Today’s blog entry is written by Turi Hetherington. Twelve years ago Turi started out at -RR as a server in the restaurant, since then she has taken on the role of event coordinator, assistant lodge manager and marketing director. Although she receded from management four years ago to have more time to spend with her son, her commitment and dedication to -RR has not abated. It is with great sadness that she writes today’s blog entry.
On Tuesday, April 22 a devastating fire nearly consumed the main lodge of the Rainbow Ranch. Fortunately no one was injured, even little Poindexter our resident black Manx is okay. The fire blazed for nearly 12-hours destroying the restaurant, lounge, wine cellar, laundry room and offices.
Remarkably, the 21 rooms, three cabins, hot tub and wedding venue were not affected by the fire. Investigators are still combing through the ashes, trying to determine the cause of the fire.
With the loss of the building we also lost a bit of Big Sky’s heritage. For generations the Rainbow Ranch Lodge has offered travelers good food and friendly hospitality. Over the last thirteen years Patrick has poured his heart and soul into putting the -RR restaurant on the map as a world-class establishment.
However, with springtime comes new life and for us that means rebuilding a world-class lodge and restaurant. When you come to visit this summer some things will be different, but much will be the same. The Gallatin River and surrounding mountains are beautiful as ever, the rainbow trout are waiting for you to cast a line in the pond, and the infinity-edge hot tub is warm and inviting.
As it is too early to determine our exact plan of action, in the interim the hotel will remain open. We hope to operate the restaurant out of the riverside gazebo.
In place of the front desk, check-in will occur across the river at the Bald Eagle Cabin, which now serves as our offices. The cabin is across the river from -RR, the first log cabin on the right.
We will keep you all posted with plans and progress.
Thank you for your support.
I wanted to extend our support to everyone at the Rainbow Ranch during this time of great loss.
My wife Sunya and I were married there in August of 2002 and as you might expect, the RR is near and dear to our hearts.
Although we had planned on getting married there for nearly a year, we did not decide to move to MT until the spring of ‘02. So this was a time of change in many ways – new jobs, new home state and beginning our walk through life together. Patrick Hurd and his crew were nothing short of amazing and our guests – who came from across the country and as far as the Bahama’s – still talk about our wedding as one of the best and most beautiful they have ever experienced.
We’ll be sure and come down for dinner this summer as we want to support the RR as you begin the rebuilding process. We want to see this wonderful venue resorted to its original beauty so others can enjoy what we did.
Sincerely,
Bob & Sunya Jones
Bozeman, Montana
So sorry to hear this news. We were married at RRL on Aug 9, 2003, and it will always be a special place for us.
We’ll have to return to see how the rebuilding goes.
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