Calm, Connection, and Cows: A Trip to Cold Water Ranch
This past spring, a group of participants experienced a weekend of hiking, sightseeing, creativity, and connection at the Cold Water Ranch Lodge just outside of Merritt, BC, on the traditional territories of the C’eletkwmx people of the Nlaka’pamux Nation.
The warm days were filled with meandering walks, arts and crafts sessions, home-cooked meals, and good company. Participants found a safe space to unwind and plenty of opportunities to connect with each other and nature; it was no wonder, then, that by the end of the trip, many were not ready to go home!
Established in 2013, Cold Water Ranch Lodge is a beautiful, fully accessible lodge operated by Abilitas Foundation, providing people with disabilities a space to vacation and spend time with loved ones. The ranch is a perfect place to rest and recharge, strengthen social bonds, and create lasting memories in nature.
On a previous Power To Be trip, four of the five participants visited the lodge for a two-night stay, where they enjoyed cozy activities like baking, board games, watercolours, and meeting Sam, the Ranch’s sweet old horse. They had such a positive experience on their first trip, that they wished to extend their next visit by an extra night, and we were thrilled to be able to make that happen this Spring.
The group hiked over green rolling hills under clear blue skies, on the trails surrounding the Ranch. With unseasonably warm daytime temperatures, there were plenty of breaks to beat the heat and take in the breathtaking scenery. During the previous visit to Cold Water, the trails had been slick with November rains, so the dry conditions were a welcome change!
One of the days was spent hiking up to Hunter’s Cabin; a lone hut overlooking a beautiful mountain lake which the group enjoyed exploring and taking in the views. Another day, they visited the Lodge’s stables, where they watched the donkeys and horses, and the herd of cows getting released from their small winter pasture into a larger field for Spring – there was even a calf born the day the group got there!
The group then settled into a participant-led art activity. With photo paper and colourful markers, they each found a spot to sit and draw, inspired by their surroundings. Drawing on the photo paper was a unique experience for many, as it captured the vibrancy of the colours in an interesting way.
Art was a popular activity over the weekend, with afternoons spent absorbed in watercolour painting and sketching. After time spent exploring the outdoors, these moments of creativity and calm offered everyone time for independence, reflection, and self-expression.
At one point, the calm was broken by the arrival of a hummingbird, who flew into the Lodge and could not escape. The bird flew up into the rafters and required a collective effort from the group, to find its way outside. It was an unexpected moment of teamwork and excitement.
Two of the nights were spent under the stars, sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. The moon and stars shone brightly, with no city lights nearby. For many of the participants, it was a rare opportunity to witness the magic of the night sky outside of an urban setting. These moments were made even more memorable with a melty s’more in hand!
On the way back home, the group made a stop at Bridal Falls Provincial Park, where they hiked to see the stunning falls and enjoyed a picnic by the river. As the trip neared its end, participants agreed: from the trails, stables, and stars, to the time with art and each other, they had made every day count.
The trip to Cold Water Ranch was a chance for participants with differing needs and abilities to relax, and connect with each other, nature, and themselves. And for this group, the next trip can’t come soon enough – as plans for the next visit to the Ranch started to take shape on the van ride home.