01/01/2026
Two years ago this week, Katrina and I became the owners of the True North Adventure Lodge in Hahns Peak, a favorite destination of our family for years prior. What followed was work. Lots of it. It’s been a labor of love in the truest sense. Long days. Hard and humbling lessons. Patience and perseverance. Team work. True grit finding our true north.
We have forged new friendships, have logged 25,000 miles of round trips between here and our other home in Denver, and have weathered one challenge after another: Burst pipes that destroyed walls and flooded our crawlspace. An archaic septic system that failed and required 14 months of redesign. The loss of Stirling, our beloved Bernese Mountain Dog and constant companion while roaming the wilds of North Routt.
Then, a year ago, we opened the doors of the True North Tavern. More hard lessons followed. And all the labor pains that come with birthing a fledging venture. But also the joy of creating a place where locals gather for food and flowing drinks, music and laughter.
In those two years, the True North has welcomed more than a thousand guests, serving as a venue for dozens of family reunions, retreats, anniversaries, veterans’ getaways, bachelor and bachelorette weekends, and other special occasions.
Through it all, we’ve fallen in love with this rugged country and its hardy residents. We’re grateful for the neighbors who have showed us such support and kindness–as well as their favorite spots via snowmobile, ATV, and foot. We’ve already made a lifetime of memories playing and fishing in North Routt’s creeks and lakes, hunting its wilds, running and hiking its trails and hills.
To all of our newfound friends who have welcomed us into this village, been patient with us as we’ve figured it out, come into the Tavern as patrons and left as friends, cheered us on, and served in the Lodge and Tavern–you have our deepest gratitude. And you are the True North Family.
As we mark two years as stewards of this place, our vision is simple: to keep learning and laboring, to keep sharing the sacred little corner of Colorado, and to continue shaping True North into a place that reflects what first called us here.