Dear Friends,

     As I sit at my desk writing this newsletter, the view in front of me is the marvellous Canadian Rockies and I wonder if we will ever be able to leave such beauty behind. We've been very fortunate to enjoy many wonderful years here, meeting great people, experiencing nature's best. We want to let you know that we are still here, we have not found a buyer for the Black Cat Guest Ranch at this time.

     With the economy so uncertain, we don't foresee a speedy change to the Ranch's status, and we're happy to continue sharing this incredible location with our guests. Due to increasing costs, we had planned rate hikes for 2009, but we'd prefer to keep vacations affordable, thus 2008 rates will be in place for the coming year. Additionally, all repeat guests will receive a 5% discount on accommodation and meal prices, with a 10% discount for those of you who've been here five or more times.

Amber & Perry Hayward

Black Cat Guest Ranch spa weekends are among the most economical pampering events around – rather than being charged a package price containing services you might not be able to schedule, you pay only for the activities and amenities you book. Our ‘best deal' spa is January 23 – 25.

Enjoy a weekend free of care with delicious meals served to you, yoga classes, complementary facial masks and the chance to book massage, manicures, pedicures, facials and reflexology with first-rate practitioners. On warm weather spa weekends, you can partake of horseback riding or hiking, or try out rock-climbing during the June adventure spa.

Don't tell your husband, but our Valentine's special on the weekend of February 6 – 8, the Winter Magic Weekend, is actually a spa. In addition to a day of ice-fishing, simultaneous massages for couples can be booked. Plus we'll be offering complementary classes in couple's Thai massage.

2009 Winter & Spring Spa Weekend Schedule
- January 23-25 "Best Buy!"   $170 per person
- February 6 - 8 "Winter Magic"   $175 per person
- March 20 -22 "Mother & Daughter Spa"   $175 per person
- April 24 - 26   $175 per person
- May 29 - 31   $185 per person
- June 12 - 14 "Adventure Spa"   $185 per person
   All rates based on double occupancy
- Fall Dates will be posted on our Website -
   www.BlackCatGuestRanch.ca/spa.htm

PRESERVING THE BEAUTY
- SCRAPBOOKING AND WATERCOLOUR

Several times each year, Black Cat Guest Ranch offers weekends of scrapbooking instruction. Our guests appreciate the opportunity to devote many uninterrupted hours to their craft. Watch our website for dates and prices of upcoming workshops. Additionally, we're happy to set up craft tables for guests who wish to scrapbook, quilt, paint or do other crafts at any time.

It's rewarding for us to watch the painting students at work during any of our three annual Robert Sinclair watercolour weekends: they produce such incredible paintings. Robert is a unique instructor and his workshops are unforgettable experiences, enjoyed by faithful repeat guests and first timers alike.

Personalized workshops in photography or creative writing for groups or individuals can be arranged with Ranch owners, Hilary Shannon and Amber Hayward. Hilary also does wedding photography. ‘Stolen Children,' the third novel in Amber Hayward's trilogy is due out from Edge Press in October 2009. This book can be ordered through the Ranch. Amber also produces murder mystery events for groups of 24 or more.

2009 Winter & Spring Workshop Schedule
- Watercolour Workshops
- January 16 - 18   $197 per person
- June 5 -7   $220 per person
- Extra day available
- Writing Workshop
- January 16 - 18   $143 + $25/course
-Scrapbooking Workshop
- March 27 - 29   $195 per person

Amber guiding a book club on Binocular Ridge

We predict that many Albertans will be choosing their own province for vacations and special gatherings this year. For large events, such as family reunions and weddings, the Black Cat is an affordable location in the midst of spectacular surroundings. Our 16 rooms can accommodate up to 40 people, with RV's welcome to camp in our yard to our maximum capacity of 80 guests. We're pleased to work with you in planning your menu and activities, then you can just sit back and enjoy your event while we do all the work.

CARRIED AWAY BY BEAUTY

We've been in the Solomon Valley for 33 years and we still haven't exhausted the possibilities for beautiful hikes. Some of the best include the 11 km. round trip to the summit of Mt. Solomon. There's a fabulous view from the top of this 5200 ft. peak, reached by a marked trail (maps provided).

The dramatic Ogre Canyon, reached by a 8 km 4x4 trip or mountain bike is one of Alberta's hidden gems, as is the 7 – 8 hour Binocular Ridge hike, near Rock Lake. Watch our website for listings of guided hikes to be offered this summer. We maintain numerous hiking trails of varying lengths, all of which start right here.

Let our horses carry you for a different perspective on the Ranch's lovely surroundings. If you travel with your own horse, we offer boarding here.

A BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY

It's been a couple of years since we had a Black Cat Guest Ranch contest. This year we're developing a trivia contest for your enjoyment. Questions will start appearing on our website by the end of January, with the prize being a weekend for two at the Ranch. The winner will be picked at the end of the year from among those who answer the questions successfully.

Photo by Alex Steeves

BLACK CAT RECIPE
FAST & EASY SOUP FOR 250

Every September, the MS Society holds a fund raising Mountain Bike Tour in the Hinton area. As part of this two day event, we provide our facility for the Saturday lunch and contribute a soup to the meal. Up to 250 people pass through the Ranch over a three hour period, eager to inhale their lunch and get back on the trail. This year's date is September 12 - 13.

Due to the variety of dietary requirements in the group, the soup needs to be gluten-free and vegan .

2 days ahead – soak 30 cups dry navy & pinto beans

1 day ahead – rinse and then boil beans until soft, then drain and refrigerate.
   - boil 10 cups of rice
   - chop 16 cups onion,
          8 cups celery,
          4 cups green pepper,
          4 cups red pepper,
          16 cups cabbage,
          4 cups zucchini,
          8 cups carrot,
          4 cups cauliflower,
          4 cups broccoli,
          2 cups parsley.

Soup Day – make 2 large stock pots of soup at a time, using vegetable soup base (we use Knorr) and adding 1/8 of each ingredient to each pot, plus frozen peas and corn. 6 - 8 stock pots of 35 - 40 cup capacity will be needed.

LEARNING IS BEAUTIFUL

The Black Cat has been hosting Elderhostel groups since 1990 and it's hard to say who learns the most – our staff and instructors as they meet such knowledgeable people from across North America or the seniors who attend and enjoy the variety of classes and field trips.

In fall 2008 we co-hosted a ten-day program with Company of Adventurers from Banff and this was such a success we're offering it three times in 2009. The spring session is May 5 - 15, and there will be two programs in September. The highlight of this affordable program is the Maligne Canyon tour with geologist & naturalist Ben Gadd.

To book an Elderhostel, see www.Elderhostel.com

Black Cat Guest Ranch
Box 6267
Hinton, AB      T7V 1X6
Phone:  780-865-3084
Fax:  780-865-1924
Reservations:  800-859-6840

Website:  www.BlackCatGuestRanch.ca