Welcome to our Blog!

Six years ago we put a listing on the internet and hoped somebody would come. Somebody did. And then 2,358 more people came! We finally sat down and counted today. Across the guest house and the chicken coop, 714 separate stays. 2,359 people. That's just Airbnb... we didn't count the campers and van folks who found us on Hipcamp, or anybody who came through VRBO. 714 times, somebody turned off Burbank Road and came up our driveway. Here's the thing about hosting that nobody t

What a week it will be at Blue Tin Ranch! It all starts off this weekend as we welcome a couple from Michigan celebrating their 10 year wedding anniversary. She booked the chicken coop as a surprise for her husband as they make their way west on vacation. A very sweet couple and I am sure they will enjoy their trip. In the middle of the week we celebrate Kelley! Last year on her birthday we had to celebrate without her as she was stuck in a house on the CBS lot in Califor

The definition of hospitality is the warm, friendly and generous care given to guests, visitors or strangers. Making people feel safe, comfortable and valued. I confess, I am on TikTok, WAY more than I should be. I fall down that rabbit hole pretty quickly it seems. Lately, I have been seeing many creators commenting on a particular couple who make videos about their guest house. The couple take us into their guest house after a guest checkout and have expectations that

It seems like just yesterday that it was June 30th and I was scared to turn the calendar to July. Why scared?? Because I knew that absolutely every single day had a reservation, an activity, an event. Scheduled days at work and no time for anything else. And then Kelley asked me if I wanted to go with her to New York City for a Big Brother get together. I cannot tell you how fast I said YES... and then remembered the calendar. A quick ask of my coworkers at Tourism to s

More small but bright additions to Blue Tin Ranch! Something that has bothered me for years has been taken care of in a brilliant way. ...

Over the years we have had some of the nicest folks spend a night or 2 at Blue Tin Ranch. Guests come to us mostly from far away. We...

How many times, as you drive down the road, do you notice the mailboxes? They are all the same old boring black box with the pull down...

My Dad's old John Morrell phone When I see this old telephone I am reminded of simpler times. We had more patience. More tolerance. And...

This week was one of my favorite weeks of the year. The annual South Dakota Governors Conference on Tourism took place in Pierre. I...

It's that glorious time of year when the Mulberry trees produce that lovely purple berry. That time of year when you curse the birds for...

This last week has been one of catastrophe for hundreds of our fellow Union County citizens. A tremendous amount of rain up north had no...

When we moved the 1909 barn in almost 2 decades ago, I never imagined I would be hosting a bridal shower for my youngest daughter. After...

Is there something you do in your every day life that would be best done by someone other than you? For me, its washing windows or...

Who wakes up first on the farm? Is it the farm wife who is out early to collect eggs to use in the morning breakfast? Is it the farm...

Blue Tin Ranch is the definition of Agri-Tourism. So what is it? That's what we wondered too! It has taken a few months (years...

We here at Blue Tin Ranch want to wish you a very Happy Mother's Day! We hope you were able to spend some time with those you love and...

Did you go out to see the beautiful Northern Lights? I hope you did! Even with the naked eye the pink hue was visible and even...

Why a Farm Wedding? The question is, why not a Farm Wedding!!! The wide open spaces. The crops growing right along the border. The...

As college and university students graduate today, I think back to my own graduation and the fear of having to figure out life on my own....

As I stood by the kitchen window the other day I noticed a flash of orange out of the corner of my eye. I was mostly concerned with the...