My Sanctuary the Aspen Room at Zapata Ranch

I cranked opened the time worn windows and turned the Lasko floor fan on at maximum speed. Relief from the heat never arrived until around 11pm when the windows let in a cool breeze. The fan sounded like a small jet plane hovering over me, drowning out the more desirable sounds of the crickets and other ranch critters. The high temperature in Mosca, Colorado was around 88 during the day, but it felt like over 100 degrees in the direct sun. The direct sun is where I was about five hours a day, every day, riding across the bison ranges and horse pastures. Temperatures on the range dropped into the 50s at night which made for real good sleepin’ between the hours of midnight and 7am. I headed back to my room around 7:30pm after communal dinners each evening, at which time I leaned up against the wooden headboard and a stack of fluffy pillows on my cozy white sheeted king sized bed. I read and journaled until I drifted to sleep somewhere between 11pm and midnight.

The room contained a carved wood armoire with a hair dryer and coat hangers, a small wooden desk and bench, a wooden coffee table, and a wooden chair. Oh yes, and also a wooden bench at the foot of the bed and at both sides. Everything was made of wood -even the old walls which were 12-inch exposed planks. Definitely seemed like a fire hazard, but I’d take my chances. It was perfect - even without the AC. My favorite part of the room was a window near the pitched ceiling where you could position yourself to see the stars.

I’d only brought one book to read during my downtime because I was there for riding and a writing workshop. My book of choice was The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, one of the most successful producers in the history of modern music. Rick had been asked to write a book about all of the hit albums he'd produced over decades. Rick, know for his eccentric personality and meditation practice, told the publishing houses that he’d write this book meaning one that was not about music per se. I’ll write more about his book in a future post, but for now, I’ll share that his book made for a deeper experience for me given the intersection of my career, dreams of music, and journal writing. I slept soundly at night after reading his words. More assured, more comfortable, more accepting of myself as an artist. As they say, one cannot be both artist and critic at the same time. I had been both, and it hadn’t been good for my psyche or my art.

As for Zapata Ranch. This room became my private sanctuary. It had all that I needed to be comfortable but nothing more. It’s amazing how happy one can be with less. More isn’t always best.

My room was at second floor window.