Emily

I thought I'd reviewed the A-Lodge when I stayed here in 2024, but apparently I didn't, so I'll rectify that now. I'm a dog trainer, and I traveled from Tucumcari, New Mexico, to Boulder in early June 2024 to spend a few days studying with Doug and Elizabeth at Tenderfoot Training. I brought my rescue mutt, a little spaniel mix named Pearl, who loved hiking but tended to be a little shy around people. She became the belle of the ball and spent every evening of our stay charming the staff and making new friends on the patio.

I love the A-Lodge for its clean rooms, historic lobby, picturesque setting, helpful staff, and fun amenities -- which included craft beer on tap in the lobby and a fire pit on the patio -- but its impact on Pearl's life was what put it on my permanent list of weekend destinations.

The Adventure Lodge lived up to its name one evening when a young black bear came bumbling down toward the fire pit where Pearl was busy schmoozing with a group of college-aged campers. Her sudden growling, chuffing, and bristling alerted her new friends to the bear's presence, prompting everybody to stand up -- whereupon the bear realized it was time to leave. Pearl was convinced it was her intimidating presence (twelve pounds, three legs, and about the same number of teeth) that scared the predator away. That incident and the many positive interactions she had with staff and guests at the A-Lodge boosted her confidence so much that I wound up turning her into a therapy dog for my sixth-grade classroom that fall.

Sadly, the cancer that cost Pearl her leg claimed her life this fall. We were heartbroken to lose her, but I will forever cherish the memories she and I made at the A-Lodge, and I'm looking forward to returning one day soon with Pearl's successor. As a result of her work in my classroom, the last year of Pearl's life was filled with more love and light than she'd ever known, and her evenings at the A-Lodge played a big role in pulling her far enough out of her shell to allow her to take on that job. I will be forever grateful for that.