There are many people that enjoy a beverage as they soak. Sometimes, those beverages contain alcohol. There are also people that object to alcoholic beverages at the pool. We've all seen someone get a little laissez faire about their behavior when consuming alcohol. We've also all seen people consuming alcohol become belligerent and argumentative. No one enjoys these behaviors, not even the person who is sloppy or defensive. It is difficult to ask someone who is in their cups to lower their voice, act less rambunctious, or be considerate. Usually, due to the nature of intoxication, such requests only escalate an already uncomfortable situation.

We've been asked to ban alcohol in the pools. As the years go by the tolerance for inebriated behaviors has diminished. While we can certainly understand the suggestion (we don't like it either) to make a rule runs counter to the larger goals. We have not embraced long lists of rules. We have a few guidelines that make the place enjoyable for everybody. Things like: keep the noise level down after 10:00 PM, keep dogs leashed, smoke only at the Smoke Hut or in your vehicle, avoid cell phone conversations when you are in company, respect other people's boundaries are all common sense and contribute to an atmosphere that feels good. Most people are respectful and responsible and we haven't had to become policemen. Thank You! Your thoughtfulness and care for one another are recognized and appreciated.

As is true for many things, be aware. Be alert to the people with whom you are sharing this space. If your actions are offensive, no one has a good time. There are better places for boisterous partying fueled by excessive alcohol consumption.

Mark your calendars! Member Appreciation Weekend will be June 22 and 23. Every year we invite all members, and only members, to a summer celebration. We have a band on Friday night with dancing and music under the Pavilion and the waxing moon. Saturday, there is a potluck dinner in the afternoon. Saturday night, another band. Sunday morning, OLT provides breakfast. This year, the weekend is earlier than recently because of full moon timing and other events.

Attention OLT wildlife corridor and landscape lovers;
Please find a moment to write a letter to the Rio Grande National Forest planning team regarding their twenty-year Forest Plan revision.

The deadline for public input ends Friday, December 29th. This is your opportunity for public input regarding how the Rio Grande Forest surrounding Orient Land Trust will be managed over the next twenty critical years.

The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC), your public lands advocacy organization located in Alamosa, makes the following recommendations for comments: (please express your own personal experience and use the following suggestions, when appropriate)

For those that would like to boost their donation amount with what is added through the proportional match that is available through Colorado Gives, see their website for more details.

Colorado Gives

Just as we have done for many years, we are closing the hot springs to guests for the 4 weeks of December 1 through December 28. We will be open again on December 29. This December we plan on implementing the new database and reservation system. Therefore, we will not be answering the phones for one week, December 4 through 11. Please don't call during this week and wait until after that time frame to call for reservations.

Everyone here has an obligation to communicate their expectations and extend the inclusive sense of community. If someone in the pool with you asks you to speak more softly, that is the person directly impacted by your behavior. OLT has deliberately avoided a long list of specific rules and regulations; we don't want to be that kind of place and we don't enjoy the role of enforcer. Simply stated, the main rule is the good old Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." There are instances that have been brought to our attention in which someone has tried to make polite requests of others and been told that it is none of their business. We are all together in this and what happens around me is my business. The best solutions are those that involve people communicating respectfully and working out the conflicts quickly and at the moment. Most of the confrontations involve noise level, smoke, pets, and alcohol. A few are more serious trespasses into another person's physical space through unwanted advances and boundary crossing. OLT staff responds quickly when people come to us to communicate their discomfort. Please tell us in the moment rather than waiting for a few days to go by to let us know there was a problem. In a social utopia, the behaviors and mis-steps would be self-regulated; folks simply let their affronts be known and the ones doing that affronting work it out with those whose experience is disrupted. Are we reasonable people and half-way decent human beings? Is this too much to ask?

"The Pumpkin is a uniquely American plant, widely regarded as one of the most magical plants in all the world." -Seth Adams, Rip Van Winkle and the Pumpkin Lantern.

Plenty of pumpkins from the garden are still available for purchase. Only $2 each!!

Also, fresh from the ranch kitchen and sold in the welcome center throughout the cold months- A variety of yummy pumpkin foods including baked goods and hummus!

Recently, the following review appeared on the OLT Facebook page.

I had been coming here for over 10 years. My wife has accompanied me ever since we met, 5 years ago. It is a beautiful place, the bats are amazing, and the staff is friendly and helpful. It was such a special place that I chose to propose to her here two years ago. Important word in that sentence is 'was.' It is no longer a place we can go to relax. The people who now pack in here no longer respect some level of peace and quiet, or personal space. We often feel pushed out of already crowded pools by people who think they can squeeze in just one more, or that join a very serene soak only to spark up a loud conversation. If you expect every moment to be full of socialization, then this is your place. If you want peace and serenity, unfortunately it's not.

This is discouraging. We have long promoted the ideas of Respect, Recognition, and Responsibility. Respect other people and their experience, respect the pools, respect the water, respect the ecosystem. Recognize that not everyone wants the same thing, Recognize the differences. Recognize that some come for quiet, reflection, peace while others come to socialize and make friends. Obviously, the two are not always compatible and it takes some willingness to be sensitive and thoughtful. Be responsible in how you behave and how response-able you are in a variety of situations. Do the dishes - even if they're not your own, pick up the trash - even if you didn't put it there, share the best spots, be aware. Smoking of any substance is allowed only at the Smoke Hut or in your vehicle. Don't force people that don't like smoke to remind you that the pools are smoke free. If you have a beverage, be responsible and careful. Thanks for being considerate and helping create a space in which we all can flourish.

This years Harvest Dinner was a wonderful event with great food & music. The Flying W Wranglers performed their traditional cowboy music to an appreciative crowd. RustingRam Catering served an incredible farm to table dinner showing off the bounty of the ranch garden, greenhouse and fields. Thank you to all our Everson Ranch Staff and Volunteers who worked throughout the year taking care of the animals, tilling the soil, planting the seeds, weeding and harvesting the garden, and giving tours to our visitors. If you haven't experienced the ranch yet, be sure to check it out on your next visit!

Orient Land Trust is a unique place of peace, community and soothing waters that nourish the environment and inspire us to preserve it. Our goal is to create awareness of environmental issues, resource sustainability, land and habitat conservation. We provide our youth with the opportunity to experience this unique environment, to expand their knowledge of the natural world through our educational programs and to instill a sense of stewardship and personal responsibility. This September we hosted directors and youth from Conejos Clean Water's (CCW) Adventure Program. They participated in several of our educational programs including a Bat Tour, Hydro-electric Tour, Astronomy Tour and Everson Ranch Tour. The group camped over at the ranch, helped in the garden and hiked to the reservoir. Thank you to our volunteer tour guides and to CCW for a wonderful experience. OLT is very happy to sponsor your Adventure Program!