R-Ranch at the Lake
Napa Valley's Best Kept Secret
Presidents Day Weekend 2023
Weekend re-cap from R-Ranch at the Lake
Hi everyone! It was such a great Presidents Day Weekend at the ranch! The weather was perfect during the day and a little chilly at night, ok a lot chilly. Many families grabbed the Nature scavenger hunt from the store or office, many “littles” were reported to be running around the campground looking for nature items. Saturday night we got to dance the night away with D.J. Charles. Sunday and Monday were absolute beautiful days! At one point Sunday there must of been 15 kids playing in the creek! The kids owned this ranch this weekend just out enjoying nature! There were groups of older kids playing basketball and volley ball! It was still quiet enough that you could hear the giggles and screams of kids running around and playing! R-Ranch at the lake was a happy place this weekend!
Kissie the Bear had a very adventurous weekend ! He went from the store to a tree by the creek to the lodge firepit and also to the firetruck then bathhouse 5 and several other places ! He was busy! Look for the reel on Facebook and Instagram to see the happy kids who got to find and hide him! Kissie will only be here until February 28th so I hope you will look for him if you are at the ranch.
Now for the not so happy stuff! We received reports of possibly underage drivers in golf carts and crazy driving by others. We know things get a little more relaxed in the winter since we are not as busy please follow the speed limit and age requirements and be respectful of others. Spring break is right around the corner and we will gradually get busier and busier here. For everyone’s safety please follow the rules: Speed limit 10 mph and 15 with a learners permit or drivers license to drive a cart.
We only have one Housekeeper at the moment, please be respectful of her and her time. Give her time to clean a bathhouse when she is there. Please wait or go to another bath house if she is cleaning. Making sure your cabin is clean when you leave. If you are cooking in the lodge kitchen please clean up after yourself and do all your dishes! If you use the Blackstone make sure you empty and clean the grease tray on it.
Keep a watch out for St Patrick’s Day weekend info and Spring Break is right around the corner! Please make sure you are signed up for Constant Contact email blasts as well . If you are not please text 22828 and follow the prompts to keep up to date for info. Also please follow us at R-Ranch at the lake official page at Facebook and or @rranchnapa for Instagram!
See ya soon
Help “unlock” the Magic of R-Ranch at the Lake
Many people say they love R-Ranch at the lake. I am here to ask what is it that you love? Is it the
friendships, or is it the time to relax in nature away from the hustle and bustle of your day to day
life. Maybe it is the fact that your children can play in a “free range kid zone” to allow children
the freedom to roam in a safe environment meant to foster exploration and adoration of the
ranch’s natural beauty. There are so many reasons to love this ranch and I want to hear yours!
What is your absolute best memory from your time at R-Ranch at the lake? Not Napa Valley
Ranch Club but R-Ranch at the lake.
I am asking you to share these memories and likes with me so I can use them in our social media
posts. This is one small way I can help with the marketing of the ranch. Since I have been
working full time on the social media our Facebook page has grown. In the last 90 days our
Facebook reach, meaning the no. of Facebook accounts that saw at least one post was 15.4K.
Engagement with a post was 2.3K!
We have 4,840 followers on Facebook right now. We have also gained 30 new Facebook
followers. While the process can be time consuming posting everyday is worth it! This growth is
all organic however if we start to think about posting ads I think we could grow even more and
find more people interested in R-Ranch at the lake and that is the goal right now!
5 reasons why you should share a social media post
- Sharing social media posts helps to spread important information to a broad audience.
- Posting content can help to increase your online visibility and reach potential customers.
- It can help to build a supportive community around your brand.
- Sharing content can help to generate leads and drive website traffic.
- It can help to build relationships with other businesses and industry influencers.
How else can you help , maybe you are not on social media but would still like to help.
1. Word of mouth is a good starting point. Tell anyone who will listen about the ranch.
2.Do you own a business or store front? Maybe you work in a office with a bulletin board or a
public board as well. If so, stop in the office and ask for some brochures to pass out.
3.Like, Comment and share our posts. It really does help
4.Consider sharing some of your favorite photos & videos from your time at the ranch. You can
tag us @rranchnapa or you can feel free to email me anything you would like to share to
donna@rranch.info
I hope everyone takes a minute to comment their favorite times at the ranch and helps to spread
the word!
Let’s talk about mice!
I will start with some random mice facts! Did you know that mice can produce up to 75 droppings a day? They can fit in a hole the size of a pencil and they don’t care for cheese. Mice eat 15 to 20 times a day and they have supersonic hearing.
Kind of cute as long as they are not in your RV or house. Since the weather is rainy and cold this is the perfect time for a mouse to come looking for a dry warm home. Prevention is the key, keep them out once they get in you have a war on your hands! There is no new tricks to prevent mice, however if you are consistent and diligent you have a chance.
- camper maintenance , seal every hole or entry way possible. look under the camper on top any possible hole the size of a pencil or bigger. use spray foam and wire mesh.
- keep camper clean . all food kept in plastic containers or in fridge. do not leave any food out on counters for long period. when leaving rig remove all food .
- leave cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in basement compartments , closets & cabinets when you pack up to go home. This will not help you get rid of mice however it might help stop them from coming in!
Bottom line if you don’t have any rodents now and they don’t smell food and can’t find a entry point they will move on and not bother your rig. Once they do get in however and find a warm comfy spot with food they are not gonna vacate the premises very easy. What are your options once they make entry into your camper?
- Clean your camper from top to bottom!
- Get rid of or pack away in bins all food and nesting material ( blankets, towels, paper towels & toilet paper!
- Traps
- poison
First get the whole camper cleaned up especially before you leave. Pack away anything a mouse might eat or use to make a nest. Then get some traps. Traps can be tricky for our campers since you are not here daily. Trap options :
Live traps, a trap to catch a mouse without killing it and allowing you to release it . It is recommended that you release it a few miles from where you caught it ! If you release it right in your yard it is coming back to your nice warm home.
Next up, snap traps & glue traps! Snap traps can be very effective, if you have no issues getting rid of dead mice.
While I am not a fan of these options sometimes you might have no choice! For those creative handy types you can build your own traps like these.
Hopefully you don’t have to use any of these methods and prevention is enough for you !
If you’ve played mini golf at the Ranch recently, you know it’s in need of repair. It’s been several years since its last redevelopment, and sadly it has deteriorated.
We are asking for your help and while doing so hope to add a bit of fun. We would like to challenge our ranch members to a makeover competition. Any owner, family, group or committee can pick one mini golf hole and rebuild it in a theme of their choice.
You must provide all the materials, design, build, and install your hole between December 1st and Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day weekend we will hold a mini golf tournament. The top 3 winners will choose their top 3 favorite mini golf holes. The makeover winners will have a plaque placed on their winning holes.
You can enter R-Ranch at the Lake Mini Golf Makeover Competition by going to sign-up genius or emailing donna@rranch.info
Again to sign up click here…..https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054AA8A929A6FF2-mini
Email donna@rranch.info
R-Ranch Edition, did you know?
Did you know…………
- You must be 15 to drive a golf cart on the ranch?
- Dogs are not allowed in any cabins except designated dog cabins.
- All reservations should be made at least 24hrs in advance for Cabins, RV stays, Day passes, Trail and Arena rides?
- Members are only allowed 6 guests per share and only 4 on a holiday.
- Pool closes for the season on October 16th this year.
- Store and office hours will go back to 9am-5pm starting in mid-September
- We have a haunted house every Halloween.
- If you have guests on property, you must be on property with your guests at all times?
- If you own a golf cart it must be registered with the office?
- You and your guests must wear your wristbands at all times while on property
- For safety reasons you should not go out in the pasture with the ranch horses?
- Nellie’s Country store sells Guinness Nitro Cold Brew? It is yummy!
- We have bocce ball court and you can get the balls in the store?
- The campground committee planted many trees this year.
- You must be 15 to go to the pool without an adult
- We have an amazon wish list? you can find it here
- Dilly Dally the clown will be here for carnival October 15th
- 3rd annual red neck olimpiks will be Sept 17th
- If you are going on a trail ride you need to arrive 15 minutes early
- Did you know that horses sleep standing up
- R-Ranch Cabin committee paid to have 2 pergolas built ! One by cabin 1A and one by the dog cabins!
- Four Barrel will be playing here Labor Day Weekend!
There you have it, do you have any “did you knows” that you feel are important to pass on? Email your thoughts to donna@rranch.info
R-Ranch RC Track
Did you know we now have a RC Track at the ranch? It is true, thanks to Randy Cohn & Dan Frost for the donations and time building it! You may have noticed it across from the playground. If you have a RC Car, feel free to bring it with you to the ranch and use the track. Please note no gas cars or trucks are permitted at this time.
If you don’t have a RC car you may ask, what is it? Radio-controlled cars (or RC cars for short) are miniature model cars, vans, buses, trucks or buggies that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter or remote. The term “RC” has been used to mean both “remote controlled” and “radio controlled”, where “remote controlled” includes vehicles that are controlled by radio waves, infrared waves or a physical wire connection (the latter is now obsolete). Common use of “RC” today usually refers only to vehicles controlled by radio. There are several different types of RC Cars, you have toy grade, hobby grades which you can get ready to run or buy a kit and build it yourself!
Sound like fun? Are you interested in having your own RC Car? Click the link to check out the best cars for beginners Best RC Cars For Beginners – The Ultimate Guide [2022] as well as a video to watch!
If you already have a car, we would like to invite you out August 13th for some racing fun! We will have a parent vs child race at 10 am, followed by an open race for all at 10:30. Fun for all, children as well as adults, if all goes well maybe we can do this monthly! Hope to see you at the track!
How do you set up your Cabin Camping Kitchen?
We know when we are tent or cabin camping it takes alot of work packing and getting everything together for a weekend! Then when you get there you have to unpack and set up a kitchen. You will almost always forget something that you might need! If you camp frequently you should have a tote or two ready to go with essentials for your kitchen as well as a pantry. Better yet get yourself a storage locker at the ranch and then you can leave several totes right here ready for you arrival!
Camp Kitchen Essentials
- Butane single burner
- Propane camp stove
- Propane table top grill
- Camp fuels & lighters
- Set of camping skillets & pots
- Cooking utensils
You can get a free print out of a essentials camp kitchen list here https://thewalkingmermaid.com/blog/camp-kitchen-essentials-organization
The storage lockers are located in the same building as the teen center. The lockers are 2x2x4 ,that sounds small but if you are a good packer you can store a lot in there. You could store your kitchen tote, maybe a small grill , chairs, a tent and so much more! Please only store the mini propane bottles & or butane and no food other than can goods!
A storage locker is only $50.00, $25.00 of that is returned when you turn in your key! Stop by the office to rent your own storage locker. It will make heading up to the ranch a lot easier !
Stables Updates
What’s new happening at the stables? I am glad you asked!! Friday June 17th is the first Open Invitation Rodeo! Open Invitation means anyone can join! Khloe says if you can stop and turn your horse you can rodeo! Ages 7 and up welcome to sign up, but you have to hurry! The deadline is tomorrow June 15th. Call the ranch office at 707-252-0140 before 5 pm to sign up! And if you are not signed up for the rodeo be sure to head down to the arena and cheer them on!!
In other stables news, have you met Captain Yet ? Captain is a 13 yr old 17Hh Percheron Gelding. He is the sweetest biggest horse I have ever met! He loves carrots and attention! He will give you a great big smile if you can find his happy scratching spot on his neck! Captain use to be a cart horse, now he is training to be a trail horse! He should be ready to hit the trails in the next few weeks! Next time you are at the stables be sure to say hello to Captain and give him a little love! Better yet check out our Amazon wish list here and send him some treats!!
Summer Stables Ride Times are as follows
Trail rides – 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30 and 1pm
Arena rides – 10am and 12pm
Trail card rides – any time between 8am and 2:30pm no reservations needed.
The max # of people on rides is 8
The max # of people on arena rides is 4 People should arrive AT LEAST 15 minutes before their ride time. Rides LEAVE at the scheduled time.
Upcoming Stables Activities ! Mark your calendars, make your reservations the first Painted Sky Ride will be Saturday June 25th , 7:30 to 8:30! Follow a experienced guide on a evening horseback ride, while watching the sky change colors over the mountains! Beginner friendly ,ages 7+ $10.00 pp. Call the Ranch office to book a reservation. Please be sure to arrive at least 15 min before departure time!
That is all for now! See ya at the Ranch!
Cabin Camping ? How to stay cool this summer !
It is warming up, summer heat is here! Have you or do you want to book a cabin sometime this summer? Are you worried about the heat? Well the days will be hot, but the nights are usually very comfortable!
If you are staying in an A cabin You could bring a fan or two to keep air moving in your cabin. If you are in a electric cabin you can also bring fans but you will also need at least a 25ft extension cord to reach the electric pole outside. Any other Cabin will not have electricity. But no worries you still have some options! You can choose to bring a battery operated fan, while not ideal they will help to keep the air moving . Here are some good options for battery operated or USB rechargeable fans. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B3WPPYN?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_SHHVGC8HRMY0H3NHZ13S
Another important factor to staying cool is shade. You can get significant relief by getting to shade! If your cabin doesn’t have good shade try putting up a shade structure or screen tent!
For power options battery banks and portable power stations like these make really good options! You do have options and for the best comfort you just need to do a little planning and research to find what works best for you!
And if all else fails there is always the pool or the lake !
See ya at the Ranch!!!!
A Summer To Remember, 2022 Something For Everyone!
While the official 1st. day of summer is June 21st, here at R-Ranch at the Lake summer starts May 21st this year. The official opening of the pool with memorial day weekend following right behind. May 21st was a beautiful day here and by 10 am the pool was filling up . The sounds of squeals and screams of joy got louder as the day went on! It was wonderful to watch everyone meet up again after a long winter! As much as we like the peacefulness of the winter I get excited to see people here, making more memories!
This was just the icebreaker for Memorial Day weekend! We sure do look forward to seeing all our ranch friends soon! Save the date ……….
- Family Field Day June 4th
- Texas Hold’em Tournament June 11th
- Escape Room June 11th
- Wild West Weekend June 17 -19th
- Chopped Competition June 25th
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