cole, Alex is exploring the CD’s you shared with him, too. Many thanks! You have generously added to his music education. He had fun discussing music with you.
Kerry, Theresa and Shannon for everything! You run a wonderful place with wonderful people – thank you!
We will be most happy to recommend you all to our friends and family, and sometime we’d love to visit you all again. Thank you for making us part of your family for a while! We wish you all a great summer with many more to come.
Sincerely,
Katherine, Jacques, Alex, and Robert C.
Kerry & Theresa,
Just can’t say it enough!
We just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had during our stay. Your friendliness and hospitality will never be forgotten! Thanks to you both, your sweet daughter and all the staff for the great memories.
R & C Jenkins
Theresa, Kerry, & Absaroka Staff
Thanks for a wonderful week in beautiful WY! Our stay at Absaroka really gave us a vacation to just relax & enjoy seeing beautiful country out west. The hospitality shown was outstanding! We really enjoyed the Wed night cookout… those boys sure know how to cook! Thanks again or everything… we have memories that will last a lifetime. I know how people fall in love with this area & state… cause we sure did. It is always nice to be home, but it sure was hard to leave!!! Again, tell all of your staff Thank You! Adrian sure did enjoy conversations with Austin – he is great! Hope to be out your way again soon!
Your Friends in NC,
Samantha & Adrian
To the Boyd’s
Would like to thank you and your staff or a vacation to remember for a lifetime. My daughter, Rhebeka, and I had a wonderful stay at your lodge, the service and atmosphere was nothing short of world class. Your staff and your family made myself and my daughter feel like we were part of your family during our stay, The morning ride that Rhebeka took was the highlight of her trip currently she has the picture of her and Ike as the background for her sign in screen on her computer. I have heard her tell her friends many times of the experience of the ride. I think she will remember this event for a lifetime she is currently working on a paper for school with the trip to Wyoming as the thesis. I wish you and yours the best thanks for a great trip.
Jim
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Boyd
Greetings for the plains of west –central Illinois, where today the temperature is approaching 95 degrees!
On June 19, 2007, while staying at Cowboy Village in Cody, Wyoming, my husband, Ron, and I were fortunate to visit your ranch for an evening steak trail ride. I’m writing to tell you how much we enjoyed the experience.
Upon first arriving, we were struck by the ranch’s natural beauty, especially the stream running through the property. We were also delighted with your wranglers at the corral, especially Mariel from Georgia and Austin from Mississippi.
These two young people are a tremendous asset to your ranch. They chose horses to suit our varying riding ability. (I have little myself, while Ron is an accomplished horseman.) Their easy manner, skills and knowledge made me feel at ease, even through I’m an inexperienced rider. As a high school teacher I also appreciated their maturity and impeccable manners. And you’re right – they’re pretty good cooks, too! Kudos to whomever prepares the food at the lodge. It was simply delicious, especially cooked over a campfire. We also want to commend Cedar, who accompanied our ride, clearing the trail of animals and who also shared my dinner. What a good girl!
Once again, we had a wonderful time and hope to return again in the future.
C. Walls,
Concord, IL
I want to express my sincerest thanks for such a wonderful stay at your cabins, My parents and our family stayed in Cabin #1 back in July. The kids haven’t stopped talking about that wonderful trip and especially the horseback riding at your ranch! We had such a great time and everyone who has looked at our photo albums has asked where we stayed! Carli had to write an essay for school about what she did over the summer and she literally wrote pages and pages about our trip to Wyoming. We truly created some wonderful family memories at your place. Thank you so much for all you did for us and for your wonderful staff. One of the highlights for the kids was playing volleyball with the wranglers! We sure hope that one day we can make it back to your area and stay with you again. It was a great trip!
Warm Regards,
L Tastad
Millstadt, IL
Thanks so much for making our vacation a true memory for our kids. The trail rides were beautiful and the food was yummy! Many thanks to your staff or going out of their way to make our young kids feel comfortable and welcome.
A. Carman
Dear Theresa:
It was such a pleasure meeting you and your family and staying at the Lodge. The place is so beautiful and peaceful surrounded by mountains, plus everyone was so helpful, which made our stay even more enjoyable. Adrian is still talking about it, and how much he enjoyed going horseback riding with Laura. I think he will never forget this trip.
M. Rodriguez
Boyds & Gang:
Thanks for a wonderful three nights! The kids had a blast with the horses and the stream running through the area. We will treasure our memories from Absoraka Lodge!
Bless you,
The Johnsons
Dear Boyd Family –
We have enjoyed our relaxing stay at your ranch. Loved the sound of Gunbarrel Creek right outside our windows, always loved the fresh mountain air flowing through our cabin. The meals were great. You have a beautiful location. We have certainly found refreshment and renewal.
B & S Lake, Pennsylvania
PS: Horseback ride was excellent!
Kerry and Theresa,
We have returned home from our 11 day tour
of the Yellowstone and Grand Teton area
and just wanted to drop a line to Thank
You for your hospitality. Of all the wonderful
things we did in the area, the kids tell
everyone the 3 days at your Ranch were the
best. It takes a lot to please my three
kids and you guys went well beyond it. Everything
from the cabin, meals, horse riding, nightly
camp fires and just enjoying the scenic
beauty of your ranch was first class. I
wish I was there with you guys now. Heck,
the kids did not want to leave and finish
the rest of the tour that final morning
at your ranch.
As an individual whom supervises well
over 1200 associates, I know first hand
how important hiring the best staff can
be to your businesses success. I can say
without hesitation ALL of your staff was
phenomenal. Chef John’s meals were
fantastic and boy does he fill a plate!
I must say the barbecue cookout was great
as well. All the benefits of barbecuing
without the hassles. The wranglers were
knowledgeable, friendly and respectful young
men and women. We went on the lunch ride
with Jeremy and found him to be a fine and
fascinating young man. He took the time
to talk with my three children, to answer
our entire myriad of questions, to teach
dad and son how to throw a hatchet and cooked
a fine meal. I would strongly recommend
the Blackwater Creek trail ride to any family
as the views are fantastic and you get a
“real” Trail ride. They need
to be a little adventurous as the ride down
is a little challenging. We also had the
pleasure of taking a steak dinner ride with
Cole and Kelly. The kids loved crossing
the rivers and the meal was the best we
had the entire trip. Yes, even better than
the meal at the Old Faithful Inn –
imagine that. Cole is a real role model
as he took the time to encourage my son
to pursue his talents and focus on school.
The kids really enjoyed his guitar picking
around the campfire. Kelly is a beautiful
and patient young lady who made my eight
year old daughter feel very comfortable
during the trip. And of course, my 11 year
old daughter whom trains on a horse weekly
had the time of her life. Give her a horse
and hours to ride and she is in heaven!!!
I must say we also found Cody to be
a great day trip from your ranch. We loved
the rodeo, western shopping and historical
Wild Bill town. And if anyone ever asks
for advice for a day trip, I would strongly
recommend the Chief Joseph HWY and Beartooth
HWY loop. Charles Kurault got it right,
theBeartooth HWY is “America’s
Most Beautiful HWY”. When you get
to the top of the 10,970 rugged mountains
and see the natural lakes, streams, canyons
and glaciers and play in the snow in July
in your shorts, you must be glimpsing a
little piece of heaven.
The hardest part of planning our trip
was trying to pick the right Ranch and to
fit it into our schedule. I know without
a doubt I got that part right. Your location
was great as we found the area closer to
Cody to be very dry and lacking the scenic
beauty of the area your ranch is in. We
loved how your ranch sits amongst the trees
with the creek rushing by and the views
of the surrounding mountain – oh how
peaceful. Can you ship your ranch to TN
for me when you close shop this winter?
In closing, thanks for making our
vacation one our family will always cherish.
You have a great place and family. I pray
God will bless your family and we can spend
some time with you again in the future.
The Fleming Family – Steve, Tammy,
Nick, Sydney and Madeline
The entire Kilburn family
enjoyed our stay at Absaroka in early August.
The cabins were excellent, the playground
welcome for the kids, the campfires fun,
and the cookout tasty. We have stayed all
over the world, and even at another lodge
near your lodge once, but have never found
a staff as friendly and helpful. The wranglers
made the breakfast ride great fun.
Thanks for your efforts to make Absaroka
Mountain Lodge so friendly.
R. Kilburn, Kentucky and Tennessee
We would like to thank you
for the wonderful stay we had at your lodge.
Taking our two boys for a trail ride that
they still are talking about. Special thanks
to Kelly for leading the trail ride and
Cedar for going part way. The wonderful
views of the mountains, Gunbarrel Creek,
and wildlife. Your lodges and wonderful
meals in the dining room and at the campfire.
Kerry’s magic trick! We cannot express
enough about the great vacation we had at
Absaroka and the caring, professional and
friendly staff you have there. You all seem
like family. We will be back guaranteed
and will recommend Absaroka to all.
D. Andrews, Beresford, SD
Thank you for all the hard
work you and your staff put into accommodating
the 33 members of our family for our reunion.
Everyone was very pleased with activities,
accommodations, location and food. Across
3 generations and family from the 4 corners
of the country, everyone was excited about
the 4 days we spent at your lodge.
You were gracious in accommodating our special
requests to make this time a very memorable
one for all.
Thank you again
M. Faley
We just wanted to send a thank
you for a wonderful stay at your guest ranch.
The scenery is breathtaking, the staffs
super, meals were excellent, and the cabins
quaint (a welcome change form daily distractions…our
kids had to talk to us with no cell service,
computers, or TV!) We have a week full of
great memories. We will be sure to recommend
you to friends and family. Thank you again.
Sincerely
The Williamson’s
Just a note of thanks to you
for making our short stay there so special!
It was everything we hoped it would be and
more. We loved sitting on the benches by
the creek, just listening to the gentle
sounds of the water rolling over the rocks.
A special highlight for our family was the
breakfast ride. You made us “novices”
feel like pros on the horses and the breakfast
Kerry whipped up on the trail was probably
the best meal we had on our entire week’s
vacation! We also enjoyed sitting by the
campfire at night eating roasted marshmallows
and meeting people form all corners of the
country. Our boys loved playing sand volleyball
with all of their “neighbors”
from the other cabins as well. It was a
trip we won’t soon forget.
God bless you and thanks SO much! We know
with a great staff like we got to know that
you will be successful in this venture for
many years to come!
The Nesbitts, Sioux Falls, SD
I just wanted to take time
to thank you for the wonderful hospitality
we enjoyed at Absaroka Mountain Lodge. From
the first time I spoke to Theresa I was
confident that we had made the right choice
in Wyoming for lodging and horseback riding.
It turns out I was correct. The cabin was
just what we enjoy-homey, clean, the sound
of the nearby stream and no TV! Kelly and
Cole were wonderful guides on the trail
– friendly and knowledgeable. And
what great horses! We set our standards
high on breakfast food your biscuits and
gravy passes the test with flying colors.
I guess what I am trying to say is that
you have a wonderful family and a great
business. You are truly blessed. Keep
up the good work.
Miodzik Family
To everyone at Absaroka Lodge,
Well, here we are back in slightly more
humid heat in England but so very much wishing
we were still there in paradise.
You all made our stay so very special and
a honeymoon to remember. You did such a
good job we didn’t want to leave!!!
You all worked so hard to keep everything
as perfect as possible and we couldn’t
have asked for more (even though we were
pretty demanding) and so for everything
you did for us and your helpfulness (which
was second to none) we thank you so very
much.
Lots of love,
The Jones’s
p.s. give Stevie and Rose big hugs and kisses
from us and tell them we miss them.
Thank you very much for giving
us one of the most wonderful holidays we
have ever had. Wyoming is truly beautiful
and will last in our memories for a long
time. You and all your wonderful staff made
us feel so at home and we wish you and all
of them very best wishes for the future.
Hope to see you again sometime.
With Love, Barry and Helen Chidlow
Dear Kerry and Theresa,
Thank you for your wonderful hospitality!
We spent a great week with you in June and
want to share some pictures that we took,
with you and your staff. We will recommend
Absaroka Mountain Lodge to all of our friends
and family who might be considering a vacation
to Yellowstone. Thanks again for helping
make our summer vacation such an enjoyable
and memorable one.
Sincerely, Warren and Sandy
Dear Kerry, Theresa, Christine
and Shannon
Thank you for the wonderful experience you
provided for us this past July. The Absaroka
Mtn. Lodge was our favorite stay during
our entire trip out west. All the employees
were friendly and helpful and most welcoming.
Thank you for the memorable and worthwhile
experience. Your breakfast horseback ride
was the best!
Sincerely, Jim, Laura, and Devon Pierret
Hope you and the staff will
have a wonderful Christmas. We still talk
about our wonderful vacation last May. The
boys consider it the best trip we have ever
had at your lodge and staff was the high
point. Hope to come back again and have
told plenty of others. Hope Jake is still
enjoying the rodeo.
Randy, Carlyn, Ryan, and Mason Williams
I wanted to thank you all
for a great stay at the Absaroka Mountain
Lodge June 1-5. We enjoyed the cabin, the
surroundings, the food, and of course the
horseback riding. Our girls have not quit
talking about the ride. I think it was their
favorite two hours of the whole trip! Please
thank Adam for us, he was wonderful. Especially
with Leah, the youngest, who was apprehensive
after she found herself actually sitting
on the horse. We appreciate Adam's patience
with all of us inexperienced riders.
The mid-afternoon milkshakes
(created when the kitchen wasn't actually
even open-thanks to all who make that possible)
are still talked about, too. Best milkshakes
we've ever had.
As you can see, we thank you
ALL for a great visit, and for everything
the staff did to help make our trip the
best vacation this family has ever had.
We plan to visit again, and I have already
recommended you to friends who are planning
a trip later this summer. THANK YOU!
Brett, Dorothy, Jessie, and Leah
The Callaway Family
Just a quick note to say THANK
YOU for the wonderful night we spent on
Thursday 6/23 at your lodge. After traveling
all day we were tired and hungry. Your chef
prepared an excellent, fresh home cooked
meal. Our waitress (with braids, from AL
I believe) was friendly, and very accommodating.
We were traveling with our daughter, husband,
and 10 month old baby. The entire staff
was extremely helpful and so friendly. When
we opened our cabin door we were delighted
with the furnishings and how cozy it was.
EVERYTHING was very clean and orderly. You
are to be commended for the fine establishment
you have. Especially your hard working staff.
We will definitely recommend you to anyone
who asks.
Thanks again, Gene and Carole Krieger
Thank you for having us and
showing us a great time. The kids really
enjoyed the rides and just being in the
great outdoors was fun for them, especially
splashing in the stream. We did make it
up through Yellowstone and had a great day
viewing the wildlife in the Lamar and Hayden
Valleys. Grizzlies, Black Bear, a moose,
many elk, bison, and deer-just a wonderful
day and trip. Thanks again, Kurt Orr
Boyd family,
Would like to thank you for the great time
we had last week staying at the Absaroka
Mountain Lodge, it was the best family vacation
we've taken, and much of the credit is due
to you and your staff.
We enjoyed ourselves so much,
that we're already talking about coming
back maybe next year, or the year after.
So, please keep us posted on when the renovation
of cabin 17 is complete, as we would be
interested in reserving that entire cabin.
We'd also like to thank you
for the refund of the last days' stay, you
didn't have to do that, and we didn’t
expect it. It is really refreshing to see
that you were thinking of us when the cabin
was rebooked, as you don't see that kind
of hospitality very often.
When we drove home, we went
through the Big Horn Mountains, and took
I-90 as you recommended (passing closely
by Akron, IA). It turned out that it was
only 20 miles further than going through
Cheyenne on I-80, and a much easier drive.
Thanks again, and we hope
to see you in the years to come.
Rob, Jami, Ryan, and Bret Fuller
P.S. We have already recommended your place
to our friends
Hi Theresa,
I'm back home in Lake Villa, Illinois. I
arrived about 2:00 PM yesterday afternoon.
I had a great time at your lodge and want
to thank you, Kerry, your girls, and all
your staff for making me feel like part
of the family. This was a real mountain
experience that I'll never forget. You guys
are great.
I'm taking a few days and will start planning
my next trip.
Thanks again, Tom
Hello Kerry and Theresa, hope
all is well and you and your family (and
staff). Just wanted to send a note telling
you what a great time we had with you in
June. All of us wish we had been able to
say longer at you place. We thought the
entire operation was perfect and appreciated
your hospitality. I have been promoting
you from here almost daily! Again, many
thanks and looking forward to seeing you
soon.
Walter, Lori, Madison, John, and Caleb
