It don’t get no better than this.

Anyone who has ever enjoyed dinner with the Vickers and friends atop Gold Hill will get the reference…

Truth be told, it really doesn’t get any better than enjoying great times and good eats with good friends in a beautiful place. And that’s exactly what you’ll get on Wednesday and Friday nights as a guest at Vickers Ranch.

One of my favorite dinner places sits at approximately 10,300′ about 25 minutes up a steep winding dirt road overlooking Lake San Cristobal, just a couple miles south of Lake City, Colorado. Locals call it Gold Hill, long-time guests at Vickers Ranch know it as the Wednesday Night Steak Fry, or simply The Cookout.

The food can be hit or miss, depending on what you bring to grill and considering the pot luck may include multiple variations of bean dishes or mac and cheese. Your options for greens may be limited to green beans, but one thing is for certain—there will always be plenty of food, and Paulette’s cheesy grits are certain to go fast!

But you don’t go for the food…

It’s all about the people.

And the views.

And the experience.

For us workampers, it’s a time to relax after a hard day of ranch work and enjoy good food and drink with friends. It’s also a time to rejoice in the splendor that is Gold Hill. I can’t put it any better than it was said during grace one Wednesday this summer…

I’ve been to New York and I’ve seen what man made.

I’ve been to Las Vegas and I’ve seen what the Devil Made.

And I’ve been here, and seen what God made.

Or, as Perk Vickers would say…

You can’t get any closer to heaven than this.

Amen to that.

Don’t miss Part 2, with photos from the Friday Night Burger Feed Guest Appreciation Dinner!