When I first published the website I sent it to a friend and she said “Well, if I’m considering to move there, I’d like to know, what’s around and nearby!” and I thought “That’s a very valid thing to want to know about!” and with this page I’m hoping to share more with you about the nearby area surrounding Wild Life Ranch.
Standley Lake
The picture above is of Standley lake, which is about a 20 minute walk from the ranch or a 5-10 minute drive or bike ride away. It’s a beautiful lake with clear waters and a beach. Unfortunately it’s not available for swimming, however paddle-boarding and kayaking are allowed. The good news is that there are no more motorized vehicles allowed on the lake, which in my judgement makes it more quiet and serene. Part of the lake is also protected eagle habitat, which you can kayak into, however not walk. I love having that lake nearby!
Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge
To the northwest of the property is Rocky Flats, also only a few minutes drive, with gorgeous views, hiking trails and wildlife. My neighbor on the ranch is the woman that also made Rocky Flats happen – in part! It used to be a site where the US government produced nuclear weapons and after many calls from the community and going all the way to the Supreme Court, they won and achieved that the US government spent billions of dollars to clean up the site and turn it into the gorgeous wildlife habitat it is today. I feel proud and happy to live near that site and believe it is one of the best cleaned up sites of its kind in the world.
Shopping & Food
I feel also incredibly lucky and grateful for the location of the ranch in terms of food and shopping. Only a 2 minute drive away is a big shopping plaza with a giant supermarket (King Soopers Marketplace) and lots of different other shops for supplies of all kind. There are also several restaurants, including the very cute Freedom Street Social with lots of different small food stands inside and regular live music. Only a 10 minute drive away is Costco and Whole Foods in the town of Superior, north of the ranch.
I feel so lucky with the location of Wild Life Ranch in that I believe everything that is needed for comfort and survival is extremely conveniently located and yet, the property still feels very much in nature, surrounded by green pastures and trees (hopefully soon more of them than there are right now!) and great hiking and outdoor spots.
I couldn’t find a great picture of all the shops and restaurants, so here is one from Google Street view that does a mediocre job and yet I think you get the idea of what’s around!
Dogs, horses and sheep
Finally, my immediate neighbors are dog trainers, sheep herders and horse ranchers, which has already made my morning meditations from my porch so pleasant to see people riding horses, dogs running through agility courses and sheep grazing peacefully nearby.