Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch

10/24/2026

An Afternoon with Two Remarkable Writers — Pam Houston & Amy Irvine

Join us at Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch for a special afternoon with acclaimed authors Pam Houston and Amy Irvine, whose writing explores the profound connections between people, animals, and the wild landscapes of the American West.

Through their books Animals Taught Me Everything and Almost Animal, these two gifted storytellers invite us to reflect on the wisdom of animals, the beauty of the natural world, and the ways wilderness shapes our lives.

This intimate gathering is a wonderful opportunity to meet the authors, discover their latest works, and share in their love of storytelling.

Saturday, November 8 | 3–5 PM
Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch
7950 Road G, Cortez, Colorado

We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring afternoon! ❤️

ColoradoAuthors AmericanWest

10/16/2026

Our lovable Boris Gump is always happy to spend time with the girls, while sweet Dolores simply can’t get enough belly rubs from our guests! ❤️🐾

But the sweetest moment was watching one of our guests, who was initially very afraid of dogs, slowly find her courage with Boris and Dolores. With their gentle, loving nature, she grew more comfortable and confident, until she was even brave enough to reach out and pet Dolores!

Sometimes, the most beautiful connections happen without words. Just a little patience, trust, and lots of love. ❤️

10/10/2026

Today we spent half a day driving along the Dolores River toward Telluride, soaking in the magic of Colorado’s fall colors. Love the contrast of the golden aspens shimmering against the dark evergreens and rugged mountain peaks! What a wonderful way to spend an autumn afternoon! 🤩.

10/01/2026

When the sky becomes part of the landscape.

September brought us some extraordinary skies—clouds rising like mountains above the mesas, curtains of rain crossing the desert, sudden rainbows, and evening light turning entire storms to gold.

Out here, the sky never feels separate from the land. Light and shadow travel across the canyon walls, storms reshape the horizon, and for a few fleeting moments the familiar landscape becomes something entirely new.
We simply stopped, looked up, and appreciated the beauty above us.

09/22/2026

STRATA — An Evening to Remember
What an extraordinary way to welcome the Fall Equinox.
 
Last Saturday, under a beautiful September sky at Sky Village, Craig Childs and Beth Quist brought STRATA to life—an evening where story, music, voice, landscape, and architecture seemed to become part of one another.
 
Craig’s fascinating storytelling carried us through layers of time, stone, landscape, and human experience, while Beth’s remarkable voice and music moved in and around his words—sometimes answering them, sometimes carrying them somewhere entirely unexpected. It didn’t feel like storytelling with musical accompaniment. It felt like one continuous conversation between two artists.

And somehow, the evening gave us everything we could have hoped for: beautiful weather, a wonderful gathering of people, and that quiet magic that happens when a performance truly belongs to the place where it is being held.
 
As darkness settled over McElmo Canyon and Sky Village glowed beneath the night sky, we were reminded again why we love creating these gatherings—not simply to watch a performance, but to share an experience of story, music, place, and one another.
 
Our heartfelt thanks to Craig Childs and Beth Quist for giving us such an unforgettable Fall Equinox, and to everyone who joined us beneath the stars.
STRATA. One beautiful evening. Many layers. One shared experience.
 
Thanks to our sponsors: Shoreline Digital Marketing, Holly Lake Film, Osprey and all the behind-the-scenes unsung heroes who helped every aspect of the event: Daiva for the event poster, Kael for lighting/video/photography, Jeff for sound, Cody, Bill for check-in & shuttle, and Aaron, Rhonda, Mike, Jamison, Keifer for set-up, and Vic for online/email marketing.
 
Our next year’s 2027 Fall Equinox will be on September 18, 2027!!! See you then.

09/08/2026

Just another beautiful evening at ranch! Last night the last golden light touched the mountain and the ancient granary tucked into the canyon wall…. A quiet reminder of those who called this landscape home long before us. The light, the mountain, the history, the stillness…each evening brings something a little different and it was especially beautiful last night! ❤️

09/06/2026

The Spirit of Symphony Chaco 🎶

Some photographs capture a scene. This one, by our dear Aaron O’Brien, beautifully captured a feeling.

What made Symphony Chaco so special was not simply the performance. It was the connection between the music, the people, the architecture, the landscape—and even the weather.

When the rain came, we found ourselves sitting shoulder to shoulder inside the circular Sky Kiva, some of us still damp from the rain, while R. Carlos Nakai played his flute just a few feet away. None of it was planned, yet it became one of the most intimate and memorable moments of the evening.

And then the rain passed. We gathered outside again as daylight faded into darkness and the music returned to the canyon. Beautiful notes seemed to dance along the canyon walls and drift into the night sky, touching all of us who were there.

More than a chamber concert, Symphony Chaco became a gathering of music, landscape, sky and community—a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful experiences are the ones we could never have planned.

One evening. One place. One shared experience.

08/31/2026

Still Thinking About Saturday Night…

To everyone who joined us for Symphony Chaco at Sky Village, thank you. What a night we shared.

Just before the concert, rain swept across McElmo Canyon. After the long drought, it truly felt like a blessing from the sky. Some gathered in Star Tower, others in Sky Kiva, and some happily stayed beneath the rain.

Then came a moment no one could have planned: R. Carlos Nakai played for those in the Kiva and shared the meaning of female and male rain, while the storm continued outside. Eventually the clouds moved on, everyone came back together beneath the open sky, and the concert began.

There was beautiful music, wonderful food and w**e, laughter, friendship, and a landscape washed fresh by the rain. And somehow, the perfect ending was all of us turning toward the moon and howling together.

We are grateful to each of you for your patience, enthusiasm, and the wonderful spirit you brought. You turned an unexpected rainstorm into part of the experience. Some evenings are carefully planned. The unforgettable ones seem to have a little help from the universe. Thank you for making this one unforgettable. 🌧️🎶🌙

Our deepest gratitude goes to the Symphony Chaco Chamber Group, led by Gary Gackstatter, R. Carlos Nakai, and Christina Martos, who traveled so far to bring their extraordinary music to McElmo Canyon. What you gave us went far beyond a performance.

Thank you to our production team making the magic possible: Doug at Eagle Sound Studio (sound); Victor Handerson & Aaron O’Brien lighting/tech); Bill Caver (shuttle); Cody, Kristina & Jameson (guest care); Audrey Marnoy & Cherylene Caver (setting); and Nate & Keifer (platform/tent).

Last, we are deeply grateful for the generosity of our sponsors: Dolores State Bank, The Farm Bistro, KSUT, Shoreline Digital Marketing, and Holly Lake Films. Your support made this evening possible.

08/29/2026

Sound check/rehearsal for tonight- Symphony Chaco - Chamber Music. It will be a magic night!!!

08/20/2026

https://www.ksut.org/ksut-conversation/2026-08-20/ksut-conversation-symphony-chaco-returns-for-mcelmo-canyon-performance

Come join us next Sat. 8/29 7:00pm!
Ticket sale: https://symphonychaco.eventbrite.com

'Symphony Chaco' will be performed by the Symphony Chaco Chamber Group on Saturday, August 29, at Sky Village at Canyon the Ancients Guest Ranch in McElmo Canyon.