Welcome to Rural Zest.  We are lakeside, mountainside, creekside, trailside and riverside vacation home and farm home remodelers. We share our time between our 240 acre farm, rural lakeside remodel (in progress) and coming in the future - our Rocky Mountain lakeview home with summertime hiking and lake sports with a short walk and winter skiing nearby.  Dirt roads are everywhere in our rural lives. 

Our farmhome has a handful of creeks and springs where we enjoy our cattle, horses, chickens, turkeys, guineas and peacocks.  We often see bald eagles soaring the open skies and deer running through the field.  We love the woods - walking in the woods, riding ATV's in the woods bonfires in the woods.

Creatures are bountiful at the lakehome (lakehome in remodel - follow us on Instagram to watch the transformation) - turtles, catfish, bass, fox, beavers, lake otters and more deer. Sunset and sunrise are beautiful at the lake with the sun glistening off the water through the trees. 

Our mountainhome is coming in the future. We have a beautiful spot, nestled on a mountain with aspen and pine trees, overlooking a lake with the Rocky Mountains and the continental divide as the backdrop. Animal watching here is inspiring - moose, elk and sometimes if we are lucky, bear. 

We believe the amazing outdoors is where memories are made. We believe in the importance of vacations and time spent with family and friends. Follow along as we share our rural journey.  

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Instagram Feed

Follow us on Instagram to watch our remodels and rural journey unfold.  

View fullsize Fall came and went quickly this year. The cold snap only gave me a brief moment to catch some pictures. Leaves are already falling off the trees. Which means better views of the lake. The remodel has been tedious as usual during the finishing stage.
View fullsize Making progress on the lakehouse. Siding going up with this beautiful blue / green color that I swear changed hues with the lake color. Inside - tile being planned, sheetrock ready for texture and paint!
View fullsize This weekend! So much nature and beauty to enjoy!
View fullsize Yesterday was an afternoon of games, crab and shrimp boil and then a fireworks show from the boat at dusk. Loads of friends and family. Pretty perfect July 4th celebration! Hope everyone had a weekend of fun and celebration.
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View fullsize What a day! Images from our hike today in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. We did hope to see a moose and we were not disappointed. Walked 3 short hikes entering on 3 different trailheads. So gorgeous!
View fullsize From the hike today! Pictures cannot describe the beauty. This hike is on a National Elk Preserve that is only open April through August. The vastness of the landscape is inspiring!
View fullsize Photos from the mountain drive from Estes Park to Granby, Colorado. For those not accustomed, the altitude at the top is interesting. But oh so worth the drive!
View fullsize Sharing some of the beauty of springtime. Snow topped mountains with wildflower blooming hillsides. So gorgeous.
View fullsize Majestic elk roaming the town. This time of year is famous for seeing lots of elk near the Rocky Mountain National Forest. Moose are my favorite but elk are likely my second fave!
View fullsize Taking a break from remodeling to celebrate Father’s Day in Colorado. We have a small piece of land we will build on someday. Two videos here, one is of the beautiful aspens blowing in the wind and the other is mule deer running into the brush.