I recently had the opportunity to visit Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserves property nestled in the mountains and prairies of New Mexico. To say I was excited is putting it mildly--the property is as storied as Ted himself. I went into the trip with high expectations for an incredible experience and I was not disappointed!
The fun began when I met up with fellow travelers, Aiden White, Mike White, Matt Massa, his friend Conor and William. We stopped by Silvercar by Audi to scoop up a few Q7s and hit the road. The drive to Vermejo from the Denver airport is a thing of beauty in and of itself. Once you leave the city behind, you’re treated with stunning mountain scenes as you wind through the forest on the way to the ranch.
We stopped for snacks and photo ops along the way, then arrived at the historic property—the windows of Casa Grande gleaming in the sunshine. The recently-renovated properties retain their old world charm with modern luxuries and thoughtful details seamlessly worked into the design. And the entire place is run by one of the most kind, charismatic, talented, fun and funny teams I have ever met.
As we settled into dinnertime banter over freshly crafted cocktails the first night, it felt like going home.
Over the course of the next couple of days, we had the opportunity to tour the 550,000+ acre property on our own version of an American safari. From rolling prairies to snow-covered alpine meadows, we searched for antler sheds, fished, watched the bison and antelope roam, visited old grave sites and ghost towns, rode horses and bikes, hiked, explored, and felt our adrenaline race with the occasional bobcat sighting. My cheeks hurt from constantly grinning and I was awash with a sense of joy the entire time we were there. I left little bits of my heart in Vermejo, and I can’t wait to return.
If you’re thinking of heading there, here are a few tips:
Vermejo is at altitude so consider packing some ibuprofen with you and drink plenty of water during your stay. Also remember to pack sunscreen and layers as the temperature can fluctuate throughout the day.
The wildlife is abundant and beautiful. Bring a camera and a long lens if you’re keen on taking photos. Need help figuring that out? Here’s a handy guide.
Don’t underestimate how much fun it is to ride around the property, looking for sheds! If you can, build some extra free time into your schedule so you can take it all in! Not sure how much time is right for you? Contact the incredible team at Vermejo and they will help you build a custom itinerary!
Whatever you do, say “YES!” to anything Chef Cory puts in front of you. I promise, it’s delicious!
For more information on the property or booking your own escape from reality, visit https://tedturnerreserves.com/vermejo/
Ted Turner Reserves hosted me at their location but did not sponsor this post. All views contained herein are my independent, honest opinions.
