Below is a shot of one side of the lodge. You can see that the walls are largely composed of glass, designed so that the guests inside have a commanding view of the lake which is just behind where I was standing.
This is a shot inside the main building where the lobby and dining room are located. A unique feature of the lodge is that they employ accomplished chefs who provide delicious meals for all guests on the property. Dinner and breakfast were included in our package, and both meals were outstanding. Lots of fresh ingredients were used in the preparation, including produce and herbs grown onsite, as well as a speciality for homemade meats and game dishes. Given the location, which is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere, you would be hard-pressed to find any restaurants within 10 miles of the lodge. You can see some of the bar seating and eating tables below the painted mural on the wall, which depicts the topography of the ranch. I loved the overstuffed leather chairs and the appropriately rustic decor.
Below is a view towards the lake from the main lodge building. The people walking in the photo are Scott, Amelia and John.
Amelia and John (but particularly Amelia) enjoyed visiting Buddy, the dog the employees recently adopted on the property. The resort owns hunting dogs (they offer hunting packages for interested guests) and other ranch animals, though Buddy is kept as simply a fun pet. Buddy was certainly very friendly and the kids were drawn to him. 
This is a view of the lake from the porch outside our room. We had a lounge chair, hammock, and two rocking chairs for relaxing. It was about 100 degrees during the day on Saturday and Sunday when we were there, but believe it or not there was a decent breeze blowing through in the late afternoon that made sitting on the porch to enjoy the view quite pleasant.
John sat outside with me while we worked on his new trucks/cars/construction tools sticker book. He was actually playing a game with me below, refusing to take a picture by hiding his face behind the sticker book. John lifted the book off a few times (an older child version of peek-a-boo, I suppose) to get my attention and I snagged this cute shot in between. I love my quick-snapping camera!
Scott and I enjoyed a few beers on the patio before dinner. Look - the weekend must have been successful - Scott is actually smiling willingly in a photo! Doesn't he look happy?
Though the views and property are actually quite beautiful, the real draws to Rough Creek are the wonderful service, gourmet meals, and multitude of activities offered to guests. We focused primarily on the family pool, which offered a lazy river, water slide, and huge swimming areas. We spent three hours at the pool Saturday afternoon (did I mention it was 100 degrees both days?) and a few hours after breakfast on Sunday.
Below is a shot of the children in their tubes, waiting for me to go on the lazy river with them. We alternated between playing "bumper cars" along the river, where I would walk beside them while they were on their tubes, smashing them into each other and the sides as they progressed along the path, and letting the river's gentle current pull us along. Both versions were fun, and we probably went through the lazy river portion dozens of times over the course of the weekend.
My shots don't depict it, but the pool did get more crowded (though not overly crowded) during various times of the day. Below is a shot of John relaxing on the entrance steps to the pool. John was especially amusing at the pool, approaching random kids and asking them questions and encouraging them to play with him. John is a funny kid in that he will talk to any child, and even the adults, in public places such as pools and parks. I think he gets this personality trait from Scott, as I am naturally more reserved around people I don't know.
Amelia and John played well together in the pool, but Amelia often ventured off to enjoy the water slide. I even went on the slide many times (it was fun, and Scott enjoyed it too). Though to our dismay Amelia insisted on having the noodle with her (she needs the safety net, we think), we were glad that she was not scared and that she really enjoyed the ride.
Other activities on the property include a zipline, bungee trampolines, and bounce houses for the kids. The lodge also offers fishing, paddle boat rentals, horseback riding, and golf driving range, and tractor rides, but we chose to monopolize pool time and the "thrill rides" pictures below. First was the zipline. Amela and I went together (my first zipline! Amelia had done one during a Y Princess camping trip last year), and I have to say this was thrilling. Stepping off the platform was hard for me (I am a wimp. Amelia was less rattled than I was, I am so proud of her!) but once we were off the ride was awesome.
Scott captured this awesome shot of me (on the left) and Amelia (on the right). I would guess we were about a quarter of the way along the route at this point. I am probably screaming in this shot. Amelia kept her cool and remained quiet. 
After the zipline Amelia and John enjoyed the trampolines. This took place after the three hours of swimming, in the hundred degree heat, late Saturday afternoon.
I can understand why John felt a bit tired at this point.
Last but not least, I insisted on a family photo before we piled into the car Sunday afternoon for the drive home. This photo was taken in the main lodge inside the lobby area.
John was asleep by the time we got drove off the property, and Amelia followed suit about 30 minutes later. No wonder, as these children were busy from the moment we arrived until the time we left, with about nine hours of sleep during the night to recharge. 
I greatly enjoyed our short weekend away and I have a feeling the others did too. Happy Father's Day, Scott! We love you!
Scott and I enjoyed a few beers on the patio before dinner. Look - the weekend must have been successful - Scott is actually smiling willingly in a photo! Doesn't he look happy?
Though the views and property are actually quite beautiful, the real draws to Rough Creek are the wonderful service, gourmet meals, and multitude of activities offered to guests. We focused primarily on the family pool, which offered a lazy river, water slide, and huge swimming areas. We spent three hours at the pool Saturday afternoon (did I mention it was 100 degrees both days?) and a few hours after breakfast on Sunday.Below is a shot of the children in their tubes, waiting for me to go on the lazy river with them. We alternated between playing "bumper cars" along the river, where I would walk beside them while they were on their tubes, smashing them into each other and the sides as they progressed along the path, and letting the river's gentle current pull us along. Both versions were fun, and we probably went through the lazy river portion dozens of times over the course of the weekend.
My shots don't depict it, but the pool did get more crowded (though not overly crowded) during various times of the day. Below is a shot of John relaxing on the entrance steps to the pool. John was especially amusing at the pool, approaching random kids and asking them questions and encouraging them to play with him. John is a funny kid in that he will talk to any child, and even the adults, in public places such as pools and parks. I think he gets this personality trait from Scott, as I am naturally more reserved around people I don't know.
Amelia and John played well together in the pool, but Amelia often ventured off to enjoy the water slide. I even went on the slide many times (it was fun, and Scott enjoyed it too). Though to our dismay Amelia insisted on having the noodle with her (she needs the safety net, we think), we were glad that she was not scared and that she really enjoyed the ride.Other activities on the property include a zipline, bungee trampolines, and bounce houses for the kids. The lodge also offers fishing, paddle boat rentals, horseback riding, and golf driving range, and tractor rides, but we chose to monopolize pool time and the "thrill rides" pictures below. First was the zipline. Amela and I went together (my first zipline! Amelia had done one during a Y Princess camping trip last year), and I have to say this was thrilling. Stepping off the platform was hard for me (I am a wimp. Amelia was less rattled than I was, I am so proud of her!) but once we were off the ride was awesome.Scott captured this awesome shot of me (on the left) and Amelia (on the right). I would guess we were about a quarter of the way along the route at this point. I am probably screaming in this shot. Amelia kept her cool and remained quiet. After the zipline Amelia and John enjoyed the trampolines. This took place after the three hours of swimming, in the hundred degree heat, late Saturday afternoon. I can understand why John felt a bit tired at this point.
Last but not least, I insisted on a family photo before we piled into the car Sunday afternoon for the drive home. This photo was taken in the main lodge inside the lobby area.John was asleep by the time we got drove off the property, and Amelia followed suit about 30 minutes later. No wonder, as these children were busy from the moment we arrived until the time we left, with about nine hours of sleep during the night to recharge. 
I greatly enjoyed our short weekend away and I have a feeling the others did too. Happy Father's Day, Scott! We love you!
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